Playing For The Other Team

Title: Playing For The Other Team

Author: Sage C. Holloway

Publisher: Loose Id

Publishers URL: http://www.loose-id.com

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-68252-061-1

Genre: {M/M}, New Adult, Contemporary        

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Bryson, a high school senior, thought he would be enjoying his senior prom.  He did not think he would realize he was gay while watching Jasper dance.  Jasper has had a crush on Bryson since junior high but he never thought Bryson would come out to him while at the senior prom. 

Playing For The Other Team is a well written coming of age story that fans of the author, and those new to the genre, will not be able to put down.   Both boys are your typical teenagers.  Bryson is a well-liked athlete who has had some tough times at home.  Because of that he never really had the chance to figure out who he is, so when he realizes he’s gay, he is shocked and scared.  Jasper, also a senior, is an artist who knows what he wants.  He came out to his family years ago and has no plans of going back into the closet, not even for Bryson.  Bryson’s revelations lead both boys on a journey that has many twists and turns.  Along the way they learn more about themselves and each other. 

I really loved watching these two come together from the beginning.  When Bryson comes out to Jasper, I wanted to cry.  The confusion and uncertainty he is feeling comes through so clearly that it is easy to see them sitting in the stairwell as confessions are being made.  While Bryson accepts who he is easily, those around him have a harder time.  I was surprised by both Bryson’s mom and his best friend.  As for Jasper, I loved the way he is there for Bryson and, the way he arranges things with his parents in order to help Bryson’s mom was well done.  

Throughout the story, readers will be able to see the strong connection that exists between the two young men.  The author also does a good job bringing the passion between them across in a way that is believable.  You can’t help pulling for these two and, while the story ends well, I want to know what happens to them later on.  I would love to see a follow up to Playing For The Other Team, and hope the author has plans to revisit them at a later date.

Twofer

Title: Twofer

Author: Daisy Harris

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Publishers URL: https://www.samhainpublishing.com

ISBN/BIN: 9781619233669

Genre: {M/M}, New Adult           

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

ARC to be published 12/22/15

Two young men from different backgrounds head off to college and end up as roommates.  Eventually, they begin to fall in love, however, both men are bottoms and don’t think their relationship stands a chance.  Neither Frankie nor Jeremy were planning on finding a partner but now that they have, they search for a way to make their relationship last.

Twofer is another well written story by author Daisy Harris.  This story will easily pull the reader in, as college students Frankie and Jeremy struggle to figure out if what they have is something to fight for, or just a passing fancy.  These two men are totally different from each other in many ways.  Jeremy comes from a Midwestern background.  He’s not used to flashy and he’s too shy to go after the guy he has had a crush on since the start of school.  Frankie, on the other hand, is flashy to the point of flaming at times.  He has no problems of going after who he wants and does not care if that makes him look slutty.  When the two are thrown together as roommates, they have a bit of a rocky start.  Frankie eventually sees Jeremy as a project however, and sets out to get Jeremy laid. 

The two end up spending a lot of time together as Frankie sets out to give his roommate a makeover.  Along the way, between haircuts and new clothes, Frankie starts to have feelings for Jeremy.  The two men have one big problem that could be the end of their relationship before it even gets started.

I liked the journey the author sent these two on.  What starts out as a way to get rid of Jeremy’s virginity soon becomes something more.  That does not mean that it is all fun and games.  Feelings get in the way when the two decide that they need to find a third who will help Jeremy lose his virginity while keeping Frankie close so that Jeremy does not freak out.  All the confusion and hurt feelings are easy to understand when you remember just how young these two really are.  Of course that does not mean that these two don’t heat up the pages.  Between experimenting with toys and a partner swap later in the story, these two really keep things hopping.

Fans of Ms. Harris are sure to enjoy this newest book by the author and, if you are thinking of giving her a try, then Twofer is a great place to start.