Publisher: Dreamspinner
Publish Date: Out Now
How I got this book: eARC from publisher
Three years ago, cameraman Powell Perdue and quarterback Talbot Wojewódka called it quits, citing irreconcilable differences. Powell wanted to live honestly, while Talbot felt he couldn’t and still succeed in professional football. One knee surgery and a trade later, Talbot finds himself back in town and quarterbacking for the Raptors, a struggling expansion team. Powell’s also back, working as a cameraman for KJOC-TV, following two years in Amsterdam and a second failed relationship.
When an interview meant as a publicity play throws them into each other’s path, they’re forced to face a love that never quite died and wounds that never fully healed. For any hope at a win, they’ll have to change up the game. Talbot must brave walking through his closet door and into Powell’s arms, and Powell must risk his heart one more time by standing his ground and giving Talbot a second chance.
*Blurb from Goodreads*
I’m a sucker for sports romances, add in the m/m genre and if it’s done right, I am hopeless. I really liked the premise of this book, but I thought it was much too short.
Powell and Talbot were once lovers, but when Talbot refused to come out of the closet because of football career, Powell walked away from their relationship. After another failed romance, Powell returns home to lick his wounds. Little does he know that Talbot is back in town too, playing for the local professional football team.
When Talbot first sees Powell, he realizes that he isn’t over the man. But coming out of the closet when he is working for a new team is a career move he isn’t sure he’s willing to make. But every time they come in contact with one another, the sparks fly and soon neither will be able to let the other go. But will they be able to make a go of it, despite Talbot’s career and Powell’s fears?
While I enjoyed this book, my biggest complaint is that it was much too short. The novella didn’t really give enough time for the relationship between Powell and Talbot to develop. They left their relationship on some pretty negative terms when they broke things off, and the amount of pages didn’t really seem to allow for them to put aside their past hurts, and learn to trust one another again. I wanted to see them really appreciate one another instead of having such a quick happily ever after.
I liked Powell and Talbot as individuals. Powell was sweet and I loved his soft spirit. He was quiet and shy and a bit reserved, and I adored him because of it. I felt bad that he had to live his life in the closet when he was with Talbot the first time, and respected the fact that he refused to do it again. However, despite the big gesture Talbot gave at the end, I thought that Powell was a little too quick to forgive and forget the past.
I thought Talbot did the best with what he had. Early in his career, he was so scared to do anything that would harm his standing, and I could understand why. Being out and proud as a professional athlete is something that just isn’t done in this day and age, despite how much most of us wish it was. I understood his hesitance with coming out, and I was so sad that he had to live so many years denying who he really was. When he made his apology, I thought it was pretty epic and wonderful.
Despite the fact that I enjoyed both the heroes, I was a little disappointed with the development of their relationship. The book was very short, and for a second chance romance like this, I felt like there needed to be more time developing the trust between them that was broken the first time around. I would have liked to see them spend more time together, get to know one another again, instead of a few choice encounters before declaring their love for each other. It just felt rushed and a little hurried for me, which cast doubt on the romance itself.
All in all I liked the plot and characters of this book. However, I do wish that the romance aspect would have been more developed. I wanted to spend more time getting to see their relationship grow over time, instead of being rushed into a happily ever after that felt premature.
I give Audible a B-