Reviewed by: Sue Eaton

TITLE: The Tighthead

SERIES:  Lincoln Knights #1

AUTHOR:  Charlie Novak

PUBLISHER:  Self Published

LENGTH: 300 pages

RELEASE DATE:  August 13, 2024

BLURB:

Wanted: A Way To Get Tackled On And Off The Pitch

When I walk in on my roommate jerking off, I’m supposed to walk away and shut the door, not stand and watch.

I’ve always wondered if I might not be totally straight and watching Ryan has made me question things more than ever. So when he offers a low-key, no strings attached hook-up arrangement to help me explore my bisexuality, I jump at the chance. We’re great friends and there’s no feelings involved. What could go wrong?

Ryan is gorgeous, funny, and I love spending time with him both in and out of bed. On paper, we’re completely different people but Ryan gets me in a way that nobody ever has before. And he’s even learning the rules of rugby.

But now the only problem is that I can’t imagine ever being with anyone else.

And I can’t picture my life without Ryan in it.

It might have started as something casual, but now I need it to have a happy ending.

REVIEW:

The first book in the hotly anticipated Rugby series, I love how Charlie is weaving this one with her other series with characters from the Drag Queens mingling with the new Rugby characters.

I also really enjoyed all the Rugby narrative, I’m a big Rugby fan and having such great descriptions of the training and games was great.  The training sessions are the ones that are never seen by fans, and I felt every bruise, and sore muscles.  It helped to really understand how much effort goes into training, before the team plays 80 minutes on the pitch.

I love how the relationship between Mason and Ryan developed, it wasn’t loud and flashy, it felt like a natural progression with no need for dramatics or contrived breakups and I really appreciated that.

Mason is the quintessential Rugby player, big and brawny, always expected to be that “Macho Alpha Male” who is straight and has women falling at his feet.

Ryan is unashamedly himself, performs his Drag at the Court, is nerdy loves Dungeons and Dragons and all things superhero/villain, his Drag is one of his outlets for his nerdy creative side and his graphic design is the other.

What do you do when your supposedly straight roommate walks in on you, mid-act and stays to watch?  Proposition him to help him explore his bi-side?  Or throw him out and move out?  You can guess which one Ryan prefers.

I really liked how tongue-tied Mason is, how his brain wars with his desires, not in an I shouldn’t be doing this way, but more like I want him so much I can’t express it.  I also like the differences between how Mason is as a Rugby player and his silly, tender, submissive side as he explores his sexuality.   I laughed at how clueless Mason is, not only about himself but the others around him, oblivious is the only way to describe him.

Ryan is perfect going in with eyes wide open but feeling he is getting in deeper than he expected.  I was so glad he turned to his Drag Queen friends for help and advice and took the advice.  Taking the plunge is always scary but there can be good things waiting if he is brave.

As well as the Rugby training scenes I really liked the behind the scenes, at the Court, what happens in the dressing rooms, the snacks, the snark, the comradeship, the miles of tape all of which makes Drag Queens so fantastic.

I’m really looking forward to the next book in the series.

RATING: 

BUY LINKS: 

Amazon