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Stroke!
For Owen Peters, rowing is life-college classes are just an afterthought. So when Elijah Lukas, a hotshot sophomore, tries to take Owen's rightful place on the varsity boat, he's threatened, enraged, and needs a place to let off steam. The only person Owen can turn to is his online friend Davis, who he's become close with after being randomly matched on a game months before.
Davis is friendly, nonthreatening, and best of all he's on the other side of the country and far removed from the politics of the crew team. Soon, though, Owen starts to feel more for his flirtatious online pal than simple friendship. Between the battle on the water and an impossible new crush, Owen is starting to wonder how he'll make it through the school year.
Davis is friendly, nonthreatening, and best of all he's on the other side of the country and far removed from the politics of the crew team. Soon, though, Owen starts to feel more for his flirtatious online pal than simple friendship. Between the battle on the water and an impossible new crush, Owen is starting to wonder how he'll make it through the school year.
ebook
First published February 29, 2012
3 people are currently reading
242 people want to read
About the author
M.J. O'Shea
86 books948 followersMJ O’Shea has never met a music festival, paintbrush, or
flower crown she can stay away from. She loves rainstorms
and a perfect cup of tea, beach days, music, bright colors, and
more than anything a cozy evening with a really great book.
She is from the Pacific Northwest. While she still lives there
and loves it, MJ has the heart of a wanderer. So she puts all
her dreams of far off places and extraordinary people in her
books.
Except for every once in a while when she does what all
travelers have to do on occasion… come home.
flower crown she can stay away from. She loves rainstorms
and a perfect cup of tea, beach days, music, bright colors, and
more than anything a cozy evening with a really great book.
She is from the Pacific Northwest. While she still lives there
and loves it, MJ has the heart of a wanderer. So she puts all
her dreams of far off places and extraordinary people in her
books.
Except for every once in a while when she does what all
travelers have to do on occasion… come home.
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
March 11, 2012
Too Cute For Words!
Loved it, loved it, loved it!!
Why are more people not reading this little gem? Sara Bell is the reigning queen of short stories but, with this little tale, MJ O'Shea has just become the princess.
Owen is on his college's rowing team. He's a junior and he holds seat six in the boat. The thing is that there's a sophomore who's gunning for Owen's seat. Elijah "Asshole" Lukas.
The one bright thing in Owen's stress filled days is his gaming buddy, Davis. Davis with the soft Southern drawl, the cute sense of humor and the adorable giggle.
The progression of the little online gaming romance was totally predictable, completely dorky, So so sweet and 100% "AWWWWWW" inducing. They bond and flirt while killing zombie lunch ladies and undead sea creatures. How damn cute is that?!
I was satisfied and giddy by the end of the story and the ending was just perfect for these two men. This, like so many of Sara Bell's stories, is going to become a super re-read for me.
I recommend this one a few dozen times over. If you want to smile then pick up this little diddy because I pretty much smiled throughout the whole thing.
Loved it, loved it, loved it!!
Why are more people not reading this little gem? Sara Bell is the reigning queen of short stories but, with this little tale, MJ O'Shea has just become the princess.
Owen is on his college's rowing team. He's a junior and he holds seat six in the boat. The thing is that there's a sophomore who's gunning for Owen's seat. Elijah "Asshole" Lukas.
The one bright thing in Owen's stress filled days is his gaming buddy, Davis. Davis with the soft Southern drawl, the cute sense of humor and the adorable giggle.
The progression of the little online gaming romance was totally predictable, completely dorky, So so sweet and 100% "AWWWWWW" inducing. They bond and flirt while killing zombie lunch ladies and undead sea creatures. How damn cute is that?!
I was satisfied and giddy by the end of the story and the ending was just perfect for these two men. This, like so many of Sara Bell's stories, is going to become a super re-read for me.
I recommend this one a few dozen times over. If you want to smile then pick up this little diddy because I pretty much smiled throughout the whole thing.
November 7, 2014
3.5 stars
Cute & sweet romance that ends with a tease of the sex the MCs are about to have. Would it have killed you to write one more paragraph, M.J.? LOL
Cute & sweet romance that ends with a tease of the sex the MCs are about to have. Would it have killed you to write one more paragraph, M.J.? LOL
December 18, 2017
3.7 Stars
Cute, sweet and hot. Basically, what I expect from MJO'S books.
Cute, sweet and hot. Basically, what I expect from MJO'S books.
January 21, 2014
Read two short stories last night just before I went to sleep and this obviously was one of them. I saw it a couple of days ago, the reviews were great and it seemed cute and sweet so I bought it and I have to say it didn't disappoint at all. Short, sweet and satisfying. I don't think anyone will be surprised by the little twist in the tale but I don't think that matters. It was just a lovely enemies to lovers story and I really enjoyed it. Simple as! I like MJ 's stories so I wasn't worried about this one.
I'm keeping this one... Nice!!
I'm keeping this one... Nice!!
February 12, 2021
This was short and sweet...emphasis on the short.
I enjoyed it but was left wanting more.
I do enjoy O'Shea's writing though.
I enjoyed it but was left wanting more.
I do enjoy O'Shea's writing though.
April 29, 2012
This was so adorable!! I mean it was definitely predictable but the whole premise was so sweet! I loved the gaming and the flirting. And then there was the whole rivalry, too. Plus, it had friends-to-lovers and enemies-to-lovers all at the same time. My favorites!!!
I would love for it to have been longer, but I'm perfectly happy with the way it is.
I would love for it to have been longer, but I'm perfectly happy with the way it is.
March 7, 2012
Review posted at Brief Encounters Reviews.
An adorable story of young love, Stroke! by MJ O’Shea was definitely a delight of a read for me. The story is set at an Oregon college amongst a highly competitive crew team and from the point of view of Owen, a fifth seat on the varsity team very close to losing his seat to an obnoxious, yet (however unfairly) talented JV athlete named Elijah, who seems to be constantly dogging Owen’s steps, waiting for any screwup to take his place. No matter how hard he has to work, how much of his academics he has to sacrifice, and how many times he has to sit on his hands so he doesn’t punch the ugly sneer off of Elijah’s face, Owen tells himself he’ll do anything not to lose that seat that he’s worked so hard for — especially to his hated rival. His only solace is Davis, the man who is slowly taking over his evenings playing Zombie Killah online. Too bad Davis lives in South Carolina — they could have had something really special.
Now: Three guesses who Davis is? Won’t take you that many!
No matter how easy the outcome of this story was to guess, I still enjoyed it immensely. There’s something that is really great about reading a short story that gives me the warm and fuzzies, and well written young love stories do that for me. Stroke! did what young love stories do the best — that is, it takes emotions that everyone experiences in their youth (numero uno: Idealistic Love) and combines it with a plot that is familiar yet which we love, like enemies that fall in love before they even know it!
I liked Owen quite a lot. He’s a level-headed guy, yet still a typical college male. Perhaps his maturity comes from the dedication he has for his sport. Yet, because of the time he dedicates to Crew, he’s still pretty inexperienced with other guys. He’s also still in the closet, afraid of losing his position on the team if he were outed. The unchanging POV made it more difficult for me to understand Elijah/Davis, but there’s no huge character depth here to delve into. I didn’t like some of his choices and there really wasn’t time for him to properly explain or redeem himself with the short format, but his behavior wasn’t too bad that I couldn’t get behind Owen falling for him. They make a cute couple and I really wanted to cheer them on until they worked things out.
There’s no on-page sex with this story, which I enjoyed because it kept the tone light. I felt like they’re both so young in their romantic lives, that not including one worked for me.
I love rowing stories, so authors take note! I’ll review any I come across because there’s something about a lanky guy in a singlet, well… you all probably agree
B+
An adorable story of young love, Stroke! by MJ O’Shea was definitely a delight of a read for me. The story is set at an Oregon college amongst a highly competitive crew team and from the point of view of Owen, a fifth seat on the varsity team very close to losing his seat to an obnoxious, yet (however unfairly) talented JV athlete named Elijah, who seems to be constantly dogging Owen’s steps, waiting for any screwup to take his place. No matter how hard he has to work, how much of his academics he has to sacrifice, and how many times he has to sit on his hands so he doesn’t punch the ugly sneer off of Elijah’s face, Owen tells himself he’ll do anything not to lose that seat that he’s worked so hard for — especially to his hated rival. His only solace is Davis, the man who is slowly taking over his evenings playing Zombie Killah online. Too bad Davis lives in South Carolina — they could have had something really special.
Now: Three guesses who Davis is? Won’t take you that many!
No matter how easy the outcome of this story was to guess, I still enjoyed it immensely. There’s something that is really great about reading a short story that gives me the warm and fuzzies, and well written young love stories do that for me. Stroke! did what young love stories do the best — that is, it takes emotions that everyone experiences in their youth (numero uno: Idealistic Love) and combines it with a plot that is familiar yet which we love, like enemies that fall in love before they even know it!
I liked Owen quite a lot. He’s a level-headed guy, yet still a typical college male. Perhaps his maturity comes from the dedication he has for his sport. Yet, because of the time he dedicates to Crew, he’s still pretty inexperienced with other guys. He’s also still in the closet, afraid of losing his position on the team if he were outed. The unchanging POV made it more difficult for me to understand Elijah/Davis, but there’s no huge character depth here to delve into. I didn’t like some of his choices and there really wasn’t time for him to properly explain or redeem himself with the short format, but his behavior wasn’t too bad that I couldn’t get behind Owen falling for him. They make a cute couple and I really wanted to cheer them on until they worked things out.
There’s no on-page sex with this story, which I enjoyed because it kept the tone light. I felt like they’re both so young in their romantic lives, that not including one worked for me.
I love rowing stories, so authors take note! I’ll review any I come across because there’s something about a lanky guy in a singlet, well… you all probably agree
B+
March 7, 2012
The story is standard 'online friends turn out to be the one you know', a plot line that goes back at least to the 1940 movie, "The shop around the corner" with James Stewart (OK, that one is penpal, not online like in "You've got mail" with Tom Hanks).
I like that the execution is nicely done. The setting, rowing club, is interesting. I wish it's longer...
I like that the execution is nicely done. The setting, rowing club, is interesting. I wish it's longer...
February 29, 2012
Everything I say about this will probably turn out as spoilers -- even if as readers, you can probably guess what happens :). Let's just say that it's a classic "enemy-turn-lover" and "surprise-identity-of-online-crush" story. Perfect cuteness, just right sweetness, and a whole lotta of lovely things. Oh, and zombies! Except that's only in the game though :p
March 19, 2012
OH squishy, cute boys. Sweet, fast, and awesome.
April 17, 2021
Short and sweet romance with likeable characters. The characters really draw you into the story which is very predictable, but O'Shea is able to overcome that with her talent as a writer. In the end I was left wanting more. Overall a likable quick read.
September 23, 2013
Boys on a rowing team? Can we que the images of Oxford Blues please? Don't know that movie? Did I just give away my age? Goodness. A young Rob Lowe, short shorts, the gorgeous shots of boys, I mean the water. I digress.
I do believe I have a happy place with books and that happy place is anything M.J. O'Shea writes. I fall for these boys she writes each time and this another one that killed me. I loved the secrecy, the tension and yes, I guessed the twist but it did not matter because when it happened, when they...sigh. It was perfectly done.
I adored Owen, felt for Elijah Fucking Lukas and crushed on Davis right along with Owen. I get the connection to someone you haven't met. I felt the longing between them, the rivalry, the flirting...have I said this is a happy place for me?
Great story, memorable characters and a swoon worthy ending. That is the trifecta of perfection for me.
I do believe I have a happy place with books and that happy place is anything M.J. O'Shea writes. I fall for these boys she writes each time and this another one that killed me. I loved the secrecy, the tension and yes, I guessed the twist but it did not matter because when it happened, when they...sigh. It was perfectly done.
Maybe everything is random, or maybe everything happens or a reason.
I adored Owen, felt for Elijah Fucking Lukas and crushed on Davis right along with Owen. I get the connection to someone you haven't met. I felt the longing between them, the rivalry, the flirting...have I said this is a happy place for me?
Great story, memorable characters and a swoon worthy ending. That is the trifecta of perfection for me.
July 18, 2012
Another insanely cute short story by MJ - she writes the sweetest, most adorable characters ever and always leaves me with a smile on my face. She does the whole rivals to lovers thing really well, and that's definitely one of my favourite themes ;) While this story was kinda predictable, that really didn't bother me and I still loved it. I just really wish it had been longer!
March 1, 2012
This was a very sweet short that left me with a huge smile on my face when I finished it. 4.5 stars.
March 12, 2012
3.5 stars. Good short m/m romance about a guy on his college crew team who's struggling to keep a freshman from taking his varsity spot. The big mystery was pretty obvious from the beginning.
March 29, 2012
So cute!
Owen has an online pal Davis, and a real life enemy Elijah!
Guess how that worked out?
This is a really sweet and fun short!
Owen has an online pal Davis, and a real life enemy Elijah!
Guess how that worked out?
This is a really sweet and fun short!
April 11, 2012
I don' t usually give 5 stars to a short story but this one is so damn sweet it would be a travesty to give it anything less. I loved it.
May 14, 2012
I hadn't read M.J. O'Shea until somewhat recently, but she has quickly become one of my favorite authors. I don't think I have rated any of her books below a 4. This short story was so cute, and
May 14, 2012
Elijah Lukas wants Owen Peters’ crew seat. Owen isn’t giving it up without a fight, though. The only person Owen can confide in about it is his online friend Davis. When his two worlds collide, will disaster strike for Owen or will all his dreams come true?
Stoke! is a realistic, endearing, and sexy romance. Elijah finds himself in a bind when he regrets his actions and Owen has a shocking realization to face at the same time. Davis and Owen develop a bond that transcends their gaming, but when real life barges in they have to make a decision that could make or break their future together. Stroke! is a short story with likeable characters, a lot of heart, and a sweet surprise at the end.
Reviewed by Nannette for Joyfully Reviewed
Stoke! is a realistic, endearing, and sexy romance. Elijah finds himself in a bind when he regrets his actions and Owen has a shocking realization to face at the same time. Davis and Owen develop a bond that transcends their gaming, but when real life barges in they have to make a decision that could make or break their future together. Stroke! is a short story with likeable characters, a lot of heart, and a sweet surprise at the end.
Reviewed by Nannette for Joyfully Reviewed
January 19, 2014
3.5 stars.
The book was good and well-written. It was fairly obvious from the beginning how it was going to turn out, but in a short story like this, one can't have to many people to choose from. The rowing was interesting too, though not a sport I favour or know anything about. Still, I enjoyed this short read!
The book was good and well-written. It was fairly obvious from the beginning how it was going to turn out, but in a short story like this, one can't have to many people to choose from. The rowing was interesting too, though not a sport I favour or know anything about. Still, I enjoyed this short read!
May 3, 2012
Cute story about a couple of college guys who know and crush on each other through an interactive video game. Elija turns out to be someone else involved with Owen's college rowing team. I loved the game banter/flirting,but wanted more. I also wish this was a full- lenght book.
May 12, 2015
Um….what’s going on with this cover. Those are men, not a junior and senior in college. We gotta get these M/M covers to be on target with what the book is actually about.
Cute story, very YA. No steam, just water thrown at the pan….
Cute story, very YA. No steam, just water thrown at the pan….
January 6, 2021
winter Wonderland download : two (hormonal) university crew jocks who connect via an online shooter game. Oregon and Boston are the locales, albeit not really drawn due to novella length of the story. Good for a few chuckles during the single focus narrative. Entertaining.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2012
3.5*
This was a nice, short read. It contains some of my favourite romance tropes, e.g. enemies to friends to lovers and mistaken identity.
This was a nice, short read. It contains some of my favourite romance tropes, e.g. enemies to friends to lovers and mistaken identity.
March 9, 2012
This is a really sweet story about Owen, a crew member who is close to losing his seat to a younger team mate, and the boy he meets online playing video games. Loved the boys and their story.
March 27, 2012
Oh, how I wish this was longer. It was the most adorable thing ever. I love these boys, I want to read more about them :(
September 8, 2016
It was a nice short story, bit predictable, but good.
October 24, 2021
A short read!
Between the battle on the water and an impossible new crush, he is starting to wonder how he'll make it through the school year...
Aww, a cute and short read. Enjoyed reading this novella.
A crush and rivals. This book was meant to be short and perfect. I like how they started and how they ended up together.
Full of sports, rivals, crushes, secrets, identity and attraction.
Perfect for readers of contemporary romances/sport romances.
Between the battle on the water and an impossible new crush, he is starting to wonder how he'll make it through the school year...
Aww, a cute and short read. Enjoyed reading this novella.
A crush and rivals. This book was meant to be short and perfect. I like how they started and how they ended up together.
Full of sports, rivals, crushes, secrets, identity and attraction.
Perfect for readers of contemporary romances/sport romances.
June 17, 2021
Well, that was adorable. Cute, fast read. Highly recommend it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews