Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  Frat Wars: Master of Mayhem

SERIES:  Frat Wars #2

AUTHOR:  Saxon James

PUBLISHER:  May Books

LENGTH:  275 pages

RELEASE DATE:  March 23, 2022

BLURB:

Bro big or bro home.

Robbie

As social chair of Sigma Beta Psi, I’m the life of the party. It’s what I’m known for, and if it’s not fun, I’m not interested, simple as that. I’m not someone who overthinks. So when one of my brothers hooks up with a dude from another frat house, it catches me off guard when I can’t stop thinking about them … together.

There’s only one way for me to get this obsession out of my head and that’s by jumping in with both feet and putting it into practice. The problem is, the one guy who’s up for the ride, is the last one I’d expect.

Brandon

Being risk manager of a frat house is nobody’s idea of a good time. My brothers get annoyed when I put a damper on their plans, and wrangling drunken frat brothers isn’t how I pictured my Saturday nights of senior year. I’m bored. In a rut. Study, frat duties, planning for the future. When is it my turn to let loose for a moment?

So when my dumb-as-bricks frat bro is scoping out the house for a little experimenting fun, I throw out the offer like it isn’t the most nerve-wracking thing I’ve ever considered.

I never imagined I’d actually enjoy it.

REVIEW:

We can stop kidding ourselves that this is nothing, because I think it might be everything.”

Frat Wars: Master of Mayhem, the fantastic second Frat Wars novel, continues the story of the brothers of Sigma Beta Psi. This time, Robbie and Brandon unexpectedly fall in love. It begins with an experimental kiss, then a one time hook up which morphs into BWB: Bros With Benefits.

From King of Thieves (which I recommend you read first), you’ll remember Robbie as the larger-than-life – in stature and personality – party king with a huge heart. He’s Sigma’s social chair and undisputed Master of Mayhem. This book opens with Robbie questioning his sexuality after seeing Chad and Bailey become a couple. He thinks he wants the D and he’s not inconspicuous about it. He doesn’t beat around the bush when he accosts Chad and Bailey: “I want to touch your dick.” Chad’s or Bailey’s, he’s not picky. Just delusional. Since that’s not happening, his next quest is to kiss a guy. Cue Brandon, whose girlfriend thinks it would be a hoot for Robbie to kiss Brandon in front of her. So they do and their pants both become a little tighter.

As the fraternity’s risk manager, it’s Brandon’s job to reign in Robbie, i.e. ensure the brothers’ pranks and other activities are safe. He’s more cautious, uptight even. He’s in a relationship with Jenny, which he regrets because she’s so high maintenance, but he’s never doubted his heterosexuality. Until that kiss and now both guys want to experiment and learn everything they can about gay sex. Two gay/bi virgins in bed. Gah! I love bi-awakenings because someone’s exploring sex for the first time. This might be the first MM romance I’ve read with two utterly inexperienced gay virgins. OMG it’s hot as they discover each other’s bodies. Steamy. Sexy. Scorching!

I digress. Both guys understand there’s an expiration date to their romps … sometime. They’re just having a bit of fun. But then one of them suggests exclusivity while they’re fooling around and the other’s not sure. Insecurities and uncertainty abound. Individually, they keep waiting for the novelty and excitement to abate, but the opposite happens. Adding sex to their already close friendship exponentially enhances their feelings. It’s never enough.

What doesn’t change is the close bro relationship the boys share outside of bed. Seniors Robbie, Brandon, Chad, and Zeke are all super tight, but Robbie and Brandon particularly so. They’re known across campus as the kings of bickering with their verbal sparring matches. The frat shenanigans, parties, pranks, and contests are great to read about. I never had a desire for Greek life myself, but it’s fun to live this wild ride along with the Sigma boys.

Saxon James’ command of new adult romance shines again, with her combination of lovable characters, strong storytelling, and humor. She wraps up the story with an epilogue ten years in the future. It’s set in the same time and place as the epilogue in King of Thieves, this time told from Brandon’s point of view focused on his and Robbie’s lives since their university days. This is a fabulous series and I can’t wait for Zeke’s book next.

RATING: 

BUY LINK: 

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