Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Ancient History

SERIES:  South Rock High

AUTHOR:  A.J. Truman

PUBLISHER:  Truman Books

LENGTH: 301 pages

RELEASE DATE:   August 30, 2022

BLURB:

The guy who broke my heart is back and teaching at my school. I’m really trying not to give an F.

A long time ago, in a suburban high school not so far away, a closeted nerd (me) and a closeted soccer star (Hutch) fell in love and planned to make their public debut at prom. Until Hutch bailed at the last minute, leaving me with a broken heart and unworn tuxedo. Tale as old as time, right?

I spent the past ten years working to forget Hutch, returning to our old high school to teach and make new memories that could erase ones of him. I thought Hutch was ancient history, off living his professional athlete life. But he’s suddenly back in Sourwood, coaching soccer at South Rock High, and sexy as ever. Just when I’d gotten over him, we’re now colleagues.

As Hutch leads the soccer team to victory once again, and we find ourselves trading stolen glances in the halls, it feels like a reboot of our high school bad romance. Especially after a late night encounter where I find myself climbing him like the rope in gym class. Oops.

Hutch wants to give us another try, but what if history is doomed to repeat itself?

Ancient History is a second chance, nerd/jock, small town romance filled with humor, heart, and hot guys. Hutch and Amos will put the A-plus in HEA, and like all good students, there’s no cheating. It’s the first book in the South Rock High series, which revolves around a found family of nerdy gay high school teachers.

REVIEW:

Amos Bright is a high school History teacher.  He’s returned to his home town to teach Ancient History and he loves it.  He’s got a great group of friends, fellow teachers, and even the Principal is an out proud man who lives with his boyfriend and the boyfriend’s nephew.  Things are going great – until he sees his high school ex-boyfriend walk by.  He’s gotta be wrong, right?  I mean his professional soccer playing ex CANNOT be here at South Rock High School, can?  UGH!  Nope – he’s not wrong.  Hutch Hawkins, Amos’s heartbreaking ex has been hired as the new Soccer Coach and PE teacher.  Seriously?  It’s been a decade and he’s over it right?  Nope.  Not even a little bit.  He attempts to keep Hutch at arm’s length.  He’s not going to let Hutch have the chance to break his heart again.

Hutch has had a few bad breaks.  First there is the whole closeted high school athlete thing.  He loved Amos, but he let bullying and his own fear lead him to breakup with Amos at the worst possible moment 🙁  He’s regretted it ever since, but never more than when he returns to Sourwood after his father is injured and he takes a job at the high school.  He hasn’t seen Amos since that fateful decision but when he does, he can’t help but feel all the same feelings for his oh so cute, smart and successful former love.  Hutch hasn’t had any luck with men after he left Sourwood and college and when he played professional soccer in Nashville.  He’s lonely and he feels terrible about what he did to Amos.  Since those high school days, he’s come clean with his dad, Bud.  Bud wants his son to be happy and he’s determined to help – in the most hilarious ways possible 😛

Amos does his best to maintain his professional demeanor with Hutch while he’s at school – in much closer proximity than he wants thanks to Principal Aguillar and his assignments!  He mostly is able to do that.  When he runs into Hutch in an unexpected place and he can’t help but feel that old pull, he starts to realize that maybe Hutch hasn’t been living the high life he’s imagined.  He actually tries to help him!  With the “help” of his friends, the other out teachers at school, he finds himself allowing Hutch into his social circle.  And when they can’t deny their attraction any longer, well the fireworks begin 😉

As the school year winds down, things are going great with Hutch and Amos.  They have decided to try again.  Even though Hutch hasn’t totally come clean about everything in the past, Amos has decided to give Hutch another chance.  Of course nothing can go smoothly though, and another conflict arises that pits Hutch against Amos in a way that is far beyond their control.  Hutch has to make the call as to whether he’s got Amos’s back or not.

I think this might be my favorite of A.J. Truman’s books to date.  Full disclosure!  I was a history major in college so this is totally my jam!  Also, this was so freaking adorable!!   First of all I love Amos 🙂  If you haven’t read Getting Schooled, the prequel novella, get it!  Amos and his friends are delightful (we met them in the previous series) and I loved the additional folks introduced in this book.  Secondly, Hutch’s father is the BEST!  What a wingman 😉  Raleigh, the football coach is also a very fun surprise 😀  Just when you think you know the guy . . .  Also that revs me up for the next book.

Amos is still smarting from being dumped, but he is 10 years older and wiser.  He hasn’t exactly forgiven Hutch (and some readers will probably say that he let’s Hutch back into his orbit more quickly than he should have), but he does realize that Hutch hasn’t had the footloose and fancy-free life that Amos imagined either.  Hutch has been through some stuff too and he really is sorry about what he did.  It’s clear that he has a lot of regrets and somehow he’s never really moved on from Amos.  He’s never had another boyfriend and he’s never connected with anyone they way he does with Amos.  Hutch really is determined to make amends and he’s got his work cut out for him.  There are some really surprising moments of growth for a lot of people in this story and I was there for it!  Highly recommended!  A wonderful start to a new series.

RATING: 

BUY LINK: 

Amazon