REVIEWED by Kat and Caroline
TITLE: Scar
AUTHOR: Baylin Crow
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 155 Pages
RELEASE DATE: December 19, 2017
BLURB:
Beard
I just wanted to be left alone. After the disastrous turn my life took four years ago, I swore that I’d never let my guard down for anyone ever again. I left everything I knew behind and started over again. Things were going just fine until nearly six feet of pure temptation walked through the doors of my bar. It’s been a year and I’ve done a pretty good job of avoiding him. Things change when his friends get him drunk and leave him stranded on his birthday. I shouldn’t have given him a place to crash because now I can’t shake him.
Soccer
He intrigued me from the moment we met, and I haven’t exactly been subtle about wanting him. The green-eyed bartender seems to want nothing to do with me, but I don’t miss the way he watches me when he thinks no one will notice. I’ve let him pretend long enough, and it’s definitely time to make my move. On the field, I face tough competitors every week, but this one will make me work harder than I ever have before. If I want to win, I’m going to have to up my game because he is a pro at pushing me away.
This is a standalone novella with no cliffhanger.
KAT’S REVIEW:
I asked if I could do a duo review on this one because the blurb intrigued me and it was a new-to-me author. I am so glad that I was fortunate enough to get to read and review this wonderful gem.
Beard has had a rough go of it. After surviving a horrible incident in college, he came to live with his grandparents, who took them under their wing and loved him. Now they are both gone and he is all alone, left owning and running the bar his grandfather had built. Soccer is riding high on the world. He is a bright college student, a top soccer star, and living openly gay. He has had his eye on the sexy bearded owner of the bar he and his fellow team mates frequent. But one year has been long enough a wait and, with a little help from his friends, he is going after what he sees. Scar is the story of how these two men try to learn about each other and give life and love a chance.
Beard grabbed hold of my heart with his back story and his protective nature. He puts Soccer’s safety as a first priority, over any happiness he might want and need. He has been so horribly treated in his life and it’s a wonder he would ever be able to trust anyone but his grandparents. But Soccer doesn’t take no for an answer when he sets his eye on something. He plays hard and he plays to win. I loved that he didn’t let Beard run him off but kept working at him until he achieved his goal. And Beard so rightfully deserved and needed Soccer. Someone to be gentle, kind and loving to Beard and show him how good life can be.
The other thing that touched me about Beard was his inexperience and how he reacted to Soccer’s loving on him. It was pure, unadulterated joy and euphoria that spread over to Soccer. His inexperience was touching and sweet. I also loved Soccer’s attempt at being patient because he realized that Beard had not had it easy and needed patience and guidance to make their time together a positive experience.
This was one of those feel good, HEA books that I love so much. Yes, it does have a bit of violence, that is told as a back story, but it was necessary for the character development to work. I can honestly recommend this book highly, especially if you are looking for a good story with a love triumphs over all theme.
KAT’S RATING: 
CAROLINE’S REVIEW:
I have another reviewer to thank for picking this one up and it was the perfect way to spend a quiet Sunday morning and as she said to me don’t pay too much attention to the cover as it doesn’t reflect the cracking little story in between the covers.
This is a pretty straight forward romance without two much angst. Two men who had the same dreams but their realities proved to be worlds apart subsequently leaving them both in very different places as they try to get on with their lives. You don’t even know their real names until the last few sentences – they have given each other nicknames – Soccer and Beard.
Beard walked away from his dreams four years ago and into the arms of his grandparents who were the only adults in his life that cared and loved him. His peers who should have had his back, young men who he trained and played with, let him down in the worst possible way. Besides the physical injuries that have since healed the mental pain and betrayal has stayed with him and dictates how much of himself he will let others see. He is closed up and closed off and that is the way he intends to stay.
Soccer is at college and has both brains and brawn. He also has his sight set on the gorgeous grumpy bar owner at his after game local but the guy thwarts his advances at every turn. Luckily Soccer is tenacious and his supportive team mates aren’t beyond a bit of gentle interfering. They really are sweet together and although there is a small amount of miscommunication Soccer pesters and pesters until Beard is worn down thin and starts to forget why he believes it such a bad idea.
If you are looking for a quick sweet read that you can devour in one sitting then Scar will definitely fit the bill.
CAROLINE’S RATING: 
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