The Quarterback

The Team #2

by Tal Bauer

A slow burn, friends to lovers, bi awakening, age gap MM romance.

Falling for his friend's straight dad might be the worst mistake Colton Hall has ever made.

Colton's best friend is gay. He's not: he's never been attracted to men. So why the hell is he fantasizing about his friend's dad? Besides, Nick Swanscott is straight. A devoted father and the best man Colton's ever known. He deserves more than to be the object of Colton's crush.

The NFL is waiting for Colton, but he decides to stick it out for his senior year in college before joining the league, a decision that proves disastrous when an injury tears him from the game. In the blink of an eye, Colton goes from being a top draft pick to potentially never playing football again.

But Nick is there through his recovery. He takes care of Colton every day and shows him a future that might hold something more than being a superstar quarterback. Maybe Colton's life isn't over.

And Colton's crush explodes: full-on, head over heels, hopelessly falling in love.

He's so screwed. He's got to get these feelings under control. All those dreams of kissing Nick can never become reality. And there's no way Nick could ever love him back.

Right?

Genres: M M Romance, Sports, Romance, Friends To Lovers, Sports Romance, Contemporary, LGBT

374 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 7, 2021

About the author

Tal Bauer writes breathtaking, heartfelt, and often action-packed gay romance novels. His characters are head over heels for each other and fight against all odds for their happy ending. Nothing stands in the way of love. Tal is best known for his romantic suspense novels, including the Executive Office series, The Murder Between Us, The Grave Between Us, The Night of, and his MM sports romance, The Jock.

Website - www.talbauerwrites.com
Amazon Author - http://amazon.com/author/talbauer
Instagram - @TalBauerWrites
Newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/f1fd8baec198/talba...

Reviews

[len ❀ · Rating 2 out of 5]

i’m clearly on the minority side for this one, so take it as you will.

i'm not going to write a full review for this, but here are a couple thoughts:

🚨warning: may contain spoilers!🚨

the good:
🏈the way this story had me cave in with its tropes, them being age gap, friends to lovers, character b taking care of character a, bi-awakening, falling for your friend's straight dad.

🏈the development of wes and justin’s relationship was a cute and wholesome addition to this. i admit and say that i missed them, even though i read this right after finishing the jock. i loved their relationship and found them to be so adorable and loving. although i had some trouble with the jock. i enjoyed it much more than this one. seeing how they’ve grown as a couple was fun, and i loved how tal included a lot about their relationship in this. personally, it made up for the lack of colton and nick’s relationship, so that was just a bonus.

🏈the friendship between the teammates was one of my favorite things about this and the jock. i love the relationships between them all and how fun they are. colton and his teammates, including wes, are the definition of platonic soulmates.

the okay:
🏈the writing of the jock is much more beautiful, in my opinion. it felt more lyrical and visual, and while this one had its moments as well, it still felt less beautiful. nonetheless, it was still quick and easy to read through.

the bad:
🏈many others have mentioned this, but the bi-awakening of both colton and nick felt very unrealistic. there was never a moment where the two felt some sort of spark or reaction before the "awakening." i don't really know how to explain it, but it really lacked. it felt rushed and not believable at all. one moment the two were hanging out and everything felt like friendship, and the next, colton was dreaming about nick, including wet dreams. the romantic connection was never there. while they were definitely friends and their friendship grew much closer, it was difficult to pinpoint how and when they developed romantic and sexual feelings. i never felt that tension between them. nick literally felt like a father figure to him, from hanging with him, wes, and justin, to taking care of him and taking him to his appointments, to playing video games with him, to cooking for him, and throwing the football with him, if all felt more friendly than romantic.

🏈the way the relationship developed felt lacking as well. since the bi-awakening felt underdeveloped, rushed, and unrealistic, it was difficult to take their relationship seriously. we know and see that nick and colton grow as friends, but since there were never any moments where they felt nervous or shy around each other, i couldn't connect with them and find any chemistry. the way colton had a wet dream of nick felt totally random, like it was just there. their friendship never felt like it had sexual or romantic tension.

🏈justin's reaction to his father's relationship with colton was really immature but also understandable. in a way, i understood where he was coming from. not only is it his father dating and fucking his friend, who is more than 20 years older than him (i'm a whore for these age gaps though so i'm not complaining about that), so it would feel weird. however, i thought he reacted immaturely and even strangely for being upset that his father was “replacing” him. i understand that nick didn't know he was bi or liked men and all, and neither did justin, of course, but i hated how he was okay with him dating or having a woman over but getting mad at his father for being with colton because it was colton. so basically, justin was okay with his father being with a woman without having told him but when he saw it was colton, he reacted with different emotions: mad at both of them for not telling him, disgusted because it's colton, and sad at his father for “replacing him” even though both justin and nick are grown men. not to mention that justin has been dating wes for one year so it's like, how are you gonna get mad at your divorced and grown ass dad for being with a guy? i don't know, it was understandable in ways but immature and stupid in others. not to mention how justin started playing the victim card and feeling replaced because colton is the “perfect son.”

Jesus, his dad was in the other room with some woman he’d brought home. Who was she? Did his dad pull out the candles and the red wine for all his dates, or was this woman special?
(justin’s inner thoughts when he returned home and saw the “date night,” thinking his dad brought a woman to the house)

“You and Colton in the park throwing footballs. You and Colton going on business trips,” Justin hissed. “You and Colton going to a fucking winery!” he roared. “You could have taken me to a winery with you! Me, your son! Not him! You don’t even pretend to want me in your life anymore!“
(justin when he found out it was colton, so i bet if it was a woman or someone else who wasn’t colton that nick took to the business trips and all, it would’ve been okay and justin wouldn’t be feeling replaced, huh?) 🤡

🏈the stupid fucking break up scene that, if you know me well, you know is one of my biggest bookish pet peeves. sometimes i feel like an author can definitely pull it off and the break up is done for good reason, but this was unnecessary and it felt like every other break up scene i’ve read in books, both mf and mm. i don’t think i need to mention a lot about this when many of you will know what i’m talking about. there was miscommunication, of course, that led to this. it was typical and nothing new. nick messes up and says it was just a fling, colton is hurt, colton leaves, nick gets home and finds that colton isn’t there, the two don’t talk for a while, colton and nick realize they love each other but they’re still separated, justin ends up realizing he reacted on a dumb level, he apologized, he talked to his dad and told him to talk to colton and clear things up, colton was also told the same thing and how he’s in love with nick and to go back to him, the two reunite, make up, say i love you, BLAH BLAH BLAH. i honestly just thought the two would stay together when justin and wes caught them, that they would be honest about their relationship and themselves, but clearly the break up was done to add chapters and drama. i just…i’m tired of reading this same shit. give me two people who are in a “forbidden romance” and end up being honest about it when they get caught, who aren’t ashamed and won’t hide, who will fight to be together instead of giving up on each other because they’re worried about what others will think.

🏈colton’s daddy issues got annoying. at first i felt bad that he didn’t have a father, but then it got too repetitive. we are constantly told how justin was lucky for having a father like nick, and how he didn’t know what that love was like, how he longed for it, etc. it was easy to first feel bad and realize that yeah, nick is alone and has no one, but we were told over and over again, that it got frustrating.

all in all, this was a disappointment. when i first heard about this, i was extremely excited, mostly because of the tropes mentioned above, but sadly they ended up being part of the disappointment. i'm still looking forward to this author's other books though!

[Eugenia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Give me a D
D
Give me an N
N
Give me an F
F

What’s that spell?
DNF!
What’s that spell?
DNF!

What’s that mean?
Show me don’t tell me!
What’s that mean?
Show me don’t bore me!

Gooooo…to the next book!

[Renae Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colton and Nick!!! This was the perfect blend of a slow-burn friend to lovers and age/gap romance that I devoured in one sitting. I could not put this addicting story down because I was curious to see how Nick and Colton's romance would develop and I was not disappointed. Nick and Colton are two lonely people that connected as supportive friends first and through many interactions and personal moments, their friendship grew into a beautiful romance that I completely fell head over heels for.

One of my favorite aspects of The Quarterback is how it takes a look at how loneliness affects your wellbeing. Colton on the outside is a beacon of sunshine, but underneath that projection is a lonely person who is lacking. By having a more intimate and personal understanding of Colton's backstory I was able to understand how drawn he was to Nick. Nick exudes warmth and support, which makes him a great friend and partner for Colton.

Because of the forbidden aspect to Colton and Nick's relationship, there are heartbreaking and frustrating moments that are completely necessary for both characters and it made their HEA more profound and meaningful.

Overall I loved this story, I loved Colton and Nick's friendship and romance, they are both perfect complements to each other and I loved reading their love story. I also loved seeing Wes and Justin through Colton and Nick's perspectives.

The Quarterback is a perfect blend of friendship and romance. I look forward to the next entry in this remarkable series.

[D.L. Howe · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, I may not be the best judge of this book considering that I’m overwhelmingly in love with Nick. I mean, this might just be paragraph after paragraph of me gushing about him … just saying.

And let the gushing commence … I just adore the way he loves his son, the way he enjoys seeing him in love. It’s the most beautiful thing.

As a fan of daddy kink, I’m used to seeing all kinds of women with daddy issues (ahem maybe including myself) but this is my first time seeing it in a guy. And it’s sad and endearing at the same time, I just want to wrap Colton in my arms and give him all the love he never got from a parent.

I obviously knew walking into this that I loved Nick but my affection for Colton is through the roof. He makes himself appear so positive to everyone around him while on the inside he’s lonely and missing just that one person that thinks he’s enough. The fact that he thinks he can’t be himself because they would walk away fucking kills me.

I think I should feel uncomfortable that Colton craves Nick’s attention like a son would a dad only for them to grow into more. But I’m totally not, in fact I’m fucking here for it.

The attraction came after he was already falling. He wanted a man to give him respect, compassion and pride and he found that with the best man he ever met. It feels inevitable.

I have no words other than how much I want to wring Justin’s neck. How much I want to take all of Colton’s pain and fill him with enough love to make him whole again.

Holy hell Mr Bauer, you certainly like to rip our hearts from our chests and destroy them until there’s nothing left. 🥺😭

The Jock felt like child’s play compared to this. The love between Nick and Colton feels all encompassing. I physically ache after enduring the ups and downs that they put each other through.

Funny I started this totally in love with Nick and ended up loving Colton even more. But that’s nothing compared to loving them together.

[Cadiva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need more stars. And a stiff drink, a blanket, a pound of dark chocolate, and a punching bag - like every time I read a book by Tal.

The only thing I don't need this time is more sleep because I managed to not stay up all night reading it.

***

Tal Bauer works magic with words, I don't know how he does it.

How he can take something which on the face of it seems simple, two men falling in love against all the obstacles in their path, and yet make it feel like nothing you've read before.

There were so many times when reading this book that I didn't know whether to laugh, cry, drown my sorrows, throw a party, or curl up in a ball and try not to rage.

The Quarterback is so much more than just his position on the team and Colton, oh how my heart broke for him almost as hard as his shoulder injury.

Tal made me so angry at what both Colton and Nick go through. But that's nothing new (hello Sochi I'm looking at you), and he also had me almost crying happy tears of joy.

I'm not going too deep into the plot, although this is an age gap, slow burn romance, it still should be read blind.

The reader is drawn through the eyes of two men who've never had feelings for anyone of their own sex before with such skillful precision.

It's honest, it's brutal, it's heartbreaking and uplifting. At no point did any of it feel untrue.

Colton and Nick fall for each other with all the grace and passion you'd hope to see expressed once they finally give in to the feelings which have built up like the heat of the summer.

Wes and Justin are also still hearts and flowers and pink tinged sunsets in love. But their love can sometimes be insular, leaving others on the outside and I massively wanted to shout at them both a fair few times.

But both come through when it matters and I was pleased to see them as strong together as in their own book.

I also absolutely adored the Texan oilman Nick and Colton go to do business with. He was such a vividly drawn character who provided such an encouraging support to Colton when it looked like all was lost.

I know there were people who didn't see the connection between Colton and Nick, but I'd hope by the time they finish reading, they've come to realise just how wonderful a pair they are.

If this is the end for The Team, it goes out on a brilliant note with two top class entries to the Tal Bauer catalogue.

#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.

[MarianR · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friends to lovers, bi awaking, falling for my friend's straight dad.
This was one of my last most anticipated readings this year and I must say that although I didn't love it as much as the first book, I did like it and enjoyed many parts of the book. 💛

Colton loves to play, he loves his team and his body vibrates with fervor every time he's in a game. His dream has always been to be part of the league, right? But when he is injured and while he recovers, he finds himself closer and closer to Nick, the father of his friend, and suddenly his future begins to blur and his dreams begin to be different.

What I liked the most about the book was Colton. The book focuses more on him, we know his desires, dreams, fears and thoughts. We read him in his worst moments. In his vulnerability. The scene in the gym was powerful. Show his strength. His pain. My applause. It was a GREAT scene and one of my favorites!!! ❤️

"He wanted to not be scared and alone and feeling like the world was caving in on him. Like the future he’d dreamed of was vanishing and he couldn’t grab hold as it slipped away."

Nick. He loves his son and all he wants is for him to be happy. He never believed that he would fall in love again and has fears and insecurities that lead him to make mistakes.

And another thing that was fantastic is the writing style. The lovable, cute, intense and heartbreaking moments? 🤩🤩

"I look at you, and I can see your entire heart.” He inhaled, sharply. “And what I see, I trust.”



Another wonderful point is the development of friendship between Nick and Colton.
The solidity in the friendship that begins to grow between them is slow. It was relaxing and enjoyable to watch them spend time together. Playing videogames. Teaching and sharing meals. Talking. I really liked it.

Buuuuuut. uff. i have to say it. I did not believe the bi awaking. Compared to the rhythm of friendship, I felt it very quickly. Colton and Nick's acceptance and reflection lasts no more than two days. Nick literally thinks all of it on a road trip...

And yeah. I really like Colton, but the subject of his parents it really made a lot of noise in my head, because at first we see Colton saying to himself "He's not your dad" when Nick supports him many times. And i felt like he was trying to convince himself because it was something he wanted internally. He also says that the same thing happened to him before with his coach. So... I don't know what to do with that because this is not really handled. Suddenly the change happens and he stops saying that to himself, and he falls in love. And that's it. Hmm. Idk man🤷‍♀️ And his mom only shows up once and never again lol

Wes and Justin. My God, I love them. I missed them. Their love makes me very happy. Seeing how they have grown makes me happy. WHY isn't there a book where I can read how Wes asks him to marry him??? WHY IS THERE NO ANOTHER BOOK OF THEM?? 😭😭 😭
Now
Justin's reaction, personally, it confused me because he claimed Nick because he felt Colton replaced him as the perfect son that his father would have liked because he shared everything with him. I can understand that. And I feel like Justin could have claimed him even if Colton and Nick weren't romantically involved, because after all, his claim is because he felt replaced as a son.
And that brings me back to the daddy issues Colton had in the beginning with Nick seeing him and seeking his approval as a father. Because Justin sees Colton as a his replacement. As a son. Not as a lover. So I don't know what happens there anymore 😂I don't know if I explain myself.

But well, I liked it, it was an enjoyable read and with incredible moments. 🤭💛

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Quarterback is book two in The Team series by Tal Bauer. Originally, I hadn’t even planned to read this after finishing The Jock. But I fell so madly in love with Wes, Justin, Colton and Nick, that I had to continue. I both wanted more of Wes and Justin and to get Nick and Colton’s story. This is a MM, age gap, friends to lovers, sexual awakening romance that broke me into pieces and then put me all back together again. The epilogue was perfection and I walked away all warm and fuzzy and swoony.

Colton Hall is twenty two years old. He could easily be a first round pick after the amazing year his football team had during his junior year of college. But the team wants another year together and Colton wants to finish his degree. That way he’ll have one more year of experience before he enters the world of professional football. Only, a spring scrimmage changes everything. Colton suffers an injury that could potentially ruin any hopes of a future in football.

Nick Swanscott is forty three years old. Now divorced, he and Justin are reestablishing their relationship, getting to know each other again. Nick finds himself often with the four of them, he and Colton, Wes and Justin. Nick doesn’t have any other friends in Austin but he is just enjoying any time he is able to be with his son. When Colton gets injured, the rest of the team still has to attend classes, football practice, and go about their lives. Colton needs help and Nick jumps in. He spends hours playing video games, talking and just keeping Colton company. Their friendship becomes stronger.


With everyone gone for the summer, Nick and Colton spend even more time together. Colton has never been attracted to a man before but he has developed a full blown crush on Nick. He knows a man like Nick could never reciprocate his feelings so he tries to keep it to himself. Only with each day that passes, his feelings grow stronger. Until it surpasses just a crush and grows into full blown love.

Nick has never been attracted to a man before either. He has just finalized his divorce from the woman he thought he’d be with forever. But there is something there with Colton. Only he is his son’s friend. Twenty one years younger than he is. This is wrong in so many ways. But the first time their lips touch, every thought leaves his head except for one, he wants Colton!



This is a story of found family, of finding the one that perhaps you were always intended to be with. In Colton’s case, of figuring out who you were really supposed to be. He thought he had his life planned out. He thought he knew what his perfect life would look like. Until everything changed and he realized that what he thought he wanted, he didn’t really want at all. That a life without love, without family, without companionship, is not a life at all.



These two had so many obstacles in their way. They both had to basically hit rock bottom before they were able to figure things out. In true Tal Bauer fashion, he broke my heart but then put it back together even better. I love all four of these men so much. These two books have truly impressed themselves into my heart.

For more about this book and so many more, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...

[♡ cal ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I wanted to wake up and see you smiling at me. I wanted to kiss you good morning. I want to reach over there and hold your hand right now, like I've dreamed about doing-"
"You've dreamed about me?"
"I've dreamed so fucking much about you."

this book made me gayer for some reason. i wish i could say that i loved it from start to finish though but that obviously didn't happen. this story is a genuine friends to lovers plot but also considered as the falling for his friend's straight dad. when a certain character started to have these wet dreams for the man sleeping beside him and this look of confusion and bewilderment on his face, that sealed it. honestly i don't know how to write this review and what to say other than the fact that i will hold these two books by tal bauer in this universe close to my heart. bauer writes these basic ass tropes like it originated to this author. so much heart, warmth, and intensity that i went through with this. i laughed, i cringed, and i definitely swooned. i kept putting this book down earlier because of the heart break. i even wanted to dnf it but i just couldn't not know what happens in the end for nick and colton. i highlighted every moment these two confess their love and admiration for one another. some characters though frustrated me! i feel like they let me down with their decisions but thankfully they managed to pushed through in the end. also, i loved how this story went to routes i wasn't even expecting. i was nervous especially in the beginning because i thought it was going to be this depressing novel. lastly, the sex was fucking glorious. i was gasping for some reason. overall, every time i'll think about the 'falling for the friend's straight dad' this is going to be the first one that will pop up in my mind. mm sports romance fans, its time we rise!

"I want to be your quarterback for the rest of my days."

def putting this on my 2021's top 10 books!

[lakshmi · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I changed my mind. I don’t want to wait to hear you say you’ll marry me or that we’re going to have a life together,” Nick said. “Marry me, Colton. Like this, or on a beach, or we could run away to Vegas, just the two of us. Or we can fly anywhere you want. I want to be with you for the rest of my life. Marry me. Please?”

I have no idea why I was so emotional during this read because I fucking sobbed. Eyes puffy. Nose running. Ears blocked. Mouth won’t stay shut. Sobbed.

We have Colton aka my fantasy baby daddy, who had an accident in the field was forced into bedrest for months. Nick who’s Justin’s (previous book) father volunteers to stay with him through recovery.

This had the trope best friends straight dad . Both nick and Colton are straight in the beginning. Colton begins to have feelings for Nick while staying with him and ends up kissing him. And that’s how their relationship takes off.

Is this how it feels to want something so fucking badly you ache for it? But you can’t have it, and you can’t reach out, and you can’t even admit that you want what you want? That you’re dying inside with every heartbeat, but you can’t stop this yearning? Is this what it feels like?

I really liked Colton. I related to him so much as a character and his pain hurt me. We see Colton start recovery, get the man he loves and his found family with Wes and Justin reach and peak and then suddenly all taken away from him. Him just wanting someone in this world to love him and need him hit me hard. It was beautifully written and it was refreshing because he didn’t act like a tough guy or hold back his emotions.

He only wanted to be loved, and cherished, and needed by one person in the world.

There was surprisingly no drama or backlash with him being out and he took his sexuality orientation very well. Both Colton and Nick took very little time adjusting to the fact that they’re attracted to men too and that was a pleasant surprise. I think I understood why they made the decisions that they did; with Nick being Justin’s dad, there was a predictable conflict that was obvious going to happen but it needed to and I absolutely adored the conversations that happened following the break up.

“I get it. I understand if I’m not your choice, Colton. I never imagined I could compare to your future. Why would you want me when you have the whole world at your fingertips?”

Colton shook his head. “I didn’t want the rest of the world, Nick. I only wanted our world.”

Overall I liked this book. Not really a serious read for me but definitely fun.

[*J* Too Many Books Too Little Time · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars!

No idea why I do this to myself...



I didn't really care for book 1. But one look at this blurb and I just haaaaaad to read it.

And here I am, once again left disappointed.



Honestly the first maybe 60% of this book was a solid 4 stars. The remainder - 2 stars at best. It's like Tal becomes a completely different author once the couple "gets together".

I honestly thought the build-up was pretty well done. I mean yeah, it was still weird that Nick hung out so much with Justin, Wes and Colton. And yeah, most 40+ year olds don't sit around playing video games with their sons friends - sans son.

But once things turned to more between Nick and Colton.



Yeah, it wasn't pretty. None of it. Not the "reveal" (Justin and Wes finding out) which was so OTT ridiculous and made absolutely NO SENSE. Not the things that were said (Nick especially). Not anything that happened after (Colton losing his starting position). Not how quickly Justin changed his tune (his reaction initially was so OTT and then once he finds out it wasn't a fling does a complete 180. Nothing. It read like a completely different book, completely different characters and a completely different author.

I will say the dialogue once they became a couple wasn't as cheesy as book 1, so there is that. It was still cheesy at times. And certainly flowery and mushy.

Ugh. I wanted to like this one. I tried to like this one.

[Jess Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC received from author in exchange for my honest review.

Tal posted in his Facebook group that some people were less than thrilled for Nick & Colton's story. While I am not one to judge people for their reading preferences *lord knows mine get a bit out there* what I will say is as someone who not only hoped they would get their story but also loves a good age gap story this was not like your typical age gap story. The progression of Colton & Nick's story was a beautiful slow burn of friendship that branched off in a couple of different directions ultimately leading to a relationship between them. Their love was inevitable, it was laid out right there before your eyes, but you just had to wait for them both to fall.

Colton has his eyes on the NFL and as one of the top draft picks his dreams are right there for him to reach out and grab but he decides to take the advice of the people that care about him and put it off for a year. This will give Colton one year to improve his game, spend the last year of college with his best friend and enjoy this time before "real life" begins. All that changes after an injury leaves Colton with the possibility of never being able to play football again. What is he without the one thing that made him feel whole?

Nick has been beside Colton from the day at the hospital when he heard he may never play again and has been there for him every day since. Bringing him lunch, entertaining him when he is down and even taking him to his doctors’ appointments. As Colton starts healing, he starts to notice things about Nick he never noticed about another man before and before he knows it his friend is becoming the one thing in his life that seems could be important than football.

As summer passes Colton finally takes what he wants from Nick, a kiss but a kiss leads to more and Colton finally has the one thing that has kept him sane these past months. Now his life is no longer consumed with football it is consumed with Nick and everything that a future with him could be.

Life doesn't always go the way we expect it to though and Colton's life is left changed again after an unexpected turn of events leaves Colton alone. After all, falling in love with your best friends’ boyfriends dad isn't something that you plan to do.

Tal Bauer has become my favorite author in just a few short months and after reading The Quarterback that just solidifies that even more. He has a way of pulling you into the story and making you fall in love with the characters in such a powerful way. All the characters in this story made an impact on Colton & Nick's journey either through acceptance or through helping each character grow.

After reading The Jock I was fully here for any story Tal created in this incredible world of football, love and Texas. All the stars for finding love in the most unexpected place and at the most unexpected time because sometime the one person you never realized you needed is the one person you end up needing most.

[haletostilinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+++++++ stars (If I could give this 6 stars, I would!)

I absolutely adored this!

It's no secret how much I love Tal Bauer and his novels, so so so much. Out of everything I've read I've only given like...maybe one or two 4 star reviews, and nothing less so far. His writing is just outstanding, every time, and how much he makes his MC's so utterly in love with each other, just melts my heart and makes me so giddy.

These two, Colton and Nick were a standout for me. I loved the first book, don't get me wrong, absolutely loved it, and I loved Wes and Justin a ton, but I think I loved this and these two just a little bit more. They were perfect together and I just could not put this down!

Colton is Wes' best friend from the first book - who had a bad reaction when Wes' relationship with Justin and thus his sexuality came out - and I was actually angry at Colton and Wes' other teammates for how they reacted, and thought their reactions were so stupid.

But along came Nick, Justin's father, to set them straight. And who knew that when Nick shoved Colton against that wall to chew him and the others out, that it would eventually lead to them falling in love...

After Colton got his head out of his ass in the first one, though, I liked him a lot and was excited to read a story about him, and about Nick too. Like omg YES, it's a "falling in love with best friend's father" trope or more accurately his best friend's boyfriend's father, but close enough haha, and the age gap and the ~drama.

But before the drama we get to read about these two falling in love and it was glorious. I also love the "thought I was straight until I met you" trope, and when both thought they were straight before falling in love with each other, I love that maybe even more than just one of them having been 'straight'.

Of course, neither set out to fall in love with each other. But Nick is an amazing father, and he's been really there for Justin for the past months, and he's more involved in his son's life than he's been in years. Not that he was a bad father before, but just that he and Justin didn't talk when they had needed to, for years.

And so since Nick has started getting a divorce from Justin's mother and moved to Austin to be closer to Justin, and actually be involved in his life, he's also kind of become friends with Wes, because he approves of Wes and sees how much Wes makes his son happy, and also he's kind of become friends with Colton, the best friend.

They even have a chat group with the four of them, and the four of them even go out and do things together. It probably should feel weird that Nick, Justin's father who is 21 years older than them, is out with them, but it's not.

And when at a practice scrimmage at the end of their season Colton gets injured badly, the friendship Colton and Nick had is about to become so much more. Also with Justin and Wes eventually going to Wes' father's ranch for the summer, that leaves Colton and Nick essentially alone, for months...

And so of course they fall in love with each other.

Before Justin and Wes leave, for a few weeks Colton is injured with them there, living at the jock house. But Nick cares about Colton and comes to check on him, and be there for him when Wes or Justin can't because of work or school, and it eventually leads to Nick staying more and more in Colton's room, and an even deeper friendship to start between them.

They both genuinely just think of it as friendship, of course. They both think they're straight, and Nick is Justin's father, etc etc...

But once Justin and Wes leave, and the rest of the football team for that matter, for the summer, Colton's alone, and Nick is alone too, and what starts out as in invitation to have dinner together, soon turns in an invitation for Colton to just stay at Nick's place for the summer.

Nick's been helping Colton with his injury and the healing process anyway, and Colton was coming over all the time anyway - and Colton is also an intern for Nick and Nick's work that summer as well....

But they don't tell Justin and Wes over phone that Colton is staying at Nick's, for some reason. Well, Colton wants to follow Nick's lead because Justin is his son, and Nick never says anything, so....

But the more time they spend together, the more they're falling. And they spend basically all their time together, what with living together and Colton being Nick's intern at work as well. Except they don't realize it, until something one night makes Colton have a dream - or rather, several fractured dreams all rolled into one - about Nick. Not only dreams of the sex variety, but romantic ones too.

Colton is shocked at first but can't help the way he feels. We don't get Nick's POV during this stretch of the book where Colton is pining and pining hard, but it seems he's falling too, he just hasn't had the realization yet like Colton has and is still fairly oblivious.

But Colton's pining is exquisite. He's still not gay, still not attracted to other men, he even watched a lot of gay porn that doesn't exactly do it for him. It is informative, though ;).

But even though he's not gay...he's still wildly attracted to Nick. It's not that Nick's a man, it's that he's Nick. The attraction didn't come first, but after Colton realized he was falling for his best friend's boyfriend's father.

And when he eventually gets up the courage to kiss Nick, Nick seems absolutely gobsmacked, and Colton fears he's ruined everything, but then...then Nick kisses him back. It seems the floodgates are opening for Nick now....

After both their first times with a man, the next morning isn't quite like what Colton thought it'd be, how he imagined it to be....but thankfully Nick has a long ride to think about it (they finally kiss and do more while they're both out of town for a client for Nick's work), and things eventually pick up.

And even though they've both never been with men...it doesn't take much for them to be comfortable with each other sexually. Probably because it's each other and they really just want each other, and their anatomy, in the end, doesn't deter them from wanting each other.

Getting to see them fall more and more in love as time went on was perfect, and then when the drama happened - yes, that means Justin finding out - it was explosive.

I feel like I could say that Justin was like Cameron had been in the first book in this. Felt like an overreaction and jumping to conclusions and not listening when Nick tried to explain it to him, but...where I cared more in the first book, I felt myself not caring as much in this.

I don't know if it was just the situation, how much I was already loving the book, the writing, or what, but I was LOVING the drama and angst. The miscommunication was a bitch, sure, but I found myself not caring when I usually care a lot.

That's quite a feat, in my book, to bring on the angst primarily because of miscommunication and me ultimately not really caring that miscommunication is a driving force for the drama. It was just so good! And even though yeah, Colton and Nick should have talked and instead were idiots who didn't, I understood their POV's in ways I usually don't. Or at least, the drama was just too good for me not to care as much as I usually would have.

Oh, the angst! Was it necessary? Nooopee. Everyone was miserable for weeks when they didn't need to be. Butttt....was it good and so well written? YES. It was so well written for me and had me so riveted while reading that I wasn't even really pissed at these idiots and their miscommunication.

I was up until 5AM finishing this wonderful, amazing book that yes, I can't help but put on my favorite shelf, it was that good.

Not everyone will agree with me, about how amazing this book is, and that's fine. But just...even if you don't end up loving as much as I did, still definitely read it. You, at the very least, will enjoy it, I think. Bauer is just SO good at writing and it's no question in my mind that he's one of my favorite authors ever.

The romance is just *chef's kiss* perfection, the characters are amazing, the plot is intriguing, it never bored me at all in this, and when Colton and Nick made love? Oh man...🔥🔥🔥 fire, just absolute fire. A majority of the time, when Bauer writes sex scenes, love scenes...they're just basically perfection. Because the bond, the love between the MC's is just strong and their love for each other makes the sex *that* much sexier and hotter and passionate and I can't get enough.

Just...everything about this, I loved. Yes, even when they were being idiots. It takes a special kind of book, story, author, to make me not care when characters are being idiots and miscomunicating.

Absolute perfection of a book that I will definitely be going back to read my favorite parts after I finish this review.

Definite stand out book of the year so far, for me. HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend, two MASSIVE thumbs up, all the stars, YES. LOVED IT! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[Layla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tal’s second foray into sports romance, the follow up to the Jock, was everything I loved about The Jock and more. #ForeverATalthusiast


Bauer’s emotional rollercoaster™ fueled this book, from the plot to the characters and it was such a wild ride.


What I loved:
The Characters:
Colton: The “Straight” Quarterback who is full of life and ambition. The NFL is in his sights and it’s just a matter of time until his dreams come true. What he didn’t expect though, is that his plans would be railroaded by 1 simple decision and a silver fox of a man who changes his whole worldview. #WhereHaveYouBeenAllMyLife


Nick: The “Straight” newly divorced single dad who has almost everything he wants in life. He has reconciled with his son, gained a couple of friends. Though young, because of it and gaining one success after the other in his career. Colton becomes part of one success and then becomes so much more. #YouAreSoMuchMore


The Plot:
This is a friends to lovers, double bi-awakening age gap between Colton and Nick. Throw in close proximity and you get a story of two men who seamlessly transition from friends to lovers. Despite the age gap, despite Colton being Nick’s Son’s friend, and despite Colton being a QB with a future in the NFL, they embark on a secret relationship they both thought would be temporary, but proved to be so much more. #Inevitable


The Romance:
I loved the pacing in this book. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Colton and Nick get to spend more time together than they thought they ever would. Gradually the start to see the other in a new light. Colton in particular was so fearless with his attraction once he realized his feelings. He let his acceptance of Wes and Justin to motivate his acceptance of himself and was all in.
Nick took a bit more time to come to terms with his feelings. He was insecure because of his age and Colton's future NFL career. he made some hiccups along the way but ultimately redeemed himself and showed Colton how important he truly is. #IWillLoveYouMoreThanThat


Steam-o-meter:
Steamy!! These guys both give their first "gay" firsts to each other and the emotional connection in all their encounters is as sweet as it is sexy. #PantiesWentPoof


Angst-o-meter: It's a Tal book.... #NuffSaid
Seriously though, it's definitely a roller coaster of emotions...so I will summarize them in an Emoji review:
😊😊😊🤭😏🤫😍🥰🔥🤤🔥🤤🔥🤤🔥🤤😳🥺🥺🥺😭😭😭😲😀😍😍🥰🥰🥰🔥🔥😍😍❤❤❤❤
#TalLikesOurTears


The Cameos:
Wes and Justin make appearances in the book, brief but important. They never took the spotlight away from Col and Nick which I appreciated. What I loved most though was how much growth Justin shows in this book, especially after knowing about Colton and his dad. His reaction, to me, was very realistic and warranted...given the way he discovers it and the explanations given. #PoorBaby


The HEA: SO.MUCH.SWOON.
I won't say much because #Spoilers! But this HEA was so perfect. #TheBeginningOfTheRestOfOurLives


I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.

[~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

~3.5~

Until the 60% mark, this book was just about perfect: age gap, hurt/comfort, friends to lovers, slow burn.

The relationship development between Nick, Justin's freshly divorced dad, and Colton, Wes's bestie and quarterback extraordinaire, was tentative and believable.

The men bond over video games, tech sales (of all the things, lol, but Colton took to his internship with Nick like a duck to water), and nightly dinners (grilling and summer wine, baby).

And then, BAM, the shit hit the fan. I understand Justin being frustrated that his dad and friend were keeping secrets, but his outburst and jealousy were ludicrous, made all the worse because Justin was fine, excited even, when he thought his dad was dating a woman.

Apparently, all that bullshit about being true to yourself applies only to Justin.

I felt bad for Colton. He lost his position on the team and his job all in one go and was living in a motel with a busted shoulder because the people closest to him were too busy being selfish assholes.

Then there's all the drama with the new quarterback and Colton & team pushing themselves until they couldn't walk to prove some fucked up "real men don't quit" mantra. What was the point of all that besides showcasing toxic masculinity?

Throw in bi-erasure (I give the GFY trope a big ol' side eye because I'll take Things That Never Happen in Real Life for $500, Alex) and an oil tycoon with a heart of gold (Big Oil is destroying our planet, but sure, let's glamorize it), and even the fairytale epilogue couldn't drag this book up the mountain again.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m shitting myself right now 🤩🥳😱 I can’t wait!!

Edit: I loved it, the messy, the bad, the cringe, the lovey, the sexiness, the sweetness, the sensuality, the brilliance… everything.

[~✿ Tala✿~ · Rating 2 out of 5]

My feelings are soooo conflicted with this story, so let me break it down:

The beginning: *2.5 stars*
I've read only a few "best friend's dad" trope books and while it's not my favourite, I have enjoyed them as I didn't find the power dynamic super weird.... until this book where the author REALLY leaned into the #daddyissues. There was such a big emphasis on Nick being a DAD , and dedicating his life to being a DAD and his love for his SON Justin, which for a story about a single father would have been fine if Colton's wish of having a father and the effects of being left by his father weren't so prevalent in the beginning as well. I wanted to love them right of the bat but it made me soo uncomfy!

Before their relationship development, Colton enjoys spending time with Nick and is even hurt when he isn't invited to family dinner. He literally repeats to himself more than once "He's not your dad. You don't have a dad. " The clear lasting abandonment issues that Colton struggles with and the guilt Nick carries for not being fully there for Justin in book 1 really made this feel like both MCs were trying to overcompensate their internal issues with their relationship. To me it felt like they didn't need romance but some good ol' therapy.



The middle: *4 stars*
From about 30-60%, I'm glad I powered through the beginning because this is where the author really shined. Once I ignored the issues from the beginning and pretended they didn't exist I loveeed them together. Despite their age difference, they had a lot in common and were so cute spending all their time together. Unlike other reviewers I didn't find their initial get together super far fetched, people can get carried away in the moment so I enjoyed their first time. I also find it believable how quickly they embraced the GFY because of how lonely and messed up they both were portrayed in the beginning. Colton and Nick were starved for affection and love, so after creating a solid friendship, I can see how that would be confused for/ or I should say *change to* romantic feelings ( *whispers* theraapyyyyy*) BUT regardless, I actually really liked them together and was rooting for them. Tal's writing was great here (and they were HOT together)!

Also, I'm ashamed to admit this but I'm glad Wes and Justin weren't present in this part of the story...

I loved them in their book but this time they were way too much! I love seeing my friends happy too but if they got that schmoopy and loveydovey right in front of my face constantly I would not want to be around them, like damn! In front of Justin's dad too?! Poor Nick and Colton who were both painfully single. Lol too much feelings for me!

The end *2.5 stars*
PAIn. PAIN. PAIN. Tal went for the jugular, god damn. I wanted to wrap Colton up in a blanket and kick everyone for how heartless they were. Colton deserved better and even after the apologies and everything, I don't feel like it's enough. Wes especially did him dirty, I understand his loyalty is to Justin but to not even check up on Colton when he didn't even do anything to Wes and they had been friends for years before Justin + Nick came into the picture? It felt like all the growth in their friendship in book 1 was for nothing. The only character who still has all my love is Mr.Kimbrough, everyone else is still on my shit list.

*MINOR SPOILER*
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Also, is it just me or did it feel like Nick was the only reason Colton didn't pursue the NFL? I wish that he had second thoughts *before* falling for Nick because it just felt so unhealthy how much he put his happiness on Nick, like nothing else matters but Nick. I love a good unhealthy romance but since this one isn't marketed that way, I was left unimpressed with the way they left their future.
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* END OF SPOILER*
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Overall: There was a lot that wasn't my cup of tea but a lot that I really enjoyed as well. I really like Tal's writing, I devoured this book despite all my issues. The big reveal was done super well because it literally made me scream out loud. If Tal decides to continue the series I will 100% read the next one!

[Papie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Nick and Colton, but not as much as I expected. I think I loved Nick so much in book 1, so I could only be disappointed by him as a character. And sadly I was. Now let me rewind.

The fun
Age-gap!
Friend’s dad!
Double GFY (so stay away if that’s not your thing, they even use the term Nick-sexual at some point)
Lots and lots of sex! 🔥🔥🔥
Drama! But no real angst, just some hilarious and then not so hilarious scenes when Justin finds out.
Incredibly cheesy yet emotional romance with lots of feelings and tears (It’s Tal Bauer!)
Colton! He was just so sweet.

The not so fun (spoilers)
Nick’s insecurities. Ok, he is 43. So what? 43 is not old and decrepit, TYVM. Yeah, I’m 43 and bitter about that implication. 😂

If I have to read one more time about how NFL players—future NFL players—didn’t have older guys as lovers I’m going to pull a Justin and drop the eggs and scream.

Nick’s reaction when Justin found out. It’s admirable to always put your child first, but when your child is throwing a tantrum, your job is to stand up and be a grown up.

The epilogue. There was nothing wrong with it, but I hate long epilogues, I would have preferred an extra chapter in the book instead. I would have loved to see them “coming out” rather than being told about it.

And Colton’s mom, it’s almost like Tal forgot she existed at some point in the story. 🤷‍♀️

The football drama was too much again, just like in book 1. Are all football coaches assholes or just in Tal’s books?

Overall, still a really fun read! But I highly recommend reading book 1 first.

[Rielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

An age gap romance where one MC has daddy issues and the other has unresolved issues with his son.

I have a lot of feelings about this book. I’m completely on the fence with how to rate it. There were so many times I thought I would not finish it or rate it really low and quite a few other times where the writing was 4 star. I don’t know how a book can be so sugary sweet it makes me squirm and ridiculously angsty (emphasis on ridiculous) enough to make me skim the endless internal monologues. This book made me uncomfortable in a lot of ways.

Let me start with the positives:

-The writing was good. This author has a way with words even when I didn’t want to read them. I might have skimmed some of the internal monologues, but it was because they were just too long and not because they were poorly written. I laughed and smiled during the story, but not as much as I cringed.

-The characters were great as individuals. Nick and Colton are good people. They’re sweet, smart, and loyal. I felt that way about Wes and Justin in the first book and there’s definitely that sense here as well.

Some negatives now (I’ll try to go light):

-The writing was good, but often repetitive. I’ll ignore the sickly sweet moments and just focus on how much easier everything would have been if the internal monologues were shorter and certain phrases weren’t overused.

-The characters were good people as individuals, but so fucked up as a couple. There is no skirting or hiding around the fact that Colton has daddy issues. His father left him when he was 5 after Colton ran the wrong way on the football field…or so Colton has told himself. He has spent the rest of his life jumping from short term father figure to short term father figure always trying to make them love him.

“Of course, Colton was one boy among dozens on each of his teams, and the only way to get attention was to stand out. Be goofy. Be good, damn good, at sports. Be anything except himself.”

“‘The only thing I ever wanted more than football was for someone to love me.’ Colton’s voice was small and soft.”

It is so fucked up. I really wanted to be okay with him finding someone to love, help him find himself, and finally feel worthy of being loved, but there is no emphasis on that. There is definitely the real sense that Nick became a stand-in father figure and Colton turned the relationship sexual to keep him. This becomes even more real when Colton is jealous of Justin (Nick’s son who is Colton’s age) and when he wishes he could be put first.

Nick also has issues. He feels so much guilt for not being there for his son for much of his teenaged and adult life. He regrets their lost time and is constantly making up for it in ways that seem unhealthy. From the beginning, his treatment of Colton feels like a father being around his son. As the story progresses, this become even more clear. Nick takes care of Colton when he’s injured, makes sure he’s fed, plays video games with him, gives him an internship, tosses a ball at the park, teaches him about wine, and just so many more things that read as a second chance with a father-son relationship.

I really couldn’t put aside those feelings during my reading and things constantly reminded me how uncomfortable I was with this relationship. There’s no mention of healing or therapy for these two. That’s probably because neither of them would actually be together if they processed their feelings at all let alone in a healthy way.

I’ve read daddy kink and enjoyed books where there are unbalanced relationships and emotional issues, but for some reason this just felt so wrong and I couldn’t enjoy it. It’s likely the presentation. If a book presents itself as unhealthy and/or kinky, then I know what to expect. There’s no sense of that beyond a few tongue-in-cheek acknowledgements of Nick being a daddy that didn’t make it clear that this is super unhealthy.

And I just talked myself into a lower rating again… At least the epilogue was cute.

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this. RTC!

[BookSafety Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book safety, content warnings, and tropes & tags down below.

Sometimes a year changed a man in ways that couldn’t be measured in hours and days and weeks. Sometimes a year became the cornerstone of a life.

My second time reading The Quarterback, and I loved it even more this time because I read The Jock first. I had a better understanding of Justin and his reactions. I will start this by saying that I stand by saying that Colton can do no wrong. He is an absolute sweetheart who just wants someone to care. To show up. To love him. He’s probably the most in-touch-with-his-feelings 22 year old there ever was. That doesn’t make anything easier for him, but he is very emotionally mature (thankfully). There’s a massive age gap here (20 or 21 years), but it never feels creepy or predatory. Colton and Nick were just friends and neither of them had ever looked at a man sexually. They just fell for each other.

His first real friends in he couldn’t remember how long were his son, his son’s boyfriend, and their best friend, and that sounded like a midlife crisis in the making.

It’s a beautiful story with some heartbreak (it’s Tal Bauer after all), but nothing quite as crushing as in The Jock, in my opinion.

“The only thing I ever wanted more than football was for someone to love me.”

As per usual, the side character are all distinct and only add to the story. This book is as much a love story as it is a ‘life story’ of sorts, especially for Colton, who is trying to figure out who he is and what he wants.

If you loved me, I’d never make you regret it. I’d never give you a reason to wish we hadn’t met. If you loved me, I’d never let you drink to try to forget us.

⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Sexual awakening x2
Friend’s dad
Age gap
Football player
Friends to lovers
Single dad
Internship/working together
Friends to lovers
Secret relationship
Roommates

⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Graphic injury
MC hospitalized
Homophobia (off page, mostly)
Mentions of religious bigotry
Explicit sexual content
Fear of abandonment
Mentions of child abandonment
Divorce (MC)
Alcohol consumption (on-page intoxication)
Vomiting

⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: Nick gets divorced during the book. Nothing happens between the MCs before that.
Third-act breakup: Yes
POV: 3rd person, dual POV
Genre: Contemporary romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
MCs’ age: 22 and 43
Pages: 369
KU: Yes
Happy ending: Yes

He had the bones and the heart of a man but the trepidations of a boy.

Colton understood that bone-deep yearning for a father, the poignant prickling of pain when you wanted and hoped and tried so hard, but all you heard was silence.

He had a cowboy name and a pair of cowboy boots, and every Texas boy had a hat in his closet, but if he was dropped in the countryside, he’d die in a ditch before he managed to unfuck himself enough to go the right way down a dirt track.

How had this happened? How had he fallen for Nick Swanscott? Well… nonstop togetherness probably had something to do with it. His weakness, too, for a man to turn to him with a smile and a word of praise and a teaspoon’s worth of attention.

[Em Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

EDIT: 3.00 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I don’t know what to rate this, so for now I’m leaving the rating off, but I do have ✨thoughts✨

Note: I’m going to get into some spoilery stuff later, but I’ll give big warnings below first.

Note 2: This is extremely long and I PROMISE I’m not trying to rain on anyone’s parade, so if you loved this just 1000% ignore me 😘.

Let’s start with the basics - This story follows 22 yr. old Colton as he embarks on a series of life altering changes, including falling for 43 yr. old Nick. I’ve seen this described as a bi-awakening, but this felt more like a double GFY romance in my opinion. Colton and Nick first meet in The Jock due to Colton being best friend’s with Wes, one of the MCs, and Nick being the father to Justin, the other MC. Full transparency: I had zero intentions to read this book because the ‘friend’s dad’ trope is not one I personally vibe with, but curiosity got my a— so here I am. After reading I can say that I did have issues with the story, but surprisingly the trope was not among them. The writing in this has all the Tal tell-tells such as OTT romance, flowery prose, insta-love, and all around schmoopy-ness. Tal’s romance style has worked for me in his other books, The Jock among them, but I had a hard time suspending belief here. It felt very quick in this story, even though it takes a very good chunk of time before anything actually happens. Truly a handful of pages between the cut over from friends to being deep in it. I think more UST could’ve gone a long way.

To discuss other parts of the story, I’m going to need to get into the details so consider this your spoiler warning.

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⚠️⚠️⚠️SPOILERS⚠️⚠️⚠️
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I think due to the fact that I had hard time understanding/believing Nick and Colton’s connection, it made a lot of other key aspects fall flat for me. Plus a lot of the plot just felt messy. For one, Colton has a myriad of parental issues, primarily daddy ones, that never get resolved or dealt with. In his inner monologue he constantly talks about subconsciously looking for a father figure all his life after his dad split, hones in on Nick for being the best dad, but then says that’s not how he sees Nick…I.e. as a father figure… As the reader it was hard not to connect Colton’s attraction to Nick as a byproduct of daddy issues because despite saying it wasn’t that, they kept bringing it up repeatedly. I just wish Colton had actually addressed his issues because he so clearly had MANY of them. The theme of someone being so desperate for love that they pour everything they are into the first person who gives them that just reads kind of sad to me. You’d hope loving someone, and them loving you back, would help you realize your self-worth. This read more like Colton felt his self-worth was wrapped up in Nick which just ☹️

The other messy plot point was why Justin was upset when he inevitably finds out about his Dad and his friend sleeping together. Justin being upset about the pairing was absolutely understandable, but he’s not upset because his dad is sleeping with his friend 20 yrs his junior, he’s upset because he thinks Nick is trying to replace Justin with Colton as the “son he really wanted.” I audibly went ‘HUH??’ when I read that because ??? what ??? I’m sorry but that made no sense me. Being mad because your dad is f-cking your friend? Sure! Being mad because your dad was hiding it from you? Absolutely! But randomly thinking his dad was trying to replace him just felt incredibly left field. And then he was ok with it once he knew it wasn’t a fling? The whole thing didn’t read true on any level.

To wind down this incredibly long a— review, I wasn’t a fan of the conclusion of this story either. I don’t want to totally give it away, but I had hoped for more for Colton. I couldn’t shake the feeling that Nick and Colton were just two lonely people, at a hard time in their lives, who found comfort in each other by happenstance. As much as I wanted to see their love as something inevitable and meant to be, it never quite got there for me. I think had they addressed their individual underlying issues, instead of ignoring their problems because they had each other, I could’ve believed it more.

Anyway, after all this complaining you may be wondering why I’m confused on a rating. To put it plainly, yes I had a lot of issues with the plot but the book was also highly engrossing. I couldn’t put it down, and there were quite a few beautifully written moments. So what do you rate an entertaining page-turner when you had issues with the narrative choices? I don’t know, so it’s staying TBD for now.

[Debra ~~ seriously slacking on her reviews ~~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I really enjoyed The Jock and was surprised that this was going to be Colton and Nick's story, but had no issues with the pairing. The story had all the hallmarks of a Tal Bauer romance - drama, super sweet romance, angst - but it didn't work as well for me as the first one.

Nick and Colton are both good characters with plenty of baggage and their own deep insecurities. Colton has huge daddy and mommy issues. His father left when he was 5 and his mother just doesn't care enough about him to interrupt her own life, even when he's seriously injured. His want of a father figure is always there and Nick steps up to be that person. Nick is freshly divorced and devoting himself to his relationship with his son (you really should read The Jock before reading this book). When Wes and Justin leave for the summer, Nick and Colton have nobody but each other and they grow closer. Neither has ever been attracted to a man before (it's not clear if they are bisexual or demisexual and no label is ever applied). It's a slow build but then it's explosive. They are sweet and hot together and if I put certain things aside, I can say I loved them as a couple, but there is one big thing that I couldn't do that with.

My biggest problem with the story were that I never could never fully separate Colton's daddy issues from the relationship he had with Nick, and I don't think Colton ever did either. That would be fine if it had been acknowledged between them as part of things, but I didn't feel it was completely dealt with. I also felt Justin and Wes's reactions to the relationship were wildly out of character. After all Nick did for Justin and Wes, moving his whole life to support them, it boggled my mind that Justin would accuse him of trying to replace him as a son with Colton. Also Wes just flat-out deserting Colton, who he knows has nobody else and who just disappears, for a couple of weeks because Justin was upset was ridiculous.

The story did keep me reading, but I wasn't fully satisfied with the way things played out.

[Mariam, · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book #1 of Goodreads Friends Made Me Read It

First things first.

The writing of this book? Utterly gorgeous.
It was profound, deep, heartbreaking, real, honest and so so beautiful.

I did not expect that.

I also did not expect how deep this book would take.

Was it them falling in love? Was it their commitment to each other? Was there something about building a life with another person that made you change, broadened and deepened your perspectives in life, made you aware of the larger, fuller picture of the world?



What would his own life be like if he weren’t thinking about whether the NFL draft was the right choice for him alone? What if he were making a decision for we instead of me?
Yeah, that would pull a guy from being a boy to being a man. The way he’d devoted himself to Wes and his recovery, making all his choices for Wes and their brotherhood and for the team, had changed him, made him grow quickly.
But he still felt like he was behind Wes and Justin. That they had taken steps into a new world he was on the outside of.

The exploration of loneliness, of want and need, of having someone to hold on to, to clinging onto someone and not only trusting them to hold you up but to trust them irrevocably even if they were to slip is truly magnetizingly hypnotic, provocative, and at times, devastatingly relatable.


Yet,

I do have to state that Tal Bauer has a tendency to Overwrite. Overemphasis. Retaliate again and again. Most times it was the setting. If you love a good atmospheric description, well, all power to you because I couldn't be bothered reading them when I honestly didn't care. Another tendency to Overwrite in certain aspects of detail(ing). There's a lot of detail in this book that revolved around different people and what those different people did for a living, and all I'll add to that is, I didn't care nor did I even understand what was written.

Initial Reactions :

The level of emotions I experienced reading this book felt like they took a decade out of me!



Clarification ✨

I did not read the first book in this series. I wasn't exactly sure if it was a standalone or not and by the time I was starting to read it, I was just too excited to even think about book 1.

Error #1

Okay I'm not saying you haveeeeee to read the first book, especially since it's a different couple but 3 things.

✨ Our MC's met in Book 1

✨I'm pretty sure this book spoiled every aspect of book 1 so if you have legit no plans on reading book 1 (which I dare you not, you will have after finishing this book) then you don't exactly need to read book 1

✨ Writing and Pacing and the overall vibe of this book was an adjustment. I mean yeah, no shit Mariam. Reading a book in a series with already pre established characters would be confusing enough to read so I'm not exactly sure who put what in my dinner by the time I decided to read this.



Regardless, after the 50 or so pages of this book or 20% into it, BOY was this book Addicting.

It's been a while since I've had that feeling of
OMG I need to sleep but I don't want to cus I just want to read but my eyes are shutting by themselves. And even in my sleep I tell to my self (don't ask me how) I can't wait to wake up and start reading again.

→ although I will say this thought came at the GOOD part.

The sparkle and glitter from the fair caressed Nick’s cheeks, while the moonlight teased out the flecks of silver dotting his temples. Starlight slipped into the laugh lines around his eyes.
He was so beautiful. Every line on his face was a moment in his life, a million stories that had made Nick the man Colton had fallen hard for.

Now for the over all thoughts since I LOVE buying my way through ramble after ramble,

I feel like this book was good, and then REALLY Good, and then REALLY Really Good when you passed that stage . And then just straight up heartwarming.
And then..... It kind of just took a turn for the worst (?)

To be fair, it's been a while since I've read *spoiler* [ spoiler thoughts will be discussed below ] so I mean I was expecting for it, literally predicted it, to also... being stunned and experiencing some sort of WHAT THE FUCK whiplash.



Let's break this review into Chunks.

1. Writing.
Phenomenal. 8/10 Mesmerizing Beautiful.
The writing was incredibly thought provoking, deep, analytical blah blah blah I already talked about it earlier so you get the jist.

But I want to also talk about why the writing was phenomenal and why it struck a cord inside me and was devastatingly relatable.

Two Words.

Colton Holl.

One hell of a character.

The other players had their families—moms and dads and siblings—at the big after-party in the hotel. Colton had made the circuit of the room, meeting everyone, shaking hands, smiling wide and laughing as loud as he could to try to cover up that he, out of everyone there, had been alone. Instead of being there, his mom texted him after the game,
Congratulations and So proud of you and a picture of her on her couch with a glass of wine and piles of work in front of her. Huge case starting tomorrow, she’d texted. Hopefully I do as well as you!

I like of think of him as a prism of a character. So many layers, so many thoughts and with those thoughts comes with thoughts that rip you raw.

Kind of like when you read his character, the noise inside your mind silences for a few seconds and it just wants to soak in his words, his narration and his feelings.

Kimbrough sat back, dragging his whiskey with him. He stared at Colton, his sharp eyes digging under Colton’s skin like he could excavate Colton’s shattered heart. If only. If only Kimbrough could drag all those broken pieces out and throw them away. But if he did that, would there be anything left of Colton Hall afterward?

2. Pacing/ Character Development and Arc / Couple Development and Arc

• I read a few reviews before writing this, which I don't like doing because I don't like my subjectivity to be redirected by other opinion BECAUSE I'm just That gullible.

But a lot of people stated that because Colton had Daddy Issues, some part of that translated into their relationship.

I mean I understand what their point.
From:
- Nick taking care of him at the start
- Nick spoiling him

I mean I did question this at the start of this book, especially since learning about Colton's Background ans The Initial Relationship of Nick and Colton

But I mean.... That was the start of their relationship.

“This seems like the time to ask what you see in me, but I’m kind of scared to.”

“You’re genuine,” Nick breathed. “You’re exactly who you are. I look at you, and I can see your entire heart.” He inhaled, sharply. “And what I see, I trust.”

The dynamic of their friendship at the start was already 'unlabeled' and yada yada yada, but at the core of it's front, they were friends. They were friends who trusted each other.

( I mean suspend your disbelief for the dreams however way you want it because I didn't believe it but I just didn't have enough energy to rationalize it )


It was an interesting dynamic and how they kind of fit together like a piece of puzzle. Imagine two very different pieces.
Different color, different texture, different material, one was very modern, almost sleek and the other was presumptuously worn and bit jagged at the edges so honestly it could be a questionable fit no? But that's the thing, they just fit together.

He wasn’t hanging out with Colton for Justin’s sake, either. No, he liked Colton all on his own, and he and Colton had a unique friendship independent of Justin and Wes. Maybe that had happened out of necessity, two third wheels who became a pair. But Colton was the closest friend Nick had made in years, maybe since Nick was in college.

• I feel like this book should've been first person.

Pov's don't usually affect my reading experience but I don't know why, but with this book and especially it's 50% of it, seriously could've benefited from a first person perspective. (and the latter half, I was just top sleep deprived to even care lol.)



• I have to say, their interactions made me SO SOFT (especially the beginning of their relationship)
There was just something so captivating about their chemistry and the way they bonded that melted my heart and I literally had to hold my face together to keep my smile from escaping my face.

“Bro, Nick’s killing it,” Colton said. “He’s never played before, and he’s already got to level four. No, dude, go left. No, left. Your other left!”
“Will you—” Something exploded in front of him, and the kill screen flashed.
“Aw, man!” Colton cried. “I told you to go left!”
“You could have said go left earlier, before I was already going right.” Nick sagged into the couch cushions.
“I thought you were going to go the right way!”
“I was!”
“No! To the left!”

• Wes and Colton's friendship is just... Everyone deserves that and I hope one day I can experience it too.


• Three Words People.

Slow Burn Excellence

Wes, is this what it felt like all those years? He watched Nick’s profile: the hard, straight line of his nose, the bow of his lips, the sharpness of his jaw. Watched his throat move as he sipped his wine. Watched his eyes flutter closed. Is this how it feels to want something so fucking badly you ache for it? But you can’t have it, and you can’t reach out, and you can’t even admit that you want what you want? That you’re dying inside with every heartbeat, but you can’t stop this yearning? Is this what it feels like?

3.Spoilers. Aka the downhill conundrum.


Following my point earlier, this book was Really Good. And then Mesmerizingly Good. Almost too good to be true and Then Yup, Conflict begins and instant cold water.

Honestly, the conflict didn't make sense.

Well, it did, but the reason Or Rather, THE PERSON behind it didn't make sense.

I read other people's reviews who also agreed with my perspective that Justin (who can also just go to hell) was just a confusing, wtf, why, and utterly preposterous choice of conflict.

Hell I didn't even read book one to know that, THAT was Out Character of him to even conduct.

Made me want to hit him under a bus :)

And his pathetic excuse of an apology honestly just fueled the fire in my veins.

sooooooo after all that, the ending was relatively okay. I mean there was a part of it that made me cry and ache (Colton and Wes are Ride or Die baby!)

Which I also don't understand how this book has me INCREDIBLY EMOTIONAL

But it was as good as an ending could be I guess.

[~Nicole~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reread December 2022, dropped a star. This feels like an annoying ode to Wes and Justin from “The Jock”. Both MCs are constantly talking about or envying or thinking about Wes and Justin. They were always preoccupied with them and it’s so annoying. Like Wes and Justin were some kind of royalties and Colton and Nick couldn’t exist on their own without spinning around those two..“Look how they kiss”, Look how happy they are”, “Look how they touch each other” ,”Oh look they’re on a farm” , “Oh look they’re on a horse” 🙄 I get it, they have a HEA, stop with them already!And Justin… I have no words for how childish and petty he was with his father.

[Mariah · Rating 4 out of 5]

when you like a character in their own book (The Jock) and then the author makes them a little whiny bitch in the next one (looking at you Justin)

[Lily Loves 📚 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Edit 8/10/21
*****************


⭐️Spoilers!!!!⭐️

After sitting on this a few days I’ve thought about this book a lot and I really think it’s more of a 3.25 star for me. The entire way Nick jumped into a sexual relationship in the span of one car ride didn’t really make sense. I feel like Colton have more and his feelings built up which is why I wish we had more of a slow progression from Nick even just starting with admitting he’s having feelings for Colton.

Also, the entire Justin thing still irks me. Why was it all about him? He was angry for the dumbest reasons and I really feel like him and especially Wes left Colton vulnerable and alone after his entire future went up in smoke. It was almost like if everything wasn’t centered around Justin & Wes then it wasn’t worth it. This entire outburst from Justin is not the character I read up until that point.

******************
Original Review:

I did like this and I was happy to get a book for Colton and Nick. I, like many others, thought they could be a match while I was reading The Jock.

I really liked both Colton and Nick as people, both apart and together. Colton is essentially alone in the world and football is his one constant. Nick has made a new start for himself after leaving his wife and putting his sons happiness first. Colton and Nick are friends thanks to Wes and Justin but there was always something more there it seemed. They gravitated towards each other in the shadow of Wes and Justin’s love.

I did feel that at first Colton had major daddy issues and used Nick as a replacement just like he did his whole like with other father figures. Nick didn’t seem to naturally be attracted to Colton at first and once Colton admits he’s attracted to Nick and having sexual feelings we get chapters in his head. I wish we had a chapter in Nick’s mind at this point because we don’t know if he’s feeling the same way. When they do hook up the first time it’s more Nick being drunk and forgetting exactly how it happened then freaking out. This made it feel less organic and it almost felt like Nick talked himself into being attracted to Colton. Something was missing for me with Nick here.

I thought the entire blow up with Justin was overdone. Justin acted like a huge baby and I know it was done to cause a separation between Colton and Nick but it left me liking Justin less. He seemed so selfish and babyish. This is one issue I have with these romances from Bauer. They’re either really dramatic or way too over the top sickeningly sweet or both.

Besides these issues, which seem major but actually weren’t, in the entire span of the story I enjoyed this. Once Colton and Nick settle into a relationship and admit their feelings they worked. The story was done well for the most part and we get a satisfying ending for both couples.

[Ana Nimity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edited a bit after getting some sleep.

I opened this almost as soon as I got the advance copy and within minutes was immersed in the world of UT football and back with the familiar characters of Wes and Justin, Justin's father Nick, and Wes' teammate Colton, who I KNEW would be paired with Nick as soon as they were thrown together in The Jock.

So, if you're reading this review but haven't read that book yet, you need to go read it now. You might could read The Quarterback without reading The Jock but you'd lose a ton of context, and have missed an excellent story, so don't do that to yourself.
Nick and Colton are an improbable couple. Nick is Colton's best friend's father, they're over twenty years apart in age and experience. Colton's only known football, and Nick's a successful businessman.

Oh, and they're both straight.

Or were, until they go into slow-burn freefall as Nick mentors Colton after his potentially career-ending injury. It's almost Pygmalionesque, really, but they work, and so does this book. Does it veer into melodrama a bit? Yes. (Maybe more than a bit. There's a LOT of screaming...and not just when Colton is injured.)

edited to clarify
Is it completely unrealistic? Yes. So, it's not completely unrealistic. The storyline and the relationship are organic and believable. The characters' reactions, however, do tend to be a bit over-the-top at times. HOWEVER, that does not take away from the story. Which, I might add, I couldn't stop reading even though I needed to be finishing a PowerPoint deck for a live stream presentation the next morning.

Is it sweetly romantic and poignantly hopeful? Also yes.
Is it intensely emotional and thoroughly satisfying? Absolutely, all the way to the end.

Just remember when you open the book to grab your tissues, buckle up, and enjoy the ride.

[Tiash . · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bauer always writes head over heels and that's completely fine cause he knows how to pull that off. This story had so much potential to become one of my favourite books of all time then suddenly after 70% mark it lost all It's genuineness and emerged all artificially created conflicts, those were just not only enraging, but I also found it extremely distasteful and irritating. So I'll probably rant a lot in this review, so Let's just get over with the overwhelming aspects quickly.

Two man, two fucked up life, holding each other, supporting each other to grow better. The involvement was simply gorgeous. Even when they were friends their chemistry sparked. The genuine development of the dynamic of their relationship is what I enjoyed the most.





Nick's is apparently a perfect guy who would do anything for the people he cares about, like most of our dads, or even a better version. Colton is a needy emotional guy who soon finds a solace under Nick's wings. So I can't think any better match for them.

Nick as a dad. He's just PERFECT

“ You are my whole world, Justin!You are everything to me. From the moment you were born, you were the love of my life.”

The steam. Bauer simply leveled it up few inches. It's fine as some aged wine and I drank the whole bottle in one gulp. I'm a bit tipsy Don't mind me 😂

Now lets shake some salt out of it (by which I Meant lots of salt)

✨ Is it mandatory to have a young dad in every Best Friend's Dad book? Every effing such book I read had child in their early twenties. I'm so tired of it.

✨ The conflict in climax felt fully staged and poorly executed.. Why Justin the calm one reacted that way, doesn’t make any sense!

✨ I hate Justin the insecure, jealous bastard so damn much .

“You and Colton going to a fucking winery!” he roared. “You could have taken me to a winery with you! Me, your son! Not him! You don’t even pretend to want me in your life anymore!“

Justin the motherfucking Special Child Did you ever tell him you would love to tag along or you just took everything for granted. You can talk you know? You have mouth. Nvm, Ik shitheads like you never really care for anyone except themselves

“Did you guys have a threesome?” He asked the question like he was asking if Colton was pregnant..... “Is there a girl here?”

these motherfuckers are actually okay if it was a girl or they had a threesome and even dared to crack a joke about it. But no! You can't be with a man, specially your best friend's dad. Fucking Hippocrates. Listen yourself, see how toxic and homophobic you sounds .

Ik It's not an easy task to process everything on spot. It takes time. But both Justin & Wes cut tie with Nick & Colton. They even did not show a single drop of remorse of their actions untill they find Colton in a vulnerable situation. And suddenly they are like It's been extreme bitch. I forgave you! You forgave them? Seriously? If memory sevres the whole shenanigans caused Because of you. Now you forgave them! 💁‍♂️ You're the greatest, kindest beast humankind ever Blessed with. Send me your address. I wanna send you a medal 🤬

To top it up Colton was given the nickname Sugar as for Sugar baby. And It's supposed to be comedic relief. I'm sorry sir!? Tf! Last month there a murder was committed in my town Because someone called her sugar baby! You still think It's something to joke about? Idk about western Countries, but in South Asia people will get extremely triggered upon such behaviour.

Enough cussing for one day.

[Denise H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tal Bauer gives us the inside look at a college program for football, and how the students cope with their new lives. He shows us what happens, the struggle to become men, mistakes, and joys and much more.
We begin at the Championship Gala, dancing, and toasts. Then we see the scrimmage game that changed Colton's life.
Colton, 22, star quarterback, strong

with a bruised soul, from a detached family, looking for someone to simply care about him and love him.
Nick, 43, is a businessman, successful,

and Justin's Dad who has moved to town to be closer to his son.

Wes and Justin, from the first book, with Colton and Nick, are all helping keep each other company, as Wes healed, and then Wes and Justin go to Wes's family ranch for the summer. Then it's Nick and Colton, while Colton is recovering, getting therapy and help to be ready to play again.
Plus, Nick got Colton a summer internship...



This is a slow burn, a transition of friends who totally get along, hang out, dine, play games, practice and do exercises, while they get special feelings, a first kiss, and more. GFY. It felt so right, even though they question themselves.

What about Justin and Wes? What will it mean to their friends and family? Who will criticize?

Our men are in deep thoughts, doubts, and then they relax and enjoy their magnificent time together.


Their sexy times are just...wow! Both men are new to M/M sex, first times with a man, and they go for it, jumping right in, unafraid, they do what comes along. They are hot, scorching the sheets, powerful, with intense desire. It's nature, overwhelming emotions and loving hearts that feel destined. They feel contentment, true love, joy, and trust.

We get an excellent view of what these two are like together, daily routines, gaming, dinners, sleeping over, and how wonderful it could be for them in their future.



There are issues, no one is perfect. The summer was awesome for our couple. When Wes and Justin get back from the ranch, they show up unannounced....
The result is chaos.

We also get the coaching Colton is doing, and Nick's super new tech service he launched with Colton's help. It's a full bodied story, with twists and turns that keep us riveted.
An exciting epilogue !
ENJOY !

=====

[Liya · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I loved:
Colton - He is such a sweetheart and deserves all the love in the world.
Nick and Colton relationships - Mentoring, friendship, caring, being in love, all the emotions!
Steam - The book is a slow burn but when they finally start sexual relationships- it is HOT 🔥 🔥 🔥. Yes, this is the same author who wrote His First Time.
Niggles:
Bi-awakening wasn't convincing, it just happened and was accepted immediately. Better than gay freak out but a bit of self-reflection was in order. Felt more like GFY.
Nick never asking what Colton wants and just assuming
Big drama moment with Justin: how it happened- cliche, reaction - OTT. Plus, Justin focusing on being replaced was weird.