Reviewed by Elizabetta
TITLE: Straight from the Heart 
SERIES: Exception to the Rule, book 3
AUTHOR: Kimberly Gardner
PUBLISHER: Loose Id
LENGTH: 229 pages
BLURB:
College student Kyle diStefano is having trouble paying his tuition. So when he hears about a job as team mascot with the accompanying full scholarship it seems like the perfect solution. Except he knows nothing about football. But why should that stop him?
Known as the Big Cock on Campus, Dave Masterson never lets his antics with the ladies interfere with his true love, playing NCAA football. But when his coach suggests the team do some off-season conditioning at the ballet barre, most of the guys scoff. Only Dave takes him seriously.
With Dave’s knowledge of football and Kyle’s knowledge of ballet, it seems each has exactly what the other needs, except they play for different teams. Or do they?
Kyle knows one sure path to heartbreak is falling for the straight jock who’s teaching him the rules of the game. Dave falling for another man is going to mean nothing but trouble. But neither man can seem to help himself.
When a public display of affection casts doubt on Dave’s NFL dream, he is forced to make a choice. Stay with the game plan or call an audible straight from the heart.
REVIEW:
(note: this book can be read as a stand-alone)
I admit it. The cover hooked me *wipes off drool* and the storyline– ballet dancer and football player hook up– well, that was a draw too.
Dave is the star quarterback for his college team; he’s a hot contender for the Heisman Trophy and on his way to the NFL. When his coach informs him that taking some ballet classes will improve his playing, he grumpily goes along with the order.
Kyle is a dance major and is in serious need of help from someone knowledgable about football. Kyle desperately needs to win the team mascot position. It’ll also earn him a full scholarship and he really needs the help. But he knows nothing about football.
I’ve heard of football players studying dance to help with flexibility and agility on the field. Sounds like a cool idea. And the possibility of a romance between a jock and an artsy type sounds like fun, too. Dave and Kyle are two likable characters. In fact, their story is very sweet and light. There isn’t a lot about Dave working at the ballet barre… Well, there is one funny scene with Dave trying to get the ballet moves:
(Dave) “Arms on what?”
(Kyle) “En bas… Like this.”
(Dave) “Like this?”…
Kyle held his arms in low first position… considered how best to explain…
“Pretend you’re naked and all you’ve got to cover your man-parts is a football. And a nun walks by.”
Ha! Love Kyle, I think he’s the best part of this story. He is sweet and has a ready wit and seems capable of putting up with a lot from Dave. He’s a patient guy, it seems. It’s all fairly easy-going and mostly about how the straight Dave falls for the ‘out’ Kyle.
Of course Dave develops feelings for cutie-patootie Kyle. How can he not? And Kyle develops an instant crush on the hunky jock. There’s the usual problem of how football and being gay don’t mix and… what’s a guy to do? Dave, of course, finds himself having to choose between his dream career in professional football and Kyle.
So, there’s nothing really new or compelling here, it’s a very familiar gay-for-you trope in a new adult setting. There is a trans character– one of Kyle’s friends– but no sooner is this stated than that’s the last we hear of it. I commend it not being an ‘issue’ but was hoping for some sort of play on the topic. That may have added more interest to the plot.
Needless to say, I really missed the lack of any real tension or turmoil– it’s all a bit silly, really. Everything seems to work out easily for Dave and Kyle, but, man-o-man, that story ending is so abrupt! What the heck? Readers looking for an easy, light and fluffy story with a little bit of football action thrown in will probably catch the appeal of Straight from the Heart.
RATING: 
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Thank you for the review:)