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The Team #1
The Jock
Wes Van de Hoek clawed his way off his family’s West Texas ranch under the Friday night lights, earning a football scholarship to the state’s best university. Three years in, he has it all: he’s the starting tight end, team captain, and, according to ESPN, maybe the best college football player in the nation. But he’s been keeping a secret from everyone.
Justin Swanscott has three certainties in his life: he’s gay, football is overrated, and he really, really doesn’t like cowboys. He should never have fallen into Wes’s open-range eyes or let his heart run wild when Wes gave him that shy little smile over summer. But he couldn’t stop himself.
Everyone’s asking questions about Wes this season: How is he playing so well? Will Texas be undefeated this year? Will he take the team all the way to the national championship? What’s next for him?
The truth? Wes isn’t dreaming about an NFL contract. His heart belongs to Justin, even though the world wants it to belong to football.
Wes has stadiums packed with screaming fans, ESPN is all over him, and the NFL wants him badly. He’s living under a microscope, and the pressure keeps building as the team keeps winning. Everyone wants something from him, but all Wes wants is to love Justin.
Something’s gotta give.
Justin Swanscott has three certainties in his life: he’s gay, football is overrated, and he really, really doesn’t like cowboys. He should never have fallen into Wes’s open-range eyes or let his heart run wild when Wes gave him that shy little smile over summer. But he couldn’t stop himself.
Everyone’s asking questions about Wes this season: How is he playing so well? Will Texas be undefeated this year? Will he take the team all the way to the national championship? What’s next for him?
The truth? Wes isn’t dreaming about an NFL contract. His heart belongs to Justin, even though the world wants it to belong to football.
Wes has stadiums packed with screaming fans, ESPN is all over him, and the NFL wants him badly. He’s living under a microscope, and the pressure keeps building as the team keeps winning. Everyone wants something from him, but all Wes wants is to love Justin.
Something’s gotta give.
394 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 9, 2021
About the author
Tal Bauer
26 books4,762 followersTal 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...
Website - www.talbauerwrites.com
Amazon Author - http://amazon.com/author/talbauer
Instagram - @TalBauerWrites
Newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/f1fd8baec198/talba...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,118 reviews
June 28, 2023
I had Tal Bauer on my DNR list, but a friend strongly recommended this, so I actually gave it a go. The Executive Series was just…not for me. This one is, fortunately, much better. OTT, of course, but it’s still TB.
There are inaccuracies in the Paris portion, but overall this segment is beautifully written. Why does Justin need to “climb” Wes? One of the first things Wes notices is that they’re the same height. Of course Justin has “swan” in his name. And this is set entirely with Texans and/or in Texas, yet the first “y’all” comes 2/3 of the way in? Tal is really showing his age: lover, cell phone…don’t get me started, or I won’t stop. And TB has some serious coming out issues. It must have been traumatic for him, as he seems to revel in making his characters suffer as well.
I’m not a football fan, but these parts do work. Justin and Wes are quite romantic together. I like that their relationship is one of equals. Wes gives up even more than Justin does.
The reunion between Wes and Justin breaks TB’s formula. It is raw and honest to see Wes just put it all out there.
It’s probably a plot device, but it’s questionable that everyone blames everything on Wes. No straight person should ever gatekeep any gay person’s coming out process. It shouldn’t take that sort of an occurrence for the team to support Wes. If anything, it’s the coach’s fault. He is a complete douchebag and this is never addressed. He’s as much a villain as the bashers. He never apologizes for anything.
The sex scenes are so much better than in his other work that I’ve read. It’s like Tal realized he’s gay and suddenly embraced it. This doesn’t sound like it was written solely for straight women. Dubious lack of rimming.
Justin’s dad is a good character. Of course, Justin is so contrary and self-absorbed that it takes him forever to genuinely realize what’s standing right in front of him.
The final game is cool. Colton is a nice surprise. The ending is very cute.
“Is there any epic love story that isn’t tragic?”
“Ours.”
There are inaccuracies in the Paris portion, but overall this segment is beautifully written. Why does Justin need to “climb” Wes? One of the first things Wes notices is that they’re the same height. Of course Justin has “swan” in his name. And this is set entirely with Texans and/or in Texas, yet the first “y’all” comes 2/3 of the way in? Tal is really showing his age: lover, cell phone…don’t get me started, or I won’t stop. And TB has some serious coming out issues. It must have been traumatic for him, as he seems to revel in making his characters suffer as well.
I’m not a football fan, but these parts do work. Justin and Wes are quite romantic together. I like that their relationship is one of equals. Wes gives up even more than Justin does.
The reunion between Wes and Justin breaks TB’s formula. It is raw and honest to see Wes just put it all out there.
It’s probably a plot device, but it’s questionable that everyone blames everything on Wes. No straight person should ever gatekeep any gay person’s coming out process. It shouldn’t take that sort of an occurrence for the team to support Wes. If anything, it’s the coach’s fault. He is a complete douchebag and this is never addressed. He’s as much a villain as the bashers. He never apologizes for anything.
The sex scenes are so much better than in his other work that I’ve read. It’s like Tal realized he’s gay and suddenly embraced it. This doesn’t sound like it was written solely for straight women. Dubious lack of rimming.
Justin’s dad is a good character. Of course, Justin is so contrary and self-absorbed that it takes him forever to genuinely realize what’s standing right in front of him.
The final game is cool. Colton is a nice surprise. The ending is very cute.
“Is there any epic love story that isn’t tragic?”
“Ours.”
April 11, 2021
The Jock it's a very captivating love story.
But I have to say, I struggled to get past the first 25%.
I'm not a fan of fluffy reads and easy stories. Therefore the lack of conflict almost made me give up.
I am so pleased I pushed through it though! 💪
What a turn around!
When things started to get complicated I became fully invested in it.
That said, for my taste, T Bauer tends to lie heavy on emotional aspects, becoming over the top and cheesy sometimes. And I could have done without some of these cheesy parts.🤷♀️
4 solid stars despite that.
But I have to say, I struggled to get past the first 25%.
I'm not a fan of fluffy reads and easy stories. Therefore the lack of conflict almost made me give up.
I am so pleased I pushed through it though! 💪
What a turn around!
When things started to get complicated I became fully invested in it.
That said, for my taste, T Bauer tends to lie heavy on emotional aspects, becoming over the top and cheesy sometimes. And I could have done without some of these cheesy parts.🤷♀️
4 solid stars despite that.
April 8, 2021
I don't know how he does it but it seems whatever he turns his hand to, Tal Bauer can produce a masterpiece of emotional turmoil which just ticks all my boxes and makes me happily raging!
This book sees him visiting college with a new age (21) pairing who really shouldn't, on paper, have anything in common to connect them other than their sexuality. But from the moment Wes and Justin meet in Paris (my absolute favourite city so this was a joy!) it's obvious there is the potential for something special.
The thing which struck me most about this book is just how nailed on Tal gives the reader the unbelievable - and quite wrong - amount of pressure Wes is under as a closeted American Football college star with NFL prospects.
His coach piles it on, not in a malicious way at all, but still, it makes him live his life hiding a huge part until Paris and Justin. For the first time Wes meets someone he'd be willing to give it all up for.
Their romance is beautiful in its simplicity and its honesty, they fall fast and hard for each other but they're also aware of the wider repercussions. At first Wes is willing to stay in the closet and Justin is willing to live in the shadows.
I've said in the past how much Tal's books make me go OMG, so while I was expecting this book would be no different, I have to say I wasn't prepared for the gut punch I felt when that moment happened.
It's brutal and, sadly, all too common still even in this day. Wes' life is upended and the consequences of him falling in love seem to be beyond repair.
However, as this is a Tal book, he somehow manages to draw all the broken pieces back together in a way which isn't just relatable, but which feels honest and inevitable. The final few chapters are a hard-fought for victory which makes it all the sweeter.
I'd have loved an Epilogue a few years down the line but, even though these two young men are only 21, their commitment and love is fixed so deep that you know it will last any challenges it faces.
Very definitely one of my favourite books from Tal.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
This book sees him visiting college with a new age (21) pairing who really shouldn't, on paper, have anything in common to connect them other than their sexuality. But from the moment Wes and Justin meet in Paris (my absolute favourite city so this was a joy!) it's obvious there is the potential for something special.
The thing which struck me most about this book is just how nailed on Tal gives the reader the unbelievable - and quite wrong - amount of pressure Wes is under as a closeted American Football college star with NFL prospects.
His coach piles it on, not in a malicious way at all, but still, it makes him live his life hiding a huge part until Paris and Justin. For the first time Wes meets someone he'd be willing to give it all up for.
Their romance is beautiful in its simplicity and its honesty, they fall fast and hard for each other but they're also aware of the wider repercussions. At first Wes is willing to stay in the closet and Justin is willing to live in the shadows.
I've said in the past how much Tal's books make me go OMG, so while I was expecting this book would be no different, I have to say I wasn't prepared for the gut punch I felt when that moment happened.
It's brutal and, sadly, all too common still even in this day. Wes' life is upended and the consequences of him falling in love seem to be beyond repair.
However, as this is a Tal book, he somehow manages to draw all the broken pieces back together in a way which isn't just relatable, but which feels honest and inevitable. The final few chapters are a hard-fought for victory which makes it all the sweeter.
I'd have loved an Epilogue a few years down the line but, even though these two young men are only 21, their commitment and love is fixed so deep that you know it will last any challenges it faces.
Very definitely one of my favourite books from Tal.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
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December 10, 2022
The Jock is book one in The Team series by Tal Bauer. This is my fourth book by this author I believe. You’d think by now I’d be prepared for the beauty of his words but I wasn’t. I fell madly in love with this book, with Wes and Justin. And I can’t wait to tell you about them.
Wes Van de Hoek grew up on a small ranch so far off the beaten path, you could barely find it on a map. They barely made enough money to scrape by. He worked hard on the ranch. Since he was a kid, he knew he was made for football, always larger than the other kids. He also always knew he was gay. But he kept that to himself. All through high school, he worked hard and received a full scholarship to the best university in Texas to play football. It was his ticket to get an education and make something more of himself.
It’s the summer before his Junior year. To knock out a credit for French, Wes got a scholarship for a study abroad program to spend three weeks in Paris. On his first day there when he walked in to his assigned room and met his new room mate, his world was turned upside down.
Justin Swanscott is a Junior and is working on his nursing degree. He’s been openly out since he was a teenager. He can’t believe his bad luck when the huge Texan football player walked in to his room wearing his cowboy hat. He can feel the derision already. Only it never came. He saw something else when he looked into the cowboy’s eyes. Kindness, and maybe interest!
“What Texan came to Paris and fell for a cowboy?”
Wes and Justin’s three weeks in Paris was magical. They fell in love. They had it all planned out when they returned to Texas and to school. But when reality set in, neither were prepared for it.
Wes is every bit the all American cowboy that you might imagine. He was polite, considerate, and so full of love for Justin. This year he has been named first string tight end and also team captain. The responsibility he carries is tremendous. His picture is everywhere, on billboards, on the sports news channels. The public wants him to win games. He feels responsible for his entire team, to help them win the championship, to obtain their NFL dreams. Without football, Wes would have no college. How was he ever supposed to carry everyone on his shoulders?
“His shoulders were only large enough to carry everyone else’s dreams, not his own.”
“How did he bring all these pieces of himself together?”
My heart broke for Wes. He wants to do the right thing for everyone else but in his own heart, he only wants one thing, to love Justin. These two might have been young but their love was real. I also loved watching the relationship between Justin and his dad grow stronger. His dad was absolutely amazing. I loved the relationship between Wes and his team mates as well. Especially the quarterback who is his best friend, Colton. They truly were a family. They might have their tough times but they found a way to overcome them and supported one another.
Which brings me to the next book, The Quarterback, which is Colton’s turn. I had something else entirely picked out to read next but once I was about half way through this book, I knew I wasn’t going to be ready to move on to something else. I need more of these characters. I did wish there was some sort of epilogue for Wes and Justin BUT they will be present in the next book so I can’t wait to see how they are doing. So on I go to book two. If you enjoy steamy, heart felt MM romance that will steal your heart and make you swoon, I hope you will consider giving this series a try!
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Wes Van de Hoek grew up on a small ranch so far off the beaten path, you could barely find it on a map. They barely made enough money to scrape by. He worked hard on the ranch. Since he was a kid, he knew he was made for football, always larger than the other kids. He also always knew he was gay. But he kept that to himself. All through high school, he worked hard and received a full scholarship to the best university in Texas to play football. It was his ticket to get an education and make something more of himself.
It’s the summer before his Junior year. To knock out a credit for French, Wes got a scholarship for a study abroad program to spend three weeks in Paris. On his first day there when he walked in to his assigned room and met his new room mate, his world was turned upside down.
Justin Swanscott is a Junior and is working on his nursing degree. He’s been openly out since he was a teenager. He can’t believe his bad luck when the huge Texan football player walked in to his room wearing his cowboy hat. He can feel the derision already. Only it never came. He saw something else when he looked into the cowboy’s eyes. Kindness, and maybe interest!
“What Texan came to Paris and fell for a cowboy?”
Wes and Justin’s three weeks in Paris was magical. They fell in love. They had it all planned out when they returned to Texas and to school. But when reality set in, neither were prepared for it.
Wes is every bit the all American cowboy that you might imagine. He was polite, considerate, and so full of love for Justin. This year he has been named first string tight end and also team captain. The responsibility he carries is tremendous. His picture is everywhere, on billboards, on the sports news channels. The public wants him to win games. He feels responsible for his entire team, to help them win the championship, to obtain their NFL dreams. Without football, Wes would have no college. How was he ever supposed to carry everyone on his shoulders?
“His shoulders were only large enough to carry everyone else’s dreams, not his own.”
“How did he bring all these pieces of himself together?”
My heart broke for Wes. He wants to do the right thing for everyone else but in his own heart, he only wants one thing, to love Justin. These two might have been young but their love was real. I also loved watching the relationship between Justin and his dad grow stronger. His dad was absolutely amazing. I loved the relationship between Wes and his team mates as well. Especially the quarterback who is his best friend, Colton. They truly were a family. They might have their tough times but they found a way to overcome them and supported one another.
Which brings me to the next book, The Quarterback, which is Colton’s turn. I had something else entirely picked out to read next but once I was about half way through this book, I knew I wasn’t going to be ready to move on to something else. I need more of these characters. I did wish there was some sort of epilogue for Wes and Justin BUT they will be present in the next book so I can’t wait to see how they are doing. So on I go to book two. If you enjoy steamy, heart felt MM romance that will steal your heart and make you swoon, I hope you will consider giving this series a try!
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
April 12, 2022
Full journey over here. My first Tal Bauer. Others have reviewed this book so well, I'm just going to say I have to read all of this author's books from now on.
November 24, 2022
OK... so I'm a bona-fide #Talthusiast. This is a fact, it is well known, and he is one of my 1-click authors who always gives me a great story to lose myself in.
This is Tal's first Sports Romance, with YOUNG MEN (21 years) and he KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK!
A ROLLERCOASTER OF FEELINGS: HOPE, HOPELESSNESS, ANGST, LOVE, DEVOTION AND SACRIFICE.
What I loved...
1.Justin: The nurse student/dancer who is out, proud, beautiful and Wes's dream come true. Justin can't believe his luck when he first lays his eyes on Wes. He thought Wes would be the stereotypical Texas Cowboy, but Wes turns out to be so far removed from that. #BetterThanMyImagination
2.Wes: Star football player, closeted and determined to stay that way to make everyone proud... until Justin. Justin shows him what being himself looks like. He gives him a taste of a life he thought he would never have and Wes grabs on to that with desperation. Wes is under a big amount of pressure, from himself, his teammates, his father and most of all his coach and it is that pressure that gets in the way of him finding his happiness and being true to himself. But Justin is different, he is more and he is everything. #CameOutOfNowhere
3. Three weeks in Paris, alone and free. I mean what's a better setting for a romance than the City of Love itself? Instead of seeing the sights and being tourists in their free time, Wes and Justin spend every available moment together, in each other's arms and fall gradually in love for the other. some would see that as a bit insta-lovey...but for me it works here because of two reasons: These guys ae young and it works, plus sometimes you know who the love of your life is from the moment you meet them. #WhoIReallyAm
4. Flirting in French. Gahhh it was all Mon amour and Je t'aime and all the French fried my brain. these boys were SO FREAKING SWEET AND ROMANTIC I CAN'T EVEN. #Swoonfest
5. Steam-o-meter: HIGH STEAM PEOPLE! Wes is a virgin and Justin gets all his firsts. Admittedly, this is Tal's steamiest book other than His First Time, and boy did he deliver! these guys went at it every chance they got... I mean they're' 21 so DUH! #PantiesWentPoof
6. Angst-o-meter: angst, angst and more angst. Tal Bauer cant write a fluffy book to save his life. and that's the way I like it! these guys go through so much. pining, hurt, blows from every which way but it hurts so good I can't even be mad. #TalBathesInOurTears
7. HEA: Tal comes through and ends it on a high-note. These boys deserve all the love and all the happiness. I love them so... #IWantMore
PS... PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF EVERYTHING TELL ME THESE GUYS GET MORE BOOKS!
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
This is Tal's first Sports Romance, with YOUNG MEN (21 years) and he KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK!
A ROLLERCOASTER OF FEELINGS: HOPE, HOPELESSNESS, ANGST, LOVE, DEVOTION AND SACRIFICE.
What I loved...
1.Justin: The nurse student/dancer who is out, proud, beautiful and Wes's dream come true. Justin can't believe his luck when he first lays his eyes on Wes. He thought Wes would be the stereotypical Texas Cowboy, but Wes turns out to be so far removed from that. #BetterThanMyImagination
2.Wes: Star football player, closeted and determined to stay that way to make everyone proud... until Justin. Justin shows him what being himself looks like. He gives him a taste of a life he thought he would never have and Wes grabs on to that with desperation. Wes is under a big amount of pressure, from himself, his teammates, his father and most of all his coach and it is that pressure that gets in the way of him finding his happiness and being true to himself. But Justin is different, he is more and he is everything. #CameOutOfNowhere
3. Three weeks in Paris, alone and free. I mean what's a better setting for a romance than the City of Love itself? Instead of seeing the sights and being tourists in their free time, Wes and Justin spend every available moment together, in each other's arms and fall gradually in love for the other. some would see that as a bit insta-lovey...but for me it works here because of two reasons: These guys ae young and it works, plus sometimes you know who the love of your life is from the moment you meet them. #WhoIReallyAm
4. Flirting in French. Gahhh it was all Mon amour and Je t'aime and all the French fried my brain. these boys were SO FREAKING SWEET AND ROMANTIC I CAN'T EVEN. #Swoonfest
5. Steam-o-meter: HIGH STEAM PEOPLE! Wes is a virgin and Justin gets all his firsts. Admittedly, this is Tal's steamiest book other than His First Time, and boy did he deliver! these guys went at it every chance they got... I mean they're' 21 so DUH! #PantiesWentPoof
6. Angst-o-meter: angst, angst and more angst. Tal Bauer cant write a fluffy book to save his life. and that's the way I like it! these guys go through so much. pining, hurt, blows from every which way but it hurts so good I can't even be mad. #TalBathesInOurTears
7. HEA: Tal comes through and ends it on a high-note. These boys deserve all the love and all the happiness. I love them so... #IWantMore
PS... PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF EVERYTHING TELL ME THESE GUYS GET MORE BOOKS!
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
April 9, 2021
I LOVE TAL BAUER.
I have and will read anything by this author. Every book, he delves into a new sub-genre and delivers.
The Jock is a contemporary sports MM romance.
The romance is charming; it has its tear-jerker moments and its big dramatic emotional moments. This book is very all-American, football, the team is a family * insert manly sound*. At the same time, it's soft, precious, and romantic—perfect over-the-top HEA.
I seriously love Wes Van de Hoek, the Texan cowboy, and his father. Great characters that resonate as old-school western personas; I mean, seriously, Wes was pulling out Justin's chairs, holding doors open, walking around Paris in his wranglers, ropers, and cowboy hat--Justin had no hope but to swoon at such a man. Romantic AF!
Recommending, 5 Stars.
I have and will read anything by this author. Every book, he delves into a new sub-genre and delivers.
The Jock is a contemporary sports MM romance.
The romance is charming; it has its tear-jerker moments and its big dramatic emotional moments. This book is very all-American, football, the team is a family * insert manly sound*. At the same time, it's soft, precious, and romantic—perfect over-the-top HEA.
I seriously love Wes Van de Hoek, the Texan cowboy, and his father. Great characters that resonate as old-school western personas; I mean, seriously, Wes was pulling out Justin's chairs, holding doors open, walking around Paris in his wranglers, ropers, and cowboy hat--Justin had no hope but to swoon at such a man. Romantic AF!
Recommending, 5 Stars.
April 19, 2021
The Jock was definitely an enjoyable read. This review is going to probably sound like I didn't like the story at all, but I promise you, I did. It was quite dramatical (yes, I know that's not a real word, but I use it anyway when talking about OTT drama), but enjoyable.
I liked both MC's, though they were a little too perfect together, and the predicament they found themselves in with Wes being closeted because of his football scholarship, and Justin being a more open guy. They're opposites in many respects, but Wes isn't a 'dumb jock', by any stretch. He's a dedicated student who wants to make a difference after college. Justin is a dancer, but also a nursing student, so he's also looking to make a difference. They were both just so nice. The smexy-times were plentiful and hot, too. No complaints on that front! Their dads both turn out to be supportive, as well, which I was pleased to see. No fragile masculinity to be found in either one.
Tal Bauer, though, can really write the mushiest of mush. So many 'you're my forever' and 'I love you's' and 'you're the love of my life' stuff, when these boys have barely even known each other for 10 minutes (ok, a few weeks). I'm kinda cynical, I suppose, but I found the declarations of forever -- so often and so soon -- to be over the top, and not entirely believable, especially considering they're both barely old enough to drink. I tried suspending my disbelief, I really did. I mean, this is Tal Bauer we're talking about and there is always cheese. But the cheese came with extra cheese and then some more, for good measure.
The build up to the inevitable ka-ploo-y felt just a touch long, as well. It was like every time they'd do something careless, which was a lot, I felt like I needed to hold my breath, but then it would be fine (ya know, until it wasn't). That, though, was just a bit of delicious torture, and I actually enjoyed it more than I let on. I do feel like it didn't need to go on as long as it did, but once the water broke, I was a bit taken by surprise by what did it.
What happened after that was entirely predictable -- and I'm gonna bitch a little bit in the spoiler tags -- . Everything does turn out ok, in the end, but goddamn.
I honestly could have done without the bit about Justin's mom, though. I didn't feel it was needed and it didn't add to the already tragic part of the story. For me, it was just too much and unnecessary. The only positive female character in this book is Wes's dead mom.
Even with all my niggles, I did still like the story. It might not be my favorite Tal Bauer story, and I doubt I'll ever read it again, but it was still a decent read.
I liked both MC's, though they were a little too perfect together, and the predicament they found themselves in with Wes being closeted because of his football scholarship, and Justin being a more open guy. They're opposites in many respects, but Wes isn't a 'dumb jock', by any stretch. He's a dedicated student who wants to make a difference after college. Justin is a dancer, but also a nursing student, so he's also looking to make a difference. They were both just so nice. The smexy-times were plentiful and hot, too. No complaints on that front! Their dads both turn out to be supportive, as well, which I was pleased to see. No fragile masculinity to be found in either one.
Tal Bauer, though, can really write the mushiest of mush. So many 'you're my forever' and 'I love you's' and 'you're the love of my life' stuff, when these boys have barely even known each other for 10 minutes (ok, a few weeks). I'm kinda cynical, I suppose, but I found the declarations of forever -- so often and so soon -- to be over the top, and not entirely believable, especially considering they're both barely old enough to drink. I tried suspending my disbelief, I really did. I mean, this is Tal Bauer we're talking about and there is always cheese. But the cheese came with extra cheese and then some more, for good measure.
The build up to the inevitable ka-ploo-y felt just a touch long, as well. It was like every time they'd do something careless, which was a lot, I felt like I needed to hold my breath, but then it would be fine (ya know, until it wasn't). That, though, was just a bit of delicious torture, and I actually enjoyed it more than I let on. I do feel like it didn't need to go on as long as it did, but once the water broke, I was a bit taken by surprise by what did it.
What happened after that was entirely predictable -- and I'm gonna bitch a little bit in the spoiler tags -- . Everything does turn out ok, in the end, but goddamn.
I honestly could have done without the bit about Justin's mom, though. I didn't feel it was needed and it didn't add to the already tragic part of the story. For me, it was just too much and unnecessary. The only positive female character in this book is Wes's dead mom.
Even with all my niggles, I did still like the story. It might not be my favorite Tal Bauer story, and I doubt I'll ever read it again, but it was still a decent read.
April 10, 2021
Probably the best book that I have ever read so far!! This completely floored me with the whole 400 pages. Aaand it didn’t dragged! All scenes were necessary for the characters growth. To be honest, I was little bit unsure diving into this because sports romance is a hit or miss for me. More on the miss actually. But then when Wes a true born cowboy from West Texas walked down the streets of Paris with his cowboy hat and doing this swoony romantic shit, I lost it. I was like this is it. I’m going to enjoy this and yes I did. Upcoming sports romances for this year should take pointers in this. Wes is undeniably a top tier character in the mm romance genre. He broke all stereotypes when it comes to jocks too! Bauer needs to write more in this category.
April 11, 2021
4.5 🌟
Wes and Justin. ❤️❤️❤️
Loved loved loved this book.
I didn’t know what to expect in a NA football romance from Tal Bauer, as it seems so far from his usual political suspenses. But it was ah-ma-zing.
And there is something about his writing, he makes everything vivid and real and addictive. Even football, a sport that makes no sense to me, no matter how patiently my husband explains it every Super Bowl. Or how many sports romances I read.
Was everything OTT and too intense? Yes.
The love at first sight
The Paris romance
The heartbreak
The drama
The hatred
The love and support
The HEA
Everything was bold and intense and too much and I loved it all.
The only thing that pissed me off was Coach. I expected better.
Both dads were amazing, especially Justin’s dad, I might have a little or a huge crush there. ❤️
Wes and Justin. ❤️❤️❤️
Loved loved loved this book.
I didn’t know what to expect in a NA football romance from Tal Bauer, as it seems so far from his usual political suspenses. But it was ah-ma-zing.
And there is something about his writing, he makes everything vivid and real and addictive. Even football, a sport that makes no sense to me, no matter how patiently my husband explains it every Super Bowl. Or how many sports romances I read.
Was everything OTT and too intense? Yes.
The love at first sight
The Paris romance
The heartbreak
The drama
The hatred
The love and support
The HEA
Everything was bold and intense and too much and I loved it all.
The only thing that pissed me off was Coach. I expected better.
Both dads were amazing, especially Justin’s dad, I might have a little or a huge crush there. ❤️
April 19, 2021
UGH! I really, really wanted to love this one. Sports themed books are among my favorite.
These were my problems with this one:
(1) Too long? Too wordy? Something.
(3) Too flowery (the writing) which made it come across as too sappy.
(4) a bit unrealistic if I am being honest. I didn't feel like how characters acted or scenes played out were honestly very realistic. The coach and players flipped to easily. Justin's dad seemed too OTT supportive.
I did finish this one, but ended up skimming a lot of it and just reading the dialogue. I think I just prefer Tal's romantic suspense?
These were my problems with this one:
(1) Too long? Too wordy? Something.
(3) Too flowery (the writing) which made it come across as too sappy.
(4) a bit unrealistic if I am being honest. I didn't feel like how characters acted or scenes played out were honestly very realistic. The coach and players flipped to easily. Justin's dad seemed too OTT supportive.
I did finish this one, but ended up skimming a lot of it and just reading the dialogue. I think I just prefer Tal's romantic suspense?
April 14, 2021
I loved this so much! 🥰 This was the sweetest, most romantic story I've ever read from Tal Bauer....until it wasn't. Then came the pain and fury I was looking for. 😒 To be fair though, it wasn't at all drawn out and I couldn't have asked for things to work out any better than they did.
This was TB's first on two fronts, new adult and sports, and I think he did an outstanding job. If you read this author's books, you know he can be a bit over the top and insta-love is also a thing. Suspend your disbelief at the door and enjoy the ride. And maybe this was a little insta but come on. It was Paris in the summer with Wes being a college kid who had never, ever allowed himself to be himself, and was always onstage, with all eyes on him. Anonymous for the first time in his life, maybe since he was a child. I completely bought it, and honestly I was as enchanted as he was. Justin had always been looking for someone who accepted him for who he was, on all levels, and didn't expect him to be anything other than that. Given how damn sweet Wes was, I didn't blame Justin at all for falling for him so quickly. I genuinely loved them both. 💕
I am a complete sucker for sports romances, always. Any sports, though fighters and hockey are my favorites. And I was born and raised in the South, where football really is king. But I don't love sports because I was raised to. I played, my kids played, my whole family played. I love sports for the sheer grit and heart that it takes to dedicate yourself to that sport, that a player has to have to succeed. I love it for the brotherhood, the family that you become when you play with people for a long time. Tal Bauer did a phenomenal job at portraying this. Both the good side of that and the bad, including the unreasonable pressure that is placed on players, the outrageous, sometimes actually terrifying expectation that fans can place on athletes. Then there's how invasive both those fans and the media can be. This is indeed the price of any kind of fame but sometimes it's too damn high. I also loved TB's play action description, he did an exceptional job here as well. I was as into those games as I would have been watching them and I made just as much noise, LOL!
There were some tears in this story, though not excessively so and they were absolutely appropriate. I shed a few of my own, though mine was rage. 🤬 There was also, I have to admit, a bit of cheese but I was perfectly ok with that. I was swooning just as hard as Wes & Justin were. Besides, I've always thought that all good romance is at least a tiny bit cheesy. 😏
This wasn't perfect, few stories are. However, it was as heartfelt and real as I could could want and that made it perfect for me. ❤❤
This was TB's first on two fronts, new adult and sports, and I think he did an outstanding job. If you read this author's books, you know he can be a bit over the top and insta-love is also a thing. Suspend your disbelief at the door and enjoy the ride. And maybe this was a little insta but come on. It was Paris in the summer with Wes being a college kid who had never, ever allowed himself to be himself, and was always onstage, with all eyes on him. Anonymous for the first time in his life, maybe since he was a child. I completely bought it, and honestly I was as enchanted as he was. Justin had always been looking for someone who accepted him for who he was, on all levels, and didn't expect him to be anything other than that. Given how damn sweet Wes was, I didn't blame Justin at all for falling for him so quickly. I genuinely loved them both. 💕
I am a complete sucker for sports romances, always. Any sports, though fighters and hockey are my favorites. And I was born and raised in the South, where football really is king. But I don't love sports because I was raised to. I played, my kids played, my whole family played. I love sports for the sheer grit and heart that it takes to dedicate yourself to that sport, that a player has to have to succeed. I love it for the brotherhood, the family that you become when you play with people for a long time. Tal Bauer did a phenomenal job at portraying this. Both the good side of that and the bad, including the unreasonable pressure that is placed on players, the outrageous, sometimes actually terrifying expectation that fans can place on athletes. Then there's how invasive both those fans and the media can be. This is indeed the price of any kind of fame but sometimes it's too damn high. I also loved TB's play action description, he did an exceptional job here as well. I was as into those games as I would have been watching them and I made just as much noise, LOL!
There were some tears in this story, though not excessively so and they were absolutely appropriate. I shed a few of my own, though mine was rage. 🤬 There was also, I have to admit, a bit of cheese but I was perfectly ok with that. I was swooning just as hard as Wes & Justin were. Besides, I've always thought that all good romance is at least a tiny bit cheesy. 😏
This wasn't perfect, few stories are. However, it was as heartfelt and real as I could could want and that made it perfect for me. ❤❤
April 13, 2021
6 fucking stars
August 13, 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Oh Justin you break my heart.
Omg really, Justin? That’s how you came out to your parents? If I was your mom I’d be beyond pissed, not because you’re gay but because you put yourself in danger. 🤦🏼♀️
Is it worse to be yourself and judged relentlessly? Or is it worse to hide everything you’ve always wanted?
Man this writer really knows how to paint a pretty picture. Maybe even dare I say too pretty? Don’t get me wrong, I love poetic prose but not a hundred pages of it.
Damn! Talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place. I feel for both of them and I can’t imagine either of them handling it any other way. It’s a shame this country isn’t more progressive, France has always been head and shoulders above the rest in this regard.
This is a brilliant representation of the injustices that surround the LGBTQ community. It’s maddening, horrifying and heartbreaking, especially in all it’s reality. It’s easy to say you’re only angry because he lied. It’s easy for you to feel justice in your pain but your pain is nothing compared to his total decimation.
Honestly I fucking hate bigots with a passion! I don’t normally believe in reincarnation but if it’s real I hope they come back as the worst treated version of what they hate, belittle and do their damndest to destroy.
Omfg! The moment he just took the sack, I don’t fucking understand that kind of stupidity. I’m especially curious how the next book comes into play. How quickly will he eat his own words? ☹️😤
Holy shit! How can you not love Nick?! - “Nick shoved off of Colton and faced the rest of the team. He was maybe one-eighty, just under six feet, but he squared off against them like he was three times Wes’s size.”
Seriously, I think I’m head over heels in love with Nick. He at least gets the dad of a lifetime award.
I think this is the first sports romance that was just as heavy on the sport as the romance and I can appreciate that. Especially when they played Mississippi again.
Sometimes when something breaks it can be rebuilt, at times rebuilt stronger than it was to begin with.
(On a little side note, when I googled best tight ends, at the all time top spot I found Tony Gonzalez and the current top spot went to Travis Kelce. Both play(ed) for Kansas City. Kinda cool for a KC girl)
Oh Justin you break my heart.
Omg really, Justin? That’s how you came out to your parents? If I was your mom I’d be beyond pissed, not because you’re gay but because you put yourself in danger. 🤦🏼♀️
Is it worse to be yourself and judged relentlessly? Or is it worse to hide everything you’ve always wanted?
Man this writer really knows how to paint a pretty picture. Maybe even dare I say too pretty? Don’t get me wrong, I love poetic prose but not a hundred pages of it.
Damn! Talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place. I feel for both of them and I can’t imagine either of them handling it any other way. It’s a shame this country isn’t more progressive, France has always been head and shoulders above the rest in this regard.
This is a brilliant representation of the injustices that surround the LGBTQ community. It’s maddening, horrifying and heartbreaking, especially in all it’s reality. It’s easy to say you’re only angry because he lied. It’s easy for you to feel justice in your pain but your pain is nothing compared to his total decimation.
Honestly I fucking hate bigots with a passion! I don’t normally believe in reincarnation but if it’s real I hope they come back as the worst treated version of what they hate, belittle and do their damndest to destroy.
Omfg! The moment he just took the sack, I don’t fucking understand that kind of stupidity. I’m especially curious how the next book comes into play. How quickly will he eat his own words? ☹️😤
Holy shit! How can you not love Nick?! - “Nick shoved off of Colton and faced the rest of the team. He was maybe one-eighty, just under six feet, but he squared off against them like he was three times Wes’s size.”
Seriously, I think I’m head over heels in love with Nick. He at least gets the dad of a lifetime award.
I think this is the first sports romance that was just as heavy on the sport as the romance and I can appreciate that. Especially when they played Mississippi again.
Sometimes when something breaks it can be rebuilt, at times rebuilt stronger than it was to begin with.
(On a little side note, when I googled best tight ends, at the all time top spot I found Tony Gonzalez and the current top spot went to Travis Kelce. Both play(ed) for Kansas City. Kinda cool for a KC girl)
May 4, 2021
This was very, very enjoyable. More than I thought when I realized the ages of the MCs. Tal has his cheesy moments: too many ILYs and a bit insta-lovey, but this is balanced well by the angst he delivered.
And kudos to awesome dads!
And kudos to awesome dads!
August 11, 2021
this was not a perfect read, but still a highly satisfying one.
the two leads, Wes and Justin, were amazingly realized and fleshed-out, which made the read so much more enjoyable for me. some of the plot stuff was a bit silly at times, but the characters and dialogue still kept me invested and interested in what was happening in the story.
i wish there had been some resolution with Wes’ attack, too; it felt a bit gratuitous to me otherwise.
overall, i really enjoyed this and will be checking out more of this author’s work asap.
the two leads, Wes and Justin, were amazingly realized and fleshed-out, which made the read so much more enjoyable for me. some of the plot stuff was a bit silly at times, but the characters and dialogue still kept me invested and interested in what was happening in the story.
i wish there had been some resolution with Wes’ attack, too; it felt a bit gratuitous to me otherwise.
overall, i really enjoyed this and will be checking out more of this author’s work asap.
May 28, 2024
All the stars in the universe for Wes and this book.
Ever since I read Gravity I knew there was going to be some sort of angst if it was a Tal Bauer book, like I knew and I thought I was prepared but I have to say I was not.
Wes Van de Hoek IS THE BOOK BOYFRIEND, this huge, silent, shy perfect cowboy football player won my heart since page 1, the way he was and acted and behaved throughout the whole book just made him more real and I just wanted to stop reading and at the same time continue just to see how and if he was going to get his HEA, I mean I knew he would but there were so many angsty moments that I started to doubt it.
His relationship with Justin was beautiful from the beginning, how they fell in love, in Paris of all places and then how they continued to be together even with all the struggles and secrecy that it entailed they pushed because they knew they were it, they were the love of each other lives and you could see it, you could actually feel their love. So of course, when all went to shit I was so emotionally invested that I had to stop and properly ugly cry about these fictional Texan men.
Nobody writes romance + angst like Tal Bauer! and I am so glad I finally read this book and that ending my god I could cry again just remembering it.
October 30, 2023
Love this beautiful story between a gentle giant and his dancer. Equally romantic and moving. Such a perfect sports romance.
April 13, 2021
I was so engrossed in writing, I really don't care if they only fell in love in a few weeks, I live for it! I laughed, I cried, I got angry and hearts came out of my eyes.
Wes is gentleman, cowboy (and when he has his hat🥵), kind, cuddly, caring, and puts his team before his feelings or used to before Justin.
"I think the are a whole oceans inside of you"
"You can dive into every one"
Their relationship deepens throughout the book and I loved it, with the steamy scenes🥵.
Wes, I adore you. I'm going to obsess over you, okay?🥰 You are such a beautiful being and I loved how he is so attentive to Justin.
I also really liked Justin, he's just as good, and I loved how he helped Wes learn more about himself and other things. And i love how the relationship between Justin and his father grew. I loved how they were there for each other, being part of their dreams.
The coach thing pissed me off, put a lot of pressure on him, and in the end he didn't try to talk to Wes about it😤.
My niggles: I would have liked to have a little more moments with the team, to see their connection off the field. I'm shocked at how Justin came out, I'm not going to lie.
PS: Wes, I will never forget you🥰🤭.
And I just found out that the author did not put an epilogue because there may be more stories in the future. Mood: Screaming🤭
Highly recommended.
Wes is gentleman, cowboy (and when he has his hat🥵), kind, cuddly, caring, and puts his team before his feelings or used to before Justin.
"I think the are a whole oceans inside of you"
"You can dive into every one"
Their relationship deepens throughout the book and I loved it, with the steamy scenes🥵.
Wes, I adore you. I'm going to obsess over you, okay?🥰 You are such a beautiful being and I loved how he is so attentive to Justin.
I also really liked Justin, he's just as good, and I loved how he helped Wes learn more about himself and other things. And i love how the relationship between Justin and his father grew. I loved how they were there for each other, being part of their dreams.
The coach thing pissed me off, put a lot of pressure on him, and in the end he didn't try to talk to Wes about it😤.
My niggles: I would have liked to have a little more moments with the team, to see their connection off the field. I'm shocked at how Justin came out, I'm not going to lie.
PS: Wes, I will never forget you🥰🤭.
And I just found out that the author did not put an epilogue because there may be more stories in the future. Mood: Screaming🤭
Highly recommended.
August 8, 2021
I absolutely adored this, couldn't put it down last night, had to force myself to to sleep. This is my probably my favorite Bauer book since Enemies of the State, which is saying something as I've loved almost every Bauer book.
This was so exciting and new and fresh from him. And yeah, we've all ready sports romances again and again and again, but Bauer made this unique in all the right ways, to give it a bit of a revival, you could say. Or he just made it a sports romance but not a generic one.
Wes is a rising football star in Texas when he goes to Paris for 3 weeks to take classes abroad and get the equivalent of a year of French for college out of the way.
Justin just so happens to be there for the program as well, and is his roommate for these three weeks. He also goes to the same university as Wes, and they're in the same year at the college, the same age, they've just never met before.
They meet here. Interestingly enough, for 2 years they lived on the same college campus and never met, and then they both go thousands and thousands of miles away to Paris, across the ocean, and that's where they meet.
They hit it off right away, and they find themselves wanting to hang out together and see Paris sights together then go to other places on their own. They captivate each other.
And when Wes, a sweet, kind small town southern boy who has been in the closet all his life, gets the courage to kiss Justin, who grew up in the city and came out to his parents when he was 16, and is out in general, things change permanently for these two budding lovers.
For the rest of the two weeks or so in Paris, they're together, and it doesn't take long for them to fall deeply in love. Their's is a lightning in a bottle romance, a once in a lifetime, a forever romance.
There's just one problem. Wes isn't out in Texas, he plays football, where no one is out in the NCAA, and barely anyone is out who played in the NFL, and he's the big star. So much is riding on him, and that's a lot of pressure.
When they get back, reality crashes in and things change, but after some struggle - which I found completely understandable on both sides. These are two young 20 year olds, they're going to make mistakes - they find their way back to each other, but still have to date in absolute secret.
As they fall deeper and deeper in love, pressure mounts more and more for Wes as the absolute star of his college football team. But Wes just wants so much to love Justin.
And when things happen that force their hand, shit goes down. Wes . And I don't like how anyone other than Justin acted with it. Not even Colton, Wes' teammate and best friend.
I love that they came around, yes. But I hated how they made it all about them, and didn't even stop to consider .
All that to say it didn't detract or anything, no need to give this lesser stars for all that. Because as much as they pissed me off, I did feel that their reactions for very human and very real. I could totally see that happening in real life. Which sucks! But still, realistic reactions, I felt.
The writing in this was just so good, and Wes and Justin just both remained my absolute favorites throughout this. I loved them immensely and couldn't get enough of them, so much so that I felt a teensy bit like "wait why you end it here?!" at the very end because I just wanted more, more, more with these two.
I wouldn't mind a second book with them, or even just little extra snippets of their life together. I loved them too much to want to let them go after this book. Pwetty pweese *bats eyes*
So definitely two MASSive thumbs up from me, and I HIGHLY recommend this. I absolutely loved it, loved it, loved it.
Perfect 5 stars for me, and I'd give it more if I could! <333
This was so exciting and new and fresh from him. And yeah, we've all ready sports romances again and again and again, but Bauer made this unique in all the right ways, to give it a bit of a revival, you could say. Or he just made it a sports romance but not a generic one.
Wes is a rising football star in Texas when he goes to Paris for 3 weeks to take classes abroad and get the equivalent of a year of French for college out of the way.
Justin just so happens to be there for the program as well, and is his roommate for these three weeks. He also goes to the same university as Wes, and they're in the same year at the college, the same age, they've just never met before.
They meet here. Interestingly enough, for 2 years they lived on the same college campus and never met, and then they both go thousands and thousands of miles away to Paris, across the ocean, and that's where they meet.
They hit it off right away, and they find themselves wanting to hang out together and see Paris sights together then go to other places on their own. They captivate each other.
And when Wes, a sweet, kind small town southern boy who has been in the closet all his life, gets the courage to kiss Justin, who grew up in the city and came out to his parents when he was 16, and is out in general, things change permanently for these two budding lovers.
For the rest of the two weeks or so in Paris, they're together, and it doesn't take long for them to fall deeply in love. Their's is a lightning in a bottle romance, a once in a lifetime, a forever romance.
There's just one problem. Wes isn't out in Texas, he plays football, where no one is out in the NCAA, and barely anyone is out who played in the NFL, and he's the big star. So much is riding on him, and that's a lot of pressure.
When they get back, reality crashes in and things change, but after some struggle - which I found completely understandable on both sides. These are two young 20 year olds, they're going to make mistakes - they find their way back to each other, but still have to date in absolute secret.
As they fall deeper and deeper in love, pressure mounts more and more for Wes as the absolute star of his college football team. But Wes just wants so much to love Justin.
And when things happen that force their hand, shit goes down. Wes . And I don't like how anyone other than Justin acted with it. Not even Colton, Wes' teammate and best friend.
I love that they came around, yes. But I hated how they made it all about them, and didn't even stop to consider .
All that to say it didn't detract or anything, no need to give this lesser stars for all that. Because as much as they pissed me off, I did feel that their reactions for very human and very real. I could totally see that happening in real life. Which sucks! But still, realistic reactions, I felt.
The writing in this was just so good, and Wes and Justin just both remained my absolute favorites throughout this. I loved them immensely and couldn't get enough of them, so much so that I felt a teensy bit like "wait why you end it here?!" at the very end because I just wanted more, more, more with these two.
I wouldn't mind a second book with them, or even just little extra snippets of their life together. I loved them too much to want to let them go after this book. Pwetty pweese *bats eyes*
So definitely two MASSive thumbs up from me, and I HIGHLY recommend this. I absolutely loved it, loved it, loved it.
Perfect 5 stars for me, and I'd give it more if I could! <333
Shelved as 'dnf'
April 18, 2021DNF @ 34%
I wasn’t feeling this. It was too instalove for me with their first encounter in Paris and then too much inner dialogue afterwards. I went back into my shelf and saw that with the book I read by this author, The Murder Between Us, I had a similar feelings going on. So, I thought maybe that this is his writing style and it’s not for me. I’m putting it on my DNF shelf for now, but I might revisit after some of my friends have read it if they have good things to say...
I wasn’t feeling this. It was too instalove for me with their first encounter in Paris and then too much inner dialogue afterwards. I went back into my shelf and saw that with the book I read by this author, The Murder Between Us, I had a similar feelings going on. So, I thought maybe that this is his writing style and it’s not for me. I’m putting it on my DNF shelf for now, but I might revisit after some of my friends have read it if they have good things to say...
Read
January 24, 2022Review removed.
September 12, 2024
~3.5~
This book is two things: Insta Love and all the together-forever declarations that come with it and Drama (with a capital D).
Oh, and American football, lots and lots of football, so I guess that's three things.
I absolutely adored Wes. He's such a good guy, always thinking about everyone but himself.
Now Justin I liked less. He's brash, proud, and quick to blame.
These guys are 21, so I believed the strong attraction and love at first sight. Everything feels so big and possible at that age. I can't fault Wes and Justin for wanting to spend all their time together, but I did roll my eyes at their efforts to be discreet. Kissing in the middle of Paris, making out in school parking lots ... lol, you might as well shout it from the rooftops.
The drama arrived when Wes was outed. His best friend and the quarterback, Colton, and the rest of the team were absolute asshats. They were so angry that West was "keeping secrets."
Well, guess what? No one owes you details about their sexual orientation. I don't see straight people announcing they're straight. It's PRIVATE and not for public consumption. Why the fuck is this so hard for people to understand?
I'm miffed that the attack on Wes was pretty much brushed aside. Wes was playing football a few days after being hit by a truck, beaten up, left for dead, life flighted, and IN A COMA. Medical miracle for the ages!
There is no investigation into the violent attack. Wes is the number one college football player in the nations, and the police don't even show up to ask questions? Like, what?
It's safe to say I prefer Tal Bauer's romantic suspense novels, but that's not going to stop me from reading the second book in The Team series.
This book is two things: Insta Love and all the together-forever declarations that come with it and Drama (with a capital D).
Oh, and American football, lots and lots of football, so I guess that's three things.
I absolutely adored Wes. He's such a good guy, always thinking about everyone but himself.
Now Justin I liked less. He's brash, proud, and quick to blame.
These guys are 21, so I believed the strong attraction and love at first sight. Everything feels so big and possible at that age. I can't fault Wes and Justin for wanting to spend all their time together, but I did roll my eyes at their efforts to be discreet. Kissing in the middle of Paris, making out in school parking lots ... lol, you might as well shout it from the rooftops.
The drama arrived when Wes was outed. His best friend and the quarterback, Colton, and the rest of the team were absolute asshats. They were so angry that West was "keeping secrets."
Well, guess what? No one owes you details about their sexual orientation. I don't see straight people announcing they're straight. It's PRIVATE and not for public consumption. Why the fuck is this so hard for people to understand?
I'm miffed that the attack on Wes was pretty much brushed aside. Wes was playing football a few days after being hit by a truck, beaten up, left for dead, life flighted, and IN A COMA. Medical miracle for the ages!
There is no investigation into the violent attack. Wes is the number one college football player in the nations, and the police don't even show up to ask questions? Like, what?
It's safe to say I prefer Tal Bauer's romantic suspense novels, but that's not going to stop me from reading the second book in The Team series.
October 15, 2023
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes & tags down below.
He was risking everything. His past, his future, and even his now, reaching for a kiss based on one week of stolen glances and sideways looks and a frisson underneath his skin he couldn’t scratch away.
I had some of this book spoiled before reading (on purpose), so from the first page I was anticipating heartbreak. That, coupled with the beautiful, somehow wistful writing, had me on the verge of tears right from the start. Tal Bauer’s writing is just on a different level altogether. I’ve read so many good books, had the pleasure of reading the work of brilliant authors, but coming back to Tal anything just makes me go ‘Ah okay, that’s what great writing looks like.’
Maybe, once all his friends were set in their star-studded futures, when they were living in the worlds they drew on their bedroom ceilings every night, he could raise his eyes and take a look at the things he’d stiff-armed away.
The way you end up connecting with his characters is unreal. My heart broke for the MC who messed up, just as it broke for the ‘wronged’ MC. There were no winners, just heartbroken boys, and I cried buckets pretty much up until 50%, and then again later on. It’s a really beautiful story, and one of very few books I would actually want to see made into a movie, if done right (very big ‘if’).
Glory had never been what he wanted. He wanted a future. He wanted to see his dad smile as Wes walked across that stage and accepted his college diploma. He wanted to love a man and be loved in return.
The book is very well balanced between sports and romance, and I felt like each part enhanced the other. It deals massively with the bond between teammates and how important trust is, which I loved, and at the same time is the source of the only criticism I have. I felt like the ‘big blow up’ was a bit out of proportion from what I expected, and especially Colton’s reaction. I am very glad they figured out they were being idiots and that they apologized. I’m just sad about what had to happen for them to realize.
I actually read The Quarterback months ago, and didn’t really get a good feel for/first impression of Justin in that. Thankfully he was nothing like I sort of expected or feared. He’s just a tiny bit of a drama queen, lol. Interestingly, when a friend was reading this book this summer and told me about Colton’s behavior, I was like ‘Huh? not my Colton. He is a sweetheart who can do no wrong.’ Turns out, if I had read The Jock first, I would have disliked Colton quite a lot, most likely. I guess it goes to show Tal can write multifaceted characters with actual growth.
It also turns out that my ‘I don’t like sports romance’ comments don’t really count when Tal Bauer is the one writing them. I would read them all. I also want everyone to know that I made myself cry all over again when reading and picking out highlights for this review, lol.
“Is there any epic love story that isn’t tragic?” “Ours.” Wes smiled. “It’s not gonna be tragic. It’s gonna be epic.”
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
College romance
Closeted MC
College football
Cowboy
Dancer
Virgin MC
First times
Sports romance
Size difference
Second chance
⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Brief mentions of religious bigotry
Outed without consent
Violent attack/hate crime
Hospitalization
Homophobia
Vomiting
Explicit sexual content
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: One MC goes on a date with someone else while they’re broken up. Only cheek kisses.
Breakup: Yes
POV: 3rd person, dual POV
Genre: Contemporary romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
I could fall in love with you, if I let myself. It was Paris, and it was summertime, and it was the wrong place and the wrong time. He wasn’t ready for this yet, wasn’t ready for his heart to catapult out of his chest and chase this man, crave him. He wasn’t ready to fall in love. But there was this guy named Justin, and it seemed Wes didn’t have a choice in the matter, because he was already on the way.
[…] I don’t know how to live with loving you like this. It will fade eventually, right? Because right now it feels like I’ll love you for the rest of my life, and I’ll just have to learn to live with this hole in my chest forever.”
He was risking everything. His past, his future, and even his now, reaching for a kiss based on one week of stolen glances and sideways looks and a frisson underneath his skin he couldn’t scratch away.
I had some of this book spoiled before reading (on purpose), so from the first page I was anticipating heartbreak. That, coupled with the beautiful, somehow wistful writing, had me on the verge of tears right from the start. Tal Bauer’s writing is just on a different level altogether. I’ve read so many good books, had the pleasure of reading the work of brilliant authors, but coming back to Tal anything just makes me go ‘Ah okay, that’s what great writing looks like.’
Maybe, once all his friends were set in their star-studded futures, when they were living in the worlds they drew on their bedroom ceilings every night, he could raise his eyes and take a look at the things he’d stiff-armed away.
The way you end up connecting with his characters is unreal. My heart broke for the MC who messed up, just as it broke for the ‘wronged’ MC. There were no winners, just heartbroken boys, and I cried buckets pretty much up until 50%, and then again later on. It’s a really beautiful story, and one of very few books I would actually want to see made into a movie, if done right (very big ‘if’).
Glory had never been what he wanted. He wanted a future. He wanted to see his dad smile as Wes walked across that stage and accepted his college diploma. He wanted to love a man and be loved in return.
The book is very well balanced between sports and romance, and I felt like each part enhanced the other. It deals massively with the bond between teammates and how important trust is, which I loved, and at the same time is the source of the only criticism I have. I felt like the ‘big blow up’ was a bit out of proportion from what I expected, and especially Colton’s reaction. I am very glad they figured out they were being idiots and that they apologized. I’m just sad about what had to happen for them to realize.
I actually read The Quarterback months ago, and didn’t really get a good feel for/first impression of Justin in that. Thankfully he was nothing like I sort of expected or feared. He’s just a tiny bit of a drama queen, lol. Interestingly, when a friend was reading this book this summer and told me about Colton’s behavior, I was like ‘Huh? not my Colton. He is a sweetheart who can do no wrong.’ Turns out, if I had read The Jock first, I would have disliked Colton quite a lot, most likely. I guess it goes to show Tal can write multifaceted characters with actual growth.
It also turns out that my ‘I don’t like sports romance’ comments don’t really count when Tal Bauer is the one writing them. I would read them all. I also want everyone to know that I made myself cry all over again when reading and picking out highlights for this review, lol.
“Is there any epic love story that isn’t tragic?” “Ours.” Wes smiled. “It’s not gonna be tragic. It’s gonna be epic.”
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
College romance
Closeted MC
College football
Cowboy
Dancer
Virgin MC
First times
Sports romance
Size difference
Second chance
⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Brief mentions of religious bigotry
Outed without consent
Violent attack/hate crime
Hospitalization
Homophobia
Vomiting
Explicit sexual content
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: One MC goes on a date with someone else while they’re broken up. Only cheek kisses.
Breakup: Yes
POV: 3rd person, dual POV
Genre: Contemporary romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
I could fall in love with you, if I let myself. It was Paris, and it was summertime, and it was the wrong place and the wrong time. He wasn’t ready for this yet, wasn’t ready for his heart to catapult out of his chest and chase this man, crave him. He wasn’t ready to fall in love. But there was this guy named Justin, and it seemed Wes didn’t have a choice in the matter, because he was already on the way.
[…] I don’t know how to live with loving you like this. It will fade eventually, right? Because right now it feels like I’ll love you for the rest of my life, and I’ll just have to learn to live with this hole in my chest forever.”
April 7, 2022
Look, everyone seems to love this book, so I'm just going to be the bad guy here, because I really and I mean really, really, didn't like this book. Not even a little. Honestly, I don't even know why I kept on reading it. I probably should've DNF:ed it somewhere along the whole "I'm breaking up with you for your sake, debacle".
The jock is drama, upon drama, upon drama sprinkled with long inner monologues and two main characters feeling bad for themselves for way too long. Add overdramatic teammates (seriously!!), homophobia, a gay bashing, a bit of fanatic religion and a coach who never should've been a coach and you've got this book. Seriously, every single person in this book was an ahole at one point or the other and the author threw in all of the horrible things that could happen to a gay person just to add some drama. And then there was the POV shifts. Did I read it from Wes's POV? Justin's POV? Someone random's POV? Yeah, no.
I think me and this author has to break up. It's not me, it's the author.
The jock is drama, upon drama, upon drama sprinkled with long inner monologues and two main characters feeling bad for themselves for way too long. Add overdramatic teammates (seriously!!), homophobia, a gay bashing, a bit of fanatic religion and a coach who never should've been a coach and you've got this book. Seriously, every single person in this book was an ahole at one point or the other and the author threw in all of the horrible things that could happen to a gay person just to add some drama. And then there was the POV shifts. Did I read it from Wes's POV? Justin's POV? Someone random's POV? Yeah, no.
I think me and this author has to break up. It's not me, it's the author.
October 4, 2024
Re-read October 4, 2024
Re-read August 17, 2023 (I needed a pick-me-up...it worked)
Re-read January 14, 2023
Re-read July 14, 2022.
I still loved it.
I loved everything about this book. Wes and Justin were amazing and so complete as a couple. I laughed with them, cried with them and rejoiced their successes along with them. This is a beautiful story. I loved it. It's definitely one of my all time favorites I've read, and that really says a lot.
On a side note: thanks to my Goodreads friends for their amazing thoughts and reviews on this book. I'm not a big fan of reading about sports and probably wouldn't have read it. But thanks to you, I have this one a shot and I loved it. 💜
5+ stars
Re-read August 17, 2023 (I needed a pick-me-up...it worked)
Re-read January 14, 2023
Re-read July 14, 2022.
I still loved it.
I loved everything about this book. Wes and Justin were amazing and so complete as a couple. I laughed with them, cried with them and rejoiced their successes along with them. This is a beautiful story. I loved it. It's definitely one of my all time favorites I've read, and that really says a lot.
On a side note: thanks to my Goodreads friends for their amazing thoughts and reviews on this book. I'm not a big fan of reading about sports and probably wouldn't have read it. But thanks to you, I have this one a shot and I loved it. 💜
5+ stars
April 18, 2021
I went from wanting to DNF to starting feeling engaged only to lose interest again. Way too SAPPY for my tastes. And too insta-lovey (come on, it was only three weeks). After I managed to get over the 25% mark, I started really liking it. It was short lived, though. Almost the entire second part is full of football details, internal monologues, more sappiness and a lot of angst that had nothing to do with the relationship part. I did not care for Wes's team or coach's change of heart (which I did not buy btw, they were assholes) and where did all this stuff with Justin's mom came from?
I'll go with three stars because it was a well written story. Just not my cuppa.
I'll go with three stars because it was a well written story. Just not my cuppa.
January 19, 2022
DNF
Why are they crying so much? 😑
Too insta love.
Over the top cheesiness. Yeeww.
What's with the cringe dialogues. Nobody talks like that in real life.
Just no.
Why are they crying so much? 😑
Too insta love.
Over the top cheesiness. Yeeww.
What's with the cringe dialogues. Nobody talks like that in real life.
Just no.
September 21, 2021
The Jock is an extra sweet MM romance that manages to be a different from the other sports romances I’ve read. While I don’t usually like insta-love, Wes and Justin were so beautiful together I made my peace with them being in love after
one week
in Paris. Their story was not about ‘how they fall in love’ but about ‘we are in love, now how do we make it worth?’
It was Paris, and it was summertime, and it was the wrong place and the wrong time. He wasn’t ready for this yet, wasn’t ready for his heart to catapult out of his chest and chase this man, crave him. He wasn’t ready to fall in love. But there was this guy named Justin, and it seemed Wes didn’t have a choice in the matter, because he was already on the way.
Yes, it’s cheesy, but there are a lot of tears, pain and fights too. My favourite aspect of the book was that, even though things that were happening were the same as in other sports romances, the structure was completely different. When you have read as many sports romances as I have, you recognize there are some patterns and every story falls into one of them. You know when it’s time for them to kiss, to have sex, to say I love you or to get out of the closet. While I don’t mind that, I highly appreciate The Jock being a breath of fresh air next to them.
I love reading MM romances written by gay authors and Tal Bauer made a fantastic job with this one. I fell in love with the fierce, blunt Justin who is not afraid to wear his heart in his sleeve and the quiet, loyal Wes who will choose Justin over everything, always.
“It’s like I have to put on different faces every hour, when the only face I want to wear is my own. The guy I was in Paris. The guy I am with you. Wes, who loves Justin.”
The writing was beautiful -and so sexy. Bauer shows that first times don’t have to be book-perfect to be hot, and the realism in them only makes them better. Also, I really enjoyed the evolution of the relationship between Justin and his dad. They started not getting along but ended up building something powerful between the two. Last but not least, it was the first time I've read book where the hero (Justin) is a ballet dancer and I LOVED it!
“Is there any epic love story that isn’t tragic?”
“Ours.” Wes smiled. “It’s not gonna be tragic. It’s gonna be epic.”
However, I had some issues with the book. First, the lack of epilogue -why authors still don’t get we readers want epilogues in romance? Is it so difficult to understand? The book ends in HFN, and I would understand that ending if the second book of the series were about them. But it’s not, so the epilogue is a must.
Second, the reaction of the team when they discover that Wes is gay. They went from hate to love in a matter of one event and it didn’t feel real. Finally, Wes saying he would choose Justin over his football career when they have just got together felt a bit too much. Or maybe I’m not as hopeless romantic as I thought I was.
Overall, The Jock is my first book by Tal Bauer but it won’t be my last. I recommend giving it a try if you are tired of reading the same type of MM sports romance. It’s hot, sweet, beautiful and full of great characters.
It was Paris, and it was summertime, and it was the wrong place and the wrong time. He wasn’t ready for this yet, wasn’t ready for his heart to catapult out of his chest and chase this man, crave him. He wasn’t ready to fall in love. But there was this guy named Justin, and it seemed Wes didn’t have a choice in the matter, because he was already on the way.
Yes, it’s cheesy, but there are a lot of tears, pain and fights too. My favourite aspect of the book was that, even though things that were happening were the same as in other sports romances, the structure was completely different. When you have read as many sports romances as I have, you recognize there are some patterns and every story falls into one of them. You know when it’s time for them to kiss, to have sex, to say I love you or to get out of the closet. While I don’t mind that, I highly appreciate The Jock being a breath of fresh air next to them.
I love reading MM romances written by gay authors and Tal Bauer made a fantastic job with this one. I fell in love with the fierce, blunt Justin who is not afraid to wear his heart in his sleeve and the quiet, loyal Wes who will choose Justin over everything, always.
“It’s like I have to put on different faces every hour, when the only face I want to wear is my own. The guy I was in Paris. The guy I am with you. Wes, who loves Justin.”
The writing was beautiful -and so sexy. Bauer shows that first times don’t have to be book-perfect to be hot, and the realism in them only makes them better. Also, I really enjoyed the evolution of the relationship between Justin and his dad. They started not getting along but ended up building something powerful between the two. Last but not least, it was the first time I've read book where the hero (Justin) is a ballet dancer and I LOVED it!
“Is there any epic love story that isn’t tragic?”
“Ours.” Wes smiled. “It’s not gonna be tragic. It’s gonna be epic.”
However, I had some issues with the book. First, the lack of epilogue -why authors still don’t get we readers want epilogues in romance? Is it so difficult to understand? The book ends in HFN, and I would understand that ending if the second book of the series were about them. But it’s not, so the epilogue is a must.
Second, the reaction of the team when they discover that Wes is gay. They went from hate to love in a matter of one event and it didn’t feel real. Finally, Wes saying he would choose Justin over his football career when they have just got together felt a bit too much. Or maybe I’m not as hopeless romantic as I thought I was.
Overall, The Jock is my first book by Tal Bauer but it won’t be my last. I recommend giving it a try if you are tired of reading the same type of MM sports romance. It’s hot, sweet, beautiful and full of great characters.
Shelved as 'dnf'
April 12, 2022I might come back to this one day but for now…DNF @ 26%
I haven’t picked it up since February 15th (the day I started it) and sometimes instead of clicking on it in my kindle i kinda just stare at, considering for a bit, and then I move on to something else.😅 The desire to read it just isn’t there for me rn.☹️😞 I have a hard time with insta everything and it feels a bit sappy to me and based on reviews I’ve read I’m not thrilled with where the story goes but maybe one day I’ll return. This is my first venture into this author’s books and I think his writing style takes a bit getting used to in my opinion. I was into this the day I started it and lesson learned - i should have never put it down because maybe I would have finished it lol. 🙃
I haven’t picked it up since February 15th (the day I started it) and sometimes instead of clicking on it in my kindle i kinda just stare at, considering for a bit, and then I move on to something else.😅 The desire to read it just isn’t there for me rn.☹️😞 I have a hard time with insta everything and it feels a bit sappy to me and based on reviews I’ve read I’m not thrilled with where the story goes but maybe one day I’ll return. This is my first venture into this author’s books and I think his writing style takes a bit getting used to in my opinion. I was into this the day I started it and lesson learned - i should have never put it down because maybe I would have finished it lol. 🙃
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