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Contested Possession #1
Because He's My Guy
He’s been in an open relationship for twelve years
He’s never touched another guy…
Until him.
George Creed will soon debut as the youngest coach in Australian Football history.
He’s excited, he’s nervous.
He’s more obsessed with meeting his new rookie.
Finnegan Flynn is finally joining the team after being sidelined with injury for two seasons. As the number one draft pick, he’s got a lot to prove.
He’s more obsessed with meeting his new coach—his footy idol and teenage crush.
When George invites Finn over for dinner, Finn suspects they’re about to take their budding attraction to the next level. Until he meets George’s boyfriend, Joaquin.
Finn is crushed, but George explains he’s in an open relationship. Except George doesn’t do open, he’s a one man kind of guy.
Finn is utterly confused: if George doesn’t do open, why tell him?
Because George isn’t open, until he meets Finn.
But if George is a one man kind of guy, then whose guy is he?
Because He’s My Guy is a soft for you MM romance featuring an age gap, team feels, relationship drama, and a reason to come out when you’re a football superstar.
He’s never touched another guy…
Until him.
George Creed will soon debut as the youngest coach in Australian Football history.
He’s excited, he’s nervous.
He’s more obsessed with meeting his new rookie.
Finnegan Flynn is finally joining the team after being sidelined with injury for two seasons. As the number one draft pick, he’s got a lot to prove.
He’s more obsessed with meeting his new coach—his footy idol and teenage crush.
When George invites Finn over for dinner, Finn suspects they’re about to take their budding attraction to the next level. Until he meets George’s boyfriend, Joaquin.
Finn is crushed, but George explains he’s in an open relationship. Except George doesn’t do open, he’s a one man kind of guy.
Finn is utterly confused: if George doesn’t do open, why tell him?
Because George isn’t open, until he meets Finn.
But if George is a one man kind of guy, then whose guy is he?
Because He’s My Guy is a soft for you MM romance featuring an age gap, team feels, relationship drama, and a reason to come out when you’re a football superstar.
473 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 22, 2023
26 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
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May 30, 2023
**** 4.5 stars ****
Finally,🙏after too many failed sample attempts, I hit the jackpot. Thank you, Laxmama 💐🧡
Because He's My Guy had a bit of everything I love combined.
✅The 3rd person kind of threw me off in the first couple of pages, but soon enough I couldn't put it down.
✅The engaging storyline had angst in spades and was packed with tension, nail-biting tension.
✅The age gap was delicious.
✅Solid character development. The balance between tough sports guys versus vulnerability was so alluring for me. 🥰 Finn is gorgeous and couldn't be more endearing. George is serious and protective, he made me swoon many times. 🫠
✅The chemistry between the MCs is so freaking hot!!!
✅Combined with the slow burn it almost killed me. Soooo bloody good!
I just loved all the feelings the story evoked in me.
Did I mention it was hot?
Now, the end was so cheesy. It didn't do justice to the story and is the reason I won't be giving this one full five stars.
Finally,🙏after too many failed sample attempts, I hit the jackpot. Thank you, Laxmama 💐🧡
Because He's My Guy had a bit of everything I love combined.
✅The 3rd person kind of threw me off in the first couple of pages, but soon enough I couldn't put it down.
✅The engaging storyline had angst in spades and was packed with tension, nail-biting tension.
✅The age gap was delicious.
✅Solid character development. The balance between tough sports guys versus vulnerability was so alluring for me. 🥰 Finn is gorgeous and couldn't be more endearing. George is serious and protective, he made me swoon many times. 🫠
✅The chemistry between the MCs is so freaking hot!!!
✅Combined with the slow burn it almost killed me. Soooo bloody good!
I just loved all the feelings the story evoked in me.
Did I mention it was hot?
Now, the end was so cheesy. It didn't do justice to the story and is the reason I won't be giving this one full five stars.
Read
November 30, 2023Mixed feelings about this book. Someone please read this and discuss with me! It drove me crazy and I hated some of it but other parts were good. I stopped at 15% and read the prequel available with the newsletter My Boyfriends Rookie as at that point it was going to be a dnf and then I came back to this, skimming some scenes that I’d just read in the prequel as it’s the same time line.
I still don’t know what to think. Joq’s presence makes this interesting and unlike a lot of other sports books but I still couldn’t bring myself to enjoy him being part of it. I was torn between feeling bad for him and for Finn but mostly Joq. George was the unlikeable character for me. I didn’t particularly like Joq either but I did feel for him.
I think this was all me, the not-technically-cheating-but-still-hurt-feelings thing that goes on forever wasn’t enjoyable for me to read. And I would consider George’s behaviour to be cheating. I couldn’t help but feel bad for Joq and although I like angsty books I didn’t like this. Im sure some readers will love this though so still recommend it trying it.
Pros
- first book I’ve read about Australian Rules Football. No this not another name for soccer or rugby or American football it’s a completely different sport.
-Australian book with normal slang that we use currently and genuine mannerisms.
-NOT set in the outback.
-Interesting, different premise.
*********Spoilers **********
Joq (33) and George (31) are in a 12 year relationship which is open because George doesn’t want to come out in his career as a footy player and Joq is out and wants a forever relationship. Joq has sex with other men in hotels whilst George is away and they are happy with this, using talking about it as foreplay although George doesn’t choose to sleep around himself and wants to stay strictly in the closet. Joq’s experiences are purely physical, George falls in love with Finn (20) after initially talking to him for 2years over the phone (in secret) when he first comes into contact with him at 18. He is his Coach.
In Joqs book we see that he is understandably very upset when he realises his long term defacto partner has fallen in love with someone else and it’s quite a lengthy process as this slowly plays out over the course of the book. We are made to dislike Joq but I really felt for him, it would be awful watching your lover emotionally slip away and not being able to get it back. And George does him the discourtesy of having sex with Finn in their house. Even the secret communication between them for two years when George realised he felt something for Finn but hid this from Joq felt awful to me, that kind of thing isn’t part of their open relationship agreement especially as they agree to always talk about any experiences with each other. I consider this to be cheating as he goes against ALL the rules made between them for their open relationship. I personally didn’t enjoy the resolution to their situation.
The ending stretches belief, particularly in the sports side of things (hello, contracts!!) and I was so damn frustrated that George is still stringing Joq along and saying he doesn’t want their relationship to end at 88%!! Gah I think my conclusion is that this book was more way frustrating than enjoyable for me but at least it was engaging and different.
I still don’t know what to think. Joq’s presence makes this interesting and unlike a lot of other sports books but I still couldn’t bring myself to enjoy him being part of it. I was torn between feeling bad for him and for Finn but mostly Joq. George was the unlikeable character for me. I didn’t particularly like Joq either but I did feel for him.
I think this was all me, the not-technically-cheating-but-still-hurt-feelings thing that goes on forever wasn’t enjoyable for me to read. And I would consider George’s behaviour to be cheating. I couldn’t help but feel bad for Joq and although I like angsty books I didn’t like this. Im sure some readers will love this though so still recommend it trying it.
Pros
- first book I’ve read about Australian Rules Football. No this not another name for soccer or rugby or American football it’s a completely different sport.
-Australian book with normal slang that we use currently and genuine mannerisms.
-NOT set in the outback.
-Interesting, different premise.
*********Spoilers **********
Joq (33) and George (31) are in a 12 year relationship which is open because George doesn’t want to come out in his career as a footy player and Joq is out and wants a forever relationship. Joq has sex with other men in hotels whilst George is away and they are happy with this, using talking about it as foreplay although George doesn’t choose to sleep around himself and wants to stay strictly in the closet. Joq’s experiences are purely physical, George falls in love with Finn (20) after initially talking to him for 2years over the phone (in secret) when he first comes into contact with him at 18. He is his Coach.
In Joqs book we see that he is understandably very upset when he realises his long term defacto partner has fallen in love with someone else and it’s quite a lengthy process as this slowly plays out over the course of the book. We are made to dislike Joq but I really felt for him, it would be awful watching your lover emotionally slip away and not being able to get it back. And George does him the discourtesy of having sex with Finn in their house. Even the secret communication between them for two years when George realised he felt something for Finn but hid this from Joq felt awful to me, that kind of thing isn’t part of their open relationship agreement especially as they agree to always talk about any experiences with each other. I consider this to be cheating as he goes against ALL the rules made between them for their open relationship. I personally didn’t enjoy the resolution to their situation.
The ending stretches belief, particularly in the sports side of things (hello, contracts!!) and I was so damn frustrated that George is still stringing Joq along and saying he doesn’t want their relationship to end at 88%!! Gah I think my conclusion is that this book was more way frustrating than enjoyable for me but at least it was engaging and different.
January 8, 2024
This was my second read of this book, so far my favorite of the series. As I mentioned in my previous review of His Boyfriend’s Rookie, IMO I think it’s best to read all the books to understand all the characters. However these two are my favorites and I cannot get enough of them. It’s an interesting romance, for me always most enjoyable when i understand the characters and can feel their chemistry. This was it !!!
Wonderful second story of this world
I was thrilled to get my hands on this book. I read the prior book His Boyfriends Rookie which tells the story from a different POV. While you would think it was the same it was not at all for me, I needed all the insight and feelings. This is a tricky relationship to understand, however for me it was done very well and I loved watching it evolve slowly. Loved this one and looking forward to more books on this world
Wonderful second story of this world
I was thrilled to get my hands on this book. I read the prior book His Boyfriends Rookie which tells the story from a different POV. While you would think it was the same it was not at all for me, I needed all the insight and feelings. This is a tricky relationship to understand, however for me it was done very well and I loved watching it evolve slowly. Loved this one and looking forward to more books on this world
December 19, 2024
Asking your boyfriend for some time to allow you get over your side piece is ballsy. Did not think our Georgie had it in him.
George fucking Joq while thinking solely of Finn reminded me of that time in Devious Maids when Evelyn asked Adrian if he'd fucked her with another woman's erection.
Naughty Georgie. The worst part was that he wasn't even imagining Finn in sexual situations. Just Finn being Finn. Only imagining a kiss at the end.
How can a purely emotional affair be so torrid?
Lol #JusticeforJoq💀
I know I sort of feel bad for Joq that this is going on right under his nose, in his house, no less, but him requesting an open relationship in exchange for George getting to stay in the closet was also a dick move. I don't even know how they made it 12 years like that.
Finn apologizing about having zero chill in regards to his massive crush on George. Like yeah, dude. We know. Everyone knows. Including George's boyfriend.
And what on earth is 'buddy fucking'? 😂Why George goes to the lengths of doing all these mental gymnastics to justify fucking Finn when he's in an open relationship with Joq(who fucks others religiously), I'll never know.
But sure, hon. You're buddy fucking your rookie whom you text all day and all night and dream about when you don't and fantasize about when you're railing your boyfriend of 12 years. Just two best buds helping each other out.
'They were open on the condition they were open with each other about fucking around.'
Sounds like the WORST way to be open when one of you is not really as committed to the whole being open thing. Death by a thousand cuts.
'A part of him felt terrible about Joq, but another part didn’t—how much could Joq really love George if he wanted to be open?'
💀💀💀💀💀💀
Not my words. Finn coming through with the cattiness.
“Do you ever think you could be with me? Properly, I mean. Just me. I know you’re with him, but I feel like—"
“Did you study Romeo and Juliet at school?” George cut him off.
If this happened to me I'd simply have to melt into a pile of mortified goo. Yikes.
'The terror fell away from Finn’s face and he brightened. So, George was guessing he didn’t.'
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂Finn, my sweet summer child. Heard the names Romeo and Juliet and immediately imagined this great love and not the actual tragedy it was.
Cooking your boyfriend a dish your treat on the side(night delight, except when it's daytime) taught you how to make is also a bit diabolical.
Felt it in my spirit when Jack told Finn, "Any guy doing complicated with you is not worth your time,”
But also how can Finn NOT do complicated with George when it feels like this? I'm not even involved in their romance but I feel a shift in my spirit when they're together, so.
No judgment here.
Finn had so many chances to walk away and just never took them.
'But then he thought of George, his gruff smile, the way he was fucking this up spectacularly but Finn could see in every look, feel in every touch, that he didn’t want to be. He was just perpetually fucking stupid or something.'
Man was gooone. All the way brainless for George.
“There’s no universe in which I’d say no.”
We KNOW, Finn.
George was also absolutely gaslighting Joq, btw. All the 'you're reading too much into it', when on his own time, in his own head, he was aware he was in love with Finn.
My favorite thing about these two was how they kept doing objectively unfair things (to Joq) and just kept rationalizing it away. They're lucky they were the main MCs but they deserved some serious side eye.
I'm going to have to read Joq's book(s) just for the other side. Even though what he did at 85% in should have been the nail in his coffin.
Maybe he's an okay guy but he absolutely wasn't the man for George and I'm okay with the fact that he had to endure Aggravated Emotional and Later Extravagantly Sexual Cheating™ to realize that. Them's the breaks.
Sigh. I used to have such a puritannical moral code until I started reading romance with cheating and empathizing with the 'other man'. I want to bleach my brain but also I kind of don't want to.
Also, Sandy, I'm going to have to hold your hand when I say this but if you read this and loved it then ✨congratulations! ✨, you actually enjoy books with cheating.
Stop hiding. Come to the dark side, already. 💀
Because keeping it a buck? These two were absolutely having an emotional affair. (loved that for them)
George fucking Joq while thinking solely of Finn reminded me of that time in Devious Maids when Evelyn asked Adrian if he'd fucked her with another woman's erection.
Naughty Georgie. The worst part was that he wasn't even imagining Finn in sexual situations. Just Finn being Finn. Only imagining a kiss at the end.
How can a purely emotional affair be so torrid?
Lol #JusticeforJoq💀
I know I sort of feel bad for Joq that this is going on right under his nose, in his house, no less, but him requesting an open relationship in exchange for George getting to stay in the closet was also a dick move. I don't even know how they made it 12 years like that.
Finn apologizing about having zero chill in regards to his massive crush on George. Like yeah, dude. We know. Everyone knows. Including George's boyfriend.
And what on earth is 'buddy fucking'? 😂Why George goes to the lengths of doing all these mental gymnastics to justify fucking Finn when he's in an open relationship with Joq(who fucks others religiously), I'll never know.
But sure, hon. You're buddy fucking your rookie whom you text all day and all night and dream about when you don't and fantasize about when you're railing your boyfriend of 12 years. Just two best buds helping each other out.
'They were open on the condition they were open with each other about fucking around.'
Sounds like the WORST way to be open when one of you is not really as committed to the whole being open thing. Death by a thousand cuts.
'A part of him felt terrible about Joq, but another part didn’t—how much could Joq really love George if he wanted to be open?'
💀💀💀💀💀💀
Not my words. Finn coming through with the cattiness.
“Do you ever think you could be with me? Properly, I mean. Just me. I know you’re with him, but I feel like—"
“Did you study Romeo and Juliet at school?” George cut him off.
If this happened to me I'd simply have to melt into a pile of mortified goo. Yikes.
'The terror fell away from Finn’s face and he brightened. So, George was guessing he didn’t.'
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂Finn, my sweet summer child. Heard the names Romeo and Juliet and immediately imagined this great love and not the actual tragedy it was.
Cooking your boyfriend a dish your treat on the side(night delight, except when it's daytime) taught you how to make is also a bit diabolical.
Felt it in my spirit when Jack told Finn, "Any guy doing complicated with you is not worth your time,”
But also how can Finn NOT do complicated with George when it feels like this? I'm not even involved in their romance but I feel a shift in my spirit when they're together, so.
No judgment here.
Finn had so many chances to walk away and just never took them.
'But then he thought of George, his gruff smile, the way he was fucking this up spectacularly but Finn could see in every look, feel in every touch, that he didn’t want to be. He was just perpetually fucking stupid or something.'
Man was gooone. All the way brainless for George.
“There’s no universe in which I’d say no.”
We KNOW, Finn.
George was also absolutely gaslighting Joq, btw. All the 'you're reading too much into it', when on his own time, in his own head, he was aware he was in love with Finn.
My favorite thing about these two was how they kept doing objectively unfair things (to Joq) and just kept rationalizing it away. They're lucky they were the main MCs but they deserved some serious side eye.
I'm going to have to read Joq's book(s) just for the other side. Even though what he did at 85% in should have been the nail in his coffin.
Maybe he's an okay guy but he absolutely wasn't the man for George and I'm okay with the fact that he had to endure Aggravated Emotional and Later Extravagantly Sexual Cheating™ to realize that. Them's the breaks.
Sigh. I used to have such a puritannical moral code until I started reading romance with cheating and empathizing with the 'other man'. I want to bleach my brain but also I kind of don't want to.
Also, Sandy, I'm going to have to hold your hand when I say this but if you read this and loved it then ✨congratulations! ✨, you actually enjoy books with cheating.
Stop hiding. Come to the dark side, already. 💀
Because keeping it a buck? These two were absolutely having an emotional affair. (loved that for them)
July 11, 2025
5 stars
Sasha Avice doesn't write the usual mm books, her stories are complicated, difficult, they haven't got the easy solutions and her MCs have to work hard for their HEA.
This book is about George, 31 years old, ex football player and now coach, who is closeted and in a 12 years relationship with Joq, head of surveillance at the same facility where George works, and Finn, a 20 years old rookie who immediately falls in love with his coach/idol.
This book is connected with a freebie, His Boyfriend's Rookie, that narrates the same story from Joq's pov. In this book (Because He's My Guy) Joq seems a side character, he doesn't speak a lot, but I strongly recommend to read the freebie because his pov is essential to the story and it helps to understand Joq's emotions and the choices he made.
This story is tricky, it involves sleeping and falling in love with other people but I'm not sure it could be stricly addressed as cheating. Joq and George have, in fact, an agreement: since George is adamant to never coming out, Joq (who's out and proud) is allowed to sleeping around with whoever and whenever he wants. George is allowed too, but he's a monogamous type and he never had sex with other people in 12 years.
This arrangement causes the death of Joq and George's love from the start: because this kind of agreement was unfair to the two of them. Joq was never allowed to be out with his boyfriend, while George had to share his boyfriend's bed with other people (even if they turned Joq's adventures into foreplay). And if that kind of agreement was okay when they started dating at 20 years old, it has a whole different impact now that they're in their 30s.
The truth is, George agreed with an open relationship to placate is strong guilt to not come out, he's always felt like Joq was the one who sacrificed more, so he wanted to give him something to making him feel better.
But as the time passes, Joq made him feel like he wasn't enough with his need to fool around at any cost with so many men. George is a confident man on the field and with his players, but he's got a lot of fears and doubts in his personal life and he's always been scared of being seen less capable because of this sexuality.
Joq takes advantage of that (not consciously, at first), because he knows that the fear of being outed will hold George in their relationship and as soon as he realises that Finn is gay and that George has a crush, he starts plotting and manipulating making all kind of wrong choices (see my review of His Boyfriend's Rookie here).
George felt an attraction to Finn the moment he saw him on tv and when they started communicating via texts, at first, then phone calls and meetings, he also feels a strong connection and slowly falls in love with him. Because for the first time in his life he feels wholeheartedly loved. That's what makes Finn so different from Joq: not his age, not his sweetness, not his brightness, not his innocence, not the sex, but the way he's able to love George, a complete inevitable way.
But still, until 75% of the book, George still considers his relationship with Joq his safe steady place.
So, in addition to his guilt of not coming out, George starts feeling guilty for having feelings for Finn too and that will make him do a lot of mistakes with both his men, especially with Finn: George hurts him several times, making bad choices, saying wrong words, shutting him out, being impulsive sometimes and too closed other times. George is a mess and I think that's why several readers didn't want an HEA for him and Finn.
I'm not able to talk about Joq without leaving spoilers, I just say that his work put him in a convenient position and I don't understand why George never thought about that (I cannot believe George could be so naive). I didn't like at all that his presence taunted a lot of loving moments between George and Finn without them knowing.
Joq was consumed by his jealousy over George's feelings for Finn, but he could have prevented what happened if only he's had the guts to openly talk to his boyfriend, close their relationship and openly talk about their feelings.
I loved that George and Finn had still their struggles when they finally got together and that, contrary to how George and Joq faced their problems, they talked about their feelings and their expectations. This kind of honest and open communication only made them stronger.
I'm really looking forward to read more books about this series (especially Lacy's), in the meantime I highly recommend this.
I received an Arc of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
Edit December 2023: The author just released a free bonus scene through her website: we can see George and Finn's life over the next few years and it's absolutely beautiful.
Edit July 2025: just finished a buddy read of this book and my feelings are stronger than ever. I adore George and Finn together
Sasha Avice doesn't write the usual mm books, her stories are complicated, difficult, they haven't got the easy solutions and her MCs have to work hard for their HEA.
This book is about George, 31 years old, ex football player and now coach, who is closeted and in a 12 years relationship with Joq, head of surveillance at the same facility where George works, and Finn, a 20 years old rookie who immediately falls in love with his coach/idol.
This book is connected with a freebie, His Boyfriend's Rookie, that narrates the same story from Joq's pov. In this book (Because He's My Guy) Joq seems a side character, he doesn't speak a lot, but I strongly recommend to read the freebie because his pov is essential to the story and it helps to understand Joq's emotions and the choices he made.
This story is tricky, it involves sleeping and falling in love with other people but I'm not sure it could be stricly addressed as cheating. Joq and George have, in fact, an agreement: since George is adamant to never coming out, Joq (who's out and proud) is allowed to sleeping around with whoever and whenever he wants. George is allowed too, but he's a monogamous type and he never had sex with other people in 12 years.
This arrangement causes the death of Joq and George's love from the start: because this kind of agreement was unfair to the two of them. Joq was never allowed to be out with his boyfriend, while George had to share his boyfriend's bed with other people (even if they turned Joq's adventures into foreplay). And if that kind of agreement was okay when they started dating at 20 years old, it has a whole different impact now that they're in their 30s.
The truth is, George agreed with an open relationship to placate is strong guilt to not come out, he's always felt like Joq was the one who sacrificed more, so he wanted to give him something to making him feel better.
But as the time passes, Joq made him feel like he wasn't enough with his need to fool around at any cost with so many men. George is a confident man on the field and with his players, but he's got a lot of fears and doubts in his personal life and he's always been scared of being seen less capable because of this sexuality.
Joq takes advantage of that (not consciously, at first), because he knows that the fear of being outed will hold George in their relationship and as soon as he realises that Finn is gay and that George has a crush, he starts plotting and manipulating making all kind of wrong choices (see my review of His Boyfriend's Rookie here).
George felt an attraction to Finn the moment he saw him on tv and when they started communicating via texts, at first, then phone calls and meetings, he also feels a strong connection and slowly falls in love with him. Because for the first time in his life he feels wholeheartedly loved. That's what makes Finn so different from Joq: not his age, not his sweetness, not his brightness, not his innocence, not the sex, but the way he's able to love George, a complete inevitable way.
But still, until 75% of the book, George still considers his relationship with Joq his safe steady place.
So, in addition to his guilt of not coming out, George starts feeling guilty for having feelings for Finn too and that will make him do a lot of mistakes with both his men, especially with Finn: George hurts him several times, making bad choices, saying wrong words, shutting him out, being impulsive sometimes and too closed other times. George is a mess and I think that's why several readers didn't want an HEA for him and Finn.
I'm not able to talk about Joq without leaving spoilers, I just say that his work put him in a convenient position and I don't understand why George never thought about that (I cannot believe George could be so naive). I didn't like at all that his presence taunted a lot of loving moments between George and Finn without them knowing.
Joq was consumed by his jealousy over George's feelings for Finn, but he could have prevented what happened if only he's had the guts to openly talk to his boyfriend, close their relationship and openly talk about their feelings.
I loved that George and Finn had still their struggles when they finally got together and that, contrary to how George and Joq faced their problems, they talked about their feelings and their expectations. This kind of honest and open communication only made them stronger.
I'm really looking forward to read more books about this series (especially Lacy's), in the meantime I highly recommend this.
I received an Arc of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
Edit December 2023: The author just released a free bonus scene through her website: we can see George and Finn's life over the next few years and it's absolutely beautiful.
Edit July 2025: just finished a buddy read of this book and my feelings are stronger than ever. I adore George and Finn together
May 29, 2025
Shoot I’m conflicted about this morally but it just gave me various emotions so 5 stars! 🫶
It’s good it’s good. It’s buzzy it got the right amount of angst and honestly I don’t mind cheating if it benefits my ship 😚 I’m hypocrite I know.
But the thing is, I could get behind the main character cheating IF the person being cheated on is a bad character or abusive or just overall trash. But in this one, Joq (5the one being cheated on) is not that.
And yeah, Joq and George (MMC1) is in an open relationship and Joq is also fucking around because George is closeted as they come.
For the record, since the open relationship decision, George hasn’t fucked anyone so when he met Finn (MMC2) I got this feeling that Joq KNEW that this is different because it’s the first time George wanted someone so bad, he said he never felt anything like what he’s feeling when he is with Finn. Being with Finn made George realized that he didn’t care anymore that people know he is gay.
Unlike when he was with Joq and it just hurts because they were together for 12 YEARS and George never felt that intensity for him😭😭😭
and OHMYGOSH my heart just hurts for Joq at the same time the intimacy and his sweetness with Finn and George is just so delicious and palpable!
Sooo contradicting feelings which makes the book good in my opinion. I hope hope Joq will find his happy ending.
It’s good it’s good. It’s buzzy it got the right amount of angst and honestly I don’t mind cheating if it benefits my ship 😚 I’m hypocrite I know.
But the thing is, I could get behind the main character cheating IF the person being cheated on is a bad character or abusive or just overall trash. But in this one, Joq (5the one being cheated on) is not that.
And yeah, Joq and George (MMC1) is in an open relationship and Joq is also fucking around because George is closeted as they come.
For the record, since the open relationship decision, George hasn’t fucked anyone so when he met Finn (MMC2) I got this feeling that Joq KNEW that this is different because it’s the first time George wanted someone so bad, he said he never felt anything like what he’s feeling when he is with Finn. Being with Finn made George realized that he didn’t care anymore that people know he is gay.
Unlike when he was with Joq and it just hurts because they were together for 12 YEARS and George never felt that intensity for him😭😭😭
and OHMYGOSH my heart just hurts for Joq at the same time the intimacy and his sweetness with Finn and George is just so delicious and palpable!
Sooo contradicting feelings which makes the book good in my opinion. I hope hope Joq will find his happy ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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April 2, 2024(Original Review: 11/03/23)
Disclaimer: I actually read My Boyfriend's Rookie, which is the prequel and tells this same story but from Joq's perspective. It is not on Goodreads, so that is why I am not rating this book, but I am instead attaching my review to this book.
I have no desire to finish reading George and Finn's POV. I started, became angry, and went on to skimming it and reading spoilers to see if I missed anything important. I did not.
Honestly, I find George an arrogant and cheating bastard who deserves to get chlamydia. He acts like he is some monogamous great guy who has been wronged, when he is the one who cheated for years on Joq. Yes, folks, you absolutely can cheat in an open relationship. By not following the boundaries set forth in his open relationship agreement with Joq, (hiding his emotional relationship with Finn for 2 freaking years, bringing Finn to their home for sex, not speaking openly about his developing feelings for Finn to Joq, etc.) he crossed the line from open into cheating. I don't feel bad for George. He agreed to an open relationship. He enjoyed the open relationship because not only was it foreplay for him, it allowed him to keep their relationship in the closet for 12 freaking years!
And Finn, oh stupid young Finn. He is pathetic and acts as the victim when he played a huge role in what went down. He sure won some prize...a man who hides a relationship for over a decade, then hides their own relationship, and also denies him while cheating with him to make Joq stay. Winner winner.
Everyone feels bad for George and Finn. I obviously do not. All my feels go to Joq. While what Joq did was wrong, I don't feel it was unwarranted due to George and Finn's deceitful behavior. Especially as George continued to beg Joq to stay up until almost 90% of the book even when George still wanted Finn back. Joq deserved better than that loser.
George and Finn are definitely not romantic heros in my book. They are just plain disgusting. Ugh. Rant over.
(ETA: 1/14/24)
My Boyfriend's Rookie is now on Goodreads, however, I am keeping this review posted here and will cross-post it on Joq's book as well.
Disclaimer: I actually read My Boyfriend's Rookie, which is the prequel and tells this same story but from Joq's perspective. It is not on Goodreads, so that is why I am not rating this book, but I am instead attaching my review to this book.
I have no desire to finish reading George and Finn's POV. I started, became angry, and went on to skimming it and reading spoilers to see if I missed anything important. I did not.
Honestly, I find George an arrogant and cheating bastard who deserves to get chlamydia. He acts like he is some monogamous great guy who has been wronged, when he is the one who cheated for years on Joq. Yes, folks, you absolutely can cheat in an open relationship. By not following the boundaries set forth in his open relationship agreement with Joq, (hiding his emotional relationship with Finn for 2 freaking years, bringing Finn to their home for sex, not speaking openly about his developing feelings for Finn to Joq, etc.) he crossed the line from open into cheating. I don't feel bad for George. He agreed to an open relationship. He enjoyed the open relationship because not only was it foreplay for him, it allowed him to keep their relationship in the closet for 12 freaking years!
And Finn, oh stupid young Finn. He is pathetic and acts as the victim when he played a huge role in what went down. He sure won some prize...a man who hides a relationship for over a decade, then hides their own relationship, and also denies him while cheating with him to make Joq stay. Winner winner.
Everyone feels bad for George and Finn. I obviously do not. All my feels go to Joq. While what Joq did was wrong, I don't feel it was unwarranted due to George and Finn's deceitful behavior. Especially as George continued to beg Joq to stay up until almost 90% of the book even when George still wanted Finn back. Joq deserved better than that loser.
George and Finn are definitely not romantic heros in my book. They are just plain disgusting. Ugh. Rant over.
(ETA: 1/14/24)
My Boyfriend's Rookie is now on Goodreads, however, I am keeping this review posted here and will cross-post it on Joq's book as well.
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December 18, 2023I have read books with the cheating trope before and liked it. I can still root for the relationship and feel bad for the one being cheated on because of the situation. But this book... I started it liking and rooting for George and Finn but by the end I couldn't stand them. You absolutely can cheat in an open relationship and George definitely did cheat. Yes, what Joq did was inexcusable but that's because it was written that way! I feel that that was a shitty total cop out way to make the reader hate him when he was the one being hurt in this situation.
Of course Joq maybe should've said something and break up first but that doesn't mean that what George did was okay in any way and George also could've said something instead of just thinking if he did this I could do it too. It's not even about sex really. It's more about the fact that Joq and George were together romantically for 12 fucking years and suddenly Finn came into the picture and George barely even thought, talked, or hung out with Joq anymore. The sneaking and lying too... for two fucking years. That's not okay even in an open relationship. I just feel more and more disgusted as the book goes on. Especially because George keeps thinking of himself as a good guy who's definitely not cheating at all oh no.
I mostly hated George but Finn really grates on my nerves by mid book. The audacity of assuming that Joq doesn't love George just because he's in an open relationship that George himself AGREES WITH even when he doesn't know shit about their relationship of 12 years is insane. All the things that he said and thinks about Joq is just so shitty. I honetly would've spit on his face, pack my bags, and fucking leave the two losers to be together.
Sorry for the rant but this book really got to me. I think it's because I feel like I'm supposed to like George and Finn while hate Joq and I feel like it did the complete opposite of that. I'm also not rating it because I actually like this author's writing even though I hate the plot of this and this author also doesn't have many ratings yet.
Of course Joq maybe should've said something and break up first but that doesn't mean that what George did was okay in any way and George also could've said something instead of just thinking if he did this I could do it too. It's not even about sex really. It's more about the fact that Joq and George were together romantically for 12 fucking years and suddenly Finn came into the picture and George barely even thought, talked, or hung out with Joq anymore. The sneaking and lying too... for two fucking years. That's not okay even in an open relationship. I just feel more and more disgusted as the book goes on. Especially because George keeps thinking of himself as a good guy who's definitely not cheating at all oh no.
I mostly hated George but Finn really grates on my nerves by mid book. The audacity of assuming that Joq doesn't love George just because he's in an open relationship that George himself AGREES WITH even when he doesn't know shit about their relationship of 12 years is insane. All the things that he said and thinks about Joq is just so shitty. I honetly would've spit on his face, pack my bags, and fucking leave the two losers to be together.
Sorry for the rant but this book really got to me. I think it's because I feel like I'm supposed to like George and Finn while hate Joq and I feel like it did the complete opposite of that. I'm also not rating it because I actually like this author's writing even though I hate the plot of this and this author also doesn't have many ratings yet.
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October 27, 2023DNF at 18%. Nothing too bad but also not holding my interest either.
January 14, 2025
‘Because He’s My Guy’ is in the ‘Contested Possession’ series based around the world of Australian Rules Football. It’s a follow on character wise from ‘ My Boyfriend’s Rookie’ as it is George Creeds story after breaking up with his boyfriend.
Not to give anything away in a spoiler, I just adored George and his new life, I was smiling through every page until the last period. Every good feeling possible is contained within the pages of this romance and the steam is enough to need the FD on standby throughout.
I’ve read a few others in the ‘Contested Possession’ series and this one is my favourite so far.
If you haven’t started on this series yet, make it one of your New Year’s Resolution to start, you won’t want to break this Resolution once you start. Go get it.
Not to give anything away in a spoiler, I just adored George and his new life, I was smiling through every page until the last period. Every good feeling possible is contained within the pages of this romance and the steam is enough to need the FD on standby throughout.
I’ve read a few others in the ‘Contested Possession’ series and this one is my favourite so far.
If you haven’t started on this series yet, make it one of your New Year’s Resolution to start, you won’t want to break this Resolution once you start. Go get it.
May 9, 2025
George and Finn do not deserve a happy ending.
George does not deserve a happy ending.
On what planet is George a good person that deserves a happy ever after, he wasted 12years of Joq’s life.
What the actual fuck….
Joq should’ve unalived both of them.
George is a cheating cheater that deserves hell.
Joq should’ve damaged every bone in Finn’s body and prevent him from ever playing again.
Mtchewww
George does not deserve a happy ending.
On what planet is George a good person that deserves a happy ever after, he wasted 12years of Joq’s life.
What the actual fuck….
Joq should’ve unalived both of them.
George is a cheating cheater that deserves hell.
Joq should’ve damaged every bone in Finn’s body and prevent him from ever playing again.
Mtchewww
December 28, 2024
Reread 12/2024:
The best book with cheating I’ve ever read! Finn & George had sizzling chemistry right from the start and the most intense sexual tension maybe ever 🔥 Their first sex scene is still one of the best I’ve ever read. I don’t remember many sex scenes but theirs is my Roman Empire
I like how Joq isn’t written like a villain. He does some shitty things but you can’t really blame the guy, he’s only human. He spent 12 years keeping their relationship secret for George, then George is willing to burn it all down for Finn
George & Finn’s love story is so romantic and they’re clearly soulmates, so my sympathy for Joq doesn’t go far. He wasn’t the right guy for George. Finn is his guy and I loved how when George (finally) decided he was in, he went ALL in 💜
Original review:
That feeling when you find a new all time fave 🙌🏻🙌🏻 This book is such a hidden gem! Excellent story, characters & writing!
I highly recommend reading the companion to this book, His Boyfriend’s Rookie. You can get it for freeeeee by signing up for Sasha’s newsletter! It’s the same story told in Joq’s perspective. I actually read that one first - it rocked my world and I immediately read Because He’s My Guy.
The sexual tension between George & Finn had me ready to fucking burst by the time they got together! From the moment they met they had insane chemistry.
I loved the slow development of their relationship, their flirting and how they tried so hard not to cross the line because although George & Joq had an open relationship, George & Finn knew if they got together it would be far from casual.
I am really excited to read the rest of this series! I really liked party boy Lacy and I can’t wait to read his story
The best book with cheating I’ve ever read! Finn & George had sizzling chemistry right from the start and the most intense sexual tension maybe ever 🔥 Their first sex scene is still one of the best I’ve ever read. I don’t remember many sex scenes but theirs is my Roman Empire
I like how Joq isn’t written like a villain. He does some shitty things but you can’t really blame the guy, he’s only human. He spent 12 years keeping their relationship secret for George, then George is willing to burn it all down for Finn
George & Finn’s love story is so romantic and they’re clearly soulmates, so my sympathy for Joq doesn’t go far. He wasn’t the right guy for George. Finn is his guy and I loved how when George (finally) decided he was in, he went ALL in 💜
Original review:
That feeling when you find a new all time fave 🙌🏻🙌🏻 This book is such a hidden gem! Excellent story, characters & writing!
I highly recommend reading the companion to this book, His Boyfriend’s Rookie. You can get it for freeeeee by signing up for Sasha’s newsletter! It’s the same story told in Joq’s perspective. I actually read that one first - it rocked my world and I immediately read Because He’s My Guy.
The sexual tension between George & Finn had me ready to fucking burst by the time they got together! From the moment they met they had insane chemistry.
I loved the slow development of their relationship, their flirting and how they tried so hard not to cross the line because although George & Joq had an open relationship, George & Finn knew if they got together it would be far from casual.
I am really excited to read the rest of this series! I really liked party boy Lacy and I can’t wait to read his story
January 3, 2025
Excellent. Loved it. On favourite shelf and cannot wait for next book. Gritty, emotional and couldn’t put it down.
Reread April 2024.
Reread January 2025.
Reread April 2024.
Reread January 2025.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2025
ARE YOU F**KING KIDDING ME?you are telling me the bad guy got a happy ending and you turned the guy who was done wrong and was hurting into the this devil,just so the actual evil guy can have a justification to be an evil time wasting ungrateful foolish,coward.Miss me with that BS.
February 5, 2024
Finn must be protected at all costs
June 4, 2023
Very angsty M/M romance…lots of drama
This book has a fascinating plot. George Creed is a famous Australian football (soccer to Americans) player who is hiding his being gay. However, he allows Joq his partner to have multiple partners outside of their relationship. I agree with Finn who says, “Who gets George and negotiates [sleeping with] other dudes?�� Speaking of Finn, he is ten years younger than George but immediately has a crush when they begin to text. That part I loved. Their banter whether via text or speaking to one another is so well-written. The book opens in 2020 when George is the 28yo Captain of his team, which drafts a phenom player named Finnegan Flynn at 18yo. An injury sidelines him until he comes to the team when he is 20yo and George is now the team coach. Their attraction only gets more pronounced once they are physically around each other.
This book was so good for the last two thirds but the first was like imagining Victorian ladies talking behind their hand fans…lots of gossipy angst. Some of this part is necessary to show how steadfast George is compared to Joq and how tortuous cheating on Joq feels even though they have an open relationship. Joq has enjoyed all the benefits of the open relationship, however he gets jealous when the circumstances get reversed. A surprise at the end spurs this story to a wonderful conclusion. I wish there had been a glossary for some slang: sledging, chuffed, tip rat or shot through for instance. I just imagined what it might be. Overall, I enjoyed this book. It eventually has lots of steam so if this review tweaks your curiosity, read it, and see what you think. I volunteered to review an ARC of this book.
This book has a fascinating plot. George Creed is a famous Australian football (soccer to Americans) player who is hiding his being gay. However, he allows Joq his partner to have multiple partners outside of their relationship. I agree with Finn who says, “Who gets George and negotiates [sleeping with] other dudes?�� Speaking of Finn, he is ten years younger than George but immediately has a crush when they begin to text. That part I loved. Their banter whether via text or speaking to one another is so well-written. The book opens in 2020 when George is the 28yo Captain of his team, which drafts a phenom player named Finnegan Flynn at 18yo. An injury sidelines him until he comes to the team when he is 20yo and George is now the team coach. Their attraction only gets more pronounced once they are physically around each other.
This book was so good for the last two thirds but the first was like imagining Victorian ladies talking behind their hand fans…lots of gossipy angst. Some of this part is necessary to show how steadfast George is compared to Joq and how tortuous cheating on Joq feels even though they have an open relationship. Joq has enjoyed all the benefits of the open relationship, however he gets jealous when the circumstances get reversed. A surprise at the end spurs this story to a wonderful conclusion. I wish there had been a glossary for some slang: sledging, chuffed, tip rat or shot through for instance. I just imagined what it might be. Overall, I enjoyed this book. It eventually has lots of steam so if this review tweaks your curiosity, read it, and see what you think. I volunteered to review an ARC of this book.
May 25, 2023
4.5 stars. I have always connected with the writing by this author and this book is no exception. This is the same story as that from His Boyfriend's Rookie, but where that was only from Joq’s POV and fairly short (available as a freebie) this is far more detailed and shows the actions and feelings of George and Finn. I particularly liked the clear difference in language use between the MCs, both in text and speech, showing their age difference. While I was never a fan of the AFL even when I lived in Australia (or any other sport where too many people get overly fanatical about a group chasing a ball) it was interesting to read about and the real thing would benefit from more lgbtq representation. In both books I felt more sorry for Joq than his actions warranted, but he hadn't been in a good place in more than a decade.
June 7, 2023
3 Stars ⭐️
I feel like this had the makings of a really great book for me but I am left feeling like I didn't get all of the pieces, it could be the 3rd person pov or the fact that there was a short prequel to this read. With that being said, there was a whole hell of a lot of drama going on here and I found it exhausting. Spicy bits were very well written and sexy AF, so there was that. If you ask me, George should have ditched Joq years ago and absolutely gotten rid of him the moment he met Finn...can you guess that I was not a fan of Joq? He was a Nope! I would say this is the type of book that will be adored by some and not others. I'm 50/50 on this one solely based on Joq's character.
* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *
I feel like this had the makings of a really great book for me but I am left feeling like I didn't get all of the pieces, it could be the 3rd person pov or the fact that there was a short prequel to this read. With that being said, there was a whole hell of a lot of drama going on here and I found it exhausting. Spicy bits were very well written and sexy AF, so there was that. If you ask me, George should have ditched Joq years ago and absolutely gotten rid of him the moment he met Finn...can you guess that I was not a fan of Joq? He was a Nope! I would say this is the type of book that will be adored by some and not others. I'm 50/50 on this one solely based on Joq's character.
* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *
December 11, 2023
Would have been a four-star book for the really lovely depiction of the romance that grows between Fin and George. It’s really a complex look at love, feelings, obligations as George is in a long term relationship with Joq. The relationship is open, but only Joq has ever taken advantage of that. I was really immersed in their story as it developed. For that reason, I would look forward to more by this author. That said, the ending didn’t work for me.
January 27, 2025
I won’t take any stars away for my personal grievances toward George and Finn haha. They’re well written characters but man did they frustrate me!
dnf
January 31, 2025DNF @ 9%. How was it only 9%?? I thought it was longer than that. Nothing wrong with this book, per se, but after reading His Boyfriend’s Rookie, I just couldn’t get behind George. I felt for him in His Boyfriend’s Rookie, but in this one he just comes across as a douche.
Maybe revisit.
Maybe revisit.
January 12, 2025
There is cheating and there is emotional cheating.
I think emotional cheating is way worse...
How could George be so blind and not see that it was just comfortable and practical to stay in this cold relationship with Joq?
The only one he always lied to was himself... This was at some point seriously not ok with Joq, even when they lived in an open relationship.
What occupid me from the beginning was how could Joq live with George in the same house for 10 years and no one got suspicious? Didn't Joq have friends who should have known where he lived? This is highly unlikely to happen.
I first imagined Joaquin as some hot spanish or portuguese dude, what with the name, but he is obviously a cool, blond northern guy...why?
I didn’t like that the story got very, very cheesy at some point.
I think emotional cheating is way worse...
How could George be so blind and not see that it was just comfortable and practical to stay in this cold relationship with Joq?
The only one he always lied to was himself... This was at some point seriously not ok with Joq, even when they lived in an open relationship.
What occupid me from the beginning was how could Joq live with George in the same house for 10 years and no one got suspicious? Didn't Joq have friends who should have known where he lived? This is highly unlikely to happen.
I first imagined Joaquin as some hot spanish or portuguese dude, what with the name, but he is obviously a cool, blond northern guy...why?
I didn’t like that the story got very, very cheesy at some point.
May 26, 2023
Couldn't put this one down, I loved the slow build-up and how inevitable George and Finn were. It took a long time for George to get his head outta his butt and commit fully to Finn but it was worth the wait. I felt for Joq at times but by the end I just wanted him out of the picture as he was interfering with the HEA I wanted. The dynamics in both relationships were frustrating and unbalanced at times but it all added to the intrigue and made me want this story to go on for much longer than it did, I loved every second.
June 13, 2023
I have mixed feelings about this book. This author is new to me, and I did enjoy the writing style.
First, the idea of George being in an open relationship was fine with me, but then it just felt so slow. I just wanted to shake him and yell at him to get his stuff together. His back and forth was killing me, and the fact that it didn’t resolve until the last 15% of the book really frustrated me.
Finn also frustrated me because I wanted him to have stronger boundaries with George. He deserved so much more for the majority of this book, and I felt overly annoyed for him.
Together they were great, the parts where it was just the two of them were great. I do feel like they developed a solid foundation as friends and lovers.
All that to say I haven’t really decided if I loved this or hated it. 2.5/5 ✨
First, the idea of George being in an open relationship was fine with me, but then it just felt so slow. I just wanted to shake him and yell at him to get his stuff together. His back and forth was killing me, and the fact that it didn’t resolve until the last 15% of the book really frustrated me.
Finn also frustrated me because I wanted him to have stronger boundaries with George. He deserved so much more for the majority of this book, and I felt overly annoyed for him.
Together they were great, the parts where it was just the two of them were great. I do feel like they developed a solid foundation as friends and lovers.
All that to say I haven’t really decided if I loved this or hated it. 2.5/5 ✨
May 22, 2025
Because He’s My Guy
Sasha Avice
George & Finn
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
This was intense.
We had a bit of understanding what was going to occur but not how really.
In book 1 George came off as jerky. But here he clearly is a man in love and obsessed.
Joq in an open relationship had no feelings for the partners he slept with. George on the other hand, fell head first before the first touch!
George’s sneaking around felt like cheating. I felt bad for Joq, but the two should have separated a long time ago. This was all kinda messed up between JOq and George, meanwhile George and Finn are planning their life together.
It was so hot. So intense. So emotional angsty. Such a great flipping book. Felt taboo and forbidden.
George and Finn's first time was so so hot. The author wrote the spice exceptionally well.
“he was in love with Finn in a way he’d never be in love with anyone else.”
This was phenomenal, the emotion and feelings flew off the page. Phenomenal writing
“He was in love with Finn. He wanted to be with Finn. He didn’t care who knew about that. And it was about time he did something about that.”
George did Joq dirty, he was willing to throw his whole career and life away for Finn, but stayed in the closet for 12 years for Joq. Wild book, Incredible book!
Desperate for Joqs book now
Sasha Avice
George & Finn
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
This was intense.
We had a bit of understanding what was going to occur but not how really.
In book 1 George came off as jerky. But here he clearly is a man in love and obsessed.
Joq in an open relationship had no feelings for the partners he slept with. George on the other hand, fell head first before the first touch!
George’s sneaking around felt like cheating. I felt bad for Joq, but the two should have separated a long time ago. This was all kinda messed up between JOq and George, meanwhile George and Finn are planning their life together.
It was so hot. So intense. So emotional angsty. Such a great flipping book. Felt taboo and forbidden.
George and Finn's first time was so so hot. The author wrote the spice exceptionally well.
“he was in love with Finn in a way he’d never be in love with anyone else.”
This was phenomenal, the emotion and feelings flew off the page. Phenomenal writing
“He was in love with Finn. He wanted to be with Finn. He didn’t care who knew about that. And it was about time he did something about that.”
George did Joq dirty, he was willing to throw his whole career and life away for Finn, but stayed in the closet for 12 years for Joq. Wild book, Incredible book!
Desperate for Joqs book now
July 20, 2023
George should’ve left Joq the moment he realised his feeling for Finn. And damn, that ending was a bit OTP.
April 24, 2024
Wow. This one got me. Sizzling angst and chemistry and all the Feels.
Okay, this was NOT a Safe for Me book. But I was so caught up in the emotions—to the point I couldn’t even read parts, if that makes sense, the anxiety and anticipation were killing me so hard—that I have to recommend it to others who don’t have my issues with emotional cheating, it was so well done. And maybe even to those who do share my issues, since you go in with eyes open. I appreciate this author more than I can say for that reason. I knew going in what I was in for.
This is a story of two men, one a rookie, one an older (but still young for his job) coach, immersed in Australian football, who were pretty much made for each other but screw it up due to one’s cowardly denial and the other’s pure, unconditionally accepting heart. Criminy. Jeez. I’m so choked up I can barely write.
Let’s get one thing clear. George? Is a jerk. What a completely oblivious, selfish, jerk. Except…he’s not. He’s a sweetheart; a flawed, deluded, guy who makes terrible, oblivious decisions, creating a situation that eventually utterly decimates his Person to the point of something I could barely bear to read. But the way the author told this story, I just…could not help but root for him, for George and Finn to get their HEA, and finish their story.
Wow. Finn.
I loved Finn with absolute devotion. This ray of sunshine, this pure boy, who loves with his whole heart and puts his faith and friendship and honesty into his football career and George without knowing what the hell he’s getting into…the unconditional love he offered George was a shining beacon of hope and heart. I’m so emotional writing this, and, I can’t believe I got through the book, because I do NOT do emotional cheating. And this book is all about George emotionally cheating left, right, and center (which is revealed in the cover copy, and yes, the book Goes There) and still not realizing he’s destroying himself as much as Finn with his crap around his long-term (decade-plus) open-relationship “boyfriend.” (A main, very important secondary character who deserves nothing and won’t get any more mention here, apart from acknowledging his existence. What a tool. But a believable one, not a caricature. And crucial to the story. Kudos, Ms. Avice.)
What happened to George and Finn crushed me, but the incredibly hard-fought HEA did make me smile and tear up. And the connection between them—the texting, the calls, the chemistry, their true friendship—was joyful. I don’t know if I can take more of this author’s work (spoiler, since I'm posting this long after I originally posted it elsewhere, I have now read almost all of this author's work! Because, awesome! and FOX was safe for me!) , but, for one of the few times, the emotional cheating didn’t make me DNF the book thanks to the clearness of the situation in the sales copy, the setup and situation, and how much I adored Finn.
HEA. Forbidden/secret sports (football/soccer) in-the-closet romance. Open relationship scenario, not for the faint of heart (that’s me. I am the faint of heart.) Emotional cheating, but no real cheating, all consensual, apart from one devastating-to-me event at the end that still made sense for the character. Messed up, but, the thorny situation is the focus of the conflict and done very well. Highly recommended, but, go in knowing that.
My thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for the ARC; this is my free and impartial opinion. And my head is still spinning.
Okay, this was NOT a Safe for Me book. But I was so caught up in the emotions—to the point I couldn’t even read parts, if that makes sense, the anxiety and anticipation were killing me so hard—that I have to recommend it to others who don’t have my issues with emotional cheating, it was so well done. And maybe even to those who do share my issues, since you go in with eyes open. I appreciate this author more than I can say for that reason. I knew going in what I was in for.
This is a story of two men, one a rookie, one an older (but still young for his job) coach, immersed in Australian football, who were pretty much made for each other but screw it up due to one’s cowardly denial and the other’s pure, unconditionally accepting heart. Criminy. Jeez. I’m so choked up I can barely write.
Let’s get one thing clear. George? Is a jerk. What a completely oblivious, selfish, jerk. Except…he’s not. He’s a sweetheart; a flawed, deluded, guy who makes terrible, oblivious decisions, creating a situation that eventually utterly decimates his Person to the point of something I could barely bear to read. But the way the author told this story, I just…could not help but root for him, for George and Finn to get their HEA, and finish their story.
Wow. Finn.
I loved Finn with absolute devotion. This ray of sunshine, this pure boy, who loves with his whole heart and puts his faith and friendship and honesty into his football career and George without knowing what the hell he’s getting into…the unconditional love he offered George was a shining beacon of hope and heart. I’m so emotional writing this, and, I can’t believe I got through the book, because I do NOT do emotional cheating. And this book is all about George emotionally cheating left, right, and center (which is revealed in the cover copy, and yes, the book Goes There) and still not realizing he’s destroying himself as much as Finn with his crap around his long-term (decade-plus) open-relationship “boyfriend.” (A main, very important secondary character who deserves nothing and won’t get any more mention here, apart from acknowledging his existence. What a tool. But a believable one, not a caricature. And crucial to the story. Kudos, Ms. Avice.)
What happened to George and Finn crushed me, but the incredibly hard-fought HEA did make me smile and tear up. And the connection between them—the texting, the calls, the chemistry, their true friendship—was joyful. I don’t know if I can take more of this author’s work (spoiler, since I'm posting this long after I originally posted it elsewhere, I have now read almost all of this author's work! Because, awesome! and FOX was safe for me!) , but, for one of the few times, the emotional cheating didn’t make me DNF the book thanks to the clearness of the situation in the sales copy, the setup and situation, and how much I adored Finn.
HEA. Forbidden/secret sports (football/soccer) in-the-closet romance. Open relationship scenario, not for the faint of heart (that’s me. I am the faint of heart.) Emotional cheating, but no real cheating, all consensual, apart from one devastating-to-me event at the end that still made sense for the character. Messed up, but, the thorny situation is the focus of the conflict and done very well. Highly recommended, but, go in knowing that.
My thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for the ARC; this is my free and impartial opinion. And my head is still spinning.
February 20, 2025
4,5 stars
This is the second book I read by this author, and I have to say that I really love the intensity of her writing.
Emotions fly sky-high (without being over the top), the dilemma is delicious and complex, the characters are very human (NOT perfect) and vulnerable, and they make mistakes.
Here, George and Joq are in an open relationship, but with George being a ‘one-guy man’, it’s only Joq who has hook-ups on the side. An arrangement that was agreed as a trade-off for Joq staying in the closet to keep George’s football career out of trouble. They have been doing this for 12 (TWELVE) years, both seemingly happy and content. Hmm, I was wondering …
Then the unthinkable happens …Finn.
Young, charismatic, hot and also a football player. The attraction between him and George is immediate and mind blowing. They simply click, but both men realize that acting on the sizzling chemistry between them is a really bad idea, particularly as George is Finn’s coach.
The sizzling UST, the aching pining, the gradual falling in love, it’s all done brilliantly!
There are so many questions and dilemmas, particularly for George.
Of course, he knows he’s in love, head over heels and so intensely, he doesn’t really know where to put his feelings, but acknowledging it? God no! He’s so petrified of coming out, so scared of telling Joq, so torn about being with Finn. Tbh, later on in the book I got quite annoyed with George for all his mixed signals.
Finn is simply a sunshine guy, and yes, he is young and needs to learn how to cope with his celebrity status and how to deal with bad press, but he KNOWS what/who he wants … and that is George. He is totally swept off his feet, and for him George’s relationship is a total conundrum, and to be honest, I can’t blame him.
One of my questions about this:
Why is Joq still with George? Of course he likes him, but he likes his hook-ups, too. Why would any guy choose to stay in the closet for so long? How can he be 100% happy? And even though he does something pretty nasty to cause a momentary break-up between the George and Finn, I do get that he is not the ‘baddie’ in this story.
None of these men are. That’s the point, and it’s well explored.
And also ... No press has ever tried to figure out George's private life? Despite his fame? No press has ever followed him home? Not sure about this.
This was an excellent read, and the only reason I knocked something off the full 5 stars is this:
George changes his mind on everything he’s struggling with through the book at the blink of an eye, it seems. He’s denying his feelings for most of the book, so his decision at the end seems a little sudden. And then he goes full blast with all of it. I was virtually whiplashed. (and in the back of my mind I heard Joq saying … “he didn’t do this for me”. Darn)
Fabulous book, looking forward to more in the series.
This is the second book I read by this author, and I have to say that I really love the intensity of her writing.
Emotions fly sky-high (without being over the top), the dilemma is delicious and complex, the characters are very human (NOT perfect) and vulnerable, and they make mistakes.
Here, George and Joq are in an open relationship, but with George being a ‘one-guy man’, it’s only Joq who has hook-ups on the side. An arrangement that was agreed as a trade-off for Joq staying in the closet to keep George’s football career out of trouble. They have been doing this for 12 (TWELVE) years, both seemingly happy and content. Hmm, I was wondering …
Then the unthinkable happens …Finn.
Young, charismatic, hot and also a football player. The attraction between him and George is immediate and mind blowing. They simply click, but both men realize that acting on the sizzling chemistry between them is a really bad idea, particularly as George is Finn’s coach.
The sizzling UST, the aching pining, the gradual falling in love, it’s all done brilliantly!
There are so many questions and dilemmas, particularly for George.
Of course, he knows he’s in love, head over heels and so intensely, he doesn’t really know where to put his feelings, but acknowledging it? God no! He’s so petrified of coming out, so scared of telling Joq, so torn about being with Finn. Tbh, later on in the book I got quite annoyed with George for all his mixed signals.
Finn is simply a sunshine guy, and yes, he is young and needs to learn how to cope with his celebrity status and how to deal with bad press, but he KNOWS what/who he wants … and that is George. He is totally swept off his feet, and for him George’s relationship is a total conundrum, and to be honest, I can’t blame him.
One of my questions about this:
Why is Joq still with George? Of course he likes him, but he likes his hook-ups, too. Why would any guy choose to stay in the closet for so long? How can he be 100% happy? And even though he does something pretty nasty to cause a momentary break-up between the George and Finn, I do get that he is not the ‘baddie’ in this story.
None of these men are. That’s the point, and it’s well explored.
And also ... No press has ever tried to figure out George's private life? Despite his fame? No press has ever followed him home? Not sure about this.
This was an excellent read, and the only reason I knocked something off the full 5 stars is this:
George changes his mind on everything he’s struggling with through the book at the blink of an eye, it seems. He’s denying his feelings for most of the book, so his decision at the end seems a little sudden. And then he goes full blast with all of it. I was virtually whiplashed. (and in the back of my mind I heard Joq saying … “he didn’t do this for me”. Darn)
Fabulous book, looking forward to more in the series.
February 25, 2025
3.5⭐⭐⭐✨
I'm conflicted about this story.
✅ Yes, it's true that it's a beautiful and well-constructed story (from Friends to Lovers).
✅ Yes, the characters are deep and so well-developed that it even hurts.
✅ And yes, the events unfold so realistically that you never doubt the protagonists’ feelings are solid and have grown with coherence and patience.
But then... the last 20% happens.
And everything we built goes to hell.
It feels like the author pulled this twist out of nowhere to justify George’s actions with the classic
Do Joq’s actions justify George’s attitude?
Mmmmm... NO.
-Yes, George and Finn had chemistry.
-Yes, their open relationship allowed them to be together without it being considered cheating.
But what George and Finn had was far beyond a casual arrangement.
The way George handled things was selfish. He didn’t talk to Joq. He didn’t give him the chance to understand what was going on. He just let everything fall apart until BOOM, to clean George’s conscience and justify his happily-ever-after with Finn.
And that, my friends, does not sit well with me.
💯 Lesson:
We don’t always need a to justify a love story. Sometimes, the truth is enough: people change, relationships evolve, and love isn’t always forever. But if we want a solid ending, we need consistency in the narrative. It’s not just about building a beautiful romance; it’s about respecting the characters and the readers.
I'm conflicted about this story.
✅ Yes, it's true that it's a beautiful and well-constructed story (from Friends to Lovers).
✅ Yes, the characters are deep and so well-developed that it even hurts.
✅ And yes, the events unfold so realistically that you never doubt the protagonists’ feelings are solid and have grown with coherence and patience.
But then... the last 20% happens.
And everything we built goes to hell.
It feels like the author pulled this twist out of nowhere to justify George’s actions with the classic
Do Joq’s actions justify George’s attitude?
Mmmmm... NO.
-Yes, George and Finn had chemistry.
-Yes, their open relationship allowed them to be together without it being considered cheating.
But what George and Finn had was far beyond a casual arrangement.
The way George handled things was selfish. He didn’t talk to Joq. He didn’t give him the chance to understand what was going on. He just let everything fall apart until BOOM, to clean George’s conscience and justify his happily-ever-after with Finn.
And that, my friends, does not sit well with me.
💯 Lesson:
We don’t always need a to justify a love story. Sometimes, the truth is enough: people change, relationships evolve, and love isn’t always forever. But if we want a solid ending, we need consistency in the narrative. It’s not just about building a beautiful romance; it’s about respecting the characters and the readers.
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