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Rim Shot
Can college roommates go from friends to lovers?
I’m confident that with hard work, my position as point guard can carry me from rural Indiana to the NBA. I also know I’m attracted to guys, but admitting it might disappoint my father, who is all I have in this world. I have big dreams, so I’ll stay in the closet. As long as my life remains scandal-free, I have a shot.
My large family can’t spare the money to help with my education, but that won’t stop me from studying medicine. I needed to get out of the house I was sharing with my ex before I went insane. Luckily, I heard about a guy looking for a roommate. Living with a straight jock won’t be easy, but it’s a chance I’m willing to take.
I’m confident that with hard work, my position as point guard can carry me from rural Indiana to the NBA. I also know I’m attracted to guys, but admitting it might disappoint my father, who is all I have in this world. I have big dreams, so I’ll stay in the closet. As long as my life remains scandal-free, I have a shot.
My large family can’t spare the money to help with my education, but that won’t stop me from studying medicine. I needed to get out of the house I was sharing with my ex before I went insane. Luckily, I heard about a guy looking for a roommate. Living with a straight jock won’t be easy, but it’s a chance I’m willing to take.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2017
15 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Skylar M. Cates
30 books299 followersSkylar M. Cates loves a good romance. She is happy to drink coffee, curl up with a good book, and not move all day. Her novels feature strong and passionate men. Skylar loves to craft stories where realistic characters are challenged with emotional situations. Although lately the laundry room is the farthest place she has visited, Skylar loves to chat with folks from all around the globe.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
September 28, 2017
The second I saw this book's blurb I was sold. I am a sucker for sports books and you can give me "a geek and a jock" storyline any day of the week. So I was very excited, when I finally got my hands on it.
This was my first book by this author, so I really had no expectations going in...except for that awesome blurb that is.
Unfortunately... I wasn't blown away ....
Kyle is a point guard on the college basketball team. Now I had to look that up, because I really don't know anything about basketbal, except for the fact that most of the players are huge and that the ball need to go through the hoop ;)
Kyle is also deeply buried in the closet. He has always been attracted to guys, but he has never done anything about it. There are two reasons for this. One, is not wanting to disappoint his father, which also leads to point number two, wanting to be the very best basketballer he can be. Coming out to his teammates is not something he is considering.
When Kyle's roommate Keller, up and leaves because he got his girl pregnant, Keller suggest a new roommate to him.... this being Micah.
Micah is studying medicine and he is very out and proud. He comes from a very large family, that doesn't always have time for him. Nor do they show very much interest in how he is doing. When Micah and his boyfriend break up, Micah is without a place to live. Sure, he can stay in the house they share with other roommates, but his ex has already moved his new boyfriend in...so he very much wants to leave.
So he feels like the luckiest guy on earth when Kyle calls him, and tells him he is looking for a new roommate. It doesn't matter that he will be rooming with a guy he is seriously lusting after. The guy is straight after all, so no worries .... right.
Wrong !! Of course Kyle feels the same way about Micah... so things will be getting pretty awkward for the both of them.
Kyle wants to tell Micah that he's gay... he wants to do all kinds of naughty things with Micah. He doesn't tell him though. Micah kind of figures things out by himself, and when he catches Kyle in the middle of some naughty bussiness...things are pretty clear.
Both men are very attracted to one another and once they start, they can't keep there hands of each other. They start falling for each other pretty hard and after some drama, things get even more serious between the two. Now all Kyle has to do is open the closet doors and come out... especially to his father.
I would have rated this book 2,5 stars, but the premise of the story was good, so I am rounding it up to three. I just think it lacked a bit in execution. There just wasn't enough dialogue for me... These guys spend 75 % of the book inside their own heads..... it was too much inner monologue for me. Even the sexscenes were like that. So for me it felt like the story was being "told". I wanted ... no, I needed more interaction and conversation between the two of them. Because of this, I didn't feel a connection with the main characters, and I didn't feel the real connection between the two of them either. It just felt a bit awkward to me.
To top it all off... the book just ends suddenly, ...There is no real ending or epilogue and so many things are left open. I hate when that happens.... I need answers. I like closure and unfortunately I didn't feel like I got that.
It doesn't say anywhere that this is gonna be a series... but maybe there will be a book 2, I just don't know.
Now don't let my review stop you from reading this book. Just because I have some weird petpeeves, that doesn't mean that this is a bad book. It just means that this wasn't the right book for me, so make sure to check out some more review ;)
This was my first book by this author, so I really had no expectations going in...except for that awesome blurb that is.
Unfortunately... I wasn't blown away ....
Kyle is a point guard on the college basketball team. Now I had to look that up, because I really don't know anything about basketbal, except for the fact that most of the players are huge and that the ball need to go through the hoop ;)
Kyle is also deeply buried in the closet. He has always been attracted to guys, but he has never done anything about it. There are two reasons for this. One, is not wanting to disappoint his father, which also leads to point number two, wanting to be the very best basketballer he can be. Coming out to his teammates is not something he is considering.
When Kyle's roommate Keller, up and leaves because he got his girl pregnant, Keller suggest a new roommate to him.... this being Micah.
Micah is studying medicine and he is very out and proud. He comes from a very large family, that doesn't always have time for him. Nor do they show very much interest in how he is doing. When Micah and his boyfriend break up, Micah is without a place to live. Sure, he can stay in the house they share with other roommates, but his ex has already moved his new boyfriend in...so he very much wants to leave.
So he feels like the luckiest guy on earth when Kyle calls him, and tells him he is looking for a new roommate. It doesn't matter that he will be rooming with a guy he is seriously lusting after. The guy is straight after all, so no worries .... right.
Wrong !! Of course Kyle feels the same way about Micah... so things will be getting pretty awkward for the both of them.
Kyle wants to tell Micah that he's gay... he wants to do all kinds of naughty things with Micah. He doesn't tell him though. Micah kind of figures things out by himself, and when he catches Kyle in the middle of some naughty bussiness...things are pretty clear.
Both men are very attracted to one another and once they start, they can't keep there hands of each other. They start falling for each other pretty hard and after some drama, things get even more serious between the two. Now all Kyle has to do is open the closet doors and come out... especially to his father.
I would have rated this book 2,5 stars, but the premise of the story was good, so I am rounding it up to three. I just think it lacked a bit in execution. There just wasn't enough dialogue for me... These guys spend 75 % of the book inside their own heads..... it was too much inner monologue for me. Even the sexscenes were like that. So for me it felt like the story was being "told". I wanted ... no, I needed more interaction and conversation between the two of them. Because of this, I didn't feel a connection with the main characters, and I didn't feel the real connection between the two of them either. It just felt a bit awkward to me.
To top it all off... the book just ends suddenly, ...There is no real ending or epilogue and so many things are left open. I hate when that happens.... I need answers. I like closure and unfortunately I didn't feel like I got that.
It doesn't say anywhere that this is gonna be a series... but maybe there will be a book 2, I just don't know.
Now don't let my review stop you from reading this book. Just because I have some weird petpeeves, that doesn't mean that this is a bad book. It just means that this wasn't the right book for me, so make sure to check out some more review ;)
This review has been posted on DirtyBooksObsession
September 10, 2017
~3.5~
Rim Shot is a sexy, low-key story about Kyle, a closeted college basketball player, and Micah, a premed student working two jobs to make ends meet, who become close friends and lovers.
Kyle lost his mom in middle school. He's really close to his dad, who's a little controlling but just wants the best for his son. Basketball has been Kyle's passion, his escape, for as long as he can remember. Kyle wants to make his dad proud but worries he'll never make it to the pros if he comes out of the closet.
Micah is an assistant to the team's trainer and becomes Kyle's roommate after he (Micah) moves out of the house he used to share with his ex-boyfriend. Micah is easygoing and kind, but he's never fully committed his heart to a relationship.
It took me a while to get into the story. Not a lot happens until the end, when several plot points are introduced and quickly wrapped up. I like that Micah came through for Kyle, but the accusations made against Kyle were a huge deal and wouldn't have been dismissed so easily and seemingly unofficially.
Both MCs are likable, but I have a huge soft spot for hotshot athletes who exude a quite confidence yet are all shy and flustered when it comes to romance. Kyle is such a sweetheart!
This book doesn't skimp on the steam (hello, eager virgin!); the sexy scenes are tender as well as hot (Kyle is a big fan of the rim shot in and out of the bedroom). I just wanted a longer relationship development, with more interactions outside the bedroom. The ending is a strong, if slightly abrupt, HFN.
Overall, I enjoyed the story, even if the pacing was a little slow and it wasn't as complex as Skyler M. Cates's usual work.
Rim Shot is a sexy, low-key story about Kyle, a closeted college basketball player, and Micah, a premed student working two jobs to make ends meet, who become close friends and lovers.
Kyle lost his mom in middle school. He's really close to his dad, who's a little controlling but just wants the best for his son. Basketball has been Kyle's passion, his escape, for as long as he can remember. Kyle wants to make his dad proud but worries he'll never make it to the pros if he comes out of the closet.
Micah is an assistant to the team's trainer and becomes Kyle's roommate after he (Micah) moves out of the house he used to share with his ex-boyfriend. Micah is easygoing and kind, but he's never fully committed his heart to a relationship.
It took me a while to get into the story. Not a lot happens until the end, when several plot points are introduced and quickly wrapped up. I like that Micah came through for Kyle, but the accusations made against Kyle were a huge deal and wouldn't have been dismissed so easily and seemingly unofficially.
Both MCs are likable, but I have a huge soft spot for hotshot athletes who exude a quite confidence yet are all shy and flustered when it comes to romance. Kyle is such a sweetheart!
This book doesn't skimp on the steam (hello, eager virgin!); the sexy scenes are tender as well as hot (Kyle is a big fan of the rim shot in and out of the bedroom). I just wanted a longer relationship development, with more interactions outside the bedroom. The ending is a strong, if slightly abrupt, HFN.
Overall, I enjoyed the story, even if the pacing was a little slow and it wasn't as complex as Skyler M. Cates's usual work.
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May 2, 20195 Hearts
Let me just start off my saying reading has been rough for me for almost a year. I love reading, I am a reader and a hopeless romantic but reading and me weren’t getting along. I honestly thought that I lost my love for it but I was determined to find my mojo again. This book, in a time where I couldn’t read… I read it in a day.
Yeah.
Now, I will confess to being a big fan of this author’s work and her Sunshine and Happiness series is one of my favorites. Add in the fact that this would be a favorite trope of mine with the jock and the smart boy and then add in the angst of a closeted athlete… I was sold before I even opened the book.
But then I opened it and met Kyle.
Where do I begin with Kyle? I loved him for so many reasons; his athleticism, his dedication to the sport, training and nutrition needed to be a top basketball player at Harrison University, his faithfulness to his team and to his father. Kyle is the epitome of the all American Jock but he’s hiding something. When his roommate Jason Keller has to move out of the dorm and leave college because his girlfriend is pregnant, he suggests Kyle room with Micah, the team’s trainer assistant. Kyle knows Micah is gay and has a boyfriend but is worried Micah could catch on to Kyle’s heavily guarded secret. Also, Kyle thinks Micah is cute so…
Micah just needs the heck out of his living situation that includes his ex and his new boyfriend. Leaving a crappy relationship and being able to nail all his classes as well as holding down two jobs makes for one busy Pre-Med Micah. So when his phone lights up with a call from well-known basketball player who is totally eye candy and offering a place to live, Micah can’t refuse.
I adored these two together. This is totally a romance but it’s also a tale of two young men finding themselves and coming to terms with their fears and wants. Both boys have baggage and both boys need to learn how to trust and let go. For Kyle, it’s trusting his sexuality and that coming out will be okay and for Micah, it’s trusting his feelings and that love won’t always hurt him. They are perfect for one another and their chemistry burns the pages from day one. But while the chemistry is hot and the UST is insane, this truly is a slow burn romance letting the boys become friends and find their way to one another through friendship. Had they not been such good friends, things would have gone a completely different way with the whole Kyle scrubs deal. Just saying.
Goodness but this was so sweet to read. The way the young men realize that what they thought was the end all be all of their existence pales in comparison to what it means to truly love and be a partner to someone. Even though Kyle is closeted through most of the book and their relationship is kept secret, I liked that it was Kyle that had the biggest issue with it and that Micah was there for him without resentment or reservation. Sure, they both had moments where they wanted to be out and affectionate in public but the respect they had for one another was beautiful to witness.
There is a good amount of sex in this and the way it’s all explored made for a hot read. You can’t have intimacy without trust and you can’t have mind blowing sex without respect and Kyle and Micah had loads of it while they learned each other’s bodies. I am so on board with what Kyle loves having Micah do and I think Micah may be one of the best at it I’ve ever read.
It seems I have not lost my ability to ramble so I am going to wrap this up.
This was a college aged sports romance that gives just enough sports to know how important it is to Kyle but really delivers on the romance between two friends who turn into lovers… this was so good.
Let me just start off my saying reading has been rough for me for almost a year. I love reading, I am a reader and a hopeless romantic but reading and me weren’t getting along. I honestly thought that I lost my love for it but I was determined to find my mojo again. This book, in a time where I couldn’t read… I read it in a day.
Yeah.
Now, I will confess to being a big fan of this author’s work and her Sunshine and Happiness series is one of my favorites. Add in the fact that this would be a favorite trope of mine with the jock and the smart boy and then add in the angst of a closeted athlete… I was sold before I even opened the book.
But then I opened it and met Kyle.
The hardest part of my life was letting go of what “normal” is.
Where do I begin with Kyle? I loved him for so many reasons; his athleticism, his dedication to the sport, training and nutrition needed to be a top basketball player at Harrison University, his faithfulness to his team and to his father. Kyle is the epitome of the all American Jock but he’s hiding something. When his roommate Jason Keller has to move out of the dorm and leave college because his girlfriend is pregnant, he suggests Kyle room with Micah, the team’s trainer assistant. Kyle knows Micah is gay and has a boyfriend but is worried Micah could catch on to Kyle’s heavily guarded secret. Also, Kyle thinks Micah is cute so…
Micah just needs the heck out of his living situation that includes his ex and his new boyfriend. Leaving a crappy relationship and being able to nail all his classes as well as holding down two jobs makes for one busy Pre-Med Micah. So when his phone lights up with a call from well-known basketball player who is totally eye candy and offering a place to live, Micah can’t refuse.
I adored these two together. This is totally a romance but it’s also a tale of two young men finding themselves and coming to terms with their fears and wants. Both boys have baggage and both boys need to learn how to trust and let go. For Kyle, it’s trusting his sexuality and that coming out will be okay and for Micah, it’s trusting his feelings and that love won’t always hurt him. They are perfect for one another and their chemistry burns the pages from day one. But while the chemistry is hot and the UST is insane, this truly is a slow burn romance letting the boys become friends and find their way to one another through friendship. Had they not been such good friends, things would have gone a completely different way with the whole Kyle scrubs deal. Just saying.
How many times had I watched him in silence, wanting him? And now I could reach for him and it was real. But I cautioned myself. It was also temporary.
Goodness but this was so sweet to read. The way the young men realize that what they thought was the end all be all of their existence pales in comparison to what it means to truly love and be a partner to someone. Even though Kyle is closeted through most of the book and their relationship is kept secret, I liked that it was Kyle that had the biggest issue with it and that Micah was there for him without resentment or reservation. Sure, they both had moments where they wanted to be out and affectionate in public but the respect they had for one another was beautiful to witness.
There is a good amount of sex in this and the way it’s all explored made for a hot read. You can’t have intimacy without trust and you can’t have mind blowing sex without respect and Kyle and Micah had loads of it while they learned each other’s bodies. I am so on board with what Kyle loves having Micah do and I think Micah may be one of the best at it I’ve ever read.
It seems I have not lost my ability to ramble so I am going to wrap this up.
This was a college aged sports romance that gives just enough sports to know how important it is to Kyle but really delivers on the romance between two friends who turn into lovers… this was so good.
September 12, 2017
I normally love Skylar Cate's work. I'm a HUGE fan of her Sunshine and Happiness series.
I can't exactly pinpoint the reason, but Rim Shot fell into the meh category for me.
The trope is common, but it's one that I love very much. Roomates that end up being lovers. Here it is paired with the supposedly straight jock, who falls for the openly gay guy.
I felt that the characters spent a lot of time inside their heads. Like A LOT of time! Pages upon pages of inner monologues. I appreciated the fact that the author made sure that I, as a reader, understood where the characters were coming from, but it soon became boring and repetitive. I would have love to see more interaction and more dialogue. I just couldn't connect with them as a couple at all.
The tone of the narration was another thing that didn't work for me. More and more lately, authors choose to tell their story in first person POV, and although I find it jarring, I'm getting used to it. I even love it sometimes. Here, though, it didn't work for me at all. It made the narration monotonous and dull. Maybe it has to do with the fact I already mentioned; the MCs spending a lot of time inside their heads.
The ending was happy, but too abrupt and somewhat unsatisfying for my tastes.
Despite my niggles, I have to point out that the characters are very well-sketched, the story itself is very realistic, and the sexy times are pretty hot.
Overall, it might have not worked for me as much as I expected it to, but I think that a lot of readers will like it. I'm still looking forward to Skylar Cate's next story.
I can't exactly pinpoint the reason, but Rim Shot fell into the meh category for me.
The trope is common, but it's one that I love very much. Roomates that end up being lovers. Here it is paired with the supposedly straight jock, who falls for the openly gay guy.
I felt that the characters spent a lot of time inside their heads. Like A LOT of time! Pages upon pages of inner monologues. I appreciated the fact that the author made sure that I, as a reader, understood where the characters were coming from, but it soon became boring and repetitive. I would have love to see more interaction and more dialogue. I just couldn't connect with them as a couple at all.
The tone of the narration was another thing that didn't work for me. More and more lately, authors choose to tell their story in first person POV, and although I find it jarring, I'm getting used to it. I even love it sometimes. Here, though, it didn't work for me at all. It made the narration monotonous and dull. Maybe it has to do with the fact I already mentioned; the MCs spending a lot of time inside their heads.
The ending was happy, but too abrupt and somewhat unsatisfying for my tastes.
Despite my niggles, I have to point out that the characters are very well-sketched, the story itself is very realistic, and the sexy times are pretty hot.
Overall, it might have not worked for me as much as I expected it to, but I think that a lot of readers will like it. I'm still looking forward to Skylar Cate's next story.
September 28, 2017
Rim Shot by Skylar M Cates is a sports themed romance between a closeted basketball player, Kyle and Micah, a pre-med student. They start off as roommates from where their relationship steadily develops into friendship and then to love.
I love this author’s books so I was quite excited for this story but I am sorry to say that this book lacked a lot of feels or the passion which I have come to anticipate in her stories. I liked the MCs as individuals but the romance development was a bit stunted for me to be totally into it. The plot was straight forward with no angst between the couple and it kind of felt very bland. i Couldn't connect with the couple properly. I kept on feeling that something is missing.
This trope though has been used and abused a million times but can still be fun. Sadly in this book, it just felt flat on its face without any profound impact on me, not by the plot or by the characters. I loved the MCs but not as couple.
The heat factor is quite pronounced here but it did not involve me as a reader into their growing love as it was only one part of the romance without any meaningful interactions between the lovers outside the bedroom. They actually talked more when they were friends than when they were lovers. Also Kyle’s coming out was very abrupt and not concluded properly. Micah is shown to have already sacrificed for Kyle once in regards to his career, which was so very supportive and sweet and thus Kyle’s coming out could be counted as a reciprocation of his feelings for Micah but it was cut short before the actual aftermath could happen.
I loved Kyle. He was sweet and shy and so innocent and cute. He is the most sweetest jock ever. And Micah was also a very likable character who has been deceived in love before but takes a chance on Kyle regardless.
I liked the story but did not love it. It was slow-paced which generally not a bad thing but it did not work in this book’s favor, IMO.
*Read and reviewed for GayBookReviews*
I love this author’s books so I was quite excited for this story but I am sorry to say that this book lacked a lot of feels or the passion which I have come to anticipate in her stories. I liked the MCs as individuals but the romance development was a bit stunted for me to be totally into it. The plot was straight forward with no angst between the couple and it kind of felt very bland. i Couldn't connect with the couple properly. I kept on feeling that something is missing.
This trope though has been used and abused a million times but can still be fun. Sadly in this book, it just felt flat on its face without any profound impact on me, not by the plot or by the characters. I loved the MCs but not as couple.
The heat factor is quite pronounced here but it did not involve me as a reader into their growing love as it was only one part of the romance without any meaningful interactions between the lovers outside the bedroom. They actually talked more when they were friends than when they were lovers. Also Kyle’s coming out was very abrupt and not concluded properly. Micah is shown to have already sacrificed for Kyle once in regards to his career, which was so very supportive and sweet and thus Kyle’s coming out could be counted as a reciprocation of his feelings for Micah but it was cut short before the actual aftermath could happen.
I loved Kyle. He was sweet and shy and so innocent and cute. He is the most sweetest jock ever. And Micah was also a very likable character who has been deceived in love before but takes a chance on Kyle regardless.
I liked the story but did not love it. It was slow-paced which generally not a bad thing but it did not work in this book’s favor, IMO.
*Read and reviewed for GayBookReviews*
May 22, 2018
Partenza intrigante, storia fresca e romantica. Poi la narrazione s'impantana e si appiattisce.
Almeno cinquanta pagine di vita quotidiana si potevano saltare.
E troppe, ma davvero troppe scene di sesso, che non aggiungono nulla.
Sono due studenti del college - diamine - ci arriviamo da soli a pensare che dentro quelle camerate si possano scatenare come coniglietti Duracell :))))
Almeno cinquanta pagine di vita quotidiana si potevano saltare.
E troppe, ma davvero troppe scene di sesso, che non aggiungono nulla.
Sono due studenti del college - diamine - ci arriviamo da soli a pensare che dentro quelle camerate si possano scatenare come coniglietti Duracell :))))
October 11, 2017
When it comes to tropes, this is one of my favorites. Closeted jock that falls for the openly gay guy, and the fact they're roomates ... even better! It's like catnip, I tell you. So even though I had never read this author before, I decided to give this a try. I'm both happy I did and a little underwhelmed.Kyle is a very good basketball player with NBA aspirations. He's not only living up to his full potential but to his fathers' expectations. He also carries a big secret that is crushing him. The fact that he's known he's gay and doesn't feel like he can come out and experience the life he feels he was meant to live. Always living a lie. When one of his teammates and roommate has to leave to become a daddy, he leaves Kyle with the option of rooming with Micah. Micah is openly gay and Kyle has checked him out before but thought it was safe since Micah has a boyfriend. Except... not anymore.
Lets start with the things I liked. I actually liked both characters in what was presented. They are both dealing with some extra baggage in terms of what they want to do with their lives and where they see themselves and I thought that added a real feeling to their struggles that went beyond their sexuality. There's a natural friendship that develops between them while rooming together that I really liked and it was important to have that before jumping to something physical.
What I wasn't too sold on was the chemistry. I went back and forth with this because I was never really sold on the attraction. And I know I just said it took a nice long time for them to get together but actually to me that was a lot of filler scenes about them being friends and not so much about them making meaningful emotional connections. That brings me to the next thing, the pacing. This read really slow and I think had many scenes that didn't drive the plot forward at all. They were just... there, adding word count.
This being my first book by this author is tough to decide whether to continue and read another, but I think I liked enough of this to give another book a try.
*ARC provided by publisher
Reviewed by Francesca❤ ♡ Don't want to miss any of our posts? Subscribe to our blog by email! ♡ ❤
September 29, 2017
This book really got to me, I found myself just really liking the two main characters so much. I just loved the way the author developed the relationship between Kyle and Micah.
Kyle Sweeney is one of the most endearing, kind, hardworking college kids you will ever meet. He is a basketball player full of talent, morals and integrity. He does however have one very big secret, Kyle is gay. Kyle is so deeply in the closet and has no intention of coming out. When Kyle needs a new roommate, the last person he is expecting is the team's trainer's assistant Micah.
How is Kyle going to keep his secret when he's sharing a dorm room with the adorable Micah?
Micah is this really smart, openly gay pre-med student badly in need of new housing. Living with Kyle will be tough for him too because the last thing he wants is to lust after the hot, straight athlete. With Kyle's practice schedule and course/class load and Micah's two jobs, they think they'll see very little of each other. Perfect plan, right!
What Kyle and Micah didn't count on was becoming best friends. They begin to share almost everything with each other, including some secrets. Eventually they each have to decide to trust in each other and most importantly, in themselves.
Kyle and Micah are such a good team, two guys who seem so different and yet.... This really is a good book, I'm not someone who reads a lot of college age romance, but this is one done really well!
October 3, 2017
3/4 stars
May 9, 2018
4 stars and half
October 28, 2017
If you like New Adult Sports Romance, go pick this up. Kyle and Micah are great. They both work so hard.
i love all the complexity that make up their relationship with each other and other people. Particularly well done in this book is the relationships with their families.
This is a slow burn romance where we get to see them crush hard on each other, become best friends and fall in love.
So much to enjoy here!
i love all the complexity that make up their relationship with each other and other people. Particularly well done in this book is the relationships with their families.
This is a slow burn romance where we get to see them crush hard on each other, become best friends and fall in love.
So much to enjoy here!
September 29, 2017
Full review at: https://optimumm.blog/2017/09/29/revi...
First of all, let me apologise for the long review, but there was no other way for me to get across how much I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book.
Written in the first person from both Kyle and Micah’s POV, this story was an absolute delight to read. I thought the plot was really interesting and entertaining, the characters had depth and believability, and I couldn’t help myself from forming an attachment to them as they grew and developed.
Kyle Sweeney is a sophomore who plays basketball for the college team, the Barons. Basketball has been Kyle’s love and focus since he was a child, and he will do whatever he can to set himself above the rest and be the best. If that means training longer and harder than everyone else on the team at the expense of a social life, then it’s a sacrifice he’s willing to make. Since his mum died in a car accident, all Kyle wants to do is make his dad proud, and that means making it to the NBA. His dad can be overbearing and demanding at times, but Kyle knows its only because he has his best interests at heart. His dad knows that Kyle is good enough to make it to the top, so he constantly pushes him to reach his full potential. When Kyle’s room and teammate Keller quits college due to his girlfriend becoming pregnant, Kyle is left looking for a new roommate. When Keller suggests to Kyle that the team’s personal trainer assistant Micah is looking for somewhere to stay, Kyle at first has doubts. Kyle knows Micah is gay, and also out and proud, which Kyle doesn’t have an issue with. Kyle’s problem is that he’s also gay, except he’s so far in the closet, he’s practically in Narnia. Kyle can’t risk anyone finding out about his sexuality and messing up his chance of going to the NBA, so sharing a room with a gay guy who also happens to be kinda cute is going to be more of a challenge than he’s ever had to deal with.
Micah is an upperclassman pre-med student. Micah comes from a big family and has six brothers and sisters, but is the first of the family to attend college. Ever since he was a child, his dream was to become a doctor to help people. His family didn’t really give him any encouragement and never really thought he’d be able to make it, so with a lot of hard work and determination, and working with the basketball team and as a porter at the teaching hospital to finance his education, Micah is making his dream become a reality. Micah was sharing a house with his ex-boyfriend Chance and a few other friends, but since Chance moved his new boyfriend, Austin, into the house, Micah has found it increasingly uncomfortable being there, but due to his financial situation he can’t really afford to move out either. When Micah receives an unexpected call from Kyle to say that he’s looking for a new roommate, Micah believes that all his prayers have been answered and he can finally be free of Chance. The fact that Kyle is exactly Micah’s type and he’s been secretly crushing on him, even though he knows Kyle is straight so nothing can ever happen between them, just sweetens the deal.
Throughout the story, we follow the evolution of Kyle and Micah’s relationship. From almost strangers to roommates, then friends, and lovers. It’s a very sweet and almost emotional journey that we are led on. Kyle, who comes across as being very confident and a natural leader on the court, is actually quite shy and self-conscious, especially in social situations. He feels like he always needs to hide his thoughts and feelings so as not to upset anyone or let anyone down, and most of the time this is to his own detriment. Micah may be out and proud, but deep down he just feels a little lost and alone. Coming from a big family he was almost invisible as a child, and when he came out to his parent’s nothing was really said about it after that day. He knows he’s lucky that his family accepted him, but he’s also not very close to his family either. Every relationship he’s been in has ended up with him being hurt, so now Micah thinks that he’s unable to love or be loved. Because in his experience, putting your heart on your sleeve is too much of a risk to take. When Kyle and Micah start to develop their relationship, their lives begin to completely change, what they thought was important in their lives suddenly seems less meaningful. But they do help each other understand the true meaning of dedication and contentment.
This book and characters completely stole my heart. I adored Kyle and Micah, they were so beautifully perfect together. The way they grew to love each other gave me butterflies in my tummy and made my heart skip a few beats. It was such a charming and wonderful love story that I really really hope we get to see more of these two in the future. The author has definitely impressed me with how good the storytelling and writing was. I’m now a very happy reader and a new fan for life.
***The ARC was provided by Dreamspinner Press. My review is an honest opinion of the book***
First of all, let me apologise for the long review, but there was no other way for me to get across how much I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book.
Written in the first person from both Kyle and Micah’s POV, this story was an absolute delight to read. I thought the plot was really interesting and entertaining, the characters had depth and believability, and I couldn’t help myself from forming an attachment to them as they grew and developed.
Kyle Sweeney is a sophomore who plays basketball for the college team, the Barons. Basketball has been Kyle’s love and focus since he was a child, and he will do whatever he can to set himself above the rest and be the best. If that means training longer and harder than everyone else on the team at the expense of a social life, then it’s a sacrifice he’s willing to make. Since his mum died in a car accident, all Kyle wants to do is make his dad proud, and that means making it to the NBA. His dad can be overbearing and demanding at times, but Kyle knows its only because he has his best interests at heart. His dad knows that Kyle is good enough to make it to the top, so he constantly pushes him to reach his full potential. When Kyle’s room and teammate Keller quits college due to his girlfriend becoming pregnant, Kyle is left looking for a new roommate. When Keller suggests to Kyle that the team’s personal trainer assistant Micah is looking for somewhere to stay, Kyle at first has doubts. Kyle knows Micah is gay, and also out and proud, which Kyle doesn’t have an issue with. Kyle’s problem is that he’s also gay, except he’s so far in the closet, he’s practically in Narnia. Kyle can’t risk anyone finding out about his sexuality and messing up his chance of going to the NBA, so sharing a room with a gay guy who also happens to be kinda cute is going to be more of a challenge than he’s ever had to deal with.
Micah is an upperclassman pre-med student. Micah comes from a big family and has six brothers and sisters, but is the first of the family to attend college. Ever since he was a child, his dream was to become a doctor to help people. His family didn’t really give him any encouragement and never really thought he’d be able to make it, so with a lot of hard work and determination, and working with the basketball team and as a porter at the teaching hospital to finance his education, Micah is making his dream become a reality. Micah was sharing a house with his ex-boyfriend Chance and a few other friends, but since Chance moved his new boyfriend, Austin, into the house, Micah has found it increasingly uncomfortable being there, but due to his financial situation he can’t really afford to move out either. When Micah receives an unexpected call from Kyle to say that he’s looking for a new roommate, Micah believes that all his prayers have been answered and he can finally be free of Chance. The fact that Kyle is exactly Micah’s type and he’s been secretly crushing on him, even though he knows Kyle is straight so nothing can ever happen between them, just sweetens the deal.
Throughout the story, we follow the evolution of Kyle and Micah’s relationship. From almost strangers to roommates, then friends, and lovers. It’s a very sweet and almost emotional journey that we are led on. Kyle, who comes across as being very confident and a natural leader on the court, is actually quite shy and self-conscious, especially in social situations. He feels like he always needs to hide his thoughts and feelings so as not to upset anyone or let anyone down, and most of the time this is to his own detriment. Micah may be out and proud, but deep down he just feels a little lost and alone. Coming from a big family he was almost invisible as a child, and when he came out to his parent’s nothing was really said about it after that day. He knows he’s lucky that his family accepted him, but he’s also not very close to his family either. Every relationship he’s been in has ended up with him being hurt, so now Micah thinks that he’s unable to love or be loved. Because in his experience, putting your heart on your sleeve is too much of a risk to take. When Kyle and Micah start to develop their relationship, their lives begin to completely change, what they thought was important in their lives suddenly seems less meaningful. But they do help each other understand the true meaning of dedication and contentment.
This book and characters completely stole my heart. I adored Kyle and Micah, they were so beautifully perfect together. The way they grew to love each other gave me butterflies in my tummy and made my heart skip a few beats. It was such a charming and wonderful love story that I really really hope we get to see more of these two in the future. The author has definitely impressed me with how good the storytelling and writing was. I’m now a very happy reader and a new fan for life.
***The ARC was provided by Dreamspinner Press. My review is an honest opinion of the book***
May 24, 2018
Kyle e Micah sono due giovani universitari alle prime esperienze con i legami sentimentali. Kyle non è dichiarato, mentre Micah è un ragazzo dolcissimo che si fa in quattro per tutti. Sarà un amore che entrambi avvertiranno a pelle fin da subito e che non riusciranno a confessare l’un l’altro, finché non sarà impossibile da trattenere.
" Desideravo toccarlo. Desideravo anche solo potergli stare vicino. C’era qualcosa di vulnerabile in Kyle che mi faceva venire voglia di confortarlo e poi baciarlo fino a fargli perdere i sensi."
È una storia che mi ha lasciato moltissimo calore dentro, per il modo in cui ci descrive una relazione giovanile nascere e crescere senza fretta, intessuta di sensualità; svilupparsi attraversando molti aspetti prima di arrivare al sesso, che vanno dall’intimità alla tenerezza, dal sostegno all’amicizia.
" Era molto meglio del sesso. Era un legame."
È molto delicato e soggettivo il modo in cui viene affrontata la tematica del Coming Out, della difficoltà dell’essere diversi. È una prospettiva in cui chiunque dovrebbe mettersi, almeno una volta, per capire, per accettare gli altri.
" Non volevo pensarci, volevo solo afferrare Micah e baciarlo. Però mi resi conto, mentre facevo un canestro dopo l’altro, che dovevo pensarci. Perché quelle battute per me non erano divertenti, facevano male e alcune prendevano una brutta piega. E tutte mi ricordavano che il mondo giudicava. Senza conoscermi davvero, il mondo giudicava semplicemente chi ero."
Lo stile pieno ed evocativo è puro miele, sia nelle scene più piccanti che in quelle affettive.
" Gli sfilai la cintura dai passanti e gli tolsi giacca e pantaloni. Ma fu la mano di Kyle nella mia che mi fece saltare il cuore in gola."
Alla fine della lettura mi sono sentita appagata, commossa e toccata, per cui non posso fare a meno di consigliarlo caldamente a tutte le lettrici romantiche.
" Il bisogno e il desiderio e l’amore si mescolarono dentro di me. Voltai la testa e gli graffiai con i denti la pelle esposta del collo, volendo disperatamente assaggiarlo."
Nayeli - per RFS
" Desideravo toccarlo. Desideravo anche solo potergli stare vicino. C’era qualcosa di vulnerabile in Kyle che mi faceva venire voglia di confortarlo e poi baciarlo fino a fargli perdere i sensi."
È una storia che mi ha lasciato moltissimo calore dentro, per il modo in cui ci descrive una relazione giovanile nascere e crescere senza fretta, intessuta di sensualità; svilupparsi attraversando molti aspetti prima di arrivare al sesso, che vanno dall’intimità alla tenerezza, dal sostegno all’amicizia.
" Era molto meglio del sesso. Era un legame."
È molto delicato e soggettivo il modo in cui viene affrontata la tematica del Coming Out, della difficoltà dell’essere diversi. È una prospettiva in cui chiunque dovrebbe mettersi, almeno una volta, per capire, per accettare gli altri.
" Non volevo pensarci, volevo solo afferrare Micah e baciarlo. Però mi resi conto, mentre facevo un canestro dopo l’altro, che dovevo pensarci. Perché quelle battute per me non erano divertenti, facevano male e alcune prendevano una brutta piega. E tutte mi ricordavano che il mondo giudicava. Senza conoscermi davvero, il mondo giudicava semplicemente chi ero."
Lo stile pieno ed evocativo è puro miele, sia nelle scene più piccanti che in quelle affettive.
" Gli sfilai la cintura dai passanti e gli tolsi giacca e pantaloni. Ma fu la mano di Kyle nella mia che mi fece saltare il cuore in gola."
Alla fine della lettura mi sono sentita appagata, commossa e toccata, per cui non posso fare a meno di consigliarlo caldamente a tutte le lettrici romantiche.
" Il bisogno e il desiderio e l’amore si mescolarono dentro di me. Voltai la testa e gli graffiai con i denti la pelle esposta del collo, volendo disperatamente assaggiarlo."
Nayeli - per RFS
December 7, 2017
OMG, how I wanted to love this. I love basketball in my mm romance. I am a big fan so love the games, the terms, the suspense of the games all wrapped up in some smexy between two guys. Unfortunately this frustrated me to no end! So much TELLING! Wanted to throw my Kindle against the wall. Long passages of what each character was thinking without showing me through actions. Liked Kyle and Micah. Two lovely college guys - Kyle, a star basketball player who is deeply closeted. Doesn't know how to tell his dad or his teammates and worries about the fall out if he tells the world he is gay. Micah, a struggling pre-med student who is out and proud and coming off of a breakup. Micah needs to work since his scholarship dried up and needs a new roommate. He moves in with Kyle. They spend FOREVER checking each other out until one fateful day when things change. You know when you keep checking the % read in your Kindle that you are in trouble. Took me 4 days to read a 210 page book. So liked the situation, the MCs but just could not abide the writing.
July 19, 2021
Skylar Cates creates some truly lovable characters and gives them a sweet story-line here. However, I do wish that the author had done a BIT more homework in some spots and rethought a few of her storytelling decisions. She describes Kyle as being 6’4” and yet ducking through doorways and being oggled for his great height. The standard American doorway is six feet 8 inches. Basketball players are much taller. Shaquille O’Neal is 7’1” while the average college player is six foot five. How much more would two or three fictional inches have cost her?
It also seemed incongruous that Kyle was one of the few “white” players on a collegiate Indiana team. A recent University of Indiana team photo shows eight of the fourteen pictured are “white.” At Notre Dame (another Indiana School) that ratio is six of thirteen. Having grown up in the Midwest (and attending MSU while 6’8” Magic Johnson played there) I can attest to the fact that middle America is still pretty white-bread.
Also for an innocently “virginal” character like Kyle’s first graphic fantasy that we hear about to involve being the receptive partner in an aggressive anal scene seemed a bit odd.
Finally, there is one scene that, while not totally unmotivated, felt entirely misplaced. At one point where both characters should have been in the throes of a life changing crisis involving college drug testing, they stop to console each other with one of the most graphic sex scenes in the book. I actually had to go back and read the scene later. Couldn’t be bothered to read it at first with what might be the main plot crisis looming… I even highlighted the beginning of that tryst with the comment “Other than that, how’d you like the play Mrs. Lincoln?” To me this scene would have been so much sweeter later in the book; when the crisis was passed, and the two could both reflect what it had cost them.
But enough nit-picking. If one dismisses those incongruities, this tale of a closeted collegiate NBA hopeful and an out pre-med student who becomes his room-mate this M/M romance hits all the right buttons.I enjoyed getting to know them and spending time with them. Apparently they enjoyed spending time together as well. Let’s just say that the books title has less to do with basketball or the musical accompaniment to a punch line than to another connotation.
Historians claim that Thomas Jefferson created his own version of the Bible. He cut out parts he found objectionable, rearranged others and did some colonial-era cutting and pasting to create a book he was happy with. There are even copies based on his edits in several library collections. – If I have the liberty to do something similar here, this has the makings of a 4 or even a 4 1/2 heart book. I’d suggest that you give it a read and judge for yourself, but be prepared to bring along your “virtual scissors.”
***Note: I received a free copy of this in hopes of an honest and impartial review ***
It also seemed incongruous that Kyle was one of the few “white” players on a collegiate Indiana team. A recent University of Indiana team photo shows eight of the fourteen pictured are “white.” At Notre Dame (another Indiana School) that ratio is six of thirteen. Having grown up in the Midwest (and attending MSU while 6’8” Magic Johnson played there) I can attest to the fact that middle America is still pretty white-bread.
Also for an innocently “virginal” character like Kyle’s first graphic fantasy that we hear about to involve being the receptive partner in an aggressive anal scene seemed a bit odd.
Finally, there is one scene that, while not totally unmotivated, felt entirely misplaced. At one point where both characters should have been in the throes of a life changing crisis involving college drug testing, they stop to console each other with one of the most graphic sex scenes in the book. I actually had to go back and read the scene later. Couldn’t be bothered to read it at first with what might be the main plot crisis looming… I even highlighted the beginning of that tryst with the comment “Other than that, how’d you like the play Mrs. Lincoln?” To me this scene would have been so much sweeter later in the book; when the crisis was passed, and the two could both reflect what it had cost them.
But enough nit-picking. If one dismisses those incongruities, this tale of a closeted collegiate NBA hopeful and an out pre-med student who becomes his room-mate this M/M romance hits all the right buttons.I enjoyed getting to know them and spending time with them. Apparently they enjoyed spending time together as well. Let’s just say that the books title has less to do with basketball or the musical accompaniment to a punch line than to another connotation.
Historians claim that Thomas Jefferson created his own version of the Bible. He cut out parts he found objectionable, rearranged others and did some colonial-era cutting and pasting to create a book he was happy with. There are even copies based on his edits in several library collections. – If I have the liberty to do something similar here, this has the makings of a 4 or even a 4 1/2 heart book. I’d suggest that you give it a read and judge for yourself, but be prepared to bring along your “virtual scissors.”
***Note: I received a free copy of this in hopes of an honest and impartial review ***
July 8, 2021
this was good. omg, so much support from each other. i love how both of them helps the other to loosen up (not in thaaaat sense), it was so satisfying to see them let go of their strict self.
the epilogue was abit, abrupt. and no future scenes, like whaaaat i need more of them please??
i'm still mad at the team's reaction though?!
ps i love the dad, it was kinda an emotional scene at the end (well for me).
the epilogue was abit, abrupt. and no future scenes, like whaaaat i need more of them please??
i'm still mad at the team's reaction though?!
ps i love the dad, it was kinda an emotional scene at the end (well for me).
July 13, 2022
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November 15, 2019
Kyle e Micah sono due ragazzi che per uno scherzo del destino si ritrovano a condividere la stanza al dormitorio del college, Kyle è rimasto senza compagno di stanza e Micah, rimasto senza ragazzo, ha dovuto trovarsi un alloggio alternativo a quello condiviso con il suo ex.
Kyle è uno dei giocatori di basket più promettenti del college, il suo sogno è quello di arrivare in NBA, ma ha un segreto enorme da nascondere alla sua squadra e al resto del mondo: è gay. Nello sport non c'è posto per gli omosessuali, non hanno vita facile e lui pur di arrivare in alto nel basket non vuole fare coming out. Per questo motivo nessuno sa che è gay, e per questo non ha mai avuto un ragazzo. Ma quando Micah entra nella sua vita, Kyle non può fare a meno di notarlo e soprattutto di esserne attratto.
Micah non sa come gestire la convivenza con un ragazzo etero per di più bellissimo, che oltre a vedere in palestra -durante il lavoro di assistente medico- ora deve vedere anche in dormitorio tutti i giorni. La sua attrazione per Kyle è di certo mal riposta, non deve lasciarsi andare a certe fantasticherie sul suo compagno di stanza, ma è così attraente che è impossibile non pensare a lui. Ma se Kyle fosse disponibile? Come cambierebbe il loro rapporto?
La storia tra Kyle e Micah inizia come un'amicizia, una sera si scoprono compatibili, iniziano a parlare per ore e diventano inseparabili. Mangiano insieme, studiano insieme, escono insieme. Sono evidentemente attratti l'uno dall'altro, ma Micah pensa che Kyle sia etero mentre Kyle è troppo poco esperto per fare il primo passo verso la sua prima vera esperienza con un ragazzo.
Ed è così che vediamo nascere qualcosa di più tra i due, l'amicizia diventa altro, e Kyle e Micah sono così carini che è stato impossibile per me non essere coinvolta nella loro storia.
La narrazione a doppio PoV alternato poi aiuta tanto a immedesimarsi nei due.
Kyle ha come famiglia solo il padre, che lo ha cresciuto con regole ferree e che lo ha aiutato ad essere molto determinato nella vita. Sa dove vuole arrivare e fa di tutto per realizzare i suoi sogni, allenandosi duramente e seguendo una dieta molto rigida per salvaguardare il suo corpo. L'unico suo problema è proprio l'essere gay e non poterlo vivere serenamente. Ma nel momento in cui conosce Micah, da quando inizia a frequentarlo prima come amico e poi come ragazzo, qualcosa cambia. Inizia a provare sentimenti per Micah, che gli faranno vedere le cose in modo diverso perchè inizierà a capire che il basket non è tutto, nella vita può esserci molto di più.
Micah viene da una famiglia numerosa, è sempre stato abituato ad arrangiarsi coi suoi mezzi, studia e lavora duramente per potersi laureare in medicina. Ha sempre avuto problemi con le relazioni proprio perchè al primo posto per lui c'era sempre qualcos'altro. Ma da quando Kyle inizia ad essere la prima e l'unica persona a cui pensa dalla mattina alla sera per Micah sarà chiaro cos'è il vero amore, davanti alla persona giusta non ci sono scuse che tengono e riuscirà a mettere LUI davanti al resto. Kyle così sicuro e determinato, che però si scioglie quando è con lui, gli entrerà nella testa e nel cuore in modo indelebile.
Il loro incontro gli cambierà la vita, Kyle riuscirà a fare i conti con la propria sessualità, riuscirà -seppur a piccoli passi- a fare coming out e a capire che il basket non è tutta la sua vita, non più. Micah conoscerà l'amore -forse per la prima volta in vita sua- capirà il sacrificio, il senso di protezione e sostegno che si provano solo per una persona speciale.
Mi è piaciuta tantissimo questa storia, i personaggi sono ben caratterizzati e molto realistici, anche lo sviluppo stesso della relazione avviene per gradi, pian piano diventano sempre più consapevoli dell'altro e si influenzano a vicenda, quello che nasce come un'avventura senza implicazioni diventa la svolta della vita.
Non è una storia sdolcinata, eppure è romantica, tratta temi delicati descrivendo perfettamente situazioni complicate senza mai cadere nel dramma mantenendo vivo l'interesse del lettore. Ci sono quasi fin troppe scene di sesso, non è che diano fastidio e ci stanno pure (per Kyle sono proprio le prime esperienze, ha senso che vengano descritte), ma in certi momenti avrei sorvolato sui dettagli a favore di una maggiore empatia tra i due ragazzi.
Se amate i romance ambientati al college con un pizzico di sport (attenzione, non è uno sport romance, il basket serve solo a contestualizzare i personaggi, si parla della squadra con qualche accenno a palestra, NBA ecc ma non niente di più), che raccontino di un grande amore senza annoiare questo è il libro adatto a voi.
October 14, 2017
~ 3.5 Stars ~
This book had quite a bit of a slower pace than I am used to from Skylar M. Cates, and it made it a little bit of a chore for me to get into, to be honest. It doesn’t mean I didn’t ultimately enjoy the book, it just took me a little more time to appreciate and become involved in everything. This wasn’t one of those stories that will grab hold of you from the beginning and won’t let go. Instead, it was one of those that sneaks up on you and slowly, little by little, grabs a wee bit more of your attention until you find yourself immersed and not sure when it happened.
I think the reason it took me longer to become invested was there was a lot of page time with internal dialogue, but without much else to move the plot forward in the beginning. I tend to enjoy first person narrative, as I am all for getting to know the inner workings of my characters—and I really got to know the inner workings of Kyle and Micah—but only when it occurs while there is progression in other plot points, or there is enough conversation breaking up the internal dialogue and keeping the story moving forward. In this case, those plot points were slow in appearing and took a while to start moving, and the dialogue with other characters felt minimal. Especially Kyle’s POV, as he is the shyer of the two and quite a bit more of an introvert when it comes to communication.
At some point the pace picked up a bit, and Kyle and Micah’s relationship started to develop at a quicker pace, with external concerns becoming more present, and that is when I found myself absorbed. Once the two finally started acting on the mutual attraction, things get hot and heavy. Readers who enjoy steamy scenes will not be disappointed; just be patient to get to them, because their relationship is as slow-burn as the pacing.
The external conflicts felt realistic, and I appreciated the genuine way everything was approached. There were a couple times where secondary characters’ actions and reactions surprised me, and I found it to be part of the reason I appreciated the story more. I was happy to see I had been proven wrong in some cases, and, in the case of Kyle, sad that the cookie crumbled the way it did in some areas. But it was real. It reflected a truth in life that although Micah and Kyle eventually get their HEA, not everything gets wrapped up in a pretty bow.
Interestingly, there were some areas which I thought would be more explored towards the end. In fact, I would almost say it felt a little unfinished. But, unfinished in a purposely done way. I expected an epilogue which would wrap it all up and deliver everything completed, but it wasn’t there, and as I think on it, that actually makes sense. No, not everything is wrapped up nicely, not every choice is made, because Micah and Kyle’s story is just beginning. There are a lot of paths these two could take, but the reader is left with a sense they will choose their paths together, and that to me is a true HEA.
Though slow to grab my attention, with likable and realistic characters facing relatable problems (except for the whole possible future NBA star thing), Micah and Kyle crept up on me. My patience in sticking through the slower start paid off and left me with a smile on my face.
Reviewed by Lindsey for The Novel Approach
This book had quite a bit of a slower pace than I am used to from Skylar M. Cates, and it made it a little bit of a chore for me to get into, to be honest. It doesn’t mean I didn’t ultimately enjoy the book, it just took me a little more time to appreciate and become involved in everything. This wasn’t one of those stories that will grab hold of you from the beginning and won’t let go. Instead, it was one of those that sneaks up on you and slowly, little by little, grabs a wee bit more of your attention until you find yourself immersed and not sure when it happened.
I think the reason it took me longer to become invested was there was a lot of page time with internal dialogue, but without much else to move the plot forward in the beginning. I tend to enjoy first person narrative, as I am all for getting to know the inner workings of my characters—and I really got to know the inner workings of Kyle and Micah—but only when it occurs while there is progression in other plot points, or there is enough conversation breaking up the internal dialogue and keeping the story moving forward. In this case, those plot points were slow in appearing and took a while to start moving, and the dialogue with other characters felt minimal. Especially Kyle’s POV, as he is the shyer of the two and quite a bit more of an introvert when it comes to communication.
At some point the pace picked up a bit, and Kyle and Micah’s relationship started to develop at a quicker pace, with external concerns becoming more present, and that is when I found myself absorbed. Once the two finally started acting on the mutual attraction, things get hot and heavy. Readers who enjoy steamy scenes will not be disappointed; just be patient to get to them, because their relationship is as slow-burn as the pacing.
The external conflicts felt realistic, and I appreciated the genuine way everything was approached. There were a couple times where secondary characters’ actions and reactions surprised me, and I found it to be part of the reason I appreciated the story more. I was happy to see I had been proven wrong in some cases, and, in the case of Kyle, sad that the cookie crumbled the way it did in some areas. But it was real. It reflected a truth in life that although Micah and Kyle eventually get their HEA, not everything gets wrapped up in a pretty bow.
Interestingly, there were some areas which I thought would be more explored towards the end. In fact, I would almost say it felt a little unfinished. But, unfinished in a purposely done way. I expected an epilogue which would wrap it all up and deliver everything completed, but it wasn’t there, and as I think on it, that actually makes sense. No, not everything is wrapped up nicely, not every choice is made, because Micah and Kyle’s story is just beginning. There are a lot of paths these two could take, but the reader is left with a sense they will choose their paths together, and that to me is a true HEA.
Though slow to grab my attention, with likable and realistic characters facing relatable problems (except for the whole possible future NBA star thing), Micah and Kyle crept up on me. My patience in sticking through the slower start paid off and left me with a smile on my face.
Reviewed by Lindsey for The Novel Approach
October 9, 2017
I was given a copy of this book to read and review for wicked Reads.
Both Kyle and Micah are incredibly driven college students. Kyle’s goal is to play basketball in the NBA and Micah’s goal is to become a doctor. Even though their interests and experiences are very different, this focus and drive makes them a great match.
I feel like the premise of this story has more promise than the actual story delivers. Parts of this story dragged. The journey from roommates to friends to lovers feels very slow. At times, Kyle and Micah’s connection feels more convenient than fated - something Micah actually questions at one point.
There is a whole lot going on here beyond Kyle and Micah’s relationship and not all of it really helps the story. I struggled to engage with Kyle’s basketball teammates and their issues. Kyle and Micah’s family issues are touched on a few times but not ever fully resolved. And the drug testing storyline resolved too easily and had Micah acting out of character.
So - I loved the idea of this story but I wasn't as excited by the actual book.
Both Kyle and Micah are incredibly driven college students. Kyle’s goal is to play basketball in the NBA and Micah’s goal is to become a doctor. Even though their interests and experiences are very different, this focus and drive makes them a great match.
I feel like the premise of this story has more promise than the actual story delivers. Parts of this story dragged. The journey from roommates to friends to lovers feels very slow. At times, Kyle and Micah’s connection feels more convenient than fated - something Micah actually questions at one point.
There is a whole lot going on here beyond Kyle and Micah’s relationship and not all of it really helps the story. I struggled to engage with Kyle’s basketball teammates and their issues. Kyle and Micah’s family issues are touched on a few times but not ever fully resolved. And the drug testing storyline resolved too easily and had Micah acting out of character.
So - I loved the idea of this story but I wasn't as excited by the actual book.
July 24, 2021
I usually really enjoy this lady's work, but this one didn't quite do it for me. I liked the premise, Jock/Nerd romances are one of my favourite tropes, but it all felt a bit flat. Both Kyle and Micah are likeable guys, but even though the sex was hot, their coming together didn't really convince me. I think a lot of the problem was the lack of dialogue. Both guys spend a lot of time in their own heads, and there's lots of telling, as opposed to showing. I never really felt engaged. Shame really, it felt like there was a really good story in there, just waiting to get out.
November 5, 2017
Review can be read at It's About The Book
I’m a fan of this author and the the closet athlete trope. I was happy this one wasn’t too angsty for me as some of the NA books can be. It also helps that the jock isn’t your typical type seen in these stories. He’s doesn’t objectify women or even pretend to be interested to keep up appearances. For me it was kind of refreshing. I also enjoyed that it wasn’t a drunken accident they get together. This is also a friends to lovers story. It started with a kiss. Poor Kyle has been so firmly in the closet he hasn’t even kissed a guy! Reading from Kyle’s POV about how often he just wants to reach out and kiss Micah really built up the tension between the two for me.
Rim Shot is the sweet and sexy journey of Kyle and Micah. Kyle is the jock. His entire focus is basketball and getting to the NBA. He’s very dedicated to living a healthy life. Kyle doesn’t do any of the typical college guy stuff partying and looking to get laid. It’s both he doesn’t want to and he’s afraid he’ll out himself. He trains, practices and keeps his eye on the endgame. Kyle knows he’s gay but he also knows the success rate of out athletes and it’s not great. His father is just as determined to see Kyle be drafted by the NBA. His mother died when he was younger so his dad is all he has. Kyle worries about how his dad would react if he knew. He doesn’t make many friends. His best friend leaves the team to get married and have a baby. Then Micah walks into Kyle’s door.
Micah wants to be a doctor. He loads up on classes and works two jobs. Him being too busy is the excuse his ex uses to dump him for another guy. Micah isn’t ready to start something with a new guy but Kyle is crazy tempting with all his muscles and the nice guy thing. Micah thinks he’s straight at first but Kyle’s attraction to Micah can’t stay hidden long. They promise each other it’s just hooking up but of course it’s so much more.
I really liked the couple in this book. They’re both really nice guys. Nobody crushes anyone. I can see how some people may miss that type of angst and pain in these types of stories but I personally liked it. Micah and Kyle are there for each other at different times. To me this felt like a true best friends to lovers story. There is a good amount of time spent building the relationship and setting up the attraction to the point I felt totally invested in their story. In this book there’s no big public reveal of the college basketball star coming out. Through love Kyle learns that there’s more to life than basketball. With Micah he finds happiness and support of his whole self. If you enjoy closeted jocks and friends to lover stories I’d recommend checking this one out.
I’m a fan of this author and the the closet athlete trope. I was happy this one wasn’t too angsty for me as some of the NA books can be. It also helps that the jock isn’t your typical type seen in these stories. He’s doesn’t objectify women or even pretend to be interested to keep up appearances. For me it was kind of refreshing. I also enjoyed that it wasn’t a drunken accident they get together. This is also a friends to lovers story. It started with a kiss. Poor Kyle has been so firmly in the closet he hasn’t even kissed a guy! Reading from Kyle’s POV about how often he just wants to reach out and kiss Micah really built up the tension between the two for me.
Rim Shot is the sweet and sexy journey of Kyle and Micah. Kyle is the jock. His entire focus is basketball and getting to the NBA. He’s very dedicated to living a healthy life. Kyle doesn’t do any of the typical college guy stuff partying and looking to get laid. It’s both he doesn’t want to and he’s afraid he’ll out himself. He trains, practices and keeps his eye on the endgame. Kyle knows he’s gay but he also knows the success rate of out athletes and it’s not great. His father is just as determined to see Kyle be drafted by the NBA. His mother died when he was younger so his dad is all he has. Kyle worries about how his dad would react if he knew. He doesn’t make many friends. His best friend leaves the team to get married and have a baby. Then Micah walks into Kyle’s door.
Micah wants to be a doctor. He loads up on classes and works two jobs. Him being too busy is the excuse his ex uses to dump him for another guy. Micah isn’t ready to start something with a new guy but Kyle is crazy tempting with all his muscles and the nice guy thing. Micah thinks he’s straight at first but Kyle’s attraction to Micah can’t stay hidden long. They promise each other it’s just hooking up but of course it’s so much more.
I really liked the couple in this book. They’re both really nice guys. Nobody crushes anyone. I can see how some people may miss that type of angst and pain in these types of stories but I personally liked it. Micah and Kyle are there for each other at different times. To me this felt like a true best friends to lovers story. There is a good amount of time spent building the relationship and setting up the attraction to the point I felt totally invested in their story. In this book there’s no big public reveal of the college basketball star coming out. Through love Kyle learns that there’s more to life than basketball. With Micah he finds happiness and support of his whole self. If you enjoy closeted jocks and friends to lover stories I’d recommend checking this one out.
September 29, 2017
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.5 stars
Two guys behind a closed door exploring each other is what you can look forward to here. Add in that one guy is a closeted athlete as well as a virgin and there are a variety of intimate moments.
The story itself is a lighter one and there is no real conflict until later into the book. Kyle is ready to have a relationship, but he’s scared of disappointing his father and of ruining his chances at a professional athletic career. Yet Micah is temptation.
Micah comes from a large family where there was always so much going on. His parents weren’t college oriented so he was on his own for finding a way to pay for it all. His last relationship left him disillusioned and while he’s attracted to Kyle, he doesn’t think he wants anything serious, but that doesn’t last too long.
This had all the makings of a great story, but it never did fully capture me. The book is told in first person point of view from both characters, which I’m always excited to see, but here the guys sounded too similar. So similar that in the early stages of the book when we are first learning about them, they blended together. Also, the guys both spend a lot of time in their heads and there is a lot of inner narrative. The type of inner narrative where a question is asked, then there are many paragraphs of internal thoughts, only to come back to the question being answered. While inner thoughts can certainly help to learn more about a character, the flow of the conversation was broken too often for me here.
The story went along at a slower pace until well into the book where there was drama that seemed to be added in for movement. The storyline here was weaker for me and the resolution, the way it was handled, and then the fallout didn’t work for me. The ending then was way too abrupt and it was jarring that it ended as it did.
The story was low on angst and there was some heat added in but overall it was just an okay read.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
3.5 stars
Two guys behind a closed door exploring each other is what you can look forward to here. Add in that one guy is a closeted athlete as well as a virgin and there are a variety of intimate moments.
The story itself is a lighter one and there is no real conflict until later into the book. Kyle is ready to have a relationship, but he’s scared of disappointing his father and of ruining his chances at a professional athletic career. Yet Micah is temptation.
Micah comes from a large family where there was always so much going on. His parents weren’t college oriented so he was on his own for finding a way to pay for it all. His last relationship left him disillusioned and while he’s attracted to Kyle, he doesn’t think he wants anything serious, but that doesn’t last too long.
This had all the makings of a great story, but it never did fully capture me. The book is told in first person point of view from both characters, which I’m always excited to see, but here the guys sounded too similar. So similar that in the early stages of the book when we are first learning about them, they blended together. Also, the guys both spend a lot of time in their heads and there is a lot of inner narrative. The type of inner narrative where a question is asked, then there are many paragraphs of internal thoughts, only to come back to the question being answered. While inner thoughts can certainly help to learn more about a character, the flow of the conversation was broken too often for me here.
The story went along at a slower pace until well into the book where there was drama that seemed to be added in for movement. The storyline here was weaker for me and the resolution, the way it was handled, and then the fallout didn’t work for me. The ending then was way too abrupt and it was jarring that it ended as it did.
The story was low on angst and there was some heat added in but overall it was just an okay read.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
August 2, 2021
REVIEW by Kat 2 1/2 Hearts
I can honestly say that this story just didn’t do it for me like I thought it would. I usually love the nerd and the jock trope but I never felt like I connected with the characters or their woes. Kyle and Micah just didn’t have the chemistry for me. I love when I fall for the characters in a book and they become real however they just didn’t do that. They just fell flat for me which is unusual for this author’s work.
I would have hoped that this was a series and we would have heard more about how Kyle and Micah were doing. The ending seemed rather abrupt being as the rest of the book was on the wordier and slow moving side. I was wondering if Kyle kept pursuing a career in the NBA or if he changed majors and became a nutritionist? Did Kyle’s dad ever actively pursue Jenny? And what ever happened to Micah’s friend Todd? Did he find happiness? His character was written like he would be the next book. Then I learned that this book was actually several years old and currently being re-released as a self published book now so it is definitely a standalone book.
I thought that the drug scandal seemed a bit preposterous. The star of the team/leader and a goodie two-shoes to boot and the coach doesn’t question the results and demand a retest when confronted. And doesn’t call a team meeting when the team is falling apart from the scandal. Just doesn’t jive to me.
I will say that the book is written well without any errors that just jump out at you. My problem wasn’t with that but the lack of depth that just didn’t hook me. There is a lot of sex once Kyle and Micah realize that they are both gay and discard the pretense. And rimming seemed to be their favorite pastime. But even that was borderline repetitive and I found myself starting to skim it as the book went on.
Just wasn’t the book for me.
I can honestly say that this story just didn’t do it for me like I thought it would. I usually love the nerd and the jock trope but I never felt like I connected with the characters or their woes. Kyle and Micah just didn’t have the chemistry for me. I love when I fall for the characters in a book and they become real however they just didn’t do that. They just fell flat for me which is unusual for this author’s work.
I would have hoped that this was a series and we would have heard more about how Kyle and Micah were doing. The ending seemed rather abrupt being as the rest of the book was on the wordier and slow moving side. I was wondering if Kyle kept pursuing a career in the NBA or if he changed majors and became a nutritionist? Did Kyle’s dad ever actively pursue Jenny? And what ever happened to Micah’s friend Todd? Did he find happiness? His character was written like he would be the next book. Then I learned that this book was actually several years old and currently being re-released as a self published book now so it is definitely a standalone book.
I thought that the drug scandal seemed a bit preposterous. The star of the team/leader and a goodie two-shoes to boot and the coach doesn’t question the results and demand a retest when confronted. And doesn’t call a team meeting when the team is falling apart from the scandal. Just doesn’t jive to me.
I will say that the book is written well without any errors that just jump out at you. My problem wasn’t with that but the lack of depth that just didn’t hook me. There is a lot of sex once Kyle and Micah realize that they are both gay and discard the pretense. And rimming seemed to be their favorite pastime. But even that was borderline repetitive and I found myself starting to skim it as the book went on.
Just wasn’t the book for me.
January 25, 2021
So. This book was a little weird at the middle/end part...
The story was a normal one... Guy in the closet and all that... Some angst. But, something just got under my skin and I could not put my finger on it... maybe I just didnt like that much of the book. Some things did not make sense to me. Kyle is always talking about being the bottom, and what he likes when played with his ass and all that, and in the last scene, he just say, "I will bend you over and fuck you right now"(not those words, but the meaning...), and I did not understand much.. I like to read about versatile couples, but, this one did not make much sense to me... Kyle had not, not even once, hinted about liking to be the top in the sex... It just came out of nowhere...
The thing with micah and his professor too... So, he had to leave his test to help Kyle, and after that, he could not take the test again... and his professor didnt listen to him... and the girl with cancer.. it didnt made a lot of sense the last scene with her.. even if it was for character growth... When it happened, I was thinking that the girl would be something for the professor, and because Micah had been good to her, the professor would give him a second chance at the test... but, not happened...
Kyle's team were also something that I didnt understand... everyone blamed kyle for defending himself and not been labeled a cheater and a drug user, and the guys got mad and blamed him for getting the other guy out, but did not blame the other guy for doing drugs? No one was on his side.. it just made no sense...
And the end in the christmas... for me it was not where it had to end.. Did kyle come out at the University? The friends saw reason and finally saw that kyle was not to blame?it Just ended without they getting back to university, or even going to Micah family's, and introducing Kyle like they talked... It was really abrupt for me...
Well, not sure if this was really a review, or just me rambling a bit about the book.. haha
The story was a normal one... Guy in the closet and all that... Some angst. But, something just got under my skin and I could not put my finger on it... maybe I just didnt like that much of the book. Some things did not make sense to me. Kyle is always talking about being the bottom, and what he likes when played with his ass and all that, and in the last scene, he just say, "I will bend you over and fuck you right now"(not those words, but the meaning...), and I did not understand much.. I like to read about versatile couples, but, this one did not make much sense to me... Kyle had not, not even once, hinted about liking to be the top in the sex... It just came out of nowhere...
The thing with micah and his professor too... So, he had to leave his test to help Kyle, and after that, he could not take the test again... and his professor didnt listen to him... and the girl with cancer.. it didnt made a lot of sense the last scene with her.. even if it was for character growth... When it happened, I was thinking that the girl would be something for the professor, and because Micah had been good to her, the professor would give him a second chance at the test... but, not happened...
Kyle's team were also something that I didnt understand... everyone blamed kyle for defending himself and not been labeled a cheater and a drug user, and the guys got mad and blamed him for getting the other guy out, but did not blame the other guy for doing drugs? No one was on his side.. it just made no sense...
And the end in the christmas... for me it was not where it had to end.. Did kyle come out at the University? The friends saw reason and finally saw that kyle was not to blame?it Just ended without they getting back to university, or even going to Micah family's, and introducing Kyle like they talked... It was really abrupt for me...
Well, not sure if this was really a review, or just me rambling a bit about the book.. haha
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2017
What an excellent book and description of what not only someone who knows that they are gay but scared to act on it for fear of coming out and how people will react but also an even more excellent description of what I believe that an athlete feels in this position.
Coming out is not easy by any means for anyone but in some ways I am sure there is more pressure for some people that are athletes and coming out as gay. Not only do they have to worry about what friends and family is going to think and how they will react but they also have to worry about ho their teammates and their fans and the public is going to react also. So there is the added pressure. In the recent years it has gotten easier with more and more athletes coming out but their is still the fear of rejection.
That is what Kyle is faced with. He has only his father left and he is a red to death of losing him but he is also scared of losing the one thing that helped put his life back in order after losing his mom, basketball. When Micah moves in with Kyle and becomes his roommate, Kyle knows the attraction he feels for Micah is getting harder and harder to hide.
Kyle does not want to hide it anymore either once they get together but he is scared of the fallout of it. Micah is willing to go at Kyles pace and not pressure him when it comes to any of it but he also knows that it is tearing Kyle up inside and he does not want that either,
When life and mistakes happen, Kyles and Micah have to both figure out what is most important to them and how far are they willing to put their future at risk for the other. Can these two men make the right decision or will their futures end up lonely and lacking?
This was an extremely good book. I really enjoyed this read. It is so close to what I feel is realistic and that made it an even better read. I look forward to more books by Skylar in the future.
Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review
Coming out is not easy by any means for anyone but in some ways I am sure there is more pressure for some people that are athletes and coming out as gay. Not only do they have to worry about what friends and family is going to think and how they will react but they also have to worry about ho their teammates and their fans and the public is going to react also. So there is the added pressure. In the recent years it has gotten easier with more and more athletes coming out but their is still the fear of rejection.
That is what Kyle is faced with. He has only his father left and he is a red to death of losing him but he is also scared of losing the one thing that helped put his life back in order after losing his mom, basketball. When Micah moves in with Kyle and becomes his roommate, Kyle knows the attraction he feels for Micah is getting harder and harder to hide.
Kyle does not want to hide it anymore either once they get together but he is scared of the fallout of it. Micah is willing to go at Kyles pace and not pressure him when it comes to any of it but he also knows that it is tearing Kyle up inside and he does not want that either,
When life and mistakes happen, Kyles and Micah have to both figure out what is most important to them and how far are they willing to put their future at risk for the other. Can these two men make the right decision or will their futures end up lonely and lacking?
This was an extremely good book. I really enjoyed this read. It is so close to what I feel is realistic and that made it an even better read. I look forward to more books by Skylar in the future.
Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review
June 9, 2018
Recensione a cura di Lilith per Feel the Book
Una bella storia d’amore, dolce e romantica, era da un po’ che non ne leggevo una.
Kyle gioca a pallacanestro al college e, all’improvviso, si ritrova senza un compagno di stanza perché il precedente ha dovuto ritirarsi dai corsi per sposarsi. Sarà lui a suggerirgli Micah come sostituto per dividere le spese. Kyle per tutti è etero, ma in realtà gli piacciono gli uomini. Nasconde la sua omosessualità perché teme di essere escluso dal basket e di deludere il padre.
Quando gli viene proposto Micah come coinquilino, da una parte è contento, ma dall’altra è preoccupato perché lo trova attraente. Tuttavia, davvero ha bisogno di un coinquilino con cui dividere le spese quindi fa buon viso a cattivo gioco.
Micah studia medicina, fa due lavori per mantenersi perché la famiglia non può aiutarlo, ed è gay dichiarato. Convinto dell’eterosessualità di Kyle, pur trovandolo attraente, si limita a osservarlo di nascosto, mantenendo le distanze, almeno fino a quando l’ex coinquilino, durante una telefonata, dice una frase ambigua che accende le speranze di Micah.
Inizia così una convivenza e anche una bella amicizia che diventerà qualcosa di più.
Nella storia si toccano temi quali la paura di fare coming out per timore dell’opinione degli altri, il sentirsi di troppo in una famiglia numerosa e il dolore per la perdita di un genitore, tutto questo mescolato a una dolcissima storia d’amore.
Il libro è scritto a POV alternati tra Micah e Kyle, e l’autrice è riuscita ad amalgamare bene il tutto senza risultare troppo melensa. In alcuni momenti mi sono salite le lacrime, soprattutto quando Kyle confessa a suo padre di essere gay.
Se cercate un libro pieno di sentimento, ben scritto, scorrevole e con due bellissimi protagonisti, Un canestro per due è quello che fa per voi.
Editing recensione a cura di Lady Owl per Feel the Book
Una bella storia d’amore, dolce e romantica, era da un po’ che non ne leggevo una.
Kyle gioca a pallacanestro al college e, all’improvviso, si ritrova senza un compagno di stanza perché il precedente ha dovuto ritirarsi dai corsi per sposarsi. Sarà lui a suggerirgli Micah come sostituto per dividere le spese. Kyle per tutti è etero, ma in realtà gli piacciono gli uomini. Nasconde la sua omosessualità perché teme di essere escluso dal basket e di deludere il padre.
Quando gli viene proposto Micah come coinquilino, da una parte è contento, ma dall’altra è preoccupato perché lo trova attraente. Tuttavia, davvero ha bisogno di un coinquilino con cui dividere le spese quindi fa buon viso a cattivo gioco.
Micah studia medicina, fa due lavori per mantenersi perché la famiglia non può aiutarlo, ed è gay dichiarato. Convinto dell’eterosessualità di Kyle, pur trovandolo attraente, si limita a osservarlo di nascosto, mantenendo le distanze, almeno fino a quando l’ex coinquilino, durante una telefonata, dice una frase ambigua che accende le speranze di Micah.
Inizia così una convivenza e anche una bella amicizia che diventerà qualcosa di più.
Nella storia si toccano temi quali la paura di fare coming out per timore dell’opinione degli altri, il sentirsi di troppo in una famiglia numerosa e il dolore per la perdita di un genitore, tutto questo mescolato a una dolcissima storia d’amore.
Il libro è scritto a POV alternati tra Micah e Kyle, e l’autrice è riuscita ad amalgamare bene il tutto senza risultare troppo melensa. In alcuni momenti mi sono salite le lacrime, soprattutto quando Kyle confessa a suo padre di essere gay.
Se cercate un libro pieno di sentimento, ben scritto, scorrevole e con due bellissimi protagonisti, Un canestro per due è quello che fa per voi.
Editing recensione a cura di Lady Owl per Feel the Book
July 22, 2021
Sweet and steamy coming-out M/M romance of college-age men
Ahhh…I wanted these guys to be successful in their relationship. They were both sweet, caring and passionate about their life choices. Both had had less than perfect back-stories so they were due an HEA, which they get in RIM SHOT. There is some humor but lots of angst.
Kyle Sweeney is a big guy, earnest fellow and celebrated basketball player on his college team, hoping for a ticket to the NBA. Since he’s a star player, all indications are that he’ll be going that direction. But, he’s in the closet. Way, way back in the closet. He’s afraid coming out will ruin his chances. As his sophomore year begins, he finds out that his roommate and good buddy will not be returning. He’s very disappointed because Keller was also an integral part of their team and good dorm roomie. Enter Micah Hutchinson: upperclassman, medical student and out-and-proud gay man. Micah thinks Kyle is attractive but so very straight. Too bad. Well, won’t these guys be surprised?! Just when I thought their only obstacle was going to be Kyle’s coming out, BAM another even more serious situation arises. Can they overcome this too?
This was a well-written, well-edited coming out story of two very deserving young men. I just wish there had been an epilogue giving us some insight into their future. Did Kyle make it to the NBA? Does Micah become the doctor he’s worked so hard to become? Therefore, I give it only 4.25 stars which an epilogue would remedy. I volunteered to review an ARC of this book through Gay Romance Reviews. If you like M/M romance between young men who are sweet and passionate, read this story.
Ahhh…I wanted these guys to be successful in their relationship. They were both sweet, caring and passionate about their life choices. Both had had less than perfect back-stories so they were due an HEA, which they get in RIM SHOT. There is some humor but lots of angst.
Kyle Sweeney is a big guy, earnest fellow and celebrated basketball player on his college team, hoping for a ticket to the NBA. Since he’s a star player, all indications are that he’ll be going that direction. But, he’s in the closet. Way, way back in the closet. He’s afraid coming out will ruin his chances. As his sophomore year begins, he finds out that his roommate and good buddy will not be returning. He’s very disappointed because Keller was also an integral part of their team and good dorm roomie. Enter Micah Hutchinson: upperclassman, medical student and out-and-proud gay man. Micah thinks Kyle is attractive but so very straight. Too bad. Well, won’t these guys be surprised?! Just when I thought their only obstacle was going to be Kyle’s coming out, BAM another even more serious situation arises. Can they overcome this too?
This was a well-written, well-edited coming out story of two very deserving young men. I just wish there had been an epilogue giving us some insight into their future. Did Kyle make it to the NBA? Does Micah become the doctor he’s worked so hard to become? Therefore, I give it only 4.25 stars which an epilogue would remedy. I volunteered to review an ARC of this book through Gay Romance Reviews. If you like M/M romance between young men who are sweet and passionate, read this story.
September 21, 2017
4 Stars
College is a tough time, but for a closeted athlete with NBA hopes, it can be a nightmare, especially when you end up rooming with an out and proud medical student whom you find yourself attracted to.
I absolutely loved Kyle and Micah, both individually and as a couple. They had a chemistry that was out of this world and I loved watching their slow progression from friends to lovers. Even as lovers they remained best friends, who could confide in and count on one another. They were different, but had a lot in common, too, and I just really enjoyed their story.
While I loved their story, there were things that didn't work for me. There was a situation where Kyle is accused of something and Micah helps prove his innocence, but when they go to face his accusers, it's not done on page, you're just told the results, so it all felt very anticlimactic.
This was an easy and enjoyable read. There was some sadness and heartache, but the majority of the story was sweet and oh so hot! The characters were well developed and likable, but the ending was a bit abrupt and left, in my opinion, some unresolved issues, so maybe this won't be the last we see of Micah and Kyle? While not my favorite Skylar Cates read, still definitely recommendable!
*copy provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review*
College is a tough time, but for a closeted athlete with NBA hopes, it can be a nightmare, especially when you end up rooming with an out and proud medical student whom you find yourself attracted to.
I absolutely loved Kyle and Micah, both individually and as a couple. They had a chemistry that was out of this world and I loved watching their slow progression from friends to lovers. Even as lovers they remained best friends, who could confide in and count on one another. They were different, but had a lot in common, too, and I just really enjoyed their story.
While I loved their story, there were things that didn't work for me. There was a situation where Kyle is accused of something and Micah helps prove his innocence, but when they go to face his accusers, it's not done on page, you're just told the results, so it all felt very anticlimactic.
This was an easy and enjoyable read. There was some sadness and heartache, but the majority of the story was sweet and oh so hot! The characters were well developed and likable, but the ending was a bit abrupt and left, in my opinion, some unresolved issues, so maybe this won't be the last we see of Micah and Kyle? While not my favorite Skylar Cates read, still definitely recommendable!
*copy provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review*
July 18, 2021
3.75 stars
Enjoyable afternoons read.
I love sport themed books and this one worked for me because of the time taken to get to know the two guys. they spent time becoming friends and even once they got together things still progressed slowly.
Micah was a good character, I like that while he taught Kyle to be who he was openly, he also learnt to let go a bit and open himself up at the same time. I did feel for him that his course was forfeited, it felt harsh. I understood where the professor was coming from, I understood why Micah did it, and I even understood Kyle, but wished he hadn't done that to Micah. He doesn't have a scholarship like Kyle so every class matters. I loved seeing him reconnect with his mum.
I love Kyle and watching him be open about who he was. He is very withdrawn and doesn't do social interactions well. His relationship with his father was a good one for not judging a book by it's covers with the reasons for it being heartbreaking. I felt for him with the teams withdrawal, and at the same time was thought it was lucky he actually had Micah as if he was on his own he wouldn't have handled the deflection at all.
***Arc provided by GRR. This is my honest and voluntary review***
Enjoyable afternoons read.
I love sport themed books and this one worked for me because of the time taken to get to know the two guys. they spent time becoming friends and even once they got together things still progressed slowly.
Micah was a good character, I like that while he taught Kyle to be who he was openly, he also learnt to let go a bit and open himself up at the same time. I did feel for him that his course was forfeited, it felt harsh. I understood where the professor was coming from, I understood why Micah did it, and I even understood Kyle, but wished he hadn't done that to Micah. He doesn't have a scholarship like Kyle so every class matters. I loved seeing him reconnect with his mum.
I love Kyle and watching him be open about who he was. He is very withdrawn and doesn't do social interactions well. His relationship with his father was a good one for not judging a book by it's covers with the reasons for it being heartbreaking. I felt for him with the teams withdrawal, and at the same time was thought it was lucky he actually had Micah as if he was on his own he wouldn't have handled the deflection at all.
***Arc provided by GRR. This is my honest and voluntary review***
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