Reviewed by Dan
TITLE: Roughing the Passer
AUTHOR: Alison Hendricks
PUBLISHER: LoveLight Press
LENGTH: 189 Pages
RELEASE DATE: October 24, 2016
BLURB:
They couldn’t be more different, and yet they might just be exactly what each other needs.
Garrett Barnes is no stranger to overcoming the odds. Forced to walk away from a Division I scholarship to take care of his family, Garrett was sure he’d never play football again. When an offer comes in from the ESC Mavericks–a school near his hometown–it seems like a dream come true. There’s only one catch: he’s expected to single-handedly save the worst team in the state.
Diego Ruiz has known his whole life that the deck is stacked against him. The harder he tries to fight it, the more it hurts when it knocks him back down. With a lifetime of disappointment to back him up, he’s stopped trying for anything more than mediocrity, both on and off the football field. If not for a promise he’d made years ago, he’d probably just be some nobody in a nowhere job.
So when Coach Ladner brings in some D1 “hero” to save the team, Diego is determined to show him exactly where hard work and perseverance get you–absolutely nowhere. Despite his best efforts, Garrett’s unwavering optimism starts to get under Diego’s skin. Caught on the verge of giving in, he relies on the one thing that’s never failed him: his ability to get curious straight boys into bed.
As the friction between them gives way to passion, the stakes of their former rivalry increase tenfold. With both men’s hearts–and a state title–on the line, there’s no time for playing games. But when Diego’s past comes back to remind him that everything eventually goes to hell, Garrett will have to convince him that some things are worth fighting for.
Roughing the Passer is a steamy, standalone gay romance novel with a HEA ending and no cliffhanger.
REVIEW:
I enjoyed this author’s first series and when I saw this spinoff notice on Facebook, I instantly bounced over to Amazon and hit one-click. Of course, I have Kindle Unlimited and it was free so it made it an even easier decision! But seriously, I would have purchased it otherwise, because her books are a fun read every time.
In Roughing the Passer, Ms. Hendricks has moved from the scene of her previous series to another school, this time the story is set at Eustice State College, a small Junior College, and the heroes are an unlikely pair.
Garrett Barnes had to leave his place at Florida State and his position on the Division 1 football team to help with his Dad, who is suffering from a degenerative spine disease. Back in his small central Florida home town, he is going to finish up school at the local Junior College and hopefully play football. He doesn’t expect that the coach will thrust him into the spotlight the very first day…winning him zero friends. The team is pretty bad and the coach is worse. What has Garrett gotten himself into?
Diego Ruiz is a defensive cornerback and a pretty big guy. He also has a pretty big attitude. Raised in the Florida Foster Care System, Diego has never had it very good. Shuffled from one home to another, until he was almost adopted and then it fell apart, he has learned to never trust that anything is going to work out. Life will always kick him in the balls at some point. Diego is gay and out and proud, but sticks to quick hookups on Grindr rather that investing time and energy into any one guy.
When Diego grabs Garrett and kisses him to rattle him, he never expects to be kissed back!
I enjoyed this feel good, happily ever after type romance. I needed this type story today, and I’m glad this one was available. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys sports related… coming out…first time…type stories.
RATING: 
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