Reviewed by Stephen K.
TITLE: The Mathesons Box Set
SERIES: The Mathesons #1-4
AUTHOR: Declan Rhodes
PUBLISHER: Independently Published
LENGTH: 896 pages
RELEASE DATE: September 18th 2021
BLURB:
The entire story of the Matheson brothers in one complete package.
Mason Matheson from First – The first-born of the family has been first in so many ways. Now, can he be his childhood buddy’s first-time with a man?
Tate Matheson from Cowboy – In the most unlikely of places, a party in Manhattan, Tate found his cowboy, the hero of his dreams. Unfortunately, Tate’s lasso failed, the cowboy escaped, and he found out that forever would require a second chance.
Benji Matheson from Hero – One of a pair of twins, Benji is the scholar of the family attending graduate school at MIT. Benji needs a new home, and his new roommate, Jax, needs a hero.
Jamie Matheson from Winner – The playboy of the Matheson clan, Jamie, is the last of the brothers without a partner. Can he settle down and find his man. Is winning everything when it comes to your heart, and can you fall in love with an enemy?
The books in this collection include first time gay, second chance, and enemies to lovers themes.
REVIEW:
First – As the eldest, Mason Matheson feels like he must always be in control. While he’s out and proud, he’s never completely forgotten his feelings for his boyhood chum (and son of his dad’s business partner) Kyle. Kyle a one-time Olympic skier, has taken to running a ski lodge after injuries ended his Olympic dreams. He is also still coming off his recent divorce. His lodge is hosting the get together for the two families. Mason and Kyle realize that they maybe their so far unsuccessful searches for love should have begun closer to home.
Cowboy – As the second born Matheson, Tate has relocated to New York City and is running the East coast office of the ad firm Greene & Matheson. He’s also estranged from his NYC born boyfriend Simon due to being too much of a workaholic. After big brother Mason steps in and helps him see the error of his ways can he reform? So far this is my favorite in that it shows a couple approaching problems that we all tend to mess up in real life.
Hero – Every one of these I read just gets better. This time, Benji starts sharing digs with 3 other guys in Boston while Jamie, his twin, moves to Texas. Benji took the place on Jamie’s recommendation. Worried that Benji would go “full urban hermit,” Jamie set him up with Jax, a (straight) buddy that he met at swim camp. When Jax meets Benji sparks fly. Soon the two are both trying conceal their attraction. When they finally give in, (Jax makes the first move), Benji finds himself in a lot of “firsts” that he’s only ever fantasized about.
Winner – As the last of the Matheson boys to find a soul-mate, Jamie becomes a bit of a “player” in Dallas. Jamie prides himself on finding a job in advertising without his family connections, and becoming a bit of rising star. He’s paired with Angelo Moretti one of the firm’s artists to compete in the firm’s annual in-house ad competition, and is soon smitten with the shy young man. What he doesn’t know is that Angelo has been the victim of workplace sexual harassment from one of the firm’s senior execs. Will history repeat itself or can Jamie help them both become winners?
These four tales are all populated by likable successful good guys. Seeing the guys reappear in each tale just adds to the enjoyment level. Each of the stories has its individual merits. But, in each, the focus varies slightly. Any of the four could probably be read as a standalone. But each book does build upon what came before, and together they make a great M/M ensemble.
This collection is the first thing that I’ve read by this author but it certainly won’t be the last. The M/M romances (and sweaty interludes) are there and these tales deliver on that front. But there are also other story elements that give these the potential for thoughtful readers to find a bit more than in the more standard fare.
RATING: 
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