Reviewed by Danielle

SERIES: Brian & Lexi

AUTHOR: Kate Aaron

PUBLISHER: Croft House

BOOK #1: ACE

LENGTH: 272 pages

BLURB: At twenty-two years old, World No.6 and England’s No.1, Brian Scagill has the tennis world at his feet. Last year’s semifinalist, this year Brian enters England’s biggest tournament determined to win. A Grand Slam on home turf is calling to him and he’s not going to let anything stand in the way of victory – certainly not a cute Croatian who doesn’t even play in the same league.

Fooling around with Lexi might be an easy distraction but the last thing Brian needs right now is to be distracted, and there’s more than this tournament at stake.

REVIEW:

This is the story of Brian and Lexi all the way. The story of being a gay athlete and finding your love in the contents of a supposedly all-straight sport world. Of dealing with attraction and especially the outlet around a man in the spotlight not only as a tennis player, but perhaps even more so being the centre of his “team” – his mother, his manager, his trainer…

When we meet Brian he’s playing one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world, a Grand Slam. Being highly ranked, there is quite a lot at stake, but Brian’s focus changes when he runs into Lexi, a lower-rated Croatian tennis player.

They hit it off instantly, pairing up (in more ways than one), playing tennis and Brian even invites Lexi to stay with him at his rented house when Lexi drops out of the tournament.

Finding himself experiencing feelings for the young tennis player, Brian has to deal with everything around that. His mother (hard to not dislike that character I tell you that) and his manager who only seem to be more concerned for his tennis career and his fame than for the person Brian is.

When Brian, without giving it any real thought, openly outs himself and Lexi in front of the public at the tennis court and on camera for the world to see, things really seem to get out of control fast.

Some much needed support is given by his dad and his coach but even with all their good intentions and Brian’s they cannot help Lexi running/being pushed away.

What we see happening then is the struggle of a man trying to find his way in life, having to make choices and searching for answers himself.

Reading this book will also give you a nice lessons in the game of tennis. Author Kate Aaron knows what she is talking about, teaching ground rules and game play during this book. Perhaps a bit too much if you are not into the game of tennis? Maybe, it depends on the reader I think.

What stands out is the struggle of a public name trying to get out of the pressure he is under, finding love in an unexpected place while learning and struggling to make a way through it. And finding part of himself along the way.

I do have to say the ending left me wanting a little more – feeling a bit unsatisfied, so to be honest I am happy I get to read the next book in the series right away.

RATING:

BUY LINKS: Amazon  ::  Are

BOOK #2: MATCH

LENGTH: 250 pages

BLURB: Whatever happened to Brian Scagill?

A year after his dramatic exit from England’s Grand Slam tournament, Brian has all but disappeared from the world of professional tennis, and doesn’t intend to return. He’s made a life for himself with fellow athlete Lexi Horvat, far removed from the dual pressures of fame and family.

A surprise wildcard might be his last chance to play on an international stage, and Brian’s life is thrown into tumult once again. This time, however, he’s not alone. Lexi has secured himself a place in the tournament, as has Jared, a young player the two men have been coaching. With his loved ones accompanying him, Brian agrees to play. Lexi promises they’ll take on the tournament together, as a team, but Brian knows better than anyone that on the grass, it’s every man for himself.

REVIEW:

Where I already liked the first book in this series,  I cannot say any differently than that I really liked this second part as well.

Author Kate Aaron brings us to Brian & Lexi’s life together in Florida and gives us a (much wanted) peek into their lives together there, how they are living.

Things seems to get shaken up when Brian gets a wildcard for THE grand slam, the last one he played at and where he and Lexi started. Furiously denying at first, he finally gives in, renting the same house, hiring the same people and bringing with him Lexi, both their coaches and youngster Jared, Lexi’s student he has been training and who has a shot at his first junior tournament.

Together they travel back to England.

Finding small obstacles like his mother, a former crush, even struggles with Lexi doesn’t seem to set Brian off, in fact it gives him more and more much needed inside in things.

We follow all the characters going through the tournament and the tennis lovers will also find statistics and tennis terms in this part of the story, where I also in this part have the feeling it is a bit too much.

But that couldn’t take away the love I felt reading this story.

The family aspect of this part of the story is huge. It gives you smiles and warm feelings, makes you cringe (mum), opens up possibilities and makes you want to ask questions and know more.

I mean Jamie and Cole? Or should I say Dan and Jamie if I didn’t misread some of the end of this book?

And young Jared who seemed to have found a friend (or more) inof young participant Ethan?

And will Brian eventually get Lexi to permanently move in with him in Tampa?

All these question and more ( believe me there are more :)) I hope to get answered by the author in the wish that she brings more of this story to the readers.

RATING:

BUY LINKS:  Are