Book Title: Don’t Hold Back (Chasing Gold Book 2)
Author and Publisher: Colette Davison
Cover Artist: Colette Davison
Release Date: July 26, 2022
Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance
Tropes: Rivals to lovers, grumpy and sunshine, slow burn, hurt/comfort
Themes: Winning isn’t everything, learning to love yourself
Heat Rating: 3 flames
Length: 93,000 words
It is a standalone story and does not end on a cliffhanger.
Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited
Universal Link | Amazon US | Amazon UK
Can rivals gain Olympic glory and love?
Blurb
Garret has spent years training in gymnastics, but the pressure has taken its toll. Despite qualifying for the Olympics, failing to medal at the World Championships is all he can think about.
Anger is taking control and strangling his ability to focus on training, when his main rival, Team USA gymnast, Ryder Anderson, arrives at the gym to train alongside him.
Garrett wants to hate Ryder, but he can’t ignore his rival’s sunshine personality and handsome looks. Discovering Ryder is fighting a battle against himself, Garrett’s anger turns to admiration and then love.
Dating his rival isn’t against the rules, but that doesn’t make it a good idea. Can they make a relationship work despite the pressure of the Olympics, or will they crack under the strain?
Don’t Hold Back is an M/M sports romance with a grumpy gymnast who falls for his sunshiny rival. It has a slow-burn relationship and some hurt/comfort.
Trigger warnings: Don’t Hold Back features a character who has anorexia.
“Reece, Garrett, our guests are here,” George said brightly.
Garrett helped Reece put the weight on the stand, and they both stood. Reece was a little shorter than Garrett. He had dark hair swept to one side, thick eyebrows, a slightly hooked nose, and scruff over his lip and chin. His eyes were grey, and he had a broad corded neck and strong sloping shoulders. He looked to be in excellent physical condition.
He smiled and held his hand out. “Hi, I’m Reece.”
“Hello.” Ryder accepted his hand and shook it firmly.
“Hi,” Garrett said, not moving.
Ryder’s original assessment of him still stood—good-looking and scowly. He scowled so well, though. Garrett was between Ryder and Reece when it came to muscle bulk and was a couple of inches taller than them both. Not that any of them were tall. He had dark-brown eyes, and Ryder was sure he’d have a nice smile if he tried. His hair was brown like Reece’s but longer on top and swept back with gel. He regarded Ryder coldly, so Ryder gave him a friendly smile.
“Why don’t you join them?” Lennie suggested. “I’ve got a few things to sort out with George before we get started.”
“Sure.” Ryder smiled at the two gymnasts, who didn’t look pleased that he’d just been foisted on them. “Have you guys warmed up?” he asked as Lennie and George walked away.
He realised it was a dumb question. Of course, they had. Who wouldn’t warm up before doing a weights session?
Garrett stared at him like he was an idiot.
“We have,” Reece replied. “But you can join us once you have. We can spot each other.”
Garrett scowled at him. Reece replied with a shrug. Ryder put his gym bag on a nearby bench, stashed his sneakers and socks beneath it, and hung the light jacket he was wearing on the hook above. He didn’t rush his warm-up. Reece was bench-pressing again, but where they had been chatting before Ryder’s arrival, now they were dead silent. It was intimidating. It was like the first day at a new school. No, worse than that. It reminded him of the first time he’d gone for outpatient treatment for his eating disorder. What a fun memory to recall.
“Are you ready?” Reece asked as he put the weights on the stand again with Garrett’s help.
“Yes.”
“All right, let’s go.” He walked out of the weights area. “Push-ups first. Come on.”
Colette’s personal love story began at university, where she met her future husband. An evening of flirting, in the shadow of Lancaster castle, eventually led to a fairytale wedding. She’s enjoying her own ‘happy ever after’ in the north of England with her husband, two beautiful children and her writing.
Social Media Links
Blog/Website | Facebook Page | Facebook Group: Colette’s Cosy Corner
BookBub | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram: @colettedavison
Mailing List | Newsletter Sign-Up
Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card
Thank you x