Sapphire Spring

Sapphire Cove #2

by C. Travis Rice, Christopher Rice

Under his new pen name, C. Travis Rice, New York Times bestselling author Christopher Rice offers tales of passion, intrigue, and steamy romance between men. The second novel, SAPPHIRE SPRING, once again transports you to a beautiful luxury resort on the sparkling Southern California coast where strong-willed heroes release the shame that blocks their heart’s desires.

Naser Kazemi has never met a problem a good spending plan couldn’t fix. But working as the chief accountant for his best friend’s resort isn’t turning out to be the dream job he’d hoped for. It doesn’t help that his fashion designer sister is planning an event that just might bring Sapphire Cove crashing down all around them. When the wild party unexpectedly reunites him with Mason Worther, the gorgeous former jock who made his high school experience a living hell, things go from bad to seductive.

The former golden boy’s adult life is a mess, and he knows it’s time to reform his hard partying ways. But for Mason, cleaning up his act means cleaning up his prior misdeeds. And he plans to start with Naser, by submitting to whatever the man demands of him to make things right. The offer ignites an all-consuming passion both men have denied for years. But can they confront their painful past without losing each other in the process?

Genres: Romance, M M Romance, LGBT, Audiobook, Contemporary Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary

350 pages, ebook

First published September 6, 2022

About the author

C. Travis Rice is the pseudonym New York Times bestselling novelist Christopher Rice devotes to steamy tales of romance between men. Christopher has published multiple bestselling books in multiple genres and been the recipient of a Lambda Literary Award. With his mother, Anne Rice, he is an executive producer on the AMC Studios adaptations of her novels The Vampire Chronicles and The Lives of the Mayfair Witches. Together with his best friend and producing partner, New York Times bestselling novelist, Eric Shaw Quinn, he runs the production company Dinner Partners. Among other projects, they produce the podcast and video network, TDPS, which you can find at TheDinnerPartyShow.com.

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christopher Rice is a phenomenal writer. Resonant characterization, stellar description, and visceral emotion.

I came into this installment expecting to fall in love with Naser and to dislike Mason. The exact opposite happened. It’s very unusual for me to rate a book this highly when I am so ambivalent about one of the two leads…but…

This is quite likely the most beautiful, endearing, and realistic redemption story I’ve ever read. Mason is an exquisite man, inside and out.

This novel delves into a huge issue for gay men. One that is almost always “taken care of” or brushed aside or simply glossed over in MM romance: Bullying. Revisiting painful times as an out gay man from adolescent and teenage years is not usually done thoroughly. Here, the examination is exceptional.

Both men are astoundingly unlikable in the beginning: Mason is a complete fuckboy, and Naser’s bitterness and racism are hard to cope with.

It’s moving when Naser opens up Mason’s phone. He’s about to do something terrible, stops himself, and instead does the right thing. This is where he recognizes that Mason is a victim, too.

Mason’s POVs are heart-wrenching. He comes to realize just how screwed up he is. He is so self-reflective and brave. He confronts so many demons, and he bares his goddamn soul. With basically just the support of Shirley, who is freaking awesome by the way (the mom Mason didn’t know he needed), he accepts responsibility for the man he was and he figures out the man he wants to be.

Pari is mistaken about many things, but she’s correct about Naser and Mahin. Naser refuses to get emotionally close to his mother, and then blames her when he thinks she’s doing something homophobic—but she isn’t.

It’s great to have two main characters who actually communicate well with one another. Some of the sex is super hot and some is weird. The first shower scene is beyond erotic. It’s extremely refreshing to read about a bottom who is so diligent and willing to bring up preparation and diet.

This gets (even more) immersive after the halfway mark, and it becomes exceedingly difficult to put down.

Mahin’s acceptance, Pete’s transformation, the reveal about Mason’s dad—and his grandfather—up in the mountains, Mason’s stunning and remarkable letter, and a life-saving intervention bring a wonderfully-fitting conclusion.


“Help me shatter who we fear we have to be.”

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

Sapphire Spring is book two in the Sapphire Cove series by C. Travis Rice which is a pen name for Christopher Rice. I read the first book in this series a long time ago, always intending to continue but never doing it. Finally, here I am and holy wow! What a book! I felt just about every emotion there is while reading this. Sheer horror at what these two men have been through, anger, and also laughter at Naser’s mom and her antics. And love for both of these men. I love them so much. And hold on to your hats because wow, the last twenty percent or so is a wild ride.

Nasar Kazemi is an out gay man. He is Connor’s (from book one) best friend and also the chief accountant for the hotel where they work. Nasar has a secret that he has only revealed to Connor. He was severely bullied all the way through high school. Bullied so badly it has affected his life in the ten years since. He’s never seen the three boys responsible in all the years since, until tonight. Nasar’s sister, Pari, has rented the pool deck for a party and suddenly, there he is, the man that still haunts his nightmares.



Mason Worther was the high school jock, blond haired, star football player, he could have anyone he wanted and frequently did. For some unknown reason, he and his two friends made it their career to make Nasar’s life miserable, and they did. That was perhaps the beginning of Mason’s spiral that continued to worsen throughout college and his years working since. Now he is working for his father’s firm, living in a beach house, provided by his father, and spending most of his nights partying hard with his friend.

Let me just say that after all these years, Nasar’s life is good now. His mom and sister are crazy but he loves them. He has a great job and gets to see his closest friend every day. But Nasar also carries the scars inside of him over what happened all those years ago. My heart broke as I learned the facts of what he went through.

Now let’s talk about Mason. On the outside, he seems like a spoiled trust fund guy who cares about nothing. That’s the farthest from the truth as it could be. He actually cares too much. He carries the guilt over what they did every single day. His life is made even more miserable by his verbally abusive father. Mason wants to make amends to Nasar and what better way than to show up at Nasar’s sister’s party. Only things don’t go quite as planned which starts in motion a series of events neither Nasar or Mason could ever have anticipated.

There are so many truths revealed between these two but their road won’t be an easy one. And hold on to your hats when you get to somewhere around eighty percent! What a wild ride! I never anticipated things going that way! I probably made this sound like an emotional book which at times, it was. But it was also steamy, swoony, and funny. I laughed out loud a few times involving Nasar’s mom! You don’t have to read the first book to enjoy this but I did love it and recommend it. The next book in the series is called Sapphire Storm.

[Rain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not sobbed this hard while reading a story in years. It’s not a sad story, but there is a subplot here that is so heart-wrenchingly beautiful, it wrecked me for a little bit.

If this is what accountability and self-awareness felt like, no wonder so many people ran screaming from it.

The beginning of the story is set up very well. There are short flashbacks, but most of the story takes place in the present.

I generally stay away from bully romances, but this plot was written so well! It has one of the BEST character arcs I’ve ever read.

“Mason, there’s chemical sobriety and then there’s emotional sobriety. You’ve had one and not the other. Now you’re about to lose both.”

Yes, the ending was a bit soap opera and melodramatic but I got my hea. The beginning of the story was a 4, middle a 3, but that character growth and hea gave me all the 5 star feels.

Yet another fabulous recommendation from Dan 😌

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

One thing about Christopher Rice is that his books ALWAYS delivers when it comes to his novels. Earlier this year, Rice took readers on a journey with the first installment of his MM romance series Sapphire Cove—aptly titled Sapphire Sunset. It was easily a 5-star read for me as it was the first authentic MM romance that I’ve really enjoyed. In his newest release, SAPPHIRE SPRING, readers are still in the same universe as its predecessor, but we have two new protagonists that share their journey with us. Disclaimer, this book dives a lot deeper and deals with very sensitive topics, such as alcoholism, homophobia, bullying, and sexual assault. It was very emotionally charged with many sensitive yet important to discuss topics.

I don’t want to go too into the story’s synopsis (just read it on Goodreads!) because the best thing about this story is how it develops. I don’t think I’ve gotten so emotionally invested into a storyline in a book before as I did with this book. The steam was a lot…steamier (if that’s a word) and you’ll be in for a major surprise! I still am like 🥵 about it. You don’t need to read Sapphire Sunset to read this book, but I urge you to read both. I can’t wait to read the next installment in this series!

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars ...

It's me, not you. 😉

I L❤️VED Logan and Connor in book #1 ...
Naser and Mason in this one, not so much.

Also, the subject matter ...
with extensive homophobia/bullying ...
will never make for an "enjoyable" read for me. 😒

BUT ... that Christopher Rice!
The guy can tell a story, amiright?!? 😁

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

C. Travis Rice, is the son of writer, Ann Rice, so I was interested to see if the genes were past on. The writing is good, it's the believability of the plot that lowered the rating. I see that this is the 2nd book in this series, so I plan to look for the first one, Sapphire Sunset, to see if the entire series contains these beyond damaged men. It's the characters past with one another that makes the plot of this story extremely hard to believe. Naser is the controller for the Sapphire Cove resort owned and managed by his best friend, Connor. One night during a party at the hotel he sees Mason, one of guys that bullied him through high school. Mason hasn't changed much. He's still a diehard, partier and raging alcoholic, living and slowly destroying his life with the bottle. Part of this could be because he has always had to tolerate horrible verbal abuse from his father who is also his boss and doesn't have a redeeming, likeable bone in his entire body. He is a despicable, homophobic and somehow Mason has picked a best friend (?), Chadwick, who is just like his father (another hard to imagine scenario). Chadwick was one of Naser’s other bullies. Naser and Mason start to spend more time together due to a business transaction...and as hard as it is to believe, one thing leads to another. I thought the very ideas of this was preposterous. I just can't see or accept that Naser had a crush on and fantasized about Mason during high school while Mason and two friends were actively bullying him daily, nor can I fathom why, after three years of hard-core bullying, the very sight of Mason wouldn’t trigger him or lead to thoughts of PTSD. It's by no means a bad book and there are positives such as really likable secondary characters like Naser’s mother and sister, and Mason’s next-door neighbor. The alcoholism subplot is interesting and seemed realistic. I will assume that the author researched the subject before writing about it, particularly the ins and outs of AA meetings, rehab, and recovery. A lot of time is spent on Mason’s alcoholism. There are numerous, compelling chapters devoted to Mason and his father’s relationship along with Mason’s drinking. I found these parts of the book more interesting and believable than I did the romance that would have gone beyond enemies to lovers. If you can take these scenes at face value, you will certainly enjoy this story.

[Debra ~~ seriously slacking on her reviews ~~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not the biggest fan of bully-to-lover books and rarely read them anymore since I too often find there to be not nearly enough work done in the transition. This story handled it well, but it also deals with some other serious topics.

The bullying Naser suffered in high school at the hands of Mason and his buddies was truly horrific. Of course, Mason has his underlying reasons and now, as an adult barely hanging on, he finds his opportunity to apologize. While that doesn't go at all as planned, it does give Mason an opportunity to start getting his act together. Naser starts off planning revenge, but quickly gets some insight into Mason's personal life and he also switches gears. As the two admit to their longtime attraction, they have to deal with family issues, Mason's addiction, and the bully ringleader who never grew out of it and is still a fixture in Mason's life.

This story is much heavier than the first and the author forces Mason to put in the work. While I'm still not a fan of bully romances, this one does it better than most that I have read. I do think that we really didn't see the Naser that was portrayed in the first book, although the one we see here does still have issues with his mother that need to be worked on. His sister is an unlikeable piece of work and I cringed every time she was on the page. Mason's father is also awful but their arc takes an unexpected turn that I appreciated. Perhaps the best secondary character is Mason's neighbor Shirley, a former soap opera actress who has had a front-row seat to his hard-partying ways.

There is a lot going on here and I do wish there was just a bit more resistance at first. I always have a hard time believing that someone who had been treated so badly can so quickly jump into it with their abuser, but as far as this trope goes, this story worked for me. I was hoping Jonas would be getting his story next, but I see the next book will be about two new characters and I'll be looking forward to it.

[Fearne Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read book one in the series and thought it was fine - good enough to read book 2. Book 2 is a different level of fine entirely - the best contemporary M/M I've read in while (excluding Kaje Harper's series following the same couple.) What I enjoyed:
1. The writing style. Third-person POV and languid, as if we have all the time in the world to get to the end. I appreciated the author's dry humour.
2. Both MC's are rounded characters - lacking a little in book one imho. Throughout the story they have refreshingly adult conversations, my favourite being the BBQ scene fairly early on in their relationship, which is *chefs kiss*.
3. It's a bully romance. Not everybody's cup of tea. Bully romances have to answer 2 questions: a) is the bully sufficiently contrite? b) do I buy into them wanting each other despite the past? In this story, most definitely yes to the first and mostly yes to the second. Although anyone who has been significantly bullied at school may never be able to answer the second positively. This is the first bully romance I've thoroughly enjoyed and yes, I've read Pansies by AJH.
4. The sex is great, with a hint of BDSM (but not enough to spoil it if that's not your thing.)
What I didn't enjoy?: anything!! It was an absolute page-turner.

[Marthea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread 29.05-01.06.25
Podtrzymuję prawie całą poniższa opinię - odejmuję tylko zaciapanie, bo go na całe szczęście nie ma 😁

* * * * * * *

4+
Pozytywnych niespodzianek ciąg dalszy 😁

Będzie krótko, bo obudziłam się dzisiaj tak zaciapana, że nie mam głowy do pisania (no bo w końcu długi weekend od jutra, to niby czemu miałby być dla mnie super, skoro cały rok jest generalnie do dupska 😕).

Na początku miałam pewne wątpliwości co do romansu Nasera i jednego z jego byłych dręczycieli ze szkoły średniej, Masona. Ale sposób, w jaki autor pokazał najpierw alkoholizm Masona, a potem dwa podejścia do uwolnienia się od nałogu - jedno tylko częściowo profesjonalne, drugie już full wypas profeska - zmieniło moje wątpliwości w trakcie czytania na pełne zaangażowanie w historię i zrozumienie obydwu bohaterów.

Znowu mi się podobało i powtórzę, że Christopher Rice aka C. Travis Rice potrafi pisać i naprawdę dobrze się czuje układając literki w zdania, akapity, rozdziały i całe historie. Ma do tego zdecydowanie rękę - genów jednak nie da się oszukać 😁

[lauraღ · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s the most intimate thing in the world, seeing someone else’s joy and not saying or doing anything to interrupt it.

This charmed the bejeesus out of me, like waaaaay more than I expected it to. I already knew I had a thing for reformed bullies, people who are honestly trying to do right by the people they wronged in the past, make efforts to be good even though it's hard for them. Even so, I wasn't sure Mason's character would work for me. But I ended up reeeeeally liking him and Naser, and their romance.
 
It sorta follows a similar path as the same book, where the main characters meet again after a long time apart. It's enemies to lovers on Naser's part at least, because Mason and his friends bullied him terribly throughout school. Mason's bullying stemmed completely from his own self loathing, peer pressure, and the societal pressure to hide his bisexuality and his instantaneous feelings for Naser. That's the part I thought I wouldn't be able to deal with. I don't tend to like 'I like you so much so I bullied you' types of characters; the authors never really manage to make those types of characters redeemable and deserving of forgiveness imo. But Rice DID manage it here, I think. When we get Mason's POV, both in present day and the flashbacks, and we see just how SMITTEN he is, how much genuine regret and sorrow he feels... I truly was rooting for him to make amends. He doesn't always go about it optimally, but he does it with a lot of heart.

And I loved the realistic way this handles addiction and the journey of rehabilitation and getting sober. Mason makes a monumental commitment pretty early in the book, but his methods and how he approaches all the steps aren't the best. The reader is aware of this, and some side characters are aware. And at first I thought the narrative would let him get away with it, and this would be an unrealistically easy road to recovery, but I reeeeeally enjoyed how it contributed to the eventual conflict, and how Mason really had to face things. And the plot with his dad... woof. Really good. By the time the end rolled around, I really felt like Mason and Naser deserved each other. Naser, I loved from jump. I always enjoy conversations about how characters handle their desires and submission. Naser's in a good place at the start of the book, but still had a way to go. He's brave and kind and forgiving, but makes Mason work for it. (Not too much; just the right amount. :3) I loved the side plot with his sister; some of their conversations were really touching. Mahin's Persian mama antics were the best, and her protectiveness was lovely. His best-friendship with Connor was SO cute. And I just can't get over how much the romance had me swooning. It moves so quickly in the present day, which isn't my favourite thing, but it also has that love at first sight feeling (on Mason's part) and that actually worked its magic on me. It's not a second chance romance, but because they've been on each other's minds so much in the intervening years, that does flavour the pot a lot.

Listened to the audiobook as read by the author and Nazanin Nour, and really liked it once again. Not all fiction writers do a great job of narrating their own books, but Rice is one of them. The addition of Nour as Mahin was wonderful, but it did have the added side effect of making me wish the entire book was full cast? Nevertheless, very enjoyable. This was the perfect combination of serious, swoony and really heartfelt, and there was a sprinkle of action and heroics added to the mix. Great read all in all. 

Content warnings: bullying, (past) sexual assault and violence, alcoholism

“I’ll never let you get away. If that’s what you want.”

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazon / Amazon Worldwide / Amazon Paperback / Amazon Paperback Worldwide / Amazon Audio / Amazon Audio CD / Audible / Apple Books / Nook / Kobo / Google Play

Naser has kept his current life safe, safe from men like the ones who bullied him terribly in high school. But when one of his old tormentors comes back into his life, suddenly that life is shaken up and tilted on its axis. Will Mason get the redemption and forgiveness he's seeking from Naser? Will Naser let Mason (and love) back into his heart?



Mason's lived a life of excess, addiction guiding his every move. He and his father aren't on good terms, his friends are jerks, and he just knows someone in his past deserves some serious penance from him. He's always felt a connection with Naser, even though he was loathe to admit it to anyone (he's so far in the closet he'll probably never see the light of day), and he still feels it deep inside. Going back to Naser seems the least he can do. Perhaps he'll finally find the peace he's looking for, and maybe even a lot more, with Naser.



I loved the first installment of this series, about Naser's best friend Connor, but I think Naser and Mason's story is even better, if possible. There's a lot going on, a lot of emotional layers to peel back, and it's worth it to get to the heart of this wonderful couple. I love the healing they do, the chemistry, and the the sweet, sweet ending. Oh and that little reveal about Jonas has me verrrry intrigued! I hope his story is coming soon.



ARC provided by Social Butterfly PR for an honest review.

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[Aimee Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read from Mr. Rice. I still prefer the first book so far, but this one did not disappoint.

The setting of this book still revolves around the Sapphire Cove resort, but the resort was just that. The setting. This one is also a bit more deeper than the first book, with a tad of darkness to it. We deal with a few trigger warnings like, alcohol abuse, homophobia, bullying and sexual assault.

I won't get too much into the story because you really need to experience it for yourself. The story really builds on our characters as they grow and develop throughout the story. But here's the just..

Naser and Mason went to high school together. Naser was out. Mason was not. Mason was also on the football team with teammates that expected certain things from him. Like bullying the new gay kid. We do get some timelines throughout going back to high school so you can get a feel on how much our characters have grown and who they have chosen to become. Naser is now working for his best friend at Sapphire Cove. Which we do get to hear from Connor and Logan from the first book. Mason works for his father and has an opportunity to apologize to Naser for what he put him through in high school. And how he truly felt.

Like I said, these characters really grow throughout this story. And so much is revealed from their days in high school that reflects them now. You really must experience it for yourself. Christopher Rice himself narrates the audio and I highly recommend it.

[Pam _P who cusses A Lot · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is infinitely deeper and better written than 75% of the MM romance out there, that is for sure. It's still pulpy and the essence of a proverbial paperback romance, with it's old school cover and drama, but it was written by an actual author. An author who intimately knows how to structure a book, who understands how to write complicated themes and scenarios in succinct, deep prose. It's frankly refreshing after reading far too many newbie authors in their first go-around.

I can't yet decide if my like of this book is because the book itself was well written or because I like the story. I am not sure. Time will tell. I do like these characters a great deal, but my hesitation is do I really like the men together as a couple. I'm a little iffy on that part 🤷‍♀️

[Noona [ON theStoryGraph] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Narration: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Story: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Bethany (Bee_TheBibliophile) · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Sapphire Sunset earlier this year, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Naser’s story! Sapphire Spring was emotional and compelling but also a little difficult to read at times due to some difficult subject matters.

Naser Kazemi has a nice life - a best friend who knows him better than anyone, a job he enjoys, coworkers he gets along with, a quiet townhouse, a nosy mother and a dramatic sister. While he likes order, there’s been something missing in his life. He’s built a life where he feels safe after being bullied by jocks relentlessly in high school. Even though he’s out to his family, he hasn’t introduced them to any man he’s dated and feels like he needs to keep his personal life separate from his family life. After what happened to him in high school, Naser is (understandably) big on trust and does not give it freely - you have to earn it.

Mason Worther is a mess - dependent on drugs and alcohol, partying into the late hours of the night, hiding a big part of himself from his friends and family because he’s afraid of their reactions. He’s destroyed a lot of his life and relationships along the way because of his addiction. His father is cold and unfeeling toward him and he doesn’t feel like he has anyone in his corner. One of his biggest regrets is the way he and his friends treated Naser in high school and how his attraction to him forced him to hide behind his bullying.

When Naser and Mason reunite for the first time after high school, things are uncomfortable but also familiar. There’s a connection between them that survived all the bullying and hurt from years ago. Their chemistry is pretty incredible but it’s quickly overtaken by some of the more serious topics in this story - overcoming addiction, coming to terms with sexual assault, dealing with unhinged ex-best friends. I think their relationship was surprising and sweet in a way I didn’t expect since Mason had so much to make up for but it definitely got a bit upstaged by everything else.

The world of Sapphire Cove is a fun one to return to to see past characters and meet new ones - the glimpses of Connor and Logan happy and in love were great and I’m really looking forward to the next story in the series!

[Canadian Girl Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

"𝙊𝙠𝙖𝙮, 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡, 𝙣𝙚𝙭𝙩 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙄 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚, 𝙄'𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙧."

Sapphire Spring by C. Travis Rice / 4 Maple Leafs

Naser had a horrible high school experience but has been living a pretty comfortable life since and is enjoying working at his best friend's resort. That is until Mason, his high school bully shows up at an event and tries to make amends, turning Naser's world upside down.

Naser and Mason had a rough and rocky road to making it to each other but I truly did feel from the beginning that Mason truly wanted redemption for what he did to Naser in the past and that he achieved it in the end.

Sapphire Spring is my first book by C. Travis Rice and I enjoyed the book as a whole but felt there was a little more focus on Naser and Mason's lives separately than on them coming together as a couple.

Sapphire Spring is book 2 in the Sapphire Cove series and contains... mm, enemies-to-lovers, redemption, dual third-person pov.

Content Warnings... abuse (alcohol, drug, verbal, emotional), homophobia, homophobic and racial slurs, bullying, assault (sexual, retold), sexual kinks.

*advanced copy provided to Canadian Girl Book Blog for an honest review*



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[Salpy KS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe 4.5?? This was great and I am really surprised how much I ended up liking it and that Rice got me to enjoy a bully romance, which like, the thought of it just makes me shudder. But he did a good job here with Mason. This author is turning out to be a lot of fun and the DRAMA of these books is a kick. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

[Corinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounding up to four stars

Another soapy, disbelief-suspending, dramatique installment.

I have a hard time with bully romances but this one had sufficient grovelling that I was able to buy it (with some of that aforementioned suspension of disbelief.)

[Genevieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naser & Mason

Loved Naser in Sapphire Cove, pushy, super organized, family orientated, with issues arising from family and high school bullying. Such a complex character, he needed his HEA.

Enter Mason. Quarterback, high school bully, golden boy. His story isn’t pretty, but it’s beautifully written. Past behaviour, his need to make reparation, and his crush on Nas, all came together slowly.

I don’t know how many lgbtq stories I’ve read and put aside because they down played counseling, addiction and real life trauma. This was carefully handled, heart wrenching, and healing for all involved.

I don’t listen to audio as a rule, but Mr. Rice’s narration made this an absolute pleasure to listen to as I read.

Easy five stars, and this deserves more. Can’t wait to dive into book three, and catch up with more Sapphire Cove.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded to a 5
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]

Sapphire Spring is the second stand alone in the Sapphire Cover series by C. Travis Rice. An emotional mm romance with a completely satisfying redemption arc.

Naser works as an accountant for Sapphire Cove and while helping ensure his sister's event at the resort goes smoothly, he's brought face to face with his bully from high school. Mason was one of three boys who tormented him for his race and his sexuality. Mason is an alcoholic, and his life isn't one he's proud of. He's hoping to apologize to Naser at the party, but it doesn't quite go as planned. When Mason hits rock bottom, he decides to work on his issues and attempts to make amends with Naser . Will Mason be able to atone for his past actions and will Naser be able to forgive him, or will demons from their past keep that from happening.

How was it possible for someone half his size to have so much power over him? Words, he was reminded, were so much more powerful than brute force when they were aligned with hard truths.

Naser is a charming character who I've enjoyed since we met him in the first book. I loved the layers of his character and the different relationships in his life. From the brotherhood with his best friend, to his butting head yet loving relationship with his sister and the growth that his relationship with his mother goes through. He's secure in his sexuality and no shame when it comes to what he craves in the bedroom. Every time he flash backed to his high school trauma, it was absolutely devastating. I just wanted to wrap him and a bubble and smoother him with love.

Naser felt knocked out of his flesh, as if the thought Mason Worther is kissing me was so big it crowded everything else from his body, including his soul.

Mason Mason Mason..I'll be honest I'm really particular when it comes to redemption stories because I have to really believe in their regret and willingness to become better people. I was doubting Mason after him and Naser's first time coming face to face because it didn't make me feel anything positive towards him. Yet, with the author's wonderful writing I slowly believed in Mason's redemption. He used alcohol and drugs to hide and mask his feelings. Being able to see his side of things in high school and his fears over losing his father over whom he really was. I appreciated that he decided to go to rehab and really committed to working on himself. He originally uses Naser as motivation, but in the end does it for himself and his own well-being. The entire section where him and his father confront their relationship, plus the notebook he writes to Naser while in rehab, gutted me and had me reaching for a box of tissues.

If this was what accountability and self awareness felt like, no wonder so many people ran screaming from it.

Their relationship is slightly convoluted. Naser has hatred, fear, and attraction when it comes to Mason. Mason has a mixture of guilt and regret. They kind of go 0 to 60 from Naser's view of things, while Mason has secretly been in love with him since high school. It's not easy for them to balance out while Mason is going through such a huge personal/ emotional change. The intimacy between them runs of high emotion and has some great sexual tension in the beginning. Naser turns out to have a pain kink and a foot fetish which was a bit unexpected, but I was here for it since I love kink. Naser's need to feel overpowered but fully in control was very well written. The kink and all the emotions they both brought to the encounters made their steamy intimate encounters intense.

"You like being looked at , don't you, Mason Worther?"
"If you're the one looking, Naser Kazemi."

The story itself it well-balanced. The intimate scenes while plentiful don't overshadow each of the main characters personal story lines. I loved the detail and research that went into Naser's Iranian American beliefs and history, and that it included the Nowruz holiday. I honestly think the only thing keeping me back from a solid five stars is that the climax was a little over the topic and extreme, but I really enjoyed the falling action and the resolution.

Overall, Sapphire Springs by C. Travis gave me a range of feelings and the sneak peek of the next book in the back left me excited for what's next in the series. It was a wonderful MM romance with emotion, steam, second chances, healing family relationships, personal growth, and a hard-earned happily ever after.



Rep: Bisexual MC, Iranian American MC
trigger/content warnings: homophobic and racial slurs, recalling sexual assault , violence, drug and alcohol use, addiction, rehab, pain kink, foot fetish

[Harry Chin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spectacular and captivating. A beautiful and unique love story. By far the best MM romance series I’ve ever read. The story has a soul, the characters moving, engaging and at times totally hilarious. I’ve read (and listened on Audible) passages of this masterpiece numerous times now.

Book 2 of the Sapphire Cove series is arguably the darkest of the 4 books available so far. It explores themes of severe bullying, alcoholism, homophobia, sexual assault, child sexual abuse and sexual kinks.

I fell in love with the 2 heroes. Each had their own talents, likeability & flaws. Each from totally contrasting worlds.
Mason is the privileged real estate developer with a Ferrari and designer home by the beach. His boss, Pete, is his abusive, homophobic & patronising father with his daily insults & put-downs of Mason. He has a best friend, Chadwick, whom he can’t stand and a dangerous influence on him. At the beginning of the book he is spiraling perilously down a path of alcoholism and drug addiction. He is a closeted bisexual.
Naser is the successful Financial Controller of Sunset Cove. introduced in Book 1 of the Sapphire Cove series. He is the lifelong best friend to Connor, the Resort’s General Manager - also his boss- who is protective & loving towards Naser. Naser is an out & proud gay man of Iranian descent. He has a painful past, being bullied in 3 years of high school, one of whom was Mason.

A reunion at Sapphire Cove between the 2 invokes hurtful memories for Naser perpetuated from Mason & his 2 high school friends who made Nasser’s life a living hell. Mason is remorseful of his past misdeeds and attempts to make amends with Naser. Mason reveals that his poor behaviour was him covering up his true infatuation for Naser. Naser is shocked and unwilling to accept a mere apology. But their attraction to each other is undeniable.

I loved the scene in Mason’s home where a grown up Naser confronts his former bully with some very well chosen words and observations about the golden boy. He reclaims his power in the process, rendering his former bully completely winded.

Naser’s very perceptive observations of Mason is the last straw which propels Mason into taking control of his messed up life. He enlists the help of his neighbour Shirley, herself a recovering alcoholic. Shirley becomes the mother Mason never had, and part of Mason’s chosen family who is instrumental is guiding him through the treacherous waters of recovery from alcoholism with the aid of AA meetings.

Mason has a transformative character arc. His honesty and pouring out his heart and soul is gut-wrenching as it is admirable. He wins over Naser, who can’t help but falls for his charms and incredibly sexy body.

The very humourous and complex family dynamics between Naser, his mother and sister are also explored in the novel. Mason’s strained relationship with his father takes spotlight at the later stages of the novel, and takes an unexpected turn.

It was a delight to share in the excitement and hope experienced by our 2 heroes in the beginning stages of a new relationship. But can they get over their complicated pasts to carve out a future together?

Mason’s overzealousness does however lead to catastrophic consequences which puts their relationship in serious jeopardy.

My only criticism of the book is that I felt I wanted to explore this new and hopeful relationship a lot more, and have more steamy sex scenes before they are abruptly separated by circumstance. They are both absent in Book 3 but it was good to see them return in Book 4 but unfortunately I felt they didn’t feature much and did not have anything significant to do, which is a pity as they are my favourite relationship in the series.

Overall, a very enjoyable and immersive read. Humorous and delightful and some parts, heartbreaking in others.

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

TW: Bullying/gay bashing (retold by main character), Verbal abuse, Sexual assault (retold by main character and mentioned/implied by secondary character), Homophobic slurs used throughout, discussion of sexual fetish/kink (main character), alcohol and drug abuse (main character), gun violence I wasn’t sure going in if I would enjoy this book given that one of the main characters was bullied by the other main character during high school. I am not a fan of bully romance, I have really strong and negative feelings about it, but I trusted Christopher Travis Rice to deal with this tough subject carefully and with sensitivity and he did. I enjoyed many aspects of this book including a very interesting look at Naser’s Persian heritage and his complicated relationships with his mother and his older sister. I was super intrigued by Naser’s interest in his co-worker Jonas’s past and look forward to that story. I even became invested in the complicated history and eventual relationship between Naser and Mason, one of his former high school bullies. Despite Naser and Mason having feelings for one another a decade ago, the swiftness of their physical relationship felt off. Naser is a far better person than I because given everything he endured; Mason would have been groveling a very, very long time. This isn’t my story, and as I am a white woman and not a gay man maybe that’s why I had problems with it. I could also be that I’ve seen what bullying does to kids and teens, it’s a sensitive subject for me and I’m not objective. I don’t know, and I accepted the relationship that developed between Naser and Mason, but I needed more time with them as a couple to feel their connection. There was a lot to unpack in this book and at times I felt that Mason and Naser’s relationship got lost in the shuffle and when I thought we finally got to the part where we’d see them working on their relationship, yet another hit came and once again it didn’t materialize. Everything that happened in this book was important; from Naser having a meaningful and important conversation with his mother, to Mason getting the help he needed along with beginning to repair his relationship with his dad, not to mention his dad’s revelation, and Naser along with his mom and sister figuring out a way to be better to one another, but because of everything else Mason and Naser’s time together was limited. The secondary characters all played a vital role (huge shout out to Shirley, Mason’s neighbor) and while I enjoyed all of the secondary storylines in this book; the romance suffered. Sapphire Spring was compelling as Mr. Rice has a way with words like few other authors. The story was real, raw, emotional, and hard to put down, yet I still felt something was missing between its pages.

Review copy provided for a voluntary review.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 and 1/2 Stars
After reading book one in the Sapphire Cove series, Sapphire Sunset, I knew I needed to read Naser's book. He was a great side character in book one, so I was very excited to see what his book would be. I didn't expect for Sapphire Spring to be just so raw and painful at times. In all honesty there were times that I found it hard to read the story because what was happening was so raw.
Sapphire Sunset is a former bully romance and when I say bully I don't mean Naser was simply picked on by the other male lead, Mason, he was truly bullied like you see in teen dramas, shoved into lockers, clothes stole, etc. Once I realized how their relationship had been in high school and the amount of hatred Naser had towards Mason I had a hard time seeing how they were going to end up together. Naser's life was made a living h3ll by Mason and his friends, the reason he hated high school so much was because of them.
But the one thing that made me see how it was possible was the only reason Mason started bulling Naser was because he had feelings for him. And while it isn't right or justifiable it does make make it understandable, he hated a part of himself so much, could face who he truly was, that he couldn't handle these feelings, and then he hid his feelings behind cruel actions and friends taunts. I also appreciated that a lot of Mason's conflicting feelings towards his sexuality really stemmed from his father and his words about gay men.
Mason also was an alcoholic when the book started, and it was Naser's words that made him decide to quit drinking. Once Mason was sober I started to see how they were going to end up together and honestly I was there for it. Mason was able to atone for his past actions and show sincerity towards his regret of how he treated Naser. For me it wasn't until Mason stood up to his best friend who was also part of the group that bullied Naser and really enabled Mason's drinking and drug use and later his father for his behavior towards him that I felt that Mason had earned Naser's forgiveness and really accepted who he really is.
I've written most of this review about Mason when I read this book for Naser but I think that it's because he had the most life changing moments. Naser did have his moments too, they just weren't as large. I really loved it when Naser talked to his mom about his father who had passed and how he felt they were never able to go back to Iran because of him being too outwardly gay.
I really enjoyed this book and can't wait for book three.

[Colleen (colleenreads40) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.25/5 ⭐

Sapphire Spring is the second book in C. Travis Rice's (author Christopher Rice's romance pen name) Sapphire Cove series. This series can be enjoyed as interconnected standalones. Here's what you can expect from Mason and Naser:

🔷 MM contemporary romance
🔷 Third person dual point of view
🔷 Guaranteed happily ever after
🔷 Open door spice
🔷 Childhood bully
🔷 Addiction representation
🔷 Self-discovery and healing

Ensure you review the content and trigger warnings to decide if this book is right for you. Sapphire Spring deals explicitly with issues of high school bullying, addiction, and sexual abuse. Please take care of yourself while reading.

I couldn't stay away from this series for long, and after we met Naser in Sapphire Sunset, I was really looking forward to his book. A character entering a relationship with their childhood bully is always a tricky one for me, because sometimes I don't think the bully has redeemed themself adequately. This wasn't the case with Naser and Mason at all. Mason had a lot of work to do on himself, including a trip to rehab, before him and Naser could properly be together. Therefore, I think Mason earned his redemption arc.

From what I see, Christopher Rice typically writes a lot of suspense and mystery books, and I really like that he's brought some of those elements into his romantic novels. Christopher also writes characters that are complex and flawed, and I appreciate that he gives them that space to redeem themselves. It's clear he puts a lot of thought and research into his book, and I thought the insight into Naser's Persian-American culture and the impact it had on him and his parents growing up was well done. Christopher has done a great job at writing the spice, and Mason and Naser were definitely melting the pages on my Kindle! We still get some Logan and Connor content (and them threatening Mason if he hurt Naser was a highlight for me). We get some action and a bit of a scare at the end, but I think the most touching part of this book outside of the romantic relationships was Mason and his dad's interaction on the family day at his rehabilitation facility. I was fully expecting to hate both Mason and his dad throughout the story, so their redemption was welcome.

This is another hidden gem series that I'm so happy to have stumbled upon!

[Ulysses Dietz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sapphire Spring (Sapphire Cove 2)
C. Travis Rice (Christopher Rice)
Blue Box Press, 2022
Five stars

Christopher Rice uses a pen name to produce this series of romances set in a fictional resort hotel on the Orange County coast in California. Although he (sort of) disguises his name for this “lesser” form of literature, he does not stint in the writing or the storytelling. He puts his heart into this series, and it shows. It’s even better than the first book, “Sapphire Sunset.”

“Sapphire Spring” has all the necessary tropes for a classic m/m romance (closeted jock and shy nerd, enemies-to-lovers plot arc). This book is beautifully written and emotionally powerful. I was surprised to find myself in tears in several places—but also laughing out loud in several other places.

Naser (na-SAIR) Kazemi is the head of accounting for the Sapphire Cove resort hotel, which is run by his best friend, Connor Harcourt. At a party thrown at the hotel by his sister Pari to launch a new fashion line, Naser runs into Mason Worther, the high-school football player who bullied him mercilessly and left deep emotional scars. Mason ends up drunk and falls into the hotel pool, and Naser is assigned to drive him back to his Newport Beach house. There he manages to lock himself in Mason’s laundry room without his phone, after Mason passes out upstairs.

While there are aspects of a screwball comedy here, there are a lot of dark subjects that drive the emotional tone of the story: alcoholism and recovery, bullying and sexual assault, cultural identity and racism. Rice pushes and digs, never hesitating to touch a painful nerve or broach an uncomfortable truth. He loves his characters, even the secondary ones (Naser’s mother, Mason’s father, as just two examples). He also throws in a couple of plot twists that shocked me completely—and made the plot richer and more emotionally layered.

We learn a surprising amount about being Persian in California, focusing on the substantial community of Iranians forced to flee their homeland and make a new life in the USA. There’s also a plotline about the caustic power of toxic masculinity empowered by great wealth. It is not a hearts-and-flowers kind of romance, but it is very much a story about the healing power of love.

C. Travis Rice does his homework, and respects his readers.

[Denisesc21 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sapphire Spring, the second book in the Sapphire Cove trilogy, is not nearly as long as Sapphire Sunset. The first book, while long, didn’t feel that way, and this one, a full 100 pages shorter, didn’t feel long enough to me. 🙂 I was very excited for Naser’s story! This new series, under the pseudonym of C. Travis Rice is quite a departure from Christopher Rice‘s usual books, but I am very much enjoying them. They are incredibly well written, and have characters who seem as real as your neighbors, with how richly they are written. And although it is a series, these can definitely be read as stand alones.

While this is a romance, it has a lot of layers that really hit me hard, and I had to put the book down a few times. These are not easy topics, and considering how Mason treated Naser, finding redemption is not easy. Mason has an addiction, and while hiding his true self may have caused him to do the things he did in high school, Naser still bears those scars. As I said, I did need to put the book down more than once, because some of it was just challenging for me to get through, because it broke my heart.

Naser leads a nice quiet life, surrounded by the people he loves, and a job he enjoys. But Naser has layers of scar tissue, and therefore he doesn’t trust easily. It must be earned. Seeing Mason again, naturally, brings up lots of complicated emotions, and it isn’t an easy reunion. While the chemistry is there, with Mason having regretted his actions, and always wanting to connect with Naser, there are a lot of complex issues to work through. They are not ones solved in one scene, nor should they be. The author takes you through this with an intensity of emotion through his words that really hits you right in the heart.

It is a lovely romance, filled with complex characters, and issues that cannot be solved instantly. However, so well written, it’s difficult to put down–except for the parts where your heart is torn to shreds…as is appropriate for this story. If you haven’t read the first book, please do so, as it is fantastic as well, but this one…this one might just give you that book hangover you’ve been craving.

Highly recommend.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Naser is the controller for the Sapphire Cove resort owned and managed by his best friend, Connor. One night during a party at the hotel he sees Mason, one of his high school bullies. Mason is a diehard, partier and raging alcoholic, ruining his life with the bottle. He has to tolerate horrible verbal abuse from his father/boss who is a despicable character, as is Mason’s best friend, Chadwick, one of Naser's other bullies. Naser and Mason get tied up in some business transactions, spend more time together, and one thing leads to another.

Unfortunately, this book did not work for me. I enjoyed Sapphire Sunset so when the request to review Sapphire Spring came along, I accepted it without reading the blurb as generally we like to review a series in its entirety. However, the primary trope in this story is a bully/victim romance which I strongly dislike.

I found it to be preposterous. I can’t accept that Naser had a crush on and fantasized about Mason during high school while Mason and two friends were actively bullying him daily, nor can I fathom why, after three years of hard-core bullying, the very sight of Mason wouldn’t trigger him or lead to PTSD.

There are positives such as likable secondary characters including Naser's mother and sister, and Mason's supportive next-door neighbor. The alcoholism subplot is interesting and seemed realistic, although I have no personal experience to determine if it’s authentic or not. I’ll give Mr. Rice the benefit of the doubt that he fully researched the subject – particularly the ins and outs of AA meetings, rehab, and recovery. A lot of time is spent on Mason’s alcoholism. There are numerous, powerful chapters devoted to Mason and his father's relationship vis à vis Mason’s drinking. I found these parts of the book more compelling than the romance.

If you can suspend your disbelief of this scenario better than I can, perhaps you’ll enjoy the book. I feel like it trivializes the victim’s experience to have it set aside so easily. I have to rate the book based on my reading experience, therefore I don’t recommend it. Perhaps you will if the trope doesn’t bother you. To each their own; many reviews praise the book.

[Jen + Maxie (smut.readers.society) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What did you do to us Christopher?? We felt like our hearts were going to explode while reading this. While there are definitely serious issues addressed, including bullying and substance abuse, this story also touches on families and their unique dynamics. The complexities of these characters, and the way their families shaped who they are was a big part of this story. Layer by layer we started to not just understand Naser and Mason, but see what made them into the men they became.

Mason Worther was an alcoholic and closeted bisexual. His dad was verbally abusive and constantly berated him, making him feel like he was never good enough. He also had a bad habit of throwing around derogatory remarks on a regular basis…. no way would Mason ever tell him that he was bi. Not to mention his “best friend” was a bigot and a bully.

Naser Kazemi has always strived to live up to his mom’s expectations. He also kept her at arm's length when it came to his romantic life and his sexuality. He knew she accepted him for being gay but he didn’t feel like she truly understood him.

When Mason first laid eyes on Nas in the hallway at high school, he was like a moth to a flame. Wanting to just be near him, Mason walked up to Nas and put his arm around him. But as soon as he saw the judgment on his friends’ faces, he played it off and pushed Nas into the lockers. And that was the beginning of the bullying that he would endure all throughout high school.

Ten years later, the last face Naser expects to see at his sister’s event is Mason Worther. He’s even more thrown when his wasted ass tries to apologize for his past transgressions. Mason soon realizes he has a serious problem. With the help of a neighbor, he is determined to get sober and make amends. He wants to be the man that Nas deserves. The truth is that Mason never forgot about Naser. And Naser never forgot about Mason, but for a very different reason. While he hated the guy that made his life a living hell, he was also insanely attracted to him.

Sapphire Spring is a wonderful, heartfelt story about love and redemption that will stay with us for a long time.

[Frank Socha (franksforeword) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y'all....this series is THAT BITCH! Book 1 was amazing, and I found myself liking this one even more! And let me say, I'm reading book 3 now and....*SQUEALS* I just love them :)

First let me say this book hits on A LOT of subject matters and provides visibility on important topics such as coming-out experiences, alcoholism, sexual abuse, etc. Refer to trigger warnings. Rice implements them in a way that I believe may be relatable for some. And for others who don't relate, shows what some may experience in these journeys. And I find that so important! You truly never know what someone might be going through and this is just a reminder of that.

The romance was paced PERFECTLY! It's not too fast, but not too slow. There's some taste-testers in the build-up and then...full-on back breaking! I like that they didn't just bang at the drop of a dime. Now I know they WANTED to. But Naser was giving us the anticipation and sweetie, I was here for it. Mason better WORK for that cake! But in all seriousness it's refreshing to see because I feel like I read a lot of MM romances where date 1 is 69 rounds of the nasty and, while I don't always mind that, I enjoy seeing the romance build with cute moments first, THEN banging on the kitchen counter.

The parents...I loved their character development so much! Both have no idea how to navigate their son's sexuality (especially Mason's dad) but both make the cutest strides in understanding their son's sexualities. And in Mason's case there is a whole side-story that makes his dad's journey even more heartfelt. Honestly, Naser's mom is so iconic. She literally told Mason, while he is basically on his death bed, he better watch himself with her son or he's gonna catch some hands! She's coming for throats y'all, while in full support of her gay son and his dating life :)

Much like the first, I so loved the thriller bit in this! It's not all hot rich boys and bubble butts y'all! It's got it's fair share of nail-biting moments that mesh with the romance so well! You get "oh shit" moment, you get an "oh shit" moment, everybody gets an "oh shit" moment! I won't spoil anything, but a car literally launches off a cliff and into the ocean, a living room gets absolutely dismantled during a brawl, there's a medical scandal...interest piqued yet?

Almost done with Book 3 and I just love EVERYTHING Rice is selling :)

[Ria Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love is worth the pain

Yet again C. Travis Rice drew me into his story with his wonderful characters, hot passion, suspense, and intrigue. SAPPHIRE SPRING was everything I had come to expect after previously reading Sapphire Cove. I loved Naser in that story and couldn't wait to learn more about him.

I love Naser, he is a man who is meticulous in everything he does, his life is well structured and he appears content, yet something, or someone, has been missing from it. When he was in high school Naser was the victim of constant bullying, what confused him was the pull he felt toward one of those bullies. Mason's life has not been an easy one. He's gone from being a teenage bully, to being addicted to both drugs and alcohol. His pain emanates from an emptiness in his life, and from a secret he has been too ashamed of to divulge. What will happen when Naser and Mason find themselves face to face after all these years?

The chemistry and attraction between them were there, as was their connection, but there was also a discomfort between them, their earlier years haunting them both. I loved how Naser and Mason were together, so sweet, fun loving, and incredibly steamy, Unfortunately Mason's past tends to intrude on their happiness. I admired the way in which Mason atoned for his previous actions, this man surprised me. I enjoyed the way in which their relationship developed, it flowed naturally, it was realistic.

SAPPHIRE SPRING is a wonderful read and a perfect addition to this series. Mr. Rice certainly knows how to write addictive MM romances, with his incredible ensemble of characters, passionate heated moments, realistic emotions, and the power of his amazing words. Naser and Mason had an incredible love, their journey to happiness may have been hard fought, but in the end the pain was worth it.

I can't wait for more books in this series. SAPPHIRE SPRING is a highly recommended read for lovers of MM stories.

Read and reviewed for Reading Is Our Satisfaction

FOUR STARS