Reviewed by Ro
TITLE: Swipe Left, Power Down, Look Up
AUTHOR: Amy Lane
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 145 pages
RELEASE DATE: May 21, 2024
BLURB:
Busy soccer coach Trey Novak doesn’t have time for the awkwardness and upheaval dating can cause, but when his cousin stands him up for a lunch date, he meets someone who changes his mind.
Dewey Saunders is dying to get a real job in his field and start the rest of his life, but a guy’s got to pay rent, and the coffee shop is where it’s at. When the handsome customer in the coach’s sweats gets stood up, Dewey is right there to commiserate—and maybe make some time with a cute guy.
Trey’s making hopeful plans with Dewey when his professional life explodes. He and Dewey aren’t in a serious place yet, and suddenly he’s promising to make sports a welcoming place for all people. When Dewey puts himself out to comfort Trey after an awful day, Trey realizes that they might not be in a serious place, but Dewey has serious promise for their future. If someone as loyal and as kind and funny as Dewey is what’s offered, Trey would gladly swipe right for love.
REVIEW:
It’s a meet-cute. Trey is waiting for someone who doesn’t show at the café where Dewey is a barista. Dewey is not only entranced by Trey but also can’t believe some dating app loser would no show on him.
Trey is a soccer coach who hasn’t dated in forever because he doesn’t want his sexuality to become an issue with either of the teams he works with. He has prior knowledge of people reacting badly, as his parents no longer speak to him. Actually, they not only cut him off but also his sister and his aunt because they still love Trey. You feel badly for the man. The good part is, he has Debra, his sister, and Nan, his aunt, and they are all completely there for each other.
Dewey is a barista only because he can’t find a job using his degree in Art History. He has an awesome boss in Lena, but barista was not his life goal. He’s happy right now, though, because Trey comes to the coffee shop and is stood up. Dewey is there to cheer him up, make small talk and make Trey laugh. “And there was silence again then, but Dewey was pretty sure it was because he spent the moment lost in Trey’s derpy smile and a sort of sweetness in his eyes.”
This is a very low to no angst story, focusing on what happens when a kid from Trey’s team is beat up. Things professionally really ramp up from there and Trey is in the middle of it, in a way he never wanted to be but absolutely will step up for. My absolute, cheer-him-on, love-you-Trey moment is when a homophobic parent group descends on the soccer team.
“Shouldn’t we have a say about whether or not our children interact with kids who live this lifestyle?”
Trey’s eyes widened. “NO!”
He didn’t need to say anything else (of course, he does and it’s wonderful) but that simple NO said everything for me. He is also worried about “Can I tell you how much I hate that a guy I’m barely dating is being used as a political prop?” Trey makes sure that isn’t happening, but when a college player tells him, “Yeah…but if you can help make it better, it won’t be so hard for me.” That’s when Trey knows no matter what, coming out to the team, dealing with parents, being on the news is all worth it if it helps one younger person.
There is a moment, several moments actually, about coffee that made me laugh because something so similar happened to me! Side characters, in the soccer board, Nan, Debra, Dewey’s mom and her “Poop Theater” were all lovely. The story of Kitson’s zit, I admit, made me gag but I think it would make most people gag, including the people dealing with it.
This book is sweet Amy Lane and so cute.
RATING: 
BUY LINKS: