Reviewed by Sammy

TITLE: Extra Time

SERIES: The District Line

AUTHOR: C. F. White

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

LENGTH: 172 pages

RELEASE DATE:  December 29, 2020

BLURB:

When it’s time, it’s time.

Jay Ruttman and Sebastian Saunders are back.

Used to the press, used to the public interest, and used to being just the two of them, they’ve forged a life juggling their high-profile careers with their low-key relationship. And it’s working. Mostly.

There’s only two things left hanging that could elevate their contentment to perfection—marriage and a child.

Six years since bridge-gate, and Jay’s spectacular proposal on the Millennium Bridge, the bill has now passed for legal same-sex marriage. It looks like they might be able to finally tie the knot, and the pitter patter of tiny feet isn’t as far flung an idea as it might have first seemed.

Until Jay has his first call up to play for the national team and must, once again, decide what’s more important—family or football.

REVIEW:

For those of us who have followed the highs and lows of Jay Ruttman and Sebastian Saunders, this unexpected but wonderful fourth book in the initial District Line trilogy is just icing on the proverbial romance cake. With even more tough decisions looming for this duo of footballer and rock star the story literally dives into the past to bring us back to the present. It sets up just how the two men find themselves engaged for six years and holding off on starting a family as well. One is due to the law of the land, the other the timing of the gods, so to speak. But never fear this book wraps up everything quite nicely and delivers a most satisfying happy ever after to boot.

When we left Seb and Jay they were engaged and considering having a child and that is exactly where this novel picks up. Be forewarned if you have not read C. F White’s series from the beginning then this review will be full of spoilers about past novels (none of this current one). I cannot suggest strongly enough that you begin at the beginning—these books are well worth the effort and I think you will love this final epilogue to Jay and Seb’s life.

Seb has written an autobiographical stage musical of his and Jay’s life and it is about to open on the West End. With the pressure of finding a venue, writing and directing it and getting the right actors, Seb is about to lose his mind but as usual he depends on Jay to be his rock and Jay delivers…until he can’t. Jay finds out the dream of his life is about to be handed to him under one condition—he postpone, yet again, his marriage to Seb—something that has just been made legal in the UK. Seb understands…sort of…and the two move in opposite directions from each other once again but their love is strong and made to last even in the toughest of times. However, when news comes that something both of them have been wanting for years is actually a reality Jay is conflicted over having to spend time away—something that will come home in a very real and dangerous way as the story progresses.

Oh how I wish I could divulge all the amazing things that happen in this novel. It is so marvelous to be back in Jay and Seb’s life and even though I needed a box of tissues handy at times I still think this novel is by far the best of the four. With excellent pacing, one emotional crisis after another and a maturity to Jay and Seb’s love that blossoms just at the right time, this book is packed with action and pathos. It is definitely a five star read for me and just the best way to bring closure to the wonderful world of Jay and Seb.

RATING: 

BUY LINK: 

Amazon