Freestyle

Changing Lanes #3

by Layla Reyne

Retired Olympic swimmer Julio Espinosa hasn't always made the best decisions but he's trying to do better. Be better. He’s keeping his head down and pursuing his physical therapy credentials at a small coastal university in North Carolina. But then Olympic hopeful Zacharias James lands on his physical therapy table and Julio is thrust back into the world—the dreams—he left behind.

Love and the future Julio always wanted—living, working, and swimming in Los Angeles—are suddenly within reach again. If he can do better, be better, and if he can rehab Zach's injured arm in time for the young swimmer to make the Olympic team.

Genres: Sports, Contemporary, M M Romance, Romance, Novella, Queer, LGBT

ebook

First published July 25, 2021

About the author

Layla Reyne is the author of What We May Be and the Agents Irish and Whiskey, Fog City, and Perfect Play series. She writes sexy, intense LGBTQIA+ romance featuring competent adults in kitchens, sports arenas, car chases, and other high-stakes situations. Whether it’s adrenaline-fueled suspense, rival athletes, vampires and shifters in alt-realms, or love mixed with mouth-watering foodie goodness, queer folks finding happily-ever-afters is guaranteed.

Reviews

[Gaby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t really remember much what Julio did in the last book, something to psych Jacob out? But also maybe Bas was not so innocent? Regardless, it was sort of ok.

[NicoleR.M.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short story, the third book in a series, and since I haven't read the first two, I had a feeling I was missing out on the previous happenings taking place in the first two books. I wasn't familiar with the secondary characters, nor what Julio did to make him ashamed of his own behavior and left him feeling like he needed to apologize for something.
When I requested this book from Netgalley, I was not aware of that.

Looking past that, I have to say this was an enjoyable read, with enjoyable mc's, though I would have liked to see the focus more on the development of their romance and their relationship.
But it was interesting enough to keep me reading. Unfortunately it's not the kind of story that I will remember for long.

The story is told from both pov's.

I kindly received an ARC from Netgalley and this is my honest review

[Meagan (FranticVampireReads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know why this one gets such a bad rap. It’s so good and it’s a redemption arc for Julio! Because, let’s be honest, the man was an absolute jackass in the previous book. I liked that he actually got to grow and see how childish and vindictive his actions were. I also liked that he apologized to Bas and Jacob for what he did. Another thing that I loved was that Julio got his own happy ending, both with Zach and his friends. This is getting four out of five stars. This was a really good way to end the series (even if I would die for another book 😉).

[Nadia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited about this story since I like this author and her previous books. This was part of series but can be read as a stand-alone. I wasn’t aware how short the story would be. I liked the story and the characters but the ending was a bit rushed.

I received this ARC from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you.

[Katy Beth Mckee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a new to me author that I discovered as part of my Coastal Magic Book Convention reader challenge. I started with this short story. It is well written and a lot of fun. I know I will be going back and reading the first two stories that are part of this series. If you like sports stories you will really enjoy this story. #CMCon24

[Jessica Villarreal · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish we would have gotten a little more context on Julio's past. I'm assuming it was part of the other two novellas but that made it a little unsatisfying if read as a stand-alone.

Julio and Zach were cute together and the steamy scenes were pretty good although fairly short. Could have done with more romance/ steam and less of the physical therapy/ swimming.

Overall it was cute but unmemorable.

[Shadowhunter1975 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

I liked the overall storyline and the author's writing style. I just wished there were more scenes and conversations between the main characters so I got a sense of the connection between them.

[Alexandria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read. Julio and Zach are different points in their lives but share a bond with swimming. When Zach is injured Julio is the best person to help him achieve his dream of the Olympics.

This is the first book in the series that I read. I enjoyed the book, but I feel that I missed something by not reading the series in order.

[Ashley Yungbluth · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Freestyle" is book three in the "Changing Lanes" series by Layla Reyne. I enjoyed reading Julio and Zach's story. Julio is a swimmer and a physical therapist. Zach is also a swimmer and is training for the Olympics and finds himself needing Julio's help after an incident. My favorite scene was when Julio took Zach to his favorite place to help Zach see how far he has come. You can't help but fall in love with the characters in this short story. I also enjoy how Layla writes and describes things. Layla does an amazing job with keeping you wanting more for the characters.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freestyle is short and sweet, but not lacking in either story or romance. I could also consider this a great book to start with if you’ve never read anything by Layla Reyne. It had been a while since I’d read Relay and Medley, but it didn’t take me long to get back into this Olympic centered world. That being said, it also made me want to go back and start from the beginning. #SneakyAuthor

Julio and Zach’s story was sweet, but it was also a sort of redemption story for Julio. He had done a lot of things that he wasn’t proud of in his past, but he was working hard to make up for it. I love those kind of stories and although Julio didn’t quite fall into that category, I admire an author who can make me like a character that I previously felt like didn’t stand a chance.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Freestyle. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[K.J. Sweeney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Relay and while Freestyle was still a good read, it wasn't quite in the same class. I think that this is mostly because this is a quick read and a novella rather than a book. This time, the romance was quite sweet, but it lacked a bit of depth and development with it being such a short read.
Julio and Zach were good together and I enjoyed reading their story. They didn't really face any problems or difficulties and it was quite straightforward.
This wasn't a bad read, far from it, but I think it could possibly have been a lot more.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Mirjam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this gem through a promotion on Bookfunnel, and was pleasantly surprised. I've not yet read the two other books in the series, but it is apparent that Julio has history with the MCs of the two other books, as Layla Reyne confirms in the afterword, explaining her desire to give Julio his closure.

Four years after the events of Medley, Julio has still not made peace with the way things were left between him and Bas, 'The way his heart had been trampled, the way he’d tried to trample on another’s. Behavior he still needed to apologize for.'

Julio has retired from competitive swimming for almost four years, becoming a physical therapist to help swimmers cope with injuries. A stupid accident lands young talent, Zacharias James, on his table.
While helping Zach to get back his strength to qualify for the Olympics, they spend a lot of time together and they both fall hard for each other.

Julio gets his reconciliation with his former teammates and even gets his chance to become a part of the team again. Having Zach by his side is just the big cherry on the top!





While each book in the Changing Lanes Series can be read as a standalone, they are best enjoyed when read in order

[Cody James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the first book of Reyne’s I got to read “Relay”, and while I haven’t had the opportunity to read the follow up “Medley” I was excited to read another story in this gay/queer Olympic setting, particularly while the olympics are on!
This is a fun, quick read. I sometimes have an issue with such short stories, and I won’t like the fact that this was so aggressively short made me feel some kind of way. The character of Julio is not one of super relevance to expect the reader to remember, and this was too short for any sort of feeling or connection to form with him. If this were centered on Alex and Dane, or Jacob and Bas and it was a continuation of their story (we do get these characters in very brief encounters) I think the length would of been ok. A quick glimpse into the love we already know. To establish a completely new one in 60 ish pages just felt rushed.
That said, I’m not mad at this. It was cute, and the setting of the Olympics as I said is a fun backdrop and an unusual one, so the novelty of the world was still enough to make this a fluffy sweet read.


**I received an Advanced Readers Copy provided by NetGalley**

[Shirley Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was in the mood for something short and sweet while nursing a book hangover and this story did the trick. However, as this is part of the Changing Lanes series, I have to say that I would have benefited in having read the previous books in the series. As it stands, I didn't really connect to Julio in any way and I think it was because I didn't know enough of his backstory to become invested in his story. Fortunately, the concept of the story drew me in instantly. It also helped that Zach was such a sweet character and I wanted him to have his HEA. I enjoyed his journey to recovery and his time at the Olympics. Although his romance with Julio read insta-lovish, I enjoyed their time together and ultimately cheered for them to end up together.

All in all, a sweet, short entertaining story and a good addition to the series. I will definitely be reading the other books in the series and scheduling a re-read of Julio and Zach's story.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been enjoying reading Layla’s Changing Lanes series this summer while
Watching the summer Olympics, and this was a neat addition to the previous books.

One of the heroes in this book was basically a villain in the previous one Medley. Julio is embarrassed by his actions at the Olympics, and it was nice to get to see his perspective while he provides physical therapy for Olympic hopeful Zacharias. The two have great chemistry, and it was a fun, quick read.

It was definitely short and less angsty than the previous ones, but I enjoyed it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher.

[Mar · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This book was a delight to read.
I liked how our mcs met and how that first connection developed slowly but surely into a very real and beautiful relationship.
I liked that this wasn't instalove but that the feelings grew slowly because it made the romance more believable.
Why the 3 stars you might asked? Because I wish it was longer so we could explore more about them. I felt it was left short and that the characters and romance would have been greater with a few more pages. Still this was fantastic.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Mags · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freestyle is an enjoyable, quick, almost angst free m/m romance. That had moments of heat, plenty of chemistry and lots of familiar faces. And it was engaging to read. My only issue was that it wasn't longer, as I would've loved to read more about Zach and especially Julio who was after all billed as the bad guy in Bas and Jacob's story.

**I was kindly provided with a free copy of Freestyle via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

[Kirara7 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book much more than the first, I haven't read the second yet.

Julio has his chance to "redeem himself" in this third installment, after the events of "medley".
It was a short but good read, I really liked Julio as a character and Zach was a nice addition, they both made a good story, especially Zach who was very sweet and cute.

** I received an Advanced Readers Copy provided by NetGalley **

[James Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Swimming

I will give this book a 4/5. I wish it was longer because I enjoyed it. This is the story of Julio and Zach. Julio is a former Olympian mot physical therapist. Zach is an Olympic hopeful. Zach is injured and ends up under Julio’s care. The two men are attracted to each other and don’t act on their feelings at first. But eventually they realize they care for each other. But there is a misunderstanding and they go separate ways. Will there be a happy ending?

[Kim Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

New to me, Author. This is an MM contemporary novella set in the USA college scene. Julio is an ex swimmer and now personal trainer. The other main character is college swimmer Zach. Julio witnesses an accident involving Zach at the swimming pool and he becomes his personal trainer. Zach is trying to get to the Olympics before doing premed. Julio has a lot of history from his swimming days.

[Bb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Their romance went from zero to 100 without much relationship development with one weird break in between. Zach accepts him back the minute he shows up.

[Andrea Britton · Rating 4 out of 5]

sweet

An enjoyable read. These two had to fight past experiences to be able to move past them and find their happily ever after.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet. Kind of wanted more depth, but was a nice addition to the rest of the series and a perfect way to get excited about the Olympic Games.

[Elia · Rating 1 out of 5]

yikes mcyikes!!!!!

[Amie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Way too short, but a good read.

[Zeoanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is definitely a sweet short story.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really just too short to do anything much.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read.

[Ken Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the pool

Reyne's continuing narration of spandex covered water rats, this age gap tale emphasizes the critical need for communication in a bromance.