Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: The Nerd Jock Conundrum
SERIES: College Boys of New Haven (book #1)
AUTHOR: Hayden Hall
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 214 pages
RELEASE DATE: March 23, 2021
BLURB:
A chemistry nerd should know opposites always attract.
Troy
Of course I fell for a football jock. How could I not? But Jackson and I are polar opposites. He’s popular, confident, and as hot as hell in a tight T-shirt. Me? I’m just a scrawny, awkward nerd.
Another point of difference: he’s straight.
And as I trip, stumble, and stammer my way through all our conversations, my desire is growing at an alarming rate. I keep wondering what he looks like when he’s on his knees.
As if my crush on him isn’t bad enough, Jackson is assigned to be my partner on a year-long project, and I have no choice but to spend time with the hottest guy on campus. Bummer.
But the attraction is intensifying. We’re on a collision course. I shouldn’t be leaning in…
I think I’m going to kiss him.
Jackson
Sweet. I got partnered up with the biggest nerd on campus. If I play my cards well, a passing grade is guaranteed.
Troy’s all shy and awkward; a classic nerd. But there’s more to him than he’s showing. And it’s making me curious.
I want to see him come out of his shell. I know he would be better off if he let his guard down. I want to be his friend, but he thinks I’m just another dumb jock. Except, I see him looking at me the way I could never look at him.
Am I sending the wrong message? Is he falling for me?
He’s leaning in fast… He’s about to kiss me.
And I’m not even ducking.
The Nerd Jock Conundrum is the first book in the College Boys of New Haven series, but it can be read on its own. It features a fresh twist on the nerd jock trope, opposites attract, bisexual awakening, enemies to friends to lovers, and a very happy ending.
REVIEW:
I guess I have started falling for the Nerd/Jock trope I wasn’t even aware I was looking for.
Troy is off to New Haven University with his BFF Beth. He’s a total Chemistry Nerd through and through. And he’s a 19 year-old virgin with a huge secret…he’s gay and thinks he’ s like to be in power. Jackson is a 24 year-old Super Senior. College football is suppose to be the quarterback’s ticket to the a spot in the NFL. What he hadn’t counted on was falling for the geeky chemistry nerd he is assigned to for his big project year long.
Troy’s fear of coming out was a bit off-putting to me. Beth’s comment of “I know, baby!” should have clued him in. Heck, even Quinn’s “twink” remark should have made him realize he wasn’t hiding it well. Jackson’s reaction was more understandable. He had always thought he was straight until he finally kissed Troy and then realized he wasn’t even sure is he was bi. He loved the attention to his fame and abilities but that was probably it for girls he discovered. Heck his Father didn’t even flinch at his admission.
What really bothered me the most was Troy almost letting Jackson go over his fear of what his parents would do or think. Seriously though, his parents adored him and would never have thrown him away! I just couldn’t see why they hadn’t figured it out too. I figured when they let him room with Beth that they knew. I was a bit surprised they hadn’t figured it out.
I think the part that surprised me the most was the virgin going all Dom on Jackson. That and Jackson loving every minute of it! It was mild domination play but still surprising. But I got it. Troy was controlled on every aspect of his life. This was his chance to be in control of one small part of himself. And Jackson finally felt freedom to just feel and experience when ever Troy took over.
I will say the “fight” felt a bit forced. Just a way to have a small bit of angst. What I couldn’t get was the Brian part. I have no idea where he came from but I sided with Jackson on the whole “using Troy” thing. I honestly couldn’t see why Troy would have helped him cheat his way through college. It didn’t see in character.
All in all I liked the book. I could have used less Troy worrying about his sexuality getting out and more about Jackson and Troy building their relationship but it is what it is. I am looking forward to reading Troy’s three roommates story. That should be a doozy!
RATING: 
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