The Tiebreaker

by Billie Bloom

Gucci

My straight guy fetish has gotten me into trouble for years, but does that mean I’ll stop? Never sis!

When I see the way Johnny reacts to my touch, I can’t help but go for it.

Johnny

I may be our hockey team’s enforcer, but that doesn’t mean I’m not a mushy romantic off the ice.

When I agree to help my frat brother with his assignment, I never expected that I’d crave his body. I mean, I’m straight, right? So why does my heart beat faster when he’s near?

(Previously Published as The Tiebreaker)

Genres: M M Romance, College, Sports, Sports Romance, Romance, LGBT, Fiction

172 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 24, 2021

Reviews

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 knee socks stars

MY FAVOURITE ?!

This was definitely a hit for me. It talked about past trauma, being closeted and finding love in a healthy way. There was so much vulnerability and heartwrenching moments🥺

Johnny was really a sweetheart. He was truthful and tried his best to woo Gucci - even if it didn't always worked out the way he wanted. I liked that he actually realized faking coming out as gay was morally wrong and discussed it with Gucci. I'm still not happy about how things happened with his ex-girlfriend because it was a big NO. But I can't help liking him. I know...

I laughed when this scene came up :

I’ve done a little research. I searched Reddit for “how do I know if I’m gay” and one post had an answer that stood out to me. It said, “you searched, ‘ how do I know if I’m gay’ .” Yup, that one slapped me in the face. So there’s that.

There were quite a few funny moments here, mostly thanks to Gucci. He was so sweet and hopeful, even if he knew he could get his heart broken again. I honestly wanted to hit him after he run his mouth to Chase in Book 1, but I discovered he was so much more than what we saw of him before💕

Of course, there was steam, gooood steam. But the emotional aspect of the story took over for me. I also liked we didn't get unfinished side drama and the development of a redemption arc that rendered the whole story a bit deeper. Because of that I'm very excited to find out about Blake's book!

Thanks to the writer/publisher for the free copy of this book. All opinions of this honest review are my own.

[ivy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author really knows her way around the steamy scenes!
Loved:
Gucci - makes no apologies for who he is
Johnnys easy acceptance of himself and so happy to see more Asian rep as main character
Good communication - no silly misunderstandings


No angst
College - Michigan University
Hockey players
Fraternity
Opposites attract
Jock/screenwriter
First times

I would read the first two books before reading this one although not 100% necessary, will give a lot more depth to everything.

[Viki · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was... nice?

I wasn't absolutely fond of... Gucci, *sigh* and the whole pairing of the 'opposites'...

The one good thing about this was that No. Seriously, you just don't see enough of it in the romance genre. Someone asks the main character to do something that is very much a bad idea, as in, they ask to have a secret relationship and, guess what, the MC says... NO. And leaves. The book was worth it just for that moment, especially after he admitted having made some similar mistakes in the past.

I know I am supposed to want characters to resemble real life but honestly, I don't want to see people doing the mistakes everyone does. They're annoying and complicated in real life, why would I want them in a book? I'd rather they have some better ones, is that very unreasonable of me to ask?

[Traci S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gucci and Johnny, I loved this couple! So sweet, so cute together, lots of excellent heat and chemistry. This was a super fun read, it had a smile on my face the whole way through. Gucci and Johnny start off as fake boyfriends in a plan to get rid of Johnny’s stalker ex girlfriend. I don’t read many fake relationship books, but this one was so so enjoyable! I loved how seamlessly they moved from their fake relationship to a genuine and lovely real one. Gucci is a great character, multifaceted and interesting. Johnny was so sweet in uncovering his new attraction to Gucci. There is some drama and angst but I liked that it was mostly external to their relationship. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, highly recommended!

I received an arc of this book and this is my honest review.

[Chelsea Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so sweet and so emotional! It touched on themes of past trauma and the struggles of coming out and acceptance. These boys really made themselves vulnerable and that made it all the better! This book was full of heat, humor and sweetness! I adored this book and Billie Bloom is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors! 🥰

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny/amazing

Billie is a new author to me, I really enjoyed this book.Gucci and Johnny are hilarious and sweet. Wasn't keen on Blake but I wanna know more about him now lol

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the best yet of Billie Bloom's series about this Hockey team, which seems to have an unrealistic number of gay members. But they certainly are a sexy lot of fun! The star this time is Gucci, an unabashed twink who wants to seduce a "straight" man. His needs and Johnny's match when Johnny needs to get rid of a stalking ex-girlfriend. They hook up for real, and both feel things they never expected. There is a lot more to the story, and young love's fun, sweetness, and heartache are written out so well. Plus, Johnny is wealthy beyond imagination, and Gucci loves it and gets help with his career from Johnny's mom.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sara | sara.reads.too.much · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars

I'm really enjoying this series!

I can't believe this is Billie Bloom's first books because they're really good and also REALLY entertaining! This whole frat house is just so much fun to get to know! If you're looking for some short and steamy MM reads then this series is perfect for you! I got hooked from the very first novella!

The Tiebreaker is about Johnny and Gucci, and Gucci is honestly the cutest character, I love his bubbly personality, I just didn't love Johnny's character too much as the story went on, but that's just me! I still love the series either way and can't wait for the last book!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Juniper · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard not to love Gucci and Johnny, separately and as a couple. Gucci is totally, unrepentantly himself, and after being burned by a relationship with a closeted "straight" guy, he wants to break the cycle-- but he's also super attracted to Johnny. Johnny's brilliant idea to get rid of a determined ex girlfriend puts him on the path to some interesting self discovery, as well as to a relationship that has plenty of sweetness as well as heat. I liked them both, and the drama that surrounded them seemed totally appropriate to their personalities, ages, and circumstances-- overall, an enjoyable read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Seralesa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I almost DNF but pushed through anyways. Too instalove for me & not a lot to the story. Had I not read the previous 1 1/2, I may not have been interested at all but I like how some of the scenes were interwoven between books. I just didn’t feel any type of connection. It just seemed like a quick daydream 😶‍🌫️ sorry but this was a blah for me

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great addition to the series!

I loved The Tiebreaker by Billie Bloom. It's the third book in the Bromance series. I loved Gucci and Johnny. They had awesome chemistry. I loved how sassy Gucci is and how Johnny does what he says he's going to do.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sexy and sweet and soulful

Gucci came across as a bit of an ar$e in The Heartbreaker and I wasn't sure that I wanted his story. Well, call me stupid.
His past really did a number on him and finding out how he was treated by said past, for years, made me see him in a different light. And when that past still wouldn't leave him alone, I wanted him to find his happy ever after.
Johnny lived a charmed existence. Rich, handsome, sporty, happy with his life, he had it all. A model boyfriend to his past girlfriends, relationships were what he wanted, never hook-ups. Suddenly, his life was turned upside-down by the enticing Gucci, someone he never saw coming. Johnny fell hard and fast but Gucci didn't want another straight boy to toy with him and discard him like yesterday's tube socks.
The relationship was low angst and high on romance and steamy encounters. Seeing both sides of a couple's path to love and happiness is my preferred writing style and with sexual awakenings and troubled pasts, you really need both perspectives. Billie did an excellent job with both Gucci and Johnny's voices, putting across their feelings and fears, making me fall in love with both of them.
Another page-turner that I couldn't put down (damn you, Billie). Apparently a girl's gotta go without her beauty sleep when the Bromance Boys beckon.
'Gucci's past' gets his story in The Icebreaker so I guess I'll have to read it to be persuaded that he's not a complete and utter **** (begins and ends with T). The things I do for book boys......

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved!

I was so excited to get Johnny’s story and the ever sassy Gucci. They are awesome together he is all easy smiles and jokes and Johnny is serious but more romantic. He is the serial dater and until Gucci starts to pursue him and he has an awakening didn’t know he was into guys as well. They have several hiccups and hang ups. Gucci had an ex, Blake, who is known as the over cocky jerk to the masses. Blake had spent years tiring Gucci into a ptsd mess of emotions after being serially cheated on and hurt over and over. So when Gucci and Johnny get together it causes similar feeling to surface of being hidden because Johnny was out yet. But Johnny just needed processing time and realized he wanted gucci/Garrett more than to fear being outed. So Johnny romanced Gucci. Watching Johnny woo Gucci was so swoon worthy. Loved johnnys mother and all the support and how the guys all loved each of them and supported their evolving relationship. I personally wouldn’t have dropped the picture issue as easily at Johnny because they should have been deleted when they started exclusively dating. But whatever. Loved the story. By the end you come to like Blake if not a little and pity him for losing out on his love of Gucci because of his fear being out. Loved it!! Hope we learn if Johnny gets drafted!

[SJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This well written book begins with MC, Gucci’s, backstory with another guy before he moves on from that with extremely hot frat brother and hockey player, Johnny. Small, stylish, outspoken, yet, vulnerable, Gucci has emotional issues with how previous guy treated him and this makes for some drama with Johnny who doesn’t quite jump into the gay for you with Gucci, but is seriously attracted to him. Their love story has some bumps and bruises for both of them. The ‘big misunderstanding’ trope is used, but not to the detriment of the plot. This couple does try to communicate after the initial hurt feelings. I like how Gucci and Johnny want the best for each other. It’s a loving relationship with humor coming from their inner thoughts, especially Gucci’s. The author provides good descriptions of both these young men and the word pictures are appreciated. The steamy scenes are done very well, too. I enjoyed their story and the appearances by other characters from previous books.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this one was a little different for me. I'm not sure I bought into Johnny being into guys. And maybe it was partially the way the scene was written, but it seemed almost too perfect and/or easy. However, as the book went on, I bought into it. He was definitely all in. Gucci I wasn't a huge fan of him in the prior book, but I warmed up to him in this one. I do think that Johnny and he made a good couple.

I will say, I've read some reviews talking about his ex-girlfriend and him "playing" gay or fake relationship. Maybe I read a different book, but I don't remember any of that in here. Or his ex-girlfriend being a stalker??? So I'm glad I didn't listen to them and not read it.

Overall, it was a good book. Ready for the next one!

[Heather Adores Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 tube sock ⭐️. To be honest, I wasn’t feeling Gucci based on the tidbits of him from the last book. He’s a bit too whiney for me. I am happy with how his story played out though, giving him the life he deserves. I liked how Johnny did his research and how his sweetness shown through making this an enjoyable read.
I, also, liked seeing how certain scenarios from the previous books played out in other characters eyes.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Johnny and Gucci! They are so stinking adorable together. I loved the complexity they faced with their relationship. Johnny having to come out and Gucci fighting his past reactions to being in a closeted relationship. I love the sense of community these boys have, both with their friends and family. Looking forward to more books in this world.

[Jessica (Novel Confessions Book Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooh the tension!

What a slow burn! The tension steadily built throughout the whole book, but there was still loads of steam. Also, I want Gucci as my BFF. His character was giving me LIFE. I did love Johnny too, though. And Blake. I’m counting down the days until release. This series was the perfect weekend binge.

[Colleen (boo_boos_books) Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it

This was the first book I’ve read by this author and it didn’t disappoint.
I loved gg sooooo much and wanted to hug him a million times. GG and Johnny made my heartache they are both so loveable.
For me this book was the perfect mix of love, funny and spicy. I will definitely be reading more of this authors books

[Rugby8 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Hockey Romances;

I'm really enjoying these books ! Wasnt so sure about Gucci at the start, but, he's a good guy, and Johnny is just Great! If you are a fan of series that have ongoing characters who show up in other boojs, and you're a fan of hot hockey romance - read this!
😎😎😎

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fantastic read! These characters are just adorable! Just so much fun and sweet and sexy! The story flows so nice and is very entertaining! Great series!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vanessa Leighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this so very much, there was some of the most amazing characters that I have read in a while and so much amazing, awesome, blow you away steam.

This is an awesome book that’s part of an amazing series give it a go you wont regret it

[Amanda Zayas · Rating 4 out of 5]

What started as a fake relationship to get a crazy ex off his back, Johnny asks Gucci to be his boyfriend. A night of passion turns it into something neither of them were expecting. It was a beautiful story. A man coming to terms with who he really is and another realizing he is good enough.

[Mariansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book by the author. I really enjoy college romance and this was a good one. Light on the angst, fluffy and sweet. Great characters! No drama of coming out.
I would definitely like to see more steam between the main characters…

[keren davidi cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
This is the first book I read from this author
And it was really good.
Although I did not start reading from the first book in the series.
It did not change anything
Since each book focuses on a different pair.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I binge read this book. I couldn't put it down. It was fun, steamy, and romantic! Gucci is fabulous and Johnny is swoon-worthy!

[Amanda Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely wonderful series and this one is my favorite I think. It's well written and easy to follow. Can not wait until the next one comes out.

[Jeanine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun and fast read.

[CC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute series

I’m a sucker for mm sports romance and this is a good series, not great but it’s a fast easy read. Keeps you wanting more.

[Creatures Of Gold · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf.