Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Bruiser
SERIES: Elite 8 Studios
AUTHOR: Emmy Sanders
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 328 pages
RELEASE DATE: April 30, 2026
BLURB:
Before there was Elite 8 Studios, there was Trevor and Isaac.
Trevor
My college plans are simple: study, graduate, and get my business off the ground. Until one chance encounter in the library has my sights shifting.
Isaac is as fiery as the hair atop his head. With his ire directed at me, I should steer clear. But I can’t step away from the English major I suspect is harboring some hurt.
With a mutual love for poetry and undeniable chemistry sparking between us, it’s not long before Isaac starts letting me in.
But will Isaac’s affection fizzle when he learns about the videos I make in my spare time?
Or will the discovery of a shared passion only be our beginning?
Bruiser is an opposites-at-first-glance romance between an up-and-coming adult entertainer and the reluctantly smitten brat who doesn’t mind playing voyeur. There’s budding love in a library, ridiculous friends, poetry as flirting, and one very HEA. It’s book seven in the Elite 8 Studios series but can be read as a standalone.
REVIEW:
Note: This is the seventh in this series but can be read as a standalone.
I don’t know exactly what I was expecting with this book, but whatever it was, it pales in comparison to the story that is here. For fans of this series, this is the origin story of Elite 8. Isaac and Trevor’s meeting, coming together and becoming more. While their first meeting in the library is pretty inauspicious and while Isaac is a hissing kitten, it’s clear that there is something there. A spark. A chemistry. A definite connection. Trevor is nothing like anyone Isaac, aka Trevor’s “Red”, has met before. He’s covered in tattoos which he usually covers on campus. But he knows Emerson. And Thoreau. As a Lit grad student, this pique’s Isaac’s attention too.
Trevor is also works the door at a bar. Surprising to Isaac and his friends. But he only has eyes for Isaac 🙂 He has another interesting side job as he’s working his way through his business degree – hence the library time 😉 But once they decide to that “fit”, then the swooning really begins. These two! There isn’t any UST here. It is definitely fully resolved 🙂
Isaac’s besties are light on boundaries, but heavy on love and support. His roommate Todd and their BFF Lumi are there to tease and cajole and encourage Isaac. He’s got family stuff to deal with, but he knows after their first night together that he and Trevor have something really special.
This might be my favorite book in what is definitely a favorite series. I loved seeing these two love each other so much. While it might seem a bit unconventional, these two are so perfect for each other. Their backgrounds are so different, but they are so good together. Isaac is truly seen. Trevor is so appreciated for who he is – the whole person, not just the package. Honestly this story is sooooo romantic and they are so sweet (and also dirty) together.
The epilogue is a wonderful treat for fans of this series too 😉 I know Emmy has said there is one more book but maybe we can hope for more? I really would love to know Todd’s story and where he ends up. I feel like this is definitely going on my best of the year and see this as a reread because it’s really very special. Emmy really knows how to pluck the heartstrings and this is a perfect example of how to do it right 🙂 Love it. Highly recommended.
RATING: 
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