Title: Him
Authors: Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy
They don’t play for the same team. Or do they?
Jamie Canning has never been able to figure out how he lost his closest friend. Four years ago, his tattooed, wise-cracking, rule-breaking roommate cut him off without an explanation. So what if things got a little weird on the last night of hockey camp the summer they were eighteen? It was just a little drunken foolishness. Nobody died.
Ryan Wesley’s biggest regret is coaxing his very straight friend into a bet that pushed the boundaries of their relationship. Now, with their college teams set to face off at the national championship, he’ll finally get a chance to apologize. But all it takes is one look at his longtime crush, and the ache is stronger than ever.
Jamie has waited a long time for answers, but walks away with only more questions—can one night of sex ruin a friendship? If not, how about six more weeks of it? When Wesley turns up to coach alongside Jamie for one more hot summer at camp, Jamie has a few things to discover about his old friend…and a big one to learn about himself.
Warning: contains sexual situations, skinnydipping, shenanigans in an SUV and proof that coming out to your family on social media is a dicey proposition.
Thoughts:
Let’s face it… it’s Elle Kennedy (first read for me by Sarina Bowen – won’t be the last)… I’m going to read it… add to that it’s a M/M and sports themed and friends-to-lovers and… well you get my drift… I was panting for an ARC of this one!!
The players for the book are Jamie, an all American guy who has a large family that loves him and only wants to see him succeed… at football not hockey – but they eventually get over that part. And Wes…. Oh Wes – he is sarcastic and witty and so in love with a guy that he thinks that he cannot have. All Wes wants is to be and accepted for who he is but his cold and controlling parents have made it clear that will never happen as far as they are concerned. Neither of these guys wore their hearts on their sleeves so of course that caused some minor angst but they felt an attraction and they acted on it and began to build something that not only excited but scared both of them… this coming-of-age M/M story was written expertly with a little humor, a little angst and a LOT of heat!!
Great supporting cast in this one!! The guys mentor and head of the camp Pat, Wes’ BFF from college Shawn Cassel, and the entire Canning family – these characters were real and loving and had the backs of both Jamie and Wes.
Keeping with the tradition of no spoilers in my reviews I will just say that this read has a heart-stopping HEA that I loved!! My only complaint… I read it too quick and I WANTED MORRRREEEE!
Happy Book Birthday to both Elle and Sarina!!
Grade: A+
