A Three Pointer

by John Harris

He pushed Mike back onto the bed and kissed him hard. Turning his head to one side and another as their tongues searched for voiceless words of arousal.
Paul Bryant loved Mike Chase. It’s just too bad that Mike didn’t love him back. Best friends through high school, they soon graduate with honors and head off to the prestigious UNNE – University of Northern New England – through basketball and academic scholarships. As soon as they step foot on the campus, they rule the school. Unfortunately for them, college won’t be as easy as the first day. With the onslaught of new people, new emotions, fraternities, and the journey to find themselves as individuals, Paul and Mike begin to drift apart. Add Dan Hawkins (an attractive Midwestern basketball player) into the mix, and things start to get a little dicey. Will they realize what they have before it’s too late? Or will they lose it all on the court and with their shorts?

THIS IS A VERY HOT AND STEAMY BOOK, OVER 50,000 WORDS M/M LOVERS, INTENDED FOR 18 AND OLDER.

172 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 5, 2016

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

This is John^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Harris, where ^=space. (20 spaces)

Author also writes as Noah Harris

Reviews

[Emily Seelye · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had potential, but it was a mess. I wasn't sure if they were freshmen or sophomores. I was expecting it to be M/M/M, and there were more sex scenes with other people.

[Fay MMBookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a book.. It didn't go the way I'd expected it to go. It twisted away from the half way point and right to the ending was different too (in a good way). Great writing and I loved the characters especially Paul, cause he's the sweetie in this.
Mike was of to University in a month and excited to get a full basketball scholarship was fantastic. Mike's friend, Paul was going to the same Uni on a academic scholarship. Paul's secretly in the closet and deeply in love with Mike but he's very much a ladies man.
A year into university life Mike appears to be the prankster and goofing of in classes. Now Mike has competition for his position on the basketball team he doesn't like it. This are about to get complicated, Dan is Mike's revival.. Paul is desperate to get over Mike.... well you gotta read to book to see what happens but it WONT be what you expect to happen..

[Denise GremoryKohta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was totally surprised by this book. Two best friends who enter adulthood together. Watching Paul gain self confidence was beautiful. Mike struggling with his confusion. What I liked most was that you couldn't predict where the characters were going. In parts I was sad, others I was mad. By the end, I was happy and satisfied. I definitely wasn't expecting the turns that it would take. A book I highly recommend. I received a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy.

[Sandra Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Together

Love is funny , they are in love with each other. But turn to others for comfort before they get going in a relationship and find happiness.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: A Three Pointer
Author: John Harris
Publisher: John Harris
ISBN: B01N0NY4CG
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N0NY4CG/...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
He pushed Mike back onto the bed and kissed him hard. Turning his head to one side and another as their tongues searched for voiceless words of arousal. 
Paul Bryant loved Mike Chase. It’s just too bad that Mike didn’t love him back. Best friends through high school, they soon graduate with honors and head off to the prestigious UNNE – University of Northern New England – through basketball and academic scholarships. As soon as they step foot on the campus, they rule the school. Unfortunately for them, college won’t be as easy as the first day. With the onslaught of new people, new emotions, fraternities, and the journey to find themselves as individuals, Paul and Mike begin to drift apart. Add Dan Hawkins (an attractive Midwestern basketball player) into the mix, and things start to get a little dicey. Will they realize what they have before it’s too late? Or will they lose it all on the court and with their shorts?

Total Score: 3

Summary:
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Coming out to friends and family can very difficult for individuals because they may fear that they won't be understand or rejected outright. Paul had loved his best friend Mike for years. Watching him flit from girl to girl didn't help his feelings of self worth, but when they finally went to university together he thought that things could change. Paul's doubt of ever having building a closer relationship kept him in hiding even after he began to show his true self to others. Paul was never the smartest person, but to him Paul was everything even if he that wasn't really how he felt deep down.

This was a nice coming-of-age story allowing the reader to understand the emotional roller coaster that Paul experienced. While I enjoyed this story, the books ended with a one time scene between Paul, Mike, and Dan, a friend, that only added to the adult feel added little to the actual plot of the story. This made the plot feel superficial at the end. It was funny how Paul summed it up “We probably did that backwards” giving the reader the understanding that they would be OK. I enjoyed entering into the lives of Paul and Mark as the story unfolded.

[Kris Mielke · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

Another gritty, emotionally charged, angsty, well-written book by Mr. John Harris. I really enjoy the young love, first love type stories. They always stay close to my heart because I’m always cheering for the couple to get together. Every time I thought I knew the next part of the story, a new twist was exposed. It kept me locked into the story till the very end.

From the beginning, it was easy to tell Paul and Mike should be together. One man hides in fear. The other hides in denial. Paul hides in fear because he’s in love with his only friend and doesn’t want anyone to know. In order to keep his secret, he becomes the friend he thinks Mike wants. Joins the basketball team, takes the same classes he does, does his homework and goes to the same college because he is 100% completely in love with his best friend. Paul is finally able to become his own person in college. His freedom begins when he joins the Queer Center on campus. That’s where he meets his mentor James. James introduces him to Patrick. Patrick is the one to really bring Paul out of his shell.

In high school, Mike was the star of the basketball team, earning himself an athletic scholarship. He’s also lighting it up with the females, earning himself the reputation of a lady’s man. Therefore, he leaves no time for homework and relies more than ever on Paul. Mike would not have graduated if Paul hadn’t done all of his homework. The same holds true in college. Only Mike becomes infatuated with Dan, a new team member of the team. He can’t understand why he doesn’t like the guy. Until one day, after some encouragement from Paul, Mike pays a visit to Dan. With some help from Dan, Mike learns the real truth about himself. When Mike reveals his true feelings for Mike to Dan, Dan offers him a proposal too hard to refuse.

The one thing that was a turn off for me was how the ending was just cut off. Sometimes, in other stories Mr. Harris has left the reader with the very distinct knowledge that there would be a book 2. With this story, I feel like the ending wasn’t complete. If there is a book 2, I hope we either here from Patrick or Dan. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Three Pointer by John Harris was a good book. Not my favorite story by him but not my least favorite either. I loved Paul's character in the story and would have loved to know more about him and his first time with Patrick. The story seems unfinished at the end, and I would have liked to have seen more of Paul and Mikes relationship and how it evolves. I did like how the characters grew up and became independent while they were split from each other over their misunderstanding. I liked Dan as a side character and how he helped Mike figure out his sexuality, but I didn't think he was needed at the end of the book even if the scene between him, Mike, and Paul was hot. Not sure if I would have been as okay with my first time being a menage instead of just between the boy that I had been crushing on for forever and me. I did happen to love the side character Patrick and his interaction with Paul. I wouldn't mind reading a book about Patrick and him finding his HEA. Although this book is classified as a menage book, I am not sure if I would classify it as such. There is only one menage scene, and the third character is more of a booty call type person than an integral part of Paul and Mikes relationship. They are not trying to have a menage relationship, and I prefer a menage book to be where they are all trying to have a relationship together. Overall, I did like A Three Pointer and will continue to read books by John Harris. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[Cee Zin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A contemporary "coming of age" romance illuminating that portion of life when uncertainty and angst reign supreme... not dramatically over indulgent but hitting that whirlwind spot on... written with a loving touch and delicate pen..... sweet, humorous, sexy... real.
Portrayed are Paul and Mike, long time friends, as they arrive at college to settle into their new lives. Paul's secretly harboured feelings for Mike intensify as, unbeknownst to him, Mike experiences unsettling, new feelings of his own. This begins a rollercoaster ride of emotions for both, as they experience confusion, frustration, and resentments. A rift opens... both fall in... and fall apart. While this highlights the turmoil of their seperation... it does serve a purpose as they both find themselves, as truths are learned, and, finally, there appears a cure... as they rediscover one another... as value is placed upon friendship and love.
My rating on this book reflects a couple technical issues that should have been edited out, the difficulty i encountered in the first couple chapters... it lacked an emotional pull... and a slight disconnect with Mike's character. Dan's character was ok, but for me... adding him for one sexual encounter with Paul and Mike... did not enhance the story or their connection... felt gratuitous... Dan should have been left in Mike's past!!! I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book .

[John-Torleif Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was only ok for me; it started out with an interesting dynamic between straight, clueless Mike and closeted Paul. Paul is in love with Mike but sees no hope for anything between them and so he just pines. They are graduated from high school and go on to the same university where they meet Dan, and everything changes. Unfortunately, it is at this point that the story fell apart for me. I thought that Dan was supposed to be a bit mysterious and alpha, but (to me) he just came off as predatory, and skeevy. I definitely don't think that he was healthy for Mike in any way. I also find that John's ménage books are a bit confusing since they seem to regularly send the message that threesomes are unsatisfying, or unwholesome in some way - his threesomes rarely last for longer than a single experiment and instant regret by at least one character seems to be a bit of a theme.

Normally John's forte is his relatable and likeable characters, but Paul was the only character in this book that I didn't spend a large portion of the story feeling disappointed with. I thought that Mike was dishonest with Paul when they finally got together and I really didn't like the fact that not all three characters had agreed to having a threesome before it happened.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet but angst-filled story of Mike and Paul. Paul is gay and in love with his best friend Mike. They room together in college. They eventually have a falling out and go their separate ways. Both develop new friends along the way.as well as new lovers. There is angst, anger, lust, coming of age, struggling with their sexuality, straight to gay sex, being in the closet, coming out of the closet, emotional growth and love. A well written story by Noah, with plenty of twists and turns along the way. I guess my feeling is that it could have done without the three way sex scene at the end although it did have an HEA. Manage once again is not my bag. I would however recommend this story to anyone to read and as usual Noah has done a fine job with this story. I voluntarily read and reviewed this ARC story.

[Coral Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul Bryant loved Mike Chase. Best friends through high school, they soon graduate with honors and head off to the prestigious University of Northern New England through basketball and academic scholarships. With the onslaught of new people, new emotions, fraternities, and the journey to find themselves as individuals, Paul and Mike begin to drift apart. Add Dan Hawkins into the mix, and things start to get a little dicey. Paul never came out to anyone, wants more from his friendship with Mike, and is busy discovering what he wants to do with his life. Mike is discovering who he really is and who he wants in his life. A miscommunication drives a wedge between them and their friendship may never recover. A steamy, coming of age story for Paul and Mike.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul and Mike have been best friends since junior high. One jock, one nerd both great looking guys. They are going to the same college each with a scholarship. Paul has alaways been in love with Mike but Mike is straight and so Paul has never told him. Mike is having trouble in his basketball team as he thinks newcomer Dan is stealing his thunder. Paul and Mike drift apart, they go on with their own lives. They get their own experiences before they come to terms with themselves. This is a sweet story with some funny moments, sad moments, some sexy ones and full of life moments. I really enjoyed it!!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book.

[Ruth Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

He does it again!! This is the kind of book that I have come to expect from this author. The characters are captivating, Paul and Mike make you want to invest in this story. Even the secondary characters are wonderful. Dan is a funny guy and Patrick I kinda fell in love with. This skill at making characters come to life is why this author is a must read.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

John is back with a bang with this excellent short story.
Paul loves Mike but Mike doesn't love Paul. They are still best friends but life draws them apart. Then Dan comes on the scene and he and Mike become very good friends. Is this the end for Paul and Mike? You will have to read this to find out.

I received a complimentary ARC and this is my voluntary review

[Katie Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three pointer was such a beautifully intense but lighthearted story I loved it

I loved the three guys there were such special characters they stole my heart I wanted to hug them

John Harris knows how to put a beautifully sweet story together with a equally wonderful storyline

Thank you john Harris for this beautifully written story

I voluntarily reviewed a advance copy of this book

[Kaila · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this was an interesting story. it wasn't my favorite but it was decent. I liked the characters but felt like the threesome part of it was kinda thrown in there for no reason to be honest.. but i really liked the concept of those three had they stayed together. it was still a good story and im glad i got to review it

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was really good until the end. I felt the inclusion of Dan in the sex scene with Mike and Paul was random. It really came out of nowhere. It might have been better if Paul was aware of Dan arriving before he actually showed up.