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Eastshore Tigers #4
Offside
They're both looking for a fresh start, but can they ever truly leave their pasts behind them?
Lance Harper knows how much the limelight can burn. A rising star who found all his NFL dreams coming true right out of high school, Lance crashed hard, pulled down by a string of bad decisions. Now, hiding from the media circus in Eastshore, Lance wants nothing more than to be left alone. But that all changes when a chance encounter brings him to the Tigers' practice field.
Beau Woodridge figured out early on that being forgettable gets you nowhere. With a little bit of liquid courage and a willing audience, Beau’s managed to climb to the top of Eastshore’s social circles, but the field is another story. After an awful season, Beau’s NFL dreams seem barely in reach, and the lack of an offensive coach has left him directionless. But when a meeting with Lance leads the pro star straight to the Tigers payroll, Beau suddenly finds his path forward.
Desperate to escape his troubled home life, Beau convinces Lance to mentor him. What starts as hero-worship quickly grows into a strong attraction--one Beau is shocked to discover isn't as one-sided as he thought. And when the spark between them finally ignites, coach and player are pulled into a secret romance.
But it's only a matter of time before Lance's celebrity status forces their relationship into the spotlight. The sudden attention may be more than either can handle, and if they want to stay together, they'll have to take on the prying eyes of the whole world--and the demons that still lurk in their pasts.
Offside is a steamy, standalone gay romance novel with a HEA ending and no cliffhanger.
Lance Harper knows how much the limelight can burn. A rising star who found all his NFL dreams coming true right out of high school, Lance crashed hard, pulled down by a string of bad decisions. Now, hiding from the media circus in Eastshore, Lance wants nothing more than to be left alone. But that all changes when a chance encounter brings him to the Tigers' practice field.
Beau Woodridge figured out early on that being forgettable gets you nowhere. With a little bit of liquid courage and a willing audience, Beau’s managed to climb to the top of Eastshore’s social circles, but the field is another story. After an awful season, Beau’s NFL dreams seem barely in reach, and the lack of an offensive coach has left him directionless. But when a meeting with Lance leads the pro star straight to the Tigers payroll, Beau suddenly finds his path forward.
Desperate to escape his troubled home life, Beau convinces Lance to mentor him. What starts as hero-worship quickly grows into a strong attraction--one Beau is shocked to discover isn't as one-sided as he thought. And when the spark between them finally ignites, coach and player are pulled into a secret romance.
But it's only a matter of time before Lance's celebrity status forces their relationship into the spotlight. The sudden attention may be more than either can handle, and if they want to stay together, they'll have to take on the prying eyes of the whole world--and the demons that still lurk in their pasts.
Offside is a steamy, standalone gay romance novel with a HEA ending and no cliffhanger.
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 6, 2016
71 people are currently reading
369 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
December 7, 2016
I liked this fourth book in the series, but I have to say that out of all the books in this series, this was my least favorite one.
I enjoyed it, but it also pissed me off. The Reason for my pissyness....Lance. It’s hard to really like a book, when you dislike one of the main characters. The plus side however, is that I loved Beau, whom was the reason I kept on keeping on.
I don’t want to say too much and risk giving away spoilers, so I’m keeping this short.
Lance is, or I should say was, a big time NFL player for he Jaguars. He has recently stepped down and everyone and their mother has an opinion as to why. Most think it has to do with the divorce he’s going through at the moment. Lance and his best friend Xavier are the only ones who know the thruth about why he stepped out.
Beau is an out and proud gay man playing college football for the Eastshore Tigers. Now this is the rainbow friendly club, that has been in the previous books, but I have to say that there weren't any (main) characters from the previous book present. Beau is struggeling a bit in life. His father is a mean-ass drunk and his mother left some years ago to be with another man and start a new family. Beau isn’t really a happy camper, but he pretends to be….and he uses way too much alcohol, to help him with this charade he has going on.
These two men meet by chance at the side of the road and Beau is starstruck. He invites Lance to come and watch him (and the rest of the team) play. This event leads to Lance being offered a job as an offence coach for the Eastshore Tigers, which he accepts.
As the story continues, the two of them become closer and closer and that’s all you’re going to get from me.
As to the reason why I didn’t like Lance, I can’t say too much, without giving away more of the storyline. You will just have to read it yourself and form your own opinion and chances are, you won't agree with me. I do have to say that he redeemed himself before the end, but for most of the book, I just didn't agree with the choices he made.
I also found that this book lacked a bit of info, it felt as though some things were missing. I wanted more info about Lance and his (previous) marriage. I wanted a bit more about both their families and how they grew up. All that would have helped with their character development. Now I just felt, like I didn’t really know them. The story dragged a bit in the middle and this would have been the perfect moment to get into those things.
I was also a bit dissapointed about the steam level. Sure there were a few hot scenes, but they were over in a flash and I felt a bit robbed. I don’t need a lot of steam in my mm books.......oh who am I kidding.....
3,5 stars from me
An ARC was kindly provided to me by the author ;)
I enjoyed it, but it also pissed me off. The Reason for my pissyness....Lance. It’s hard to really like a book, when you dislike one of the main characters. The plus side however, is that I loved Beau, whom was the reason I kept on keeping on.
I don’t want to say too much and risk giving away spoilers, so I’m keeping this short.
Lance is, or I should say was, a big time NFL player for he Jaguars. He has recently stepped down and everyone and their mother has an opinion as to why. Most think it has to do with the divorce he’s going through at the moment. Lance and his best friend Xavier are the only ones who know the thruth about why he stepped out.
Beau is an out and proud gay man playing college football for the Eastshore Tigers. Now this is the rainbow friendly club, that has been in the previous books, but I have to say that there weren't any (main) characters from the previous book present. Beau is struggeling a bit in life. His father is a mean-ass drunk and his mother left some years ago to be with another man and start a new family. Beau isn’t really a happy camper, but he pretends to be….and he uses way too much alcohol, to help him with this charade he has going on.
These two men meet by chance at the side of the road and Beau is starstruck. He invites Lance to come and watch him (and the rest of the team) play. This event leads to Lance being offered a job as an offence coach for the Eastshore Tigers, which he accepts.
As the story continues, the two of them become closer and closer and that’s all you’re going to get from me.
As to the reason why I didn’t like Lance, I can’t say too much, without giving away more of the storyline. You will just have to read it yourself and form your own opinion and chances are, you won't agree with me. I do have to say that he redeemed himself before the end, but for most of the book, I just didn't agree with the choices he made.
I also found that this book lacked a bit of info, it felt as though some things were missing. I wanted more info about Lance and his (previous) marriage. I wanted a bit more about both their families and how they grew up. All that would have helped with their character development. Now I just felt, like I didn’t really know them. The story dragged a bit in the middle and this would have been the perfect moment to get into those things.
I was also a bit dissapointed about the steam level. Sure there were a few hot scenes, but they were over in a flash and I felt a bit robbed. I don’t need a lot of steam in my mm books.......oh who am I kidding.....
3,5 stars from me
An ARC was kindly provided to me by the author ;)
April 21, 2025
3.5 Stars
Lance Harper has just retired from the NFL. He’s getting a divorce from a manipulative woman and is generally fed up with having his life dictated by others, feeling like everyone around him is using him for personal gain. He’s also a closeted bisexual, a fact he can’t contain too long once he meets college footballer Beau Woodridge.
Beau is out and proud, playing football for the Eastshore Tigers, who, in recent years, have become a beacon for LGBT players and their supporters. Beau’s a good guy, but he perhaps parties a little too hard on the weekends — a backwards coping mechanism he has for dealing with the stress his alcoholic father puts him under all the time.
Lance and Beau meet by happenstance, which leads to Lance getting a great job opportunity as a new offensive coach for the Eastshore Tigers. Now, as student and teacher, the two work together in close proximity, eventually becoming friends and spending time together outside of football.
Eventually, Lance and Beau admit to a shared attraction and begin a physical relationship, which they need to navigate with some care, as not to shack up their positions with the team, but more importantly, as not to draw unwanted media attention towards Lance, who has no interest in becoming even more of a news sensation than he already is.
This was sweet and sexy, with only a few hiccups along the way to happiness for these footballers. With Lance’s celebrity status causing a buzz and with Beau’s increasingly worrisome party behaviour, these two have more than enough to overcome as a couple, but I did feel the way in which their story wrapped up was perhaps a little too easy in terms of some of the conflict resolutions that occurred.
In particular, I’ve noticed it’s become a thing in this series to have an extremely unlikeable, horribly behaving parent do a 180 in personality in the final act of the story. It annoyed me in earlier books and it annoyed me even more here. It felt wholly unrealistic to suddenly have Beau’s father be this regretful, loving man — I honestly would rather he stay horrible and his son never see him again, than he flip some switch that helps wrap the story up in a nice happy bow. It’s just too disingenuous for me, and the fact it’s a reoccurring phenomenon puts me off reading more, if I’m honest.
Ultimately, this addition to this M/M college football series was probably my least favourite of the bunch, but Lance and Beau — Lance more than Beau — made for some light, sexy reading to start my week.
Lance Harper has just retired from the NFL. He’s getting a divorce from a manipulative woman and is generally fed up with having his life dictated by others, feeling like everyone around him is using him for personal gain. He’s also a closeted bisexual, a fact he can’t contain too long once he meets college footballer Beau Woodridge.
Beau is out and proud, playing football for the Eastshore Tigers, who, in recent years, have become a beacon for LGBT players and their supporters. Beau’s a good guy, but he perhaps parties a little too hard on the weekends — a backwards coping mechanism he has for dealing with the stress his alcoholic father puts him under all the time.
Lance and Beau meet by happenstance, which leads to Lance getting a great job opportunity as a new offensive coach for the Eastshore Tigers. Now, as student and teacher, the two work together in close proximity, eventually becoming friends and spending time together outside of football.
Eventually, Lance and Beau admit to a shared attraction and begin a physical relationship, which they need to navigate with some care, as not to shack up their positions with the team, but more importantly, as not to draw unwanted media attention towards Lance, who has no interest in becoming even more of a news sensation than he already is.
This was sweet and sexy, with only a few hiccups along the way to happiness for these footballers. With Lance’s celebrity status causing a buzz and with Beau’s increasingly worrisome party behaviour, these two have more than enough to overcome as a couple, but I did feel the way in which their story wrapped up was perhaps a little too easy in terms of some of the conflict resolutions that occurred.
In particular, I’ve noticed it’s become a thing in this series to have an extremely unlikeable, horribly behaving parent do a 180 in personality in the final act of the story. It annoyed me in earlier books and it annoyed me even more here. It felt wholly unrealistic to suddenly have Beau’s father be this regretful, loving man — I honestly would rather he stay horrible and his son never see him again, than he flip some switch that helps wrap the story up in a nice happy bow. It’s just too disingenuous for me, and the fact it’s a reoccurring phenomenon puts me off reading more, if I’m honest.
Ultimately, this addition to this M/M college football series was probably my least favourite of the bunch, but Lance and Beau — Lance more than Beau — made for some light, sexy reading to start my week.
September 3, 2019
3 Stars
I’m obviously wholeheartedly all for 2 men in top peak condition jonesing for one another, and as the book covers to this series can attest, there are some very fine MC’s to drool over here.
This time around the love connection is not between two students but a student and a coach which lends a different dynamic that I wasn’t always necessarily comfortable with for some reason.
On one hand you’ve got Lance. Self inflicted retired from the NFL, newly divorced, and now recently turned football coach for the offensive team for the Eastshore Tigers, he’s been hiding the fact that he’s bisexual. Lance is just not ready for the truth to come out and it’s moot, until he can’t help but be attracted to one of his players who’s got real talent .
Beau is that player. He’s out and proud, and he too feels the instant connection with Lance. Thing is, Beau has some personal issues to contend with, and he copes with these problems in a self destructive way that ends up with him making a lot of stupid decisions, putting both himself and Lance in less than ideal situations that implode quite spectacularly.
Now, I’ve enjoyed my fair share of sports themed romances, and it’s almost a given that one or both of the MC’s will be in the closet. In my older age I’ve not made it a secret that the anxiety of such a setup is not one I enjoy as much anymore. So on top of that and MC’s making bad life choices, I was a ball of mangled nerves.
Despite said mangled nerves, fear not, as the angst in this series is thankfully never protracted (though some might feel the resolutions way too quick and easy). This might be my least favorite entry, but it was still a consistent, smexy, dual pov romance, and I think many will have no problem with hot men confronting their sexuality, with various topical conflicts thrown in against a heavy backdrop of college football. If that checks all your boxes, then come on over and start enjoying this series with Strong Side!
I’m obviously wholeheartedly all for 2 men in top peak condition jonesing for one another, and as the book covers to this series can attest, there are some very fine MC’s to drool over here.
This time around the love connection is not between two students but a student and a coach which lends a different dynamic that I wasn’t always necessarily comfortable with for some reason.
On one hand you’ve got Lance. Self inflicted retired from the NFL, newly divorced, and now recently turned football coach for the offensive team for the Eastshore Tigers, he’s been hiding the fact that he’s bisexual. Lance is just not ready for the truth to come out and it’s moot, until he can’t help but be attracted to one of his players who’s got real talent .
Beau is that player. He’s out and proud, and he too feels the instant connection with Lance. Thing is, Beau has some personal issues to contend with, and he copes with these problems in a self destructive way that ends up with him making a lot of stupid decisions, putting both himself and Lance in less than ideal situations that implode quite spectacularly.
Now, I’ve enjoyed my fair share of sports themed romances, and it’s almost a given that one or both of the MC’s will be in the closet. In my older age I’ve not made it a secret that the anxiety of such a setup is not one I enjoy as much anymore. So on top of that and MC’s making bad life choices, I was a ball of mangled nerves.
Despite said mangled nerves, fear not, as the angst in this series is thankfully never protracted (though some might feel the resolutions way too quick and easy). This might be my least favorite entry, but it was still a consistent, smexy, dual pov romance, and I think many will have no problem with hot men confronting their sexuality, with various topical conflicts thrown in against a heavy backdrop of college football. If that checks all your boxes, then come on over and start enjoying this series with Strong Side!
April 16, 2019
I enjoy reading romance with a sports theme. So this series by Alison Hendricks is my "cuppa". The books in this series are stand-alone stories featuring different couples. Of course, if you read the whole series you get some additional background but not enough to confuse anyone picking up a book in any part of the series.
The writing is engaging and the pacing flows well. I didn't stumble once while reading. I was afraid it was going to turn into an angst-fest because of some foreshadowing early in the story. I am angst-averse so that worried me. I'm happy to say that it never got too deep for me.
Funny enough, it was that lack of depth that left me feeling like I'd read a short story instead of a full length novel. In this particular story I would have preferred a longer exploration of both MCs background and reasons for the place they found themselves in.
It didn't necessarily detract from the story. I found it to be a nice, easy read. It's just that there were elements that could have been expanded to make this a deeper sort of novel. Obviously, that's not the intent in this series and I enjoy these books for what they are. Engaging, easy stories.
A great addition to sports romance.
3.5 stars
The writing is engaging and the pacing flows well. I didn't stumble once while reading. I was afraid it was going to turn into an angst-fest because of some foreshadowing early in the story. I am angst-averse so that worried me. I'm happy to say that it never got too deep for me.
Funny enough, it was that lack of depth that left me feeling like I'd read a short story instead of a full length novel. In this particular story I would have preferred a longer exploration of both MCs background and reasons for the place they found themselves in.
It didn't necessarily detract from the story. I found it to be a nice, easy read. It's just that there were elements that could have been expanded to make this a deeper sort of novel. Obviously, that's not the intent in this series and I enjoy these books for what they are. Engaging, easy stories.
A great addition to sports romance.
3.5 stars
December 7, 2016
"I needed this. I needed someone who knows the real me. Someone who wants the real me. And now that I have it, I'm not sure I can give it up."
I did sympathise with Lance. He must have had a bad time. Being idiolized and taken advantage of. No one sees the real him. And then he meets Beau. Beau sees the real him and for the first time Lance can be himself.....
Something's with this writer. I love her stories and I'll get all excited cause I love football. And I almost always love her characters but somehow Ms Hendricks isn't able to hold my attention throughout the book.
But overall a good enough read and certainly worth your time.
July 20, 2020
I think this was the book in the series that I liked least ...
In this book we meet Lance and Beau, Lance is a former football player, he gave up because he can't stand the fast life of the NFL, Beau is a student (player) who wants to reach the NFL and that is his biggest dream.
When Beau meets Lance he cannot pass up the opportunity to ask his idol for advice, and so their friendship begins which quickly becomes something more ...
But not everything is as it seems, there are many things hidden between them, things that they don't know how to deal with. Will they find out before it's too late?
Rating: 2.5 Stars.
Steam: 5 out of 10.
Triggers:
Love Triangle:
Cheating:
HEA:
In this book we meet Lance and Beau, Lance is a former football player, he gave up because he can't stand the fast life of the NFL, Beau is a student (player) who wants to reach the NFL and that is his biggest dream.
When Beau meets Lance he cannot pass up the opportunity to ask his idol for advice, and so their friendship begins which quickly becomes something more ...
But not everything is as it seems, there are many things hidden between them, things that they don't know how to deal with. Will they find out before it's too late?
Rating: 2.5 Stars.
Steam: 5 out of 10.
Triggers:
Love Triangle:
Cheating:
HEA:
April 23, 2025
I think this is my least favourite of the series, Beau really fucked up and I don’t think he grovelled enough. Lance was just too precious and pretty to go through all that trouble and not even get a proper apology.
January 15, 2017
NTS: Books 1-2 of the series were good. Book 3 I CNFd and this one had a pair of idiots as MCs. I don't know if I want to read anymore of this series.
These two MCs were as dumb as a pair of rocks.
Also I didn't like the
These two MCs were as dumb as a pair of rocks.
Also I didn't like the
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2018
I really really liked this book... part of that is the author had me crying throughout the last 4 chapters. I loved the fact that both Beau and Lance were so flawed, human and completely imperfect.
In so many ways even though Lance was older than Beau, their emotional maturity was pretty much on par with one another. It was very nice to see how they each grew as the book progressed and became stronger individually and as a couple. Their relationship felt very real and I also really liked the progression of Beau and his father's relationship. All in all another excellent installment of a truly wonderful series.
In so many ways even though Lance was older than Beau, their emotional maturity was pretty much on par with one another. It was very nice to see how they each grew as the book progressed and became stronger individually and as a couple. Their relationship felt very real and I also really liked the progression of Beau and his father's relationship. All in all another excellent installment of a truly wonderful series.
December 11, 2016
2.5*
This is my less favorite of the series so far :(
The story and the characters are a bit plain for me, they are no fun, no special; BLAH
I was really bored in some parts ... :(
This is my less favorite of the series so far :(
The story and the characters are a bit plain for me, they are no fun, no special; BLAH
I was really bored in some parts ... :(
February 10, 2017
It’s no secret that I enjoyed the first book in this series and that I’ve been wanting more of the same in the books that followed. While my anticipations/expectations proved futile where books #2 and #3 were concerned, I feel as though this one is certainly headed in the right direction, and that perhaps this series is getting back on the right track :-)!!
The story was sweet, well paced, engaging, and there was one particular moment in the book that had me wanting to quote the entire passage, just because it was THAT scintillating and SEXY!
Importantly, I appreciated the fact that the topic (i.e. ins and outs) of football, while dominant as it IS a series about football, took a backseat to the developing relationship between Lance and Beau.
I liked this well enough in that while I didn't adore it, I did appreciate it for what it was ... sweet, innocent, and uncomplicated. This book helped me to cleanse my reading palate and I found it to be an engaging read :-) ... it was a cute story. So while, as a general while, I could take it or leave it, the fact that I feel compelled to keep giving this series a try is a favorable nod, in and of itself.
If you’re looking for a sweet GFY/OFY with an equally sweet HEA, I recommend reading this one and the first in this series. I'm intrigued by Tank's story and will give it a try as well :-)!!
*** ARC received from the author's representative in exchange for an entirely honest and completely unbiased review.***
The story was sweet, well paced, engaging, and there was one particular moment in the book that had me wanting to quote the entire passage, just because it was THAT scintillating and SEXY!
Importantly, I appreciated the fact that the topic (i.e. ins and outs) of football, while dominant as it IS a series about football, took a backseat to the developing relationship between Lance and Beau.
I liked this well enough in that while I didn't adore it, I did appreciate it for what it was ... sweet, innocent, and uncomplicated. This book helped me to cleanse my reading palate and I found it to be an engaging read :-) ... it was a cute story. So while, as a general while, I could take it or leave it, the fact that I feel compelled to keep giving this series a try is a favorable nod, in and of itself.
If you’re looking for a sweet GFY/OFY with an equally sweet HEA, I recommend reading this one and the first in this series. I'm intrigued by Tank's story and will give it a try as well :-)!!
*** ARC received from the author's representative in exchange for an entirely honest and completely unbiased review.***
December 12, 2016
3.5 stars
First thing first, I loved Beau. I really, really did. I loved that he treated Lance like Lance was just an "ordinary" man, not a childhood idol. I loved his tenacity on the field, even if Beau needed to fake his way towards pain by drinking. I wanted to protect Beau from himself, from his alcoholic father, from alcoholic drinks ... I wanted to bash his friends for they UNFUNNY jokes when they found out about Beau and Lance. I wanted to get angry on his behalf when clearly Lance took the cowardly move when Beau was
Which brought me to Lance. Look, I know that living his life with all the pressure from the reporters is hard. Plus I will always say that it's one's personal business whether they want to come out or not, especially if one is a public figure like Lance. But come on,
It was not a bad book, but I definitely enjoyed #1 and #3 better.
First thing first, I loved Beau. I really, really did. I loved that he treated Lance like Lance was just an "ordinary" man, not a childhood idol. I loved his tenacity on the field, even if Beau needed to fake his way towards pain by drinking. I wanted to protect Beau from himself, from his alcoholic father, from alcoholic drinks ... I wanted to bash his friends for they UNFUNNY jokes when they found out about Beau and Lance. I wanted to get angry on his behalf when clearly Lance took the cowardly move when Beau was
Which brought me to Lance. Look, I know that living his life with all the pressure from the reporters is hard. Plus I will always say that it's one's personal business whether they want to come out or not, especially if one is a public figure like Lance. But come on,
It was not a bad book, but I definitely enjoyed #1 and #3 better.
February 1, 2024
2.5 stars
March 8, 2017
I loved this.
I was a bit apprehensive to pick it up(though I loved all the previous books in the series) because a friend's review said one of the MCs was annoying and who wants to read about someone annoying right? However, as I was reading , I came to the realization that it was all about perspective.
Lance and Beau were both complex characters who were both less than perfect. It was not smooth sailing for them: they went through their highs and very heavy lows. They both did things that they shouldn't have and I would've liked there to be a dialogue where they confronted those issues and properly apologized to each other about them.
But I guess both of them were more into "action speaks louder than words" than "let's sit down and talk about the issues" and I totally got it since it seemed to work so well for both of them.
There was good steam that didn't overwhelm the story and as per usual, the writing was on point.
I don't know whether there will be another installment in the series but I hope there is. There is nothing more I enjoy than reading good books.
I was a bit apprehensive to pick it up(though I loved all the previous books in the series) because a friend's review said one of the MCs was annoying and who wants to read about someone annoying right? However, as I was reading , I came to the realization that it was all about perspective.
Lance and Beau were both complex characters who were both less than perfect. It was not smooth sailing for them: they went through their highs and very heavy lows. They both did things that they shouldn't have and I would've liked there to be a dialogue where they confronted those issues and properly apologized to each other about them.
But I guess both of them were more into "action speaks louder than words" than "let's sit down and talk about the issues" and I totally got it since it seemed to work so well for both of them.
There was good steam that didn't overwhelm the story and as per usual, the writing was on point.
I don't know whether there will be another installment in the series but I hope there is. There is nothing more I enjoy than reading good books.
February 18, 2018
This was not so good for me. This was going to be a ranty one, apologies in advance.
There were continuity errors, and just an overall lack of detail. I have no idea what either guy looks like, or how old they are. Beau seems to have no problems buying alcohol, but at the end, we learn he was a college sophomore,so 19-20. I have no idea how long Lance played pro ball. I don't really know what he quit, it was implied that something happened, that his teammates were never really his friends, that they turned on him, but why? We're never told anything. And, considering he's out of football and not going back, I didn't really get his fear of coming out as bi, or why he let his ex wife use it to take half his money.
The romance itself was sweet enough, but the last quarter just pissed me off. Beau fucks up, he fucks up bad. Lance maybe isn't as patient as he could have been, but I don't blame him at all. Beau really fucked up. Then he tops that fuckup with an even worse one, and I don't even really remember him apologizing for the first fuckup.
I don't know, this whole thing just wasn't for me.
There were continuity errors, and just an overall lack of detail. I have no idea what either guy looks like, or how old they are. Beau seems to have no problems buying alcohol, but at the end, we learn he was a college sophomore,so 19-20. I have no idea how long Lance played pro ball. I don't really know what he quit, it was implied that something happened, that his teammates were never really his friends, that they turned on him, but why? We're never told anything. And, considering he's out of football and not going back, I didn't really get his fear of coming out as bi, or why he let his ex wife use it to take half his money.
The romance itself was sweet enough, but the last quarter just pissed me off. Beau fucks up, he fucks up bad. Lance maybe isn't as patient as he could have been, but I don't blame him at all. Beau really fucked up. Then he tops that fuckup with an even worse one, and I don't even really remember him apologizing for the first fuckup.
I don't know, this whole thing just wasn't for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2017
Another great M/M romance. I liked how their relationship progressed. Lance (H1) is bi and in the closet while Beau (H2) is openly gay. I liked their ups and downs and has a bit of realism to it.
February 4, 2017
Another great addition to the Eastshore Tigers world
There's something truly addictive about books set in the heady world of American Football, where there's so much testosterone flying about you'd be forgiven for wanting to stop and take a breath. This one's no exception.
Hendricks' Eastshore Tigers series has been both humorous and heartbreaking at times as her pen puts the spotlight on a bunch of young guys making their way into adult life with the added complications of being gay or bisexual in a heavily over masculine sports world where bucking the trend is not considered a good thing.
The pressures to confirm to stereotypes are neatly played out in Hendricks' stories and this one takes things deeper into the sometimes seedy world behind the spotlight.
My heart felt for Lance, the feelings of disappointment and betrayal he had from his time in the NFL and how his life was never his own. Beau broke my heart though, thinking playing the party boy was his only way of validating his existence and forgetting about his shifty home life.
I was on the edge throughout with the tensions amping up towards the big game changer and when it came I was there, anxiously hoping all would be well.
I liked this pairing very much, it wasn't all hearts and flowers, there were real obstacles in their relationship and it made the payoff all the more sweeter for it.
There's something truly addictive about books set in the heady world of American Football, where there's so much testosterone flying about you'd be forgiven for wanting to stop and take a breath. This one's no exception.
Hendricks' Eastshore Tigers series has been both humorous and heartbreaking at times as her pen puts the spotlight on a bunch of young guys making their way into adult life with the added complications of being gay or bisexual in a heavily over masculine sports world where bucking the trend is not considered a good thing.
The pressures to confirm to stereotypes are neatly played out in Hendricks' stories and this one takes things deeper into the sometimes seedy world behind the spotlight.
My heart felt for Lance, the feelings of disappointment and betrayal he had from his time in the NFL and how his life was never his own. Beau broke my heart though, thinking playing the party boy was his only way of validating his existence and forgetting about his shifty home life.
I was on the edge throughout with the tensions amping up towards the big game changer and when it came I was there, anxiously hoping all would be well.
I liked this pairing very much, it wasn't all hearts and flowers, there were real obstacles in their relationship and it made the payoff all the more sweeter for it.
February 13, 2017
2.5 stars
I liked Lance and Beau and I enjoyed their story but, compared to the other books in this series, this one felt rushed and a bit...unprepared.
There were quite a few storylines just dropped with little or no information. Lance's brother and his previous marriage and all the issues relating to that are just two, along with a miraculous turnaround by Beau's dad just lent to an air of unbelievability.
There are inconsistencies as well. The one that really stood out for me was Beau saying on several occasions that most of the men he has had sex with wanted him to top. Then when he and Lance finally got it on he claims to have topped 'not as much as I'd like'. And then he claims to have only topped once! Well which one is it?!
The steam level is disappointingly low.
Overall this book left me dissatisfied and underwhelmed.
Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I liked Lance and Beau and I enjoyed their story but, compared to the other books in this series, this one felt rushed and a bit...unprepared.
There were quite a few storylines just dropped with little or no information. Lance's brother and his previous marriage and all the issues relating to that are just two, along with a miraculous turnaround by Beau's dad just lent to an air of unbelievability.
There are inconsistencies as well. The one that really stood out for me was Beau saying on several occasions that most of the men he has had sex with wanted him to top. Then when he and Lance finally got it on he claims to have topped 'not as much as I'd like'. And then he claims to have only topped once! Well which one is it?!
The steam level is disappointingly low.
Overall this book left me dissatisfied and underwhelmed.
Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
December 10, 2016
*2.5 Stars*
Honestly? Probably my least favourite book in the entire series so far. Overall, it was good. There were things I enjoyed about it, but there was a lot I was dissatisfied about.
For one, I didn't really connect with the characters. The beginning actually went really well, but the middle and climax of this book was really weak. I enjoyed the beginning due to the interactions between the two MCs and Coach Garvey. But around mid-way, I wasn't too sure what was going on? Like it was around the time they got into a relationship with each other, the pace suddenly fastened, a lot of areas for character building went out the window (meeting Lance's brother anyone? This made me so irritated...) and random drama just came out of what felt like nowhere, and ramped up suddenly?
And then the ending was so rushed.... I feel that the pacing of the story was uneven and could've been divided more equally. It definitely needed more development in the middle and latter parts of the story. Like, I just didn't care for the characters at the end honestly because we didn't end up learning more about them, and the drama was bandaged over quickly. (Which sucks! I want to care for the characters!)
ALSO (spoiler-ish) My kindle is screwed up so I can't see the exact page number, but 27% into the story was get Beau's POV that "...been thoroughly used by an amazing top. Or at least what I imagine that would feel like. Most of the guys I've been with have wanted me to top" BUT! Beau's POV at 69% states "I've only topped once before I met him - but now I can't go back to just bottoming"
So... Which one is it? Like it doesn't really matter anyway at the end of the day, because it's not like they did much in the book anyway. So other than a couple sessions where they were both vers, we didn't get to see them together as much. But these contradictory statements in regards to Beau's sexual history and preferred sexual position (which I just concluded based on assumption is vers considering his relationship with Lance), really bugged me so much that I went back to these sections to highlight them for this review.
Enjoyed it, but could use some improvement at parts which didn't make it as enjoyable as it could have been.
*ARC Provided by Author*
Honestly? Probably my least favourite book in the entire series so far. Overall, it was good. There were things I enjoyed about it, but there was a lot I was dissatisfied about.
For one, I didn't really connect with the characters. The beginning actually went really well, but the middle and climax of this book was really weak. I enjoyed the beginning due to the interactions between the two MCs and Coach Garvey. But around mid-way, I wasn't too sure what was going on? Like it was around the time they got into a relationship with each other, the pace suddenly fastened, a lot of areas for character building went out the window (meeting Lance's brother anyone? This made me so irritated...) and random drama just came out of what felt like nowhere, and ramped up suddenly?
And then the ending was so rushed.... I feel that the pacing of the story was uneven and could've been divided more equally. It definitely needed more development in the middle and latter parts of the story. Like, I just didn't care for the characters at the end honestly because we didn't end up learning more about them, and the drama was bandaged over quickly. (Which sucks! I want to care for the characters!)
ALSO (spoiler-ish) My kindle is screwed up so I can't see the exact page number, but 27% into the story was get Beau's POV that "...been thoroughly used by an amazing top. Or at least what I imagine that would feel like. Most of the guys I've been with have wanted me to top" BUT! Beau's POV at 69% states "I've only topped once before I met him - but now I can't go back to just bottoming"
So... Which one is it? Like it doesn't really matter anyway at the end of the day, because it's not like they did much in the book anyway. So other than a couple sessions where they were both vers, we didn't get to see them together as much. But these contradictory statements in regards to Beau's sexual history and preferred sexual position (which I just concluded based on assumption is vers considering his relationship with Lance), really bugged me so much that I went back to these sections to highlight them for this review.
Enjoyed it, but could use some improvement at parts which didn't make it as enjoyable as it could have been.
*ARC Provided by Author*
December 22, 2016
So... I did like this book. I enjoyed it, and I got through it pretty quickly. But it was lacking some zing, I gotta be honest. I just didn't feel the electricity between these characters. I'm still a sucker for this author's formula, and I'll keep reading what she writes, but I didn't like this one as much as I've liked other books of hers.
December 9, 2016
3.5 ✨
*ARC provided by author*
While there was technically nothing wrong with this, it didn't wow me.
I bought the friendship, but not the romance. Too little steam, and only two sex scenes, though we are told they have a pretty healthy sex life.
*ARC provided by author*
While there was technically nothing wrong with this, it didn't wow me.
I bought the friendship, but not the romance. Too little steam, and only two sex scenes, though we are told they have a pretty healthy sex life.
March 31, 2017
2,5 stars
Same story different day and characters. Nothing new to find here.
And I won't go into detail about the plot holes, sufficient to say, they were big and many.
Same story different day and characters. Nothing new to find here.
And I won't go into detail about the plot holes, sufficient to say, they were big and many.
June 27, 2022
Eh... 2;5. Bastante flojo.
May 3, 2023
So here's the thing with this series...it's been pretty miss for me. I feel like there are so many details that are skipped over. I really thought Beau was a senior the whole book. I mean he's drinking and buying beer like it's going out of style, but then I read the epilogue. Finding out he was a sophomore helped things make a lot more sense but also made me more irritated. He's immature. That's why the majority of everything happened the way it did.
The ex-drama with Lance was also a little over the top. Giving her everything he did just didn't make sense. Even after finding out her knowing his "big" secret, it still didn't make sense.
The ex-drama with Lance was also a little over the top. Giving her everything he did just didn't make sense. Even after finding out her knowing his "big" secret, it still didn't make sense.
June 21, 2019
I like this one better than the last book in the series, but I still find myself getting annoyed at all the fallacies about football that exist in this book. I know it suited the story to have Lance go pro right out of high school, but that isn't possible in football. You have to have played in college to be drafted. Those sorts of things bug the crap out of me even though I liked a lot of the rest of the story between Lance and Beau.
January 28, 2019
nice but there were some things I did not really enjoy ... nevertheless, a good story
December 8, 2016
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Probably 3.75 stars.
Possible minor spoilers ahead...
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*
*
I think with this story, there is a certain amount of "real-life" actualities that need to be forgotten. A relationship between coach and player is always a thing. Though they are both adults, there is definitely a perceived issue of "power," whether or not it is an actual issue in the relationships. In this case it wasn't, but, though this might be my own misperceptions, I have a hard time believing that neither the college or the athletic association would look kindly upon it and that there would be no true worries about serious repercussions. Worries were mentioned, but not really "felt" or considered for a great length of time. I think I worried about it more than the characters, which may be the reason I didn't get as much out of this book as I have from the author's previous ones.
Despite that, I did love both Lance and Beau, though Beau needed to grow up a bit at times, and I was never sure how old he was or the age difference between the two. I didn't "feel" the connection between them quite as deeply as I have for some of the other characters, and I think I would have liked to experience that a little more. More "them time" instead of "them-and-others time" or "alone-and-thinking time." More feeling instead of telling in part.
There were some grammatical issues (mainly commas, some hyphens). What always throws me though (and this is totally on me and not the author) are the straight quotes/apostrophes... for whatever reason, it just puts me off.
That all said, it is worth the read. It's quick and sweet and I hope to read another installment soon. =)
Probably 3.75 stars.
Possible minor spoilers ahead...
*
*
*
I think with this story, there is a certain amount of "real-life" actualities that need to be forgotten. A relationship between coach and player is always a thing. Though they are both adults, there is definitely a perceived issue of "power," whether or not it is an actual issue in the relationships. In this case it wasn't, but, though this might be my own misperceptions, I have a hard time believing that neither the college or the athletic association would look kindly upon it and that there would be no true worries about serious repercussions. Worries were mentioned, but not really "felt" or considered for a great length of time. I think I worried about it more than the characters, which may be the reason I didn't get as much out of this book as I have from the author's previous ones.
Despite that, I did love both Lance and Beau, though Beau needed to grow up a bit at times, and I was never sure how old he was or the age difference between the two. I didn't "feel" the connection between them quite as deeply as I have for some of the other characters, and I think I would have liked to experience that a little more. More "them time" instead of "them-and-others time" or "alone-and-thinking time." More feeling instead of telling in part.
There were some grammatical issues (mainly commas, some hyphens). What always throws me though (and this is totally on me and not the author) are the straight quotes/apostrophes... for whatever reason, it just puts me off.
That all said, it is worth the read. It's quick and sweet and I hope to read another installment soon. =)
December 7, 2016
Thank you to the author for an advanced copy of this book.
I really enjoyed this short but sweet tale of love conquering all. Imagine a world where fear of judgement and prosecution for allowing love to win will be a non issue. Maybe one day!
I really enjoyed this short but sweet tale of love conquering all. Imagine a world where fear of judgement and prosecution for allowing love to win will be a non issue. Maybe one day!
February 10, 2020
2,5
This was the last book I had left to read from this series, and I remember that the first ones I liked a lot, but this one not so much.
Let's see, the characters separately were good but I don't know if I liked the romance.
I think it was more entertaining when nothing had happened between them and everything was tension.
This was the last book I had left to read from this series, and I remember that the first ones I liked a lot, but this one not so much.
Let's see, the characters separately were good but I don't know if I liked the romance.
I think it was more entertaining when nothing had happened between them and everything was tension.
January 9, 2017
I love Alison Hendricks books, and this one is no different. They are all standalone gay, football, romance novels and available for Kindle Unlimited readers.
Lance Harper wants to leave the NFL limelight behind. He wants a fresh quite start away from his bad choices. He moves to Eastshore to keep a low profile but football is in his blood, and he can't stay away.
Beau Woodridge has big dreams. He desperately wants out of his hometown, and he's willing to give it his all to get there. Lance stumbles into his life like a wet dream and he wants his guidance more than ever.
Lance wants out of the limelight and Beau wants his chance, can they work it and find true love? It's going to be a rocky ride and if they work hard it will all be worth it.
Loved this book easy 5 stars. Just like the rest of Alison's books.
Lance Harper wants to leave the NFL limelight behind. He wants a fresh quite start away from his bad choices. He moves to Eastshore to keep a low profile but football is in his blood, and he can't stay away.
Beau Woodridge has big dreams. He desperately wants out of his hometown, and he's willing to give it his all to get there. Lance stumbles into his life like a wet dream and he wants his guidance more than ever.
Lance wants out of the limelight and Beau wants his chance, can they work it and find true love? It's going to be a rocky ride and if they work hard it will all be worth it.
Loved this book easy 5 stars. Just like the rest of Alison's books.
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