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Before Sunrise
Just Before Sunrise, as the fog lifts from the pool, the light reveals the tapered backs of male swimmers in Speedos concluding their morning workout.
Nicky O’Hare, a promising freshman recruited to the Tampa Bay University swim team, shows promise both in and out of the pool. The lean Irish kid with the ‘boy-next-door’ good looks from Brandy, South Dakota, is likely the most talented swimmer on the team. Ready to experience all that college life has to offer, Nicky has even put finding a boyfriend on his wish list.
Coach Phillip Silva, a former Olympic swimmer with a once-impressive swimming career, has recruited Nicky as part of his mission to rebuild the University’s failing swim program. Focused on the upcoming season, Phillip’s real challenge will be keeping his secrets and demons submerged below the surface.
All seems well until one night when Nicky and Phillip end up at the same Fourth of July celebration. With fireworks in the sky, the hot and humid night reveals the attraction between the two. But can these boundaries be crossed? Suddenly forced to reevaluate his life, Phillip is met with the moral dilemma of discovering true love with the University’s rising star.
Before Sunrise presents a story of friendships, love, complicated relationships, and deception, woven into a hard-earned happily-ever-after.
Bryan T. Clark, author of Ancient House of Cards, has again masterfully crafted a romance where the fine line between right and wrong must be resolved for love to survive.
Nicky O’Hare, a promising freshman recruited to the Tampa Bay University swim team, shows promise both in and out of the pool. The lean Irish kid with the ‘boy-next-door’ good looks from Brandy, South Dakota, is likely the most talented swimmer on the team. Ready to experience all that college life has to offer, Nicky has even put finding a boyfriend on his wish list.
Coach Phillip Silva, a former Olympic swimmer with a once-impressive swimming career, has recruited Nicky as part of his mission to rebuild the University’s failing swim program. Focused on the upcoming season, Phillip’s real challenge will be keeping his secrets and demons submerged below the surface.
All seems well until one night when Nicky and Phillip end up at the same Fourth of July celebration. With fireworks in the sky, the hot and humid night reveals the attraction between the two. But can these boundaries be crossed? Suddenly forced to reevaluate his life, Phillip is met with the moral dilemma of discovering true love with the University’s rising star.
Before Sunrise presents a story of friendships, love, complicated relationships, and deception, woven into a hard-earned happily-ever-after.
Bryan T. Clark, author of Ancient House of Cards, has again masterfully crafted a romance where the fine line between right and wrong must be resolved for love to survive.
- GenresM M Romance
360 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 2, 2016
8 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
Bryan T. Clark
8 books48 followersBryan T. Clark is a 2X Lambda Literary finalist and Rainbow Award winning author of gay romance, and contemporary books. He is also a funny, loving, family-oriented, and proud member of the LGBT community. Behind his computer, working on his next novel, Bryan writes romance with an emphasis on moral dilemma. His multicultural characters and riveting plots embody real life, filled with challenges, personal growth, and, of course, what we all desire—love.
In his work, he is known to push the boundaries with brilliantly crafted stories of friendship, love, complicated relationships, and challenges all woven into a hard-earned happily-ever-after.
When Bryan is not writing, he enjoys reading a great book, traveling, lying by a body of water soaking up the sun, and watching a good movie while snuggled up with his husband on the couch with their loyal companion Nettie, the Sheepadoodle.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Bryan has made his home and life in the Central Valley of California.
In his work, he is known to push the boundaries with brilliantly crafted stories of friendship, love, complicated relationships, and challenges all woven into a hard-earned happily-ever-after.
When Bryan is not writing, he enjoys reading a great book, traveling, lying by a body of water soaking up the sun, and watching a good movie while snuggled up with his husband on the couch with their loyal companion Nettie, the Sheepadoodle.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Bryan has made his home and life in the Central Valley of California.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 20, 2017
BEFORE SUNRISE, by Bryan T. Clark
Reviewed by Brian Douglas
Okay! I have to say right off that reading Before Sunrise took me right back to my youth and all the mystery, excitement and curiosity of budding sexuality and of being attracted to other guys. I was a swimmer all through high school and I was discovering my own sexuality. Being in the pool everyday and hanging out with a bunch of good looking guys in speedos was, to put it mildly, both overwhelming and scintillating at the same time! Author Bryan T. Clark captures these feelings and a host of other emotions and feelings of youth as he tells the story of the beautiful innocence and sexual awakening of the young college freshman, Nicky O’Hare. Nicky is a budding star on the swim team. We feel Nicky’s excitement about his newly found independence away at school and the growing curiosity about his sexuality as he pursues a college education and his dreams of being an Olympic swimmer.
Nicky was recruited from his small hometown in South Dakota by Coach Phillip Silva, a former Olympic swimmer. Coach Phillip has been hired to help rebuild the Tampa Bay University swim team. From the moment they meet, Nicky feels a strong and questionable attraction for the coach. Little does he know that the coach is having similar feelings about him. The stage is set for the development of a tender and loving relationship within a setting that is complicated by their age difference and the fact that they have to conceal their love from the other swim team members and University officials. Throw into the mix a wonderful array of secondary characters, who bring the energy of youth and sexual tension that young people often face and you have the makings of a very entertaining and enticing read.
Mr. Clark is a creative writer who understands what it is like to be a young man who is on the brink of self-discovery and the acceptance of his sexuality, all the while facing the challenges of being away from home for the first time, pursuing his educational and athletic dreams. He contrasts the innocence and youth of Nicky with the maturity and experienced Coach Phillip Silva and weaves a story of love and compassion, wrong turns and u turns as the reader becomes more and more connected to the dilemma they face. Mr. Clark is a master of character development and in moving the storyline forward in a way that captivates the reader. His writing style is fresh and full of energy. I felt like I was right there alongside the characters, experiencing their emotions and always hoping they would succeed and find happiness as they dealt with the various life changing issues before them. I highly recommend Before Sunrise. You will not be disappointed! Jump in, the water is fine!
Reviewed by Brian Douglas
Okay! I have to say right off that reading Before Sunrise took me right back to my youth and all the mystery, excitement and curiosity of budding sexuality and of being attracted to other guys. I was a swimmer all through high school and I was discovering my own sexuality. Being in the pool everyday and hanging out with a bunch of good looking guys in speedos was, to put it mildly, both overwhelming and scintillating at the same time! Author Bryan T. Clark captures these feelings and a host of other emotions and feelings of youth as he tells the story of the beautiful innocence and sexual awakening of the young college freshman, Nicky O’Hare. Nicky is a budding star on the swim team. We feel Nicky’s excitement about his newly found independence away at school and the growing curiosity about his sexuality as he pursues a college education and his dreams of being an Olympic swimmer.
Nicky was recruited from his small hometown in South Dakota by Coach Phillip Silva, a former Olympic swimmer. Coach Phillip has been hired to help rebuild the Tampa Bay University swim team. From the moment they meet, Nicky feels a strong and questionable attraction for the coach. Little does he know that the coach is having similar feelings about him. The stage is set for the development of a tender and loving relationship within a setting that is complicated by their age difference and the fact that they have to conceal their love from the other swim team members and University officials. Throw into the mix a wonderful array of secondary characters, who bring the energy of youth and sexual tension that young people often face and you have the makings of a very entertaining and enticing read.
Mr. Clark is a creative writer who understands what it is like to be a young man who is on the brink of self-discovery and the acceptance of his sexuality, all the while facing the challenges of being away from home for the first time, pursuing his educational and athletic dreams. He contrasts the innocence and youth of Nicky with the maturity and experienced Coach Phillip Silva and weaves a story of love and compassion, wrong turns and u turns as the reader becomes more and more connected to the dilemma they face. Mr. Clark is a master of character development and in moving the storyline forward in a way that captivates the reader. His writing style is fresh and full of energy. I felt like I was right there alongside the characters, experiencing their emotions and always hoping they would succeed and find happiness as they dealt with the various life changing issues before them. I highly recommend Before Sunrise. You will not be disappointed! Jump in, the water is fine!
March 7, 2016
3.5 stars whew, I'm so glad they got their HEA
May 8, 2016
~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Inked Rainbow Reads Review Team~
3 stars for this M/M
I found this book to be very slow, wordy and sometimes very boring. I wanted to feel the connection between the characters but as hard as I tried I just couldn't through most of the book, I ended up skimming. And then how everything was tied up really fast with a nice bow at the end. How you can be so wordy through the whole book and then just end things all nice and pretty is just beyond me.
3 stars for this M/M
I found this book to be very slow, wordy and sometimes very boring. I wanted to feel the connection between the characters but as hard as I tried I just couldn't through most of the book, I ended up skimming. And then how everything was tied up really fast with a nice bow at the end. How you can be so wordy through the whole book and then just end things all nice and pretty is just beyond me.
August 23, 2024
Before
I am giving this book a 5/5. I will be honest. At first I thought the main characters were not realistic enough and the story was going to brain candy. But I am glad to say I was wrong. This book is good! Nicky is a freshman on the swimming team at Tampa Bay University. He was recruited by Coach Phillip. Nicky is a very good swimmer. He also has a crush on Phillip who is also attracted to Nicky. But Phillip wants more than a hook up. The two men finally have sex and their relationship progresses well. But Phillip has issues that he needs to deal with and both men need to be honest with each other. There is an ugly current of racism dividing the team and drug use. Phillip and Nicky will have to communicate with each other and be honest. I am glad I read this book.
I am giving this book a 5/5. I will be honest. At first I thought the main characters were not realistic enough and the story was going to brain candy. But I am glad to say I was wrong. This book is good! Nicky is a freshman on the swimming team at Tampa Bay University. He was recruited by Coach Phillip. Nicky is a very good swimmer. He also has a crush on Phillip who is also attracted to Nicky. But Phillip wants more than a hook up. The two men finally have sex and their relationship progresses well. But Phillip has issues that he needs to deal with and both men need to be honest with each other. There is an ugly current of racism dividing the team and drug use. Phillip and Nicky will have to communicate with each other and be honest. I am glad I read this book.
April 12, 2021
The novel starts slowly, but near the end, conflicts become clear and the story gets interesing. For many, the wait will be too long, but for those with patience, they may find it was worth it.
March 3, 2016
Original Blog Post: Happy Happy Release Day!!! Review: Before Sunrise by Bryan T. Clark
Review by: multitaskingmomma
My Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
I love May/December romances as you may all know by now. For those who don't, well, I do! There is just something about older man/younger man relationships that makes my heart thrum. I love how the maturity of one balances out that of the more insecure one. But with Before Sunrise, things are not what they seem.
Nicky O'Hare is the younger man. A freshman and new member of the college swim team, he is the stereotypical hesitant guy with a man crush on his handsome coach. There is nothing he wouldn't do for the man, he'd swim to win just to guarantee coach looks to him other than as a swimmer.
Coach Philip Silva has his eyes on young Nicky. He'd recruited him a year before and now that he was in the swim team, Nicky is proving to be a good choice. But it's not all platonic on his side. Never really looking for a relationship in his life before, he is confused with his growing feelings for the younger man. When Nicky and Philip finally get together for dinner, things went a little bit too fast for Philip's liking and puts a stop. The next day, well that's a different story.
On the sidelines are the members of the swim team. Their life stories seemingly unconnected to Nicky and Philip's. What their roles are soon become apparent. Good and bad, Nicky and Philip will realize who their friends really are, what they really mean to each other and a surprise realization that it is not the age that makes someone mature and responsible, it is the man.
This was a sweet, romantic read and I couldn't put it down despite my busy schedule life and dogs. Nicky and Phil's story pulls on the heartstrings and it doesn't take long before they guarantee your attention never leave them. Quite a different read from the author's first book, Ancient House Of Cards whose men are mentioned here. This has a lighter feel to it compared to the first book but it is just as engrossing and all encompassing. The drop in star is because of something left unresolved though I wonder if there is a follow up story. I doubt there is, but I do wish it.
A recommended good read.
Review by: multitaskingmomma
My Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
I love May/December romances as you may all know by now. For those who don't, well, I do! There is just something about older man/younger man relationships that makes my heart thrum. I love how the maturity of one balances out that of the more insecure one. But with Before Sunrise, things are not what they seem.
Nicky O'Hare is the younger man. A freshman and new member of the college swim team, he is the stereotypical hesitant guy with a man crush on his handsome coach. There is nothing he wouldn't do for the man, he'd swim to win just to guarantee coach looks to him other than as a swimmer.
Coach Philip Silva has his eyes on young Nicky. He'd recruited him a year before and now that he was in the swim team, Nicky is proving to be a good choice. But it's not all platonic on his side. Never really looking for a relationship in his life before, he is confused with his growing feelings for the younger man. When Nicky and Philip finally get together for dinner, things went a little bit too fast for Philip's liking and puts a stop. The next day, well that's a different story.
On the sidelines are the members of the swim team. Their life stories seemingly unconnected to Nicky and Philip's. What their roles are soon become apparent. Good and bad, Nicky and Philip will realize who their friends really are, what they really mean to each other and a surprise realization that it is not the age that makes someone mature and responsible, it is the man.
This was a sweet, romantic read and I couldn't put it down despite my busy schedule life and dogs. Nicky and Phil's story pulls on the heartstrings and it doesn't take long before they guarantee your attention never leave them. Quite a different read from the author's first book, Ancient House Of Cards whose men are mentioned here. This has a lighter feel to it compared to the first book but it is just as engrossing and all encompassing. The drop in star is because of something left unresolved though I wonder if there is a follow up story. I doubt there is, but I do wish it.
A recommended good read.
April 13, 2016
The romance in this story is sweet. The moral dilemmas, however, are harsh and address touchy subjects that often get in the way of romance, friendship or goals.
Before Sunrise is the story of a young man’s college years as he progresses in his goal to swimming at the highest competitive level, earning a degree, finding love and figuring out exactly what he wants in life. Nicky is an extremely talented swimmer, and his college coach recognized that from the time he first saw Nicky swim. Nicky wanted something else from Coach Philip from the moment he met him. And thus begins a tale of making adult decisions.
When we first meet Nicky, he already is a mature young man at 18, who knows who he is and what he wants. Or thinks he does. His parents have given him a loving and somewhat sheltered life growing up. Nicky respects and loves them and wants to make them proud. As he spends more time away from them, Nicky begins to form his own judgments of right and wrong.
Philip is a broken man who hides his scars, physical and mental. In order to be more than a swim coach for Nicky, Philip has some hard decisions to make, decisions that may ultimately take him away from Nicky.
The secondary characters, Nicky’s friends and Philip’s co-workers, play major roles in the story. Mr. Clark does a masterful job of developing all of the characters in this story so they play out their parts in this drama in such a way that you will become very invested in them. Tyler, the teammate whose life before college surprises everyone; JB, fighting to stay out of the 'hood and become the man he wants to be; Conner, raised with so much hate; other teammates and coaches who have their own personalities and agendas that clash instead of bond.
This is an excellent book, full of surprises and romance that is harder to earn than any athletic award. I highly recommend Before Sunrise as a great read and Bryan T. Clark as a master storyteller. Don’t let the blurb’s warning about an “unexpected ending” worry you. Sometimes life's unanticipated events lead to the greatest happiness ever after.
Before Sunrise is the story of a young man’s college years as he progresses in his goal to swimming at the highest competitive level, earning a degree, finding love and figuring out exactly what he wants in life. Nicky is an extremely talented swimmer, and his college coach recognized that from the time he first saw Nicky swim. Nicky wanted something else from Coach Philip from the moment he met him. And thus begins a tale of making adult decisions.
When we first meet Nicky, he already is a mature young man at 18, who knows who he is and what he wants. Or thinks he does. His parents have given him a loving and somewhat sheltered life growing up. Nicky respects and loves them and wants to make them proud. As he spends more time away from them, Nicky begins to form his own judgments of right and wrong.
Philip is a broken man who hides his scars, physical and mental. In order to be more than a swim coach for Nicky, Philip has some hard decisions to make, decisions that may ultimately take him away from Nicky.
The secondary characters, Nicky’s friends and Philip’s co-workers, play major roles in the story. Mr. Clark does a masterful job of developing all of the characters in this story so they play out their parts in this drama in such a way that you will become very invested in them. Tyler, the teammate whose life before college surprises everyone; JB, fighting to stay out of the 'hood and become the man he wants to be; Conner, raised with so much hate; other teammates and coaches who have their own personalities and agendas that clash instead of bond.
This is an excellent book, full of surprises and romance that is harder to earn than any athletic award. I highly recommend Before Sunrise as a great read and Bryan T. Clark as a master storyteller. Don’t let the blurb’s warning about an “unexpected ending” worry you. Sometimes life's unanticipated events lead to the greatest happiness ever after.
May 16, 2016
A Joyfully Jay review.
1.5 stars
Sometimes you start a book and immediately know that the style isn’t for you and that is most certainly the case here. The style of the narrative voice, the choppy writing, the often amateurish, robotic, and sometimes derogatory language didn’t work well for me from the start. The way that the overall story itself played out did not offer anything further.
The first issue I had with this book is that for the first quarter, it did not depict the story that the blurb presented. The blurb focuses on Nicky and Philip and the idea of a forbidden coach and athlete relationship. While that is part of the book, sure, this book also has an ensemble cast that gets plenty of page time.
Read the review in its entirety here.
1.5 stars
Sometimes you start a book and immediately know that the style isn’t for you and that is most certainly the case here. The style of the narrative voice, the choppy writing, the often amateurish, robotic, and sometimes derogatory language didn’t work well for me from the start. The way that the overall story itself played out did not offer anything further.
The first issue I had with this book is that for the first quarter, it did not depict the story that the blurb presented. The blurb focuses on Nicky and Philip and the idea of a forbidden coach and athlete relationship. While that is part of the book, sure, this book also has an ensemble cast that gets plenty of page time.
Read the review in its entirety here.
April 28, 2016
Okay, I have to be honest. I didn’t read the blurb for this book. I fell in love with this author after reading his debut book Ancient House of Cards and was stalking him until this was released. The downside of not reading the blurb is finding out the book is set in the town I live. I tend to stay away from those books simply because I’m too critical of the research or lack of. Also I just don’t like reading about the place I live.
So I’m just going to get these points off my chest, then gush on how amazing everything else was. I’ve no idea if it was lack of research or maybe not wanting to give credit were due. But some big points we’re messed up, esp. talking about the schools. And being a HUGE Fl. State fan I CAN’T believe you called US GATORS! LOL (off w/your head Mr. Clark
So I’m just going to get these points off my chest, then gush on how amazing everything else was. I’ve no idea if it was lack of research or maybe not wanting to give credit were due. But some big points we’re messed up, esp. talking about the schools. And being a HUGE Fl. State fan I CAN’T believe you called US GATORS! LOL (off w/your head Mr. Clark
March 11, 2016
This M/M romance follows several characters: a college swim coach and members of his swim team. The sex isn't graphic, but there's lots of romance. The book explores its secondary characters to a greater depth than I expected, and I liked seeing the very different personalities interacting. The last third of the book a lot happens, and my appreciation for the story grew. Several characters have big reveals and/or transformations, and they surprised me. Clark went deeper into the characters than I expected, and brought an unexpected dimension to the story.
Want to Read
March 3, 2016The blurb ending with "unexpected ending" makes me nervous - anyone who reads this, is it a happy ending? Cliffhanger?
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews