Book Review: Hat Trick

Title: Hat Trick

Author: Jeff Adams

Publisher/GR Link: Queerteen Press, GR

Genre: YA, MM

Vice: Jocks, Contemporary, YA

Rating: 4 out of 5

Lock this book up : 3 out of 5 stars, sex is sweet and supports the storyline

Length: Novel

Satisfaction: HEA (though hard earned)

Cover Impressions: Cute

Best Line: "I've been wanting you, you have no idea."

Synopsis: Simon Roberts’ plan for his senior year is simple -- help his high school hockey team win the state championship and earn a college scholarship so he can get away from his dysfunctional family, especially his belligerent father and obnoxious older brother.

When the Central High Falcons open their season with an away game, Simon is forced to deal with the problem he’s struggled with for months -- his crush on teammate Alex Miller. After the game that night, Alex makes an unexpected announcement -- he’s gay, and in love with Simon.

Simon’s elated but scared to openly acknowledge that he’s gay, especially with so much at stake in their senior year. Now that they’re out to each other they have to decide what to do next. Should they date? Should they keep things between them secret? What about the team? Can Simon and Alex hide that they’re more than friends from the guys they spend so much time with?

Then a simple kiss is witnessed and their secret is out. The team fractures, and Simon’s family explodes as news about the gay hockey players quickly spreads. The guys must figure out how to move forward with everyone watching. Being the center of attention was in no way part of Simon’s plan for the year.

Can Simon juggle school, commitments to the team, his new relationship, and an unexpected tragedy all before the end of the hockey season?

Impressions:  I've heard great things about this book, but I didn't realize it was YA.  I have to say, that didn't change how I felt about it.  I found this book to be very cute, and a sweet, enjoyable romance between two great characters.  

Simon has a lot on his plate, with a homophobic dad and an asshole of a brother.  Connecting with Alex, and having the support of his best friend Jackson, are the only highlights- beside the joy he finds on the ice.

Though Alex and Simon face quite a few challenges outside of their romance, their connection is really unwavering.  For this reason, though there is a lot drama outside of their romance, I found this to be much more sweet than angsty.  

If you are looking for a sweet read for yourself, or a great recommendation for a teen in your life, this is a great high school jock book for you.  If I were a high school student, just coming out, I would find this  one of the best things in my reading pile!

Definitely Recommended

Review posted on Amazon and Goodreads

Book Review: Get What You Need

Title: Get What You Need

Author:  Jeanette Grey

Publisher/GR Link: Samhain Press, GR

Genre: MM

Vice: Nerds, Contemporary, Jocks

Rating: 4.25/5

Lock this book up : 4 out of 5 keys, Sex is hot and moves the plot along, totally supporting the romance

Length: Novel

Satisfaction: HEA- definitely satisfied

Cover Impressions: I like it (maybe minus the baseball...I'm having flashbacks to gym class and they aren't pretty.)  Overall, very clean, bright and eye catching.

Best Line: "'I never asked-'

"You didn't have to. Okay?...You never have to ask.  When you don't take care of yourself...I hate it.  I hate seeing you like that.'"

Synopsis: "Love isn't rocket science. It's much, " much "harder. "

Determination and elbow grease propelled Greg London from blue-collar background to Ph.D. candidate. His single-mindedness doesn't leave a lot of room for a personal life, but that's the price of success. Besides, it's not like the boring nerd ever ends up with the hot guy.

Then his housemate, gorgeous undergraduate jock Marshall Sulkowski, invites him to watch a movie. In his room. Side by side on his bed. Needless to say, the sexual tension is wreaking havoc with Greg's focus.

Marsh seems to have it all-looks, charm, and a baseball scholarship to a great school. In reality, his father's cut him off, and he's floundering and desperate for a break.

One impulsive kiss leads to a red-hot affair that gets them a little bit of what they need to stay afloat. But as the end of the semester approaches and the pressure rises, Marsh realizes charm may have gotten him into his brilliant lover's pants, but he'll have to dig deeper to discover what they both need.

Warning: Contains housemates falling into bed with each other, a geek who needs a break, and a jock who doesn't know his own worth. Also, vague science and explicit m/m sex.

Impressions:  Can I please give Marsh a hug?  I was attracted to this book because a.) I often love the MM Samhain puts out, and b.) I love me some nerds (since I am a nerd!)  I expected to read this and identify with the geeky ways of the nerdy MC, but Ms. Grey crafted an even better character in Marsh.  A jock who doesn't believe in himself, and a young man more alone in the world than Greg could even realize.  

I loved the way this story flipped my expectations around, and made Marsh the guy I wanted to see find his guy.  Greg was a great character too, and I loved watching him finally begin to realize what has been growing between the two of them.  The secondary characters were great too, and I loved the the majority of them were fellow geeks. In many jock themed books I enjoy getting to know the other jocks, though in this book we don't see any of Marsh's teammates.  I think that really worked here because it helped create Marsh's sense of loneliness and isolation.  

Overall, this book was a sweet, hot, sexy and fun read.  I totally fell for both MCs, especially Marsh, and I couldn't wait to see them get their much deserved HEA.  I will definitely be looking out for more of Ms. Grey's work!

Highly recommended!

(review posted on Goodreads and Amazon)