Reviewed by True
TITLE: The Roles We Own
SERIES: Artists and Athletes #4
AUTHOR: C.D. Rachels
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 201 pages
RELEASE DATE: November 14, 2022
BLURB:
Omar
Romance isn’t for me. Don’t get me wrong, I love the corniness of rom-coms, but it’s not in the cards in my life. I play hard on the soccer field, I party hard with my boys, and I fool around with any girl or guy who’s hot and willing. The only person off-limits: my best friend’s boyfriend’s brother, Sly O’Rourke. He’s cute, but I don’t do feelings.
Staying away from him would be easy if I didn’t have to direct the school musical for my degree credits. Sly is auditioning, and he’s not the shy, nerdy dude everyone thinks he is. He’s talented, charming, and gorgeous—totally boyfriend material, if I’d ever do relationships. When he asks for help practicing physical intimacy for the play, how can I refuse? It’s my job to make sure this musical is a success, and that’s what this is: strictly business.
But when his mouth catches mine, our bodies don’t get the memo. I don’t think Sly and I are acting anymore.
Sly
I’ve played the role of a comfortable straight guy for too long. The truth is: the thought of physical intimacy makes me nauseous. I’m not interested in anyone, guy or girl, which sucks, because I’ve always wanted a romantic story of my own.
Now that I’m at Korham University, I have the chance to redefine myself. If I play the role of a romantic hero during the semester musical, maybe I’ll learn to enjoy touching people or catch real feelings for once. There is one complication to my plan: I have to spend a lot of time with soccer jock Omar Odom. He’s a touchy, handsy party boy, but I eventually see a different side to him. As the weeks go by, my brother’s boyfriend’s best friend doesn’t seem so bad. He’s chill in ways I never could be and supports me in the play. He’s the perfect guy who can help me with the physical aspects of the dramatic arts.
When Omar puts his mouth on mine, I expect to be repulsed, not burning up on the inside. I’ve never wanted a girl or guy before so…what is happening to me? And why don’t I want it to stop?
[“The Roles We Own” is a low-angst, male/male romance about new adults in college. It involves theater rehearsals, soccer games, frat parties, cartoon onesies, raisin bagels, and discovering what gray-asexuality can mean.
It is the fourth book in the Artists and Athletes series but can be read as a stand-alone.]
REVIEW:
Sly doesn’t like to be touched, he’s getting nauseous by the idea of physical intimacy. Omar on the other hand makes it a habit to touch. He and his soccer teammates are all playful buddies.
Sly wants to stop being a fly on the wall, and participating in a role in the college romantic musical should be helpful. Maybe, there’s a chance to get used to some touching.
Getting the role makes Sly happy but anxious, because there are scenes with… touching and kisses.
Omar as assistant director stopped the scene at those nearing kissing moments and declares he’ll help Sly. Determined to get over his phobia he asks Omar to rehearse with him the physical parts because Omar is now in his friend zone.
Omar is flabbergasted, abort, abort, he already has feelings for Sly, but still, he says yes.
“Consider me your sexual tour guide.”
It’s so sweet, holding hands seems simple but for Sly, ahh. Omar is the kindest guy he could have, to practice with. In one of those tentative embraces Sly is aware of his feelings, it’s shocking, he wants to kiss Omar.
Sly gave himself a label, for reassurance, he thinks of himself as ace, but maybe he’s not, sweet Sly is confused, he only loves Omar’s touches, no one else’s. Yes, the story made it clear Sly’s gray-asexual.
Omar will leave for New York and that’s a long way from where Sly will be left behind. Sly is afraid Omar will forget about him. Little does he know!
A great addition to a great series. The characters from previous stories are present and it’s all consistently written.
The flow and pace were comfortable, the writing clear, entertaining, and with a kind considerate vibe.
I love this series, where artists and athletes study together at Korham University, a well for sweet romances.
RATING: 
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