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Match Point
Two stubborn men.
One is a rude jerk. The other, the life of the party.
It was hate at first sight.
Pro beach volleyball players Finn Callahan and Dexter Savage have been rivals since college. While Finn always comes out on top on the court, Dexter’s carefree and fun-loving personality earns him scores of adoring men and women. And as much as Finn fights to deny it, there’s another reason for the tension he feels when Dex is around. Hate wasn’t the only thing he felt when he first laid eyes on his opponent.
When they’re forced to team up, the two men must bury their differences—on and off the court—if either of them is going to succeed professionally.
One is a rude jerk. The other, the life of the party.
It was hate at first sight.
Pro beach volleyball players Finn Callahan and Dexter Savage have been rivals since college. While Finn always comes out on top on the court, Dexter’s carefree and fun-loving personality earns him scores of adoring men and women. And as much as Finn fights to deny it, there’s another reason for the tension he feels when Dex is around. Hate wasn’t the only thing he felt when he first laid eyes on his opponent.
When they’re forced to team up, the two men must bury their differences—on and off the court—if either of them is going to succeed professionally.
167 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 20, 2016
5 people are currently reading
244 people want to read
About the author
Leigh Carman
6books34followersLeigh Carman is the pen name for the M/M romances written by bestselling Contemporary romance writer, Heather C. Leigh.
She lives outside Houston, TX with her husband, 2 kids, and snorty French bulldog named Shelby.
She has left explicit directions in her will requiring her friends to discreetly scatter her ashes around Fenway Park. Then they can sit back, watch the Sox with a beer and a Fenway frank in hand while having a wicked good time.
She lives outside Houston, TX with her husband, 2 kids, and snorty French bulldog named Shelby.
She has left explicit directions in her will requiring her friends to discreetly scatter her ashes around Fenway Park. Then they can sit back, watch the Sox with a beer and a Fenway frank in hand while having a wicked good time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
July 19, 2016
*1.5 stars*
Seeing the current average rating on GR for this book makes me think I read a different story than everyone else.
Don’t hate on me folks, but I had many issues with this one.
The premise is good. I love sports-themed stories and I don’t believe I’ve read one about volleyball players before. I enjoyed all aspects of the sport, though it did not dominate the story as such. Practice, the adrenaline of a tournament won, celebrating after –it all worked well. Plus, I’m a big fan of enemies-to-lovers, so I was hoping the animosity verging on outright hatred between Finn and Dexter would pull me right in.
But.
When we are first introduced to the characters, Dexter is single but Finn is engaged (secretly) to his teammate, Tristan. Not only are they engaged, but they are truly presented as the perfect couple. Finn often refers to Tristan as the love of his life and Tristan is the ideal partner. This was all very cute and all but I was very aware of the fact that the main couple in this story was supposed to be Tristan and Dex so imagine my confusion at reading about this super amazing straight-out-of-a-fairy-tale relationship that Finn had with someone else.
Yes, the operative word here is had.
I personally did not appreciate the transition of Finn in a relationship to Finn being single and available to move on to Dex. There was a quick summary of what went down when I felt like considerable more page time should have been devoted to that section. Further, after we’re rushed along 11 months later, Finn is suddenly crushing on Dex, his eternal enemy, with no real reason being given whatsoever. Dex showed some sympathy to Finn’s personal circumstances and break from the sport but other than that, nothing was really different to before when they hated each other. This crush was quickly upgraded to "insane attraction" with other OTT descriptors that turned me off completely.
The enemies bit was so extreme, with Finn and Dex getting in physical fights all the time that half the time I thought these two should have been forcibly and immediately separated from one another. And we’re not talking a heated disagreement leading to make-up sex or anything like that –I don’t approve of that either but I read it a lot in books and sometimes it works. No no no no. Split lips, bruised jaws, and punches meant to cause damage are the typical fight between Dex and Finn. And they happened a lot. Talk about dysfunction. They should have remained enemies.
Verdict? This pushed all the wrong buttons for me. I was so frustrated that I couldn’t really appreciate anything positive after a certain point, like the steam or the flirting or the lovely HEA they got. Talking about steam, there was no build-up to their first sexual encounter. It was almost clinical, the way they got to the fucking, and not in a hot �can’t keep our hands to ourselves� way either.
Just...really not for me. It might be for you if the above doesn’t bother you as much as it did me.
ARC provided by in exchange for an honest review.
Seeing the current average rating on GR for this book makes me think I read a different story than everyone else.
Don’t hate on me folks, but I had many issues with this one.
The premise is good. I love sports-themed stories and I don’t believe I’ve read one about volleyball players before. I enjoyed all aspects of the sport, though it did not dominate the story as such. Practice, the adrenaline of a tournament won, celebrating after –it all worked well. Plus, I’m a big fan of enemies-to-lovers, so I was hoping the animosity verging on outright hatred between Finn and Dexter would pull me right in.
But.
When we are first introduced to the characters, Dexter is single but Finn is engaged (secretly) to his teammate, Tristan. Not only are they engaged, but they are truly presented as the perfect couple. Finn often refers to Tristan as the love of his life and Tristan is the ideal partner. This was all very cute and all but I was very aware of the fact that the main couple in this story was supposed to be Tristan and Dex so imagine my confusion at reading about this super amazing straight-out-of-a-fairy-tale relationship that Finn had with someone else.
Yes, the operative word here is had.
I personally did not appreciate the transition of Finn in a relationship to Finn being single and available to move on to Dex. There was a quick summary of what went down when I felt like considerable more page time should have been devoted to that section. Further, after we’re rushed along 11 months later, Finn is suddenly crushing on Dex, his eternal enemy, with no real reason being given whatsoever. Dex showed some sympathy to Finn’s personal circumstances and break from the sport but other than that, nothing was really different to before when they hated each other. This crush was quickly upgraded to "insane attraction" with other OTT descriptors that turned me off completely.
The enemies bit was so extreme, with Finn and Dex getting in physical fights all the time that half the time I thought these two should have been forcibly and immediately separated from one another. And we’re not talking a heated disagreement leading to make-up sex or anything like that –I don’t approve of that either but I read it a lot in books and sometimes it works. No no no no. Split lips, bruised jaws, and punches meant to cause damage are the typical fight between Dex and Finn. And they happened a lot. Talk about dysfunction. They should have remained enemies.
Verdict? This pushed all the wrong buttons for me. I was so frustrated that I couldn’t really appreciate anything positive after a certain point, like the steam or the flirting or the lovely HEA they got. Talking about steam, there was no build-up to their first sexual encounter. It was almost clinical, the way they got to the fucking, and not in a hot �can’t keep our hands to ourselves� way either.
Just...really not for me. It might be for you if the above doesn’t bother you as much as it did me.
ARC provided by in exchange for an honest review.
July 16, 2021
Hello, my name is Crabbypatty and ... oh, this is hard for me to blurt out ... but ... I'm shallow. When I saw that gorgeous cover and read the blurb, I was in. I mean, two hot professional beach volleyball players? Yes, oh please ... yes.
Okay, I like the premise of this book. Dex and Finn have known (and hated) each other since college, and find themselves on opposite sides of the net in the professional beach volleyball world. Dex is the great guy with lots of sponsors and a winning smile. Finn? So, he's not Mr. Friendly (or personable or charming) but he and his partner Tristan are a winning team both on - and off - the beach. When an almost unbearable tragedy devastates Finn, he finds his way back from grief by teaming up with Dex on the PBVA tour.
The sexual tension between Dex and Finn is fierce and intense - but the same can be said of their animosity for one another. Dex and Finn alternate between fighting their attraction for one another ... and fighting, as in knock-down drag-out fights, spats, dust-ups, etc. Both are fond of storming off after a fight, and frequently Dex or Finn grab their keys and drive off, only to find themselves pounding on the other's door later to make up, or waiting in the parking lot. Personally, I felt this really slowed down the pace of the story as it happened again and again and again.
Finally, without going into too much detail, . However, the HEA ending pulls everything together nicely, and I have to give Leigh Carman bonus points for using the sentence, "How embarrassing to find out you're some sort of gay sex unicorn."
Disclaimer: I realize that most other reviewers here on GR really loved this book, and I'm aware that what irked me in this story may not bother anyone else. As I often say "your mileage may vary!"
I received an ARC from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Okay, I like the premise of this book. Dex and Finn have known (and hated) each other since college, and find themselves on opposite sides of the net in the professional beach volleyball world. Dex is the great guy with lots of sponsors and a winning smile. Finn? So, he's not Mr. Friendly (or personable or charming) but he and his partner Tristan are a winning team both on - and off - the beach. When an almost unbearable tragedy devastates Finn, he finds his way back from grief by teaming up with Dex on the PBVA tour.
The sexual tension between Dex and Finn is fierce and intense - but the same can be said of their animosity for one another. Dex and Finn alternate between fighting their attraction for one another ... and fighting, as in knock-down drag-out fights, spats, dust-ups, etc. Both are fond of storming off after a fight, and frequently Dex or Finn grab their keys and drive off, only to find themselves pounding on the other's door later to make up, or waiting in the parking lot. Personally, I felt this really slowed down the pace of the story as it happened again and again and again.
Finally, without going into too much detail, . However, the HEA ending pulls everything together nicely, and I have to give Leigh Carman bonus points for using the sentence, "How embarrassing to find out you're some sort of gay sex unicorn."
Disclaimer: I realize that most other reviewers here on GR really loved this book, and I'm aware that what irked me in this story may not bother anyone else. As I often say "your mileage may vary!"
I received an ARC from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
July 2, 2016
Title: Match Point
Author: Leigh Carman
Series: Sports of the Seasons, Book 1
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Reviewer: Melissa
Release Date: July 20, 2016
Genre(s): M/M Sports Romance
Page Count: 200
Heat Level: 4 flames out of 5
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Blurb:
Review:
“He presses his hard body against my back, forcing me into the room. Before I can object, I”m spun around, pinned to the wall by six feet plus of sexy Finn Callahan.�
5 million stars!!! Beach volleyball has never looked hotter!!! I need more!
Finn and Dexter have made it no secret that they don’t care for each other and haven’t since college. Which makes things difficult since they are both pro beach volleyball players and they play in the same circuit. Finn the ace player, the guy on top and he has the attitude to prove it! While Dexter is the sweet, fun, happy go lucky guy, which means he has adoring fans, both men and women. Finn tries to deny how he feels about Dexter, but he knows he can’t fight his feelings for this man much longer. And when these two are paired up to be a team, that’s when things really start to heat up. But Can Finn and Dexter really make it work professionally and romantically?
Seriously, I would give this book more than 5 stars if I could!! I really fell into this book by accident, but I’m so glad I did!!! It’s full of angst, heat and all around romance!! I loved the love/hate relationship between Dexter and Finn! And the storyline was fun and unique, which made me love it even more!! I’m hooked on this series and I can’t wait to see where it goes next!
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Melissa from
Author: Leigh Carman
Series: Sports of the Seasons, Book 1
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Reviewer: Melissa
Release Date: July 20, 2016
Genre(s): M/M Sports Romance
Page Count: 200
Heat Level: 4 flames out of 5
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Blurb:
Two stubborn men.
One is a rude jerk. The other, the life of the party.
It was hate at first sight.
Pro beach volleyball players Finn Callahan and Dexter Savage have been rivals since college. While Finn always comes out on top on the court, Dexter’s carefree and fun-loving personality earns him scores of adoring men and women. And as much as Finn fights to deny it, there’s another reason for the tension he feels when Dex is around. Hate wasn’t the only thing he felt when he first laid eyes on his opponent.
When they’re forced to team up, the two men must bury their differences—on and off the court—if either of them is going to succeed professionally.
Review:
“He presses his hard body against my back, forcing me into the room. Before I can object, I”m spun around, pinned to the wall by six feet plus of sexy Finn Callahan.�
5 million stars!!! Beach volleyball has never looked hotter!!! I need more!
Finn and Dexter have made it no secret that they don’t care for each other and haven’t since college. Which makes things difficult since they are both pro beach volleyball players and they play in the same circuit. Finn the ace player, the guy on top and he has the attitude to prove it! While Dexter is the sweet, fun, happy go lucky guy, which means he has adoring fans, both men and women. Finn tries to deny how he feels about Dexter, but he knows he can’t fight his feelings for this man much longer. And when these two are paired up to be a team, that’s when things really start to heat up. But Can Finn and Dexter really make it work professionally and romantically?
Seriously, I would give this book more than 5 stars if I could!! I really fell into this book by accident, but I’m so glad I did!!! It’s full of angst, heat and all around romance!! I loved the love/hate relationship between Dexter and Finn! And the storyline was fun and unique, which made me love it even more!! I’m hooked on this series and I can’t wait to see where it goes next!
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Melissa from
July 18, 2016
4 stars � Sports romances are probably my favorite subgenre of all, so when the opportunity came up to read and review Match Point, the first release in Leigh Carman’s Sports of the Seasons series, of course I said yes. Now that I’ve read it, if I were forced to use only three words to describe the novel, they would be drama, drama, and drama. Okay, I exaggerate slightly, because words like hot certainly apply, but drama is definitely the driving force in this story.
Dexter Savage is one of the most popular players in professional beach volleyball, but his rival since college, Finn Callahan, is the one man who always stands between him and being the best in the game. Their rivalry has always been bitter; Finn is, and always has been, a rude and cocky jerk to Dex. Even then, Dex has always been adored by his fans, but what he doesn’t know is that Finn also wanted him. The only way Finn could deal with crushing on the hot, straight guy was to hate him. When separate accidents leave Dex and Finn without volleyball partners, joining up makes sense, but proximity brings their true feelings to the surface, things that could destroy not only their professional partnership but any chance at something personal as well.
Drama: In addition to the rivalry they started in college, both Finn and Dex have major issues in their pasts that shade their interactions with each other. The loss of Finn’s volleyball partner, the man who was also Finn’s fiancé, a fact that no one else knew, devastates him to the point where he not only leaves the pro tour but essentially shuts himself away. After Dex convinces him to come back, Finn is forced again to fight his attraction to Dex. While we learn near the beginning of the story that Dex’s driving motivation stems from a past of living on the street, the reason for this is revealed much later. Without going into spoiler territory, the events with Dex’s family also caused him to quash his sexual desires. As a result, when he begins to realize his attraction to Dex, he cannot deal with it. Add to that the fact that Finn’s family isn’t full of perfect acceptance either and there’s plenty of ways to cue up the angst.
More drama: As if their issues weren’t bad enough, both men suffer from a major case of stubbornness. So any time they interact about something, either professional or personal, they may start with the best of intentions, but all it takes is one wrong step and they both revert to fight-or-flight mode. Let’s just say they misstep a lot. No really, a LOT. I have to admit that there were several instances as the story progressed where I found myself rolling my eyes at just how over-the-top the drama level was during their interactions. Can you say drama queens? That’s a funny mental image considering how sexy the descriptions of these two are. On the plus side, though, all this dramatic stubborn manliness made for delicious sexual tension between the two. Will-they-or-won’t-they always works for me. As such, when they finally do get together, it’s not only intense and hot, but it’s emotional as well.
So yeah, I loved these two. However, the book wasn’t without flaws. The biggest of these is recurring problems with the point of view (POV). Throughout the novel, the feelings these two have regarding the other are usually about the same as those the other has—for example, they are often frustrated with each other at the same time—so unless a reference is made to something specific to one of the characters, it is easy to forget whose POV is being used during their interactions with one another. The author labels whose POV is being used at the start of the chapter and when it changes mid-chapter, but because their interactions often deal with things they have in common and their personalities are in many ways similar, I found myself wishing the author had made a better effort for clarity.
Another consequence of the frequency with which the author shifted between the two POVs is the fact that the storytelling sometimes felt jumpy. In fact, it often felt like I was reading a novella. But at least that was the only similarity to novellas I felt—none of that annoying skipping over parts of a romance that I love seeing in order to fit it in such a short length. This one hit all the important things, and it did so in a satisfying manner overall.
While I wouldn’t go so far as to say I’m a sports junkie, I do love watching nearly any sport. And I do know a lot about several sports, so I find myself being a little critical of how the sports aspect is portrayed in this subgenre of romance. My knowledge of volleyball, though, is limited to when I had to play it in gym class or at the rare family-reunion-type event, so I can’t really pass judgment on how well the author portrayed it in the book. If you’re a stickler for this sort of thing, it’s not much of an issue anyway, since there are only a handful of places where the story tells what’s happening in a game or practice, and these instances are very short. She uses the right terminology, so as far as I’m concerned, the author did fine here.
As a whole, I enjoyed Match Point. And I think you will too, especially if you like stubborn men who are afraid to confront their feelings so that they deal with it by being belligerent toward each other, even though in this case, the drama struck me as slightly over the top. But that isn’t enough to keep me from looking forward to and reading the remaining books when they are released.
The author generously provided me a complimentary copy of Match Point in exchange for this fair and honest review.
Follow Me: | |
Dexter Savage is one of the most popular players in professional beach volleyball, but his rival since college, Finn Callahan, is the one man who always stands between him and being the best in the game. Their rivalry has always been bitter; Finn is, and always has been, a rude and cocky jerk to Dex. Even then, Dex has always been adored by his fans, but what he doesn’t know is that Finn also wanted him. The only way Finn could deal with crushing on the hot, straight guy was to hate him. When separate accidents leave Dex and Finn without volleyball partners, joining up makes sense, but proximity brings their true feelings to the surface, things that could destroy not only their professional partnership but any chance at something personal as well.
Drama: In addition to the rivalry they started in college, both Finn and Dex have major issues in their pasts that shade their interactions with each other. The loss of Finn’s volleyball partner, the man who was also Finn’s fiancé, a fact that no one else knew, devastates him to the point where he not only leaves the pro tour but essentially shuts himself away. After Dex convinces him to come back, Finn is forced again to fight his attraction to Dex. While we learn near the beginning of the story that Dex’s driving motivation stems from a past of living on the street, the reason for this is revealed much later. Without going into spoiler territory, the events with Dex’s family also caused him to quash his sexual desires. As a result, when he begins to realize his attraction to Dex, he cannot deal with it. Add to that the fact that Finn’s family isn’t full of perfect acceptance either and there’s plenty of ways to cue up the angst.
More drama: As if their issues weren’t bad enough, both men suffer from a major case of stubbornness. So any time they interact about something, either professional or personal, they may start with the best of intentions, but all it takes is one wrong step and they both revert to fight-or-flight mode. Let’s just say they misstep a lot. No really, a LOT. I have to admit that there were several instances as the story progressed where I found myself rolling my eyes at just how over-the-top the drama level was during their interactions. Can you say drama queens? That’s a funny mental image considering how sexy the descriptions of these two are. On the plus side, though, all this dramatic stubborn manliness made for delicious sexual tension between the two. Will-they-or-won’t-they always works for me. As such, when they finally do get together, it’s not only intense and hot, but it’s emotional as well.
So yeah, I loved these two. However, the book wasn’t without flaws. The biggest of these is recurring problems with the point of view (POV). Throughout the novel, the feelings these two have regarding the other are usually about the same as those the other has—for example, they are often frustrated with each other at the same time—so unless a reference is made to something specific to one of the characters, it is easy to forget whose POV is being used during their interactions with one another. The author labels whose POV is being used at the start of the chapter and when it changes mid-chapter, but because their interactions often deal with things they have in common and their personalities are in many ways similar, I found myself wishing the author had made a better effort for clarity.
Another consequence of the frequency with which the author shifted between the two POVs is the fact that the storytelling sometimes felt jumpy. In fact, it often felt like I was reading a novella. But at least that was the only similarity to novellas I felt—none of that annoying skipping over parts of a romance that I love seeing in order to fit it in such a short length. This one hit all the important things, and it did so in a satisfying manner overall.
While I wouldn’t go so far as to say I’m a sports junkie, I do love watching nearly any sport. And I do know a lot about several sports, so I find myself being a little critical of how the sports aspect is portrayed in this subgenre of romance. My knowledge of volleyball, though, is limited to when I had to play it in gym class or at the rare family-reunion-type event, so I can’t really pass judgment on how well the author portrayed it in the book. If you’re a stickler for this sort of thing, it’s not much of an issue anyway, since there are only a handful of places where the story tells what’s happening in a game or practice, and these instances are very short. She uses the right terminology, so as far as I’m concerned, the author did fine here.
As a whole, I enjoyed Match Point. And I think you will too, especially if you like stubborn men who are afraid to confront their feelings so that they deal with it by being belligerent toward each other, even though in this case, the drama struck me as slightly over the top. But that isn’t enough to keep me from looking forward to and reading the remaining books when they are released.
The author generously provided me a complimentary copy of Match Point in exchange for this fair and honest review.
Follow Me: | |
July 22, 2016
Two champion pro volleyball players, formerly fierce rivals are partnered up for a tour. Let the games begin...
Dex Savage is likable, charming, and everyone's friend. But deep down he is lonely and anxious. He has a need for security that stems from his past. He is competitive and hates being second best.
Finn Callahan is not well liked, and is known to be a cocky jerk and hot-head. He is on top of his game, plans on staying that way, and loves gloating about it. But a sudden change in his life sends him into a tailspin of grief, depression, and alcohol. He needs something to motivate him out of his darkness.
His arch enemy, Dex, appears to pull him out with a crazy idea to become a team despite their less than friendly interactions. They've hated and taunted each other since college. And both had their own reasons. They are volatile and aggressive. They can barely stand to be in the same room together without taunting, torturing, or getting mad.
But then surprisingly they are dealing with more issues since Finn is closeted and gay, and Dex is straight, but is feeling all tingly around his new partner. There is now a new current running between them and neither knows what to do with it. Both are confused, anxious, and at times angry, or fearful.
They have hot chemistry and a growing attraction that finally boils over. Their usual strong reactions spill over into their intense intimate scenes. In some ways they find happiness and passion together, but they also both have personal issues, insecurities, and decisions to face. There is plenty of angst and fight or flight...and this case sometimes the fights are real fights with fists. There is quite a bit of back and forth between them.
This is a fast-paced enemies-to-lovers story. It is adversarial, passionate, and has some emotional situations. As it went on it dug deeper into the characters and they had to tackle various problems. It touched on the media and how hard it is to be an out and gay athlete. It was about self awareness, trust, hope, security, and living life to the fullest. It not only dealt with the importance of romantic love, but also that of family. It was told in dual points of view letting us get into both of these dynamic guys' heads. I liked getting to know their motivations both past and present.
I did have a few issues with the book itself. The transitions seemed a bit choppy between chapters and scenes. At times it would skip to a new chapter or scene, but then go back and tell us what had come of the end of the scene before it. Even though I liked the dual points of view, I will admit that sometimes I would forget who was narrating that chapter or get the men confused in the middle of a scene.
But overall, this was quick and hot M/M read about a sport that is not written about as much. And she packed a lot into it. The author is planning on three more stand-alones focusing on football, hockey, and baseball with some crossover cameos. That is such a fun idea and I will be interested to check them out.
I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Follow Me: | |
Dex Savage is likable, charming, and everyone's friend. But deep down he is lonely and anxious. He has a need for security that stems from his past. He is competitive and hates being second best.
Finn Callahan is not well liked, and is known to be a cocky jerk and hot-head. He is on top of his game, plans on staying that way, and loves gloating about it. But a sudden change in his life sends him into a tailspin of grief, depression, and alcohol. He needs something to motivate him out of his darkness.
His arch enemy, Dex, appears to pull him out with a crazy idea to become a team despite their less than friendly interactions. They've hated and taunted each other since college. And both had their own reasons. They are volatile and aggressive. They can barely stand to be in the same room together without taunting, torturing, or getting mad.
But then surprisingly they are dealing with more issues since Finn is closeted and gay, and Dex is straight, but is feeling all tingly around his new partner. There is now a new current running between them and neither knows what to do with it. Both are confused, anxious, and at times angry, or fearful.
They have hot chemistry and a growing attraction that finally boils over. Their usual strong reactions spill over into their intense intimate scenes. In some ways they find happiness and passion together, but they also both have personal issues, insecurities, and decisions to face. There is plenty of angst and fight or flight...and this case sometimes the fights are real fights with fists. There is quite a bit of back and forth between them.
This is a fast-paced enemies-to-lovers story. It is adversarial, passionate, and has some emotional situations. As it went on it dug deeper into the characters and they had to tackle various problems. It touched on the media and how hard it is to be an out and gay athlete. It was about self awareness, trust, hope, security, and living life to the fullest. It not only dealt with the importance of romantic love, but also that of family. It was told in dual points of view letting us get into both of these dynamic guys' heads. I liked getting to know their motivations both past and present.
I did have a few issues with the book itself. The transitions seemed a bit choppy between chapters and scenes. At times it would skip to a new chapter or scene, but then go back and tell us what had come of the end of the scene before it. Even though I liked the dual points of view, I will admit that sometimes I would forget who was narrating that chapter or get the men confused in the middle of a scene.
But overall, this was quick and hot M/M read about a sport that is not written about as much. And she packed a lot into it. The author is planning on three more stand-alones focusing on football, hockey, and baseball with some crossover cameos. That is such a fun idea and I will be interested to check them out.
I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Follow Me: | |
August 2, 2016
I have never read a book solely about volleyball players. I'm kind of glad I've saved myself for this book because it was excellent.
Dexter Savage had a horrible upbringing forcing him to leave home and make his own way. Having done so it has given him a few terrible complexes, one being about money and having to live the way he did when he was younger. no one knows of his past, maybe except his foster parents, and he'd always plan on keeping it that way. He has many goals, with sponsors and winning a championship. Only, one man, who he loathes, stands in his way of his dreams.
Finn Callahan is not openly gay, as his partner had a terrible coming out and didn't want to feel that rejection from his teammates and fans, so Finn "happily" stuck by his side in silence. A terrible accident leaves Finn grieving and alone, with absolutely no support system. He dropped out of volleyball and basically cut off all contact with the world. So he's a bit surprised when one Dex Savage shows up at his door.
Finn can't help but feel some sort of pull, as he's been secretively crushing on Dex since their early college years, but has kept it to himself seeing as Dex is straight. In his curiosity, he accepts Dex's offer to try out to see how they could work as a team.
Due to these feelings that neither of them knew the other has for each other, the tension is super thick, building a lusty crescendo. You can't wait for it to finally explode, and once it does you can't not be so extremely happy for them. Although, it takes another rather unfortunate event for Dex to wake up, but the Dex left in its wake is a caring, protective Dex and its so awesome to behold.
I will say I did get a bit of whiplash between the waring emotions, and I wanted to shake them vigorously many times. In the end though, it all seems worth it.
This is my first book by this author and her writing style is just wonderful, I will definitely be picking up more books by her!
I give this book 5*, I absolutely loved it
***given as an arc for my honest review***
Dexter Savage had a horrible upbringing forcing him to leave home and make his own way. Having done so it has given him a few terrible complexes, one being about money and having to live the way he did when he was younger. no one knows of his past, maybe except his foster parents, and he'd always plan on keeping it that way. He has many goals, with sponsors and winning a championship. Only, one man, who he loathes, stands in his way of his dreams.
Finn Callahan is not openly gay, as his partner had a terrible coming out and didn't want to feel that rejection from his teammates and fans, so Finn "happily" stuck by his side in silence. A terrible accident leaves Finn grieving and alone, with absolutely no support system. He dropped out of volleyball and basically cut off all contact with the world. So he's a bit surprised when one Dex Savage shows up at his door.
Finn can't help but feel some sort of pull, as he's been secretively crushing on Dex since their early college years, but has kept it to himself seeing as Dex is straight. In his curiosity, he accepts Dex's offer to try out to see how they could work as a team.
Due to these feelings that neither of them knew the other has for each other, the tension is super thick, building a lusty crescendo. You can't wait for it to finally explode, and once it does you can't not be so extremely happy for them. Although, it takes another rather unfortunate event for Dex to wake up, but the Dex left in its wake is a caring, protective Dex and its so awesome to behold.
I will say I did get a bit of whiplash between the waring emotions, and I wanted to shake them vigorously many times. In the end though, it all seems worth it.
This is my first book by this author and her writing style is just wonderful, I will definitely be picking up more books by her!
I give this book 5*, I absolutely loved it
***given as an arc for my honest review***
July 25, 2016
*A copy of this book was provided for free by the author in exchange for an honest review.*
This was a fine read, I just had a hard time connecting to the characters. I'm not sure if it's because of the lack of final formatting (I have an ARC review copy) or because of all the time jumps at the beginning, but it feels very choppy. I had a hard time keeping the characters separate in my head as I read. There were a couple of differences in their history, but personality wise they were too indistinct from each other. I did enjoy a look at a new(ish) sport. I normally love a rivalry like the one in this books, but there was no reason for it and there for nothing to overcome. They were both just jerks to each other. My heart did break for Finn. Poor guy. But it doesn't last because it's brushed aside fairly quickly. This book stays surface too much for me. But it was cute, and the guys aren't bad.
This was a fine read, I just had a hard time connecting to the characters. I'm not sure if it's because of the lack of final formatting (I have an ARC review copy) or because of all the time jumps at the beginning, but it feels very choppy. I had a hard time keeping the characters separate in my head as I read. There were a couple of differences in their history, but personality wise they were too indistinct from each other. I did enjoy a look at a new(ish) sport. I normally love a rivalry like the one in this books, but there was no reason for it and there for nothing to overcome. They were both just jerks to each other. My heart did break for Finn. Poor guy. But it doesn't last because it's brushed aside fairly quickly. This book stays surface too much for me. But it was cute, and the guys aren't bad.
June 28, 2017
A good sports-based romance is just what I needed, and when I came across a whole series (well, two previous books and a third up for publication in a few weeks), I decided to give it a go. The blurb alone had my anticipation going up a few notches: two stubborn men, one rude one social, and “hate at first sight� sounded very promising in terms of conflict, passion, and lots of “interpersonal sparks� all over the place. And what a ride it turned out to be!
Dexter is a professional beach volleyball player who desperately wants his first professional Grand Slam title. He has a volleyball partner he plays well with, and his strongest opponent is a man he already hated in college and who has since risen to “an asshole to the hundredth power�, as Dexter puts it. What makes it worse is that Finn and his playing partner usually win in a direct confrontation.
Finn is everything Dexter is not. He’s tough, unfriendly, glowers a lot, and is a brutally tough player who will do pretty much anything it takes to win. He hates Dexter for his ability to charm people, for his friendliness, and just � because he is too physically perfect and utterly charming. Not qualities Finn has in excess. He is also deeply in love with his volleyball partner, Tristan, whom he is secretly engaged to, but he isn’t out and that leads to all kinds of complications.
Told in alternating first person, the story is especially tension-filled as I was able to see each character’s thoughts and feelings from really, really up-close and personal. Being this close to the proceedings added an extra dimension to my enjoyment. I saw both sides to the point that I began to hate Dexter when Finn was talking, and vice versa. Quite an experience. But as much hostility as there is between the men, there is also some shared history, an underlying respect (not that they’d ever admit that), and quite clearly the potential for a passion as deep as their initial disdain.
Watching them slowly gravitate toward each other was very entertaining! Not that it was an easy process for them to deal with their feelings for each other while Dexter faces work pressure outside volleyball so he can make enough money to survive and Finn tries to deal with the accidental death of his volleyball partner/lover. Of course there is also homophobia and fears for their careers if anyone finds out they are together. In the end, the stubbornness that kept them apart for so long turns out to be their single biggest ally in figuring out how to be lovers.
If you like stories about athletes, if you want to watch two men go from rivals/enemies to forced teammates and then lovers, and if you’re looking for a read that is likely to make you grind your teeth in anger as often as it might make you smile (eventually), then you will probably like this novel.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on .
Dexter is a professional beach volleyball player who desperately wants his first professional Grand Slam title. He has a volleyball partner he plays well with, and his strongest opponent is a man he already hated in college and who has since risen to “an asshole to the hundredth power�, as Dexter puts it. What makes it worse is that Finn and his playing partner usually win in a direct confrontation.
Finn is everything Dexter is not. He’s tough, unfriendly, glowers a lot, and is a brutally tough player who will do pretty much anything it takes to win. He hates Dexter for his ability to charm people, for his friendliness, and just � because he is too physically perfect and utterly charming. Not qualities Finn has in excess. He is also deeply in love with his volleyball partner, Tristan, whom he is secretly engaged to, but he isn’t out and that leads to all kinds of complications.
Told in alternating first person, the story is especially tension-filled as I was able to see each character’s thoughts and feelings from really, really up-close and personal. Being this close to the proceedings added an extra dimension to my enjoyment. I saw both sides to the point that I began to hate Dexter when Finn was talking, and vice versa. Quite an experience. But as much hostility as there is between the men, there is also some shared history, an underlying respect (not that they’d ever admit that), and quite clearly the potential for a passion as deep as their initial disdain.
Watching them slowly gravitate toward each other was very entertaining! Not that it was an easy process for them to deal with their feelings for each other while Dexter faces work pressure outside volleyball so he can make enough money to survive and Finn tries to deal with the accidental death of his volleyball partner/lover. Of course there is also homophobia and fears for their careers if anyone finds out they are together. In the end, the stubbornness that kept them apart for so long turns out to be their single biggest ally in figuring out how to be lovers.
If you like stories about athletes, if you want to watch two men go from rivals/enemies to forced teammates and then lovers, and if you’re looking for a read that is likely to make you grind your teeth in anger as often as it might make you smile (eventually), then you will probably like this novel.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on .
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August 17, 2016First, I will say this was mainly just not the book for me. It wasn't what I was hoping to read, and I felt like I was bi-baited and then hit with a gay-for-you. I know some people LOVE GFY, but I don't, and I don't want to read them. Ever. I think authors need to be upfront that there's GFY content because I want to be able to pass on things instead of giving crappy reviews because I didn't like that aspect. Authors don't deserve that, and neither do I as a reader.
That said, the reason I'm even bothering to write anything at all is that this book contains some incredibly triggering content, which I was also not aware of (or I'd have passed this one by). For one thing, the book's GFY comes with a big side order of constant homophobia. Dex repeats that he's not gay, can't be gay, isn't gay, will never be gay...it's endless. And then he realizes he's interested in Finn and all of a sudden, he's gay! He entertains the notion he's bi, then says he's never been attracted to anyone but Finn, then jumps to "best thing ever" sex with Finn. This is classic bi-baiting. It's a way to acknowledge bi people still exist but then make it very clear THIS book has no bisexuality. And it's done in such an exceptionally homophobic way, too--the Gay Denial for pages and pages and pages, as though the very thought of being attracted to another man is weird and gross. Even the people I know (all two of them) who identified as bi before coming out as gay weren't grossed out by their attraction to other men. This is tropey and inappropriate.
That brings up the next triggering thing. Dex's reason for hating his gayness is that his mother's pimp threatened to sell him for sex, and Dex's mother considered agreeing for her own survival. Because yes, let's paint survival prostitution as horrible, selfish, and probably drug-addicted women selling their gay sons to other men. That's pretty vile, sex-negative, and misogynistic. Not only that, this one single instance is probably not enough to make Dex so grossed out by his own attraction to men that he needs to act horrified for half the book. Nope.
Speaking of which, Dex makes reference to his past being homeless. Homelessness is a very serious problem for LGBT youth, and this glosses over it. Not to mention that survival sex of *exactly the type Dex is running away from* is how a lot of these youth manage to find food and shelter. But somehow, Dex magically manages to go to college and become and Olympic volleyball player? That's about the least likely scenario I can think of after his background. But this is supposedly why he is always fussing about money and trying to hide being gay, for his sponsors.
Then there's Finn. He's sour, sullen, and nasty, but he starts the story with this absolute sweetheart of a fiance--who gets horrifically and violently killed in a car accident, thus leaving Finn free to have a dysfunctional relationship with Dex. I don't mind when someone's lover has died, but please don't introduce us to them, show us how awesome they are, and then kill them without any sort of warning. It's not even in the blurb! This would be highly upsetting for a lot of people, so it definitely needs to be clear from the beginning. We really don't even see Finn's healing process--we see him go from depressed and constantly drunk (because that's apparently the only way people grieve?) to sober and crushing on Dex (who he apparently had a thing for even when he was with his fiance).
There's a scene (which is not particularly graphic but needs a warning anyway) where Finn is attacked by his homophobic brother-in-law. The surprise plot twist is that Finn comes out to his family long after his fiance is dead, and they all accept him other than his BIL. Said BIL refuses to allow Finn near his kids, and neither Finn's parents nor the sister married to the jerk stand up for him. I guess that's supposed to set up the scenario where BIL gay-bashes him. The bashing is upsetting; the rest is not particularly realistic.
Finally, the relationship between Dex and Finn is awful. Just awful. They literally punch each other and find it sexy. That's not romantic, it's abusive. For people who have been with a partner who hits them, this would also probably be triggering--especially as played for romantic tension.
(As an aside, this is also full of sports inaccuracies, including missing the fact that *real* male beach volleyball players play *fully clothed*. Watch the Olympics. They don't even wear skimpy/tight shorts! That would be the women you're thinking of. The men all wear ordinary t-shirts and athletic shorts. Also, there's a reason why they train hard for months--you can't pull a Finn and be constantly drunk and doing no exercise at all for a year then all of a sudden go back to competing.)
I'm really over the idea that we need to prove gay men aren't all drag queens and femmes and twinks by having stereotypes of masculinity get it on with each other (while at least one of them openly denies/is squicked by being gay). Enough already. Find a new tune.
My advice? Give this one a pass unless you can get past the stuff I've warned for. If you can tolerate that, underneath it is a fun and sexy couple. But the plot surrounding the sex? No, thanks.
That said, the reason I'm even bothering to write anything at all is that this book contains some incredibly triggering content, which I was also not aware of (or I'd have passed this one by). For one thing, the book's GFY comes with a big side order of constant homophobia. Dex repeats that he's not gay, can't be gay, isn't gay, will never be gay...it's endless. And then he realizes he's interested in Finn and all of a sudden, he's gay! He entertains the notion he's bi, then says he's never been attracted to anyone but Finn, then jumps to "best thing ever" sex with Finn. This is classic bi-baiting. It's a way to acknowledge bi people still exist but then make it very clear THIS book has no bisexuality. And it's done in such an exceptionally homophobic way, too--the Gay Denial for pages and pages and pages, as though the very thought of being attracted to another man is weird and gross. Even the people I know (all two of them) who identified as bi before coming out as gay weren't grossed out by their attraction to other men. This is tropey and inappropriate.
That brings up the next triggering thing. Dex's reason for hating his gayness is that his mother's pimp threatened to sell him for sex, and Dex's mother considered agreeing for her own survival. Because yes, let's paint survival prostitution as horrible, selfish, and probably drug-addicted women selling their gay sons to other men. That's pretty vile, sex-negative, and misogynistic. Not only that, this one single instance is probably not enough to make Dex so grossed out by his own attraction to men that he needs to act horrified for half the book. Nope.
Speaking of which, Dex makes reference to his past being homeless. Homelessness is a very serious problem for LGBT youth, and this glosses over it. Not to mention that survival sex of *exactly the type Dex is running away from* is how a lot of these youth manage to find food and shelter. But somehow, Dex magically manages to go to college and become and Olympic volleyball player? That's about the least likely scenario I can think of after his background. But this is supposedly why he is always fussing about money and trying to hide being gay, for his sponsors.
Then there's Finn. He's sour, sullen, and nasty, but he starts the story with this absolute sweetheart of a fiance--who gets horrifically and violently killed in a car accident, thus leaving Finn free to have a dysfunctional relationship with Dex. I don't mind when someone's lover has died, but please don't introduce us to them, show us how awesome they are, and then kill them without any sort of warning. It's not even in the blurb! This would be highly upsetting for a lot of people, so it definitely needs to be clear from the beginning. We really don't even see Finn's healing process--we see him go from depressed and constantly drunk (because that's apparently the only way people grieve?) to sober and crushing on Dex (who he apparently had a thing for even when he was with his fiance).
There's a scene (which is not particularly graphic but needs a warning anyway) where Finn is attacked by his homophobic brother-in-law. The surprise plot twist is that Finn comes out to his family long after his fiance is dead, and they all accept him other than his BIL. Said BIL refuses to allow Finn near his kids, and neither Finn's parents nor the sister married to the jerk stand up for him. I guess that's supposed to set up the scenario where BIL gay-bashes him. The bashing is upsetting; the rest is not particularly realistic.
Finally, the relationship between Dex and Finn is awful. Just awful. They literally punch each other and find it sexy. That's not romantic, it's abusive. For people who have been with a partner who hits them, this would also probably be triggering--especially as played for romantic tension.
(As an aside, this is also full of sports inaccuracies, including missing the fact that *real* male beach volleyball players play *fully clothed*. Watch the Olympics. They don't even wear skimpy/tight shorts! That would be the women you're thinking of. The men all wear ordinary t-shirts and athletic shorts. Also, there's a reason why they train hard for months--you can't pull a Finn and be constantly drunk and doing no exercise at all for a year then all of a sudden go back to competing.)
I'm really over the idea that we need to prove gay men aren't all drag queens and femmes and twinks by having stereotypes of masculinity get it on with each other (while at least one of them openly denies/is squicked by being gay). Enough already. Find a new tune.
My advice? Give this one a pass unless you can get past the stuff I've warned for. If you can tolerate that, underneath it is a fun and sexy couple. But the plot surrounding the sex? No, thanks.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2016
Match Point combines two of my favorite romance subcategories � sports and M/M, so it was an easy decision to sign up for an ARC of the first book in Leigh Carman’s new Sports of the Seasons series. I haven’t read many stories that center around beach volleyball, so that alone intrigued me and then I was further captivated by the fact that the two heroes loathed each other and were as different as two people could be.
Going in, readers aren’t given much insight into why Finn Callahan is a brash asshole, but as Carman shows us who Finn really is beneath his cockiness and flippant attitude, a clearer picture is developed and every part of his harsh demeanor and angry personality makes sense and regardless of how much readers may loathe his words and actions, it’s clear that it’s how Finn copes with all that he has to deal with as a closeted gay man, which is why it was easy for me to see past my desire to throttle him.
Dexter Savage is Finn’s antithesis in every way. Dex is a people person who can easily charm anyone he comes into contact with, which is a great attribute to have as a professional beach volleyball player because it gets him noticed and gives him multiple ways to bank money, which is exactly the safety net he needs, because sponsors want him to be the face for their products.
Both Finn and Dex have major insecurities that they attempt to keep hidden from the public eye, but when Finn loses his way and Dex loses his teammate, all the feelings both men have held in rise to the surface and threaten to alter every aspect of their lives, especially how they perceived by their fans and family.
Finn and Dex’s story is definitely a roller coaster ride of emotions. There are seven years of hatred that both men have to deal with and try to sort out as their feelings for one another change from loathing to ones of attraction, lust, and eventually, deeper feelings that can either destroy or heal.
I really enjoyed Match Point; it took me a bit to warm up to Finn and realize the reasons behind his attitude, but once it became clear why he created the persona that he did, I felt sorry for him and hoped he would find a way to move on and live fully instead of merely survive and I knew that Dex was going to be the man to give him that chance.
A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
4 Poison Apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)
Going in, readers aren’t given much insight into why Finn Callahan is a brash asshole, but as Carman shows us who Finn really is beneath his cockiness and flippant attitude, a clearer picture is developed and every part of his harsh demeanor and angry personality makes sense and regardless of how much readers may loathe his words and actions, it’s clear that it’s how Finn copes with all that he has to deal with as a closeted gay man, which is why it was easy for me to see past my desire to throttle him.
Dexter Savage is Finn’s antithesis in every way. Dex is a people person who can easily charm anyone he comes into contact with, which is a great attribute to have as a professional beach volleyball player because it gets him noticed and gives him multiple ways to bank money, which is exactly the safety net he needs, because sponsors want him to be the face for their products.
Both Finn and Dex have major insecurities that they attempt to keep hidden from the public eye, but when Finn loses his way and Dex loses his teammate, all the feelings both men have held in rise to the surface and threaten to alter every aspect of their lives, especially how they perceived by their fans and family.
Finn and Dex’s story is definitely a roller coaster ride of emotions. There are seven years of hatred that both men have to deal with and try to sort out as their feelings for one another change from loathing to ones of attraction, lust, and eventually, deeper feelings that can either destroy or heal.
I really enjoyed Match Point; it took me a bit to warm up to Finn and realize the reasons behind his attitude, but once it became clear why he created the persona that he did, I felt sorry for him and hoped he would find a way to move on and live fully instead of merely survive and I knew that Dex was going to be the man to give him that chance.
A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
4 Poison Apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)
July 5, 2016
This is the first book from Leigh that I had read and I really loved it. My favorite theme is the enemies to lovers story and this one had it all. Dex and Finn have hated each other since college. Both of these men are beach volleyball super stars and fight to both be #1. Finn and his volley ball partner are in love but not out and Dex is straight and scared to death of losing all his money and having to go live on the streets again. Finn and Dex are totally opposites but the chemistry from the beginning is HOT. Some things happen to both men and they are thrown together as partners. from the beginning Dex doesn't understand why Finn hates him so much. I felt those where the best scenes for me and you felt the tension in both of them. Dex lets is guard down and finds himself attracted to Finn and once they give in to each other , the sparks are great. in the end , these men find what they have always been looking for. The story itself is new and not one I have read before. I fell in love with these guys and you will too. Cant wait to see what is next in this series.
ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Jodi for Alpha Book Club.
ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Jodi for Alpha Book Club.
July 20, 2016
Finn and Dex have been rivals and near-enemies since almost the moment they met in college. Now facing off against each other in the pro-volleyball league has only heightened the tension between the two. But when Finn and Dex both lose their team partners, they will have to fight their animosity in the hopes that their team can pull off a winning season. It isn’t just the anger they will have to fight, though, as the chemistry between them becomes a lot more heated in a much more personal way.
When this series was originally slated to come out (before it got picked up by Dreamspinner) I decided to review all four books since they looked fun and with the exception of the ones centered on hockey, I don’t read a lot of books about sports. I don’t know a lot about volleyball (other than the not-so-fond memories of high school P.E.) but two hot sweaty men battling each other and their own feelings? Yeah, that sounded like something I could get behind. As long as I’m not the one battling a bloody nose because some arse on the other team decided to spike the ball right into my face, that is (I know, I know, it has been nearly 15 years, I should probably let that go).
And I did really like the whole enemies-to-lovers aspect of this book. They were proper enemies as well. For a lot of the book. I liked how it wasn’t just a chapter or two of watered-down loathing followed by a sudden and overwhelming urge to hug it out. You can totally tell that these two have some very very strong feelings about each other…and when the switch goes from I wanna kill you to I wanna fuck you…and then probably still wanna kill you a little bit it is no less explosive.
However I found the constant use of the fight/run-away combo a bit tiresome by the tenth time it happens. It was getting pretty damn predictable that whenever they were in a room together someone was gonna pick a fight, the other would get offended, someone would storm out of the room, and the other would be left glaring at the door. I was pretty sure the only way to get the two of them to stay in the same vicinity and talk shit out would be to lock them in a cage together. And even then I’m not convinced that one of them wouldn’t try to squeeze themselves thru the bars like that dude in the first X-men movie.
The book also had a really jerky feel to it, what with all the really short scenes. It skipped around a lot (both from pov to pov, and with big time jumps) and it left the story feeling a bit incohesive. There were also times where it skipped really big scenes (that I feel really needed to be experienced by the reader if you wanted them to have any real impact) only then to talk about them in exposition or flashback. This left me feeling really confused with the constant tonal shifts in the story, and more than a little disconnected from the characters and the plot in whole.
While the chemistry between the two was definitely high, the rest of the story just didn’t have the sense of purpose to support the growing romance between them. These scenes that the author chose to keep, while discarding the larger and more impactful ones, were too repetitive in their content and intent. I did love the love-hate between them, but in the end I needed more than that and the story just didn’t fully deliver. There was plenty there to work with, it was just a bit mismanaged, in my opinion. And it made the story fall a bit flat in the end.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
When this series was originally slated to come out (before it got picked up by Dreamspinner) I decided to review all four books since they looked fun and with the exception of the ones centered on hockey, I don’t read a lot of books about sports. I don’t know a lot about volleyball (other than the not-so-fond memories of high school P.E.) but two hot sweaty men battling each other and their own feelings? Yeah, that sounded like something I could get behind. As long as I’m not the one battling a bloody nose because some arse on the other team decided to spike the ball right into my face, that is (I know, I know, it has been nearly 15 years, I should probably let that go).
And I did really like the whole enemies-to-lovers aspect of this book. They were proper enemies as well. For a lot of the book. I liked how it wasn’t just a chapter or two of watered-down loathing followed by a sudden and overwhelming urge to hug it out. You can totally tell that these two have some very very strong feelings about each other…and when the switch goes from I wanna kill you to I wanna fuck you…and then probably still wanna kill you a little bit it is no less explosive.
However I found the constant use of the fight/run-away combo a bit tiresome by the tenth time it happens. It was getting pretty damn predictable that whenever they were in a room together someone was gonna pick a fight, the other would get offended, someone would storm out of the room, and the other would be left glaring at the door. I was pretty sure the only way to get the two of them to stay in the same vicinity and talk shit out would be to lock them in a cage together. And even then I’m not convinced that one of them wouldn’t try to squeeze themselves thru the bars like that dude in the first X-men movie.
The book also had a really jerky feel to it, what with all the really short scenes. It skipped around a lot (both from pov to pov, and with big time jumps) and it left the story feeling a bit incohesive. There were also times where it skipped really big scenes (that I feel really needed to be experienced by the reader if you wanted them to have any real impact) only then to talk about them in exposition or flashback. This left me feeling really confused with the constant tonal shifts in the story, and more than a little disconnected from the characters and the plot in whole.
While the chemistry between the two was definitely high, the rest of the story just didn’t have the sense of purpose to support the growing romance between them. These scenes that the author chose to keep, while discarding the larger and more impactful ones, were too repetitive in their content and intent. I did love the love-hate between them, but in the end I needed more than that and the story just didn’t fully deliver. There was plenty there to work with, it was just a bit mismanaged, in my opinion. And it made the story fall a bit flat in the end.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
July 17, 2016
Professional Beach volleyball players and m/m- Well, who can resist??? Not me!!! I love any m/m stories with a sports genre so needless to say I had to read this book. I have never read a book about beach volleyball players so I was very excited. And this read did not disappoint.
Finn Callahan and Dexter Savage hate each other. They cannot finish a normal conversation without swearing or decking one other. And it does not help that their profession keeps them constantly at the opposite sides of the net. After Finn’s partner dies, he drops off the tour with no intention of playing again. The last person he expects to approach him for a partnership is Dexter Savage. Their hate for each other sparks again along with an undeniable attraction. As both men starts to know each other more closely, they find themselves feeling more than hate or professional respect for each other. But there are huge hurdles that they need to overcome before they can accept their growing feelings. Can Finn and Dexter make it work professionally AND Personally????
I loved this enemies to lover story. Finn and Dex have known each other since high school and they have hated each other for that long. So when they get attracted to each other, it was intense. They both have reasons that lead them to behave so horribly to each other for all these years and when the reasons come to light one after the other, Finn and Dex can’t help but fall in love.
Finn Callahan is gay but not out. When his team mate and lover die tragically, Finn has no one to turn to for comfort. I felt really bad for Finn. He is a good person but all his repressed feelings bring out the jackass in him. Plus, he had a crush on Dex since college but as Dex is straight, Finn had tried to cover his attraction by always being a jerk to Dex. So, when they are paired together Finn’s buried crush rears its head again. Finn knows what heartbreak feels like and Dex is soon becoming someone who can make or break him.
Dexter Savage had a bad childhood. He has lived in the streets and now he has an innate fear of not having enough money. He is also gay but due to an incident in his earlier life, he has repressed that part of himself completely. Finn brings out his locked away feelings and Finn can be the one thing that has been missing from his life for so long. But he has demons to fight before that can be a reality.
I loved Match Point. Finn irritated me in the beginning but as the story progresses and we get to know him more, I sympathised with him and eventually fell in love. As for Dex, he was a little lost and confused, but with the help of Finn he finds himself. This read was an emotional roller coaster. Finn and Dex were crazy HOT together. They fought and then they made love and I loved it!!! It was a short read but both the characters are developed perfectly.
My only complaint is the constant jump from love to anger and then to love and then to some more anger. They will fight and then go back to each others apartments and pound on their doors and then fight some more or make love. I got whiplash from the constant back and forth. I knocked off a star because of that.
Bottom line, I enjoyed this emotional and passionate read about love, loss, heartbreak and starting over. I am excited for this series. Leigh Carman is a new author for me and I would love to read her later works. Can’t wait for the next book in the series!!!
*This review has been cross posted at *
Finn Callahan and Dexter Savage hate each other. They cannot finish a normal conversation without swearing or decking one other. And it does not help that their profession keeps them constantly at the opposite sides of the net. After Finn’s partner dies, he drops off the tour with no intention of playing again. The last person he expects to approach him for a partnership is Dexter Savage. Their hate for each other sparks again along with an undeniable attraction. As both men starts to know each other more closely, they find themselves feeling more than hate or professional respect for each other. But there are huge hurdles that they need to overcome before they can accept their growing feelings. Can Finn and Dexter make it work professionally AND Personally????
I loved this enemies to lover story. Finn and Dex have known each other since high school and they have hated each other for that long. So when they get attracted to each other, it was intense. They both have reasons that lead them to behave so horribly to each other for all these years and when the reasons come to light one after the other, Finn and Dex can’t help but fall in love.
Finn Callahan is gay but not out. When his team mate and lover die tragically, Finn has no one to turn to for comfort. I felt really bad for Finn. He is a good person but all his repressed feelings bring out the jackass in him. Plus, he had a crush on Dex since college but as Dex is straight, Finn had tried to cover his attraction by always being a jerk to Dex. So, when they are paired together Finn’s buried crush rears its head again. Finn knows what heartbreak feels like and Dex is soon becoming someone who can make or break him.
Dexter Savage had a bad childhood. He has lived in the streets and now he has an innate fear of not having enough money. He is also gay but due to an incident in his earlier life, he has repressed that part of himself completely. Finn brings out his locked away feelings and Finn can be the one thing that has been missing from his life for so long. But he has demons to fight before that can be a reality.
I loved Match Point. Finn irritated me in the beginning but as the story progresses and we get to know him more, I sympathised with him and eventually fell in love. As for Dex, he was a little lost and confused, but with the help of Finn he finds himself. This read was an emotional roller coaster. Finn and Dex were crazy HOT together. They fought and then they made love and I loved it!!! It was a short read but both the characters are developed perfectly.
My only complaint is the constant jump from love to anger and then to love and then to some more anger. They will fight and then go back to each others apartments and pound on their doors and then fight some more or make love. I got whiplash from the constant back and forth. I knocked off a star because of that.
Bottom line, I enjoyed this emotional and passionate read about love, loss, heartbreak and starting over. I am excited for this series. Leigh Carman is a new author for me and I would love to read her later works. Can’t wait for the next book in the series!!!
*This review has been cross posted at *
July 21, 2016
What happens when archrival Volleyball stars are forced to team up and partner together?
Finn Callahan lost not only his teammate but also his fiancé. Unable to lean on anyone for fear they find out the truth about him and Tristan, Finn hides from the world in the home he and Tristan used to share. He's more than surprised almost a year later when he is approached to partner with Dex Savage, his rival since College.
Dex is not happy thinking of teaming up with Finn. The two hated each other and he's sure they'll be at each other's throats. But Dex can't give up his volleyball career. He never wants to find himself living on the streets again. This drives him to do his best to work with Finn. Soon, though, Dex starts developing unexpected feelings towards Finn and their situation goes from awkward to downright confusing. Both men will have to decide what they want and how to get it without losing everything.
I absolutely loved Match Point! Leigh Carmen, if this is what I can expect from the other books coming to this series, then you definitely have a fan in me. I'm a sucker for a good sports romance, throw in enemies to lovers and GFY/OFY tropes and this became a must-read for me. I'm pretty sure this is only my second book that focused on Volleyball players so it was a nice change from the usual football or baseball books I love.
I loved Finn and Dex and while both of them could be jerks, and were way too quick to use their fists against one another, I connected with each of them.
Dex had understandable issues stemming from his past as a homeless teenager, making it almost impossible for him to feel financially secure. It didn't matter how many times his accountant assured him he was in no way hurting for money, Dex continued to push himself with games and sponsors. This dedication also made it nearly impossible for him to maintain relationships with the women he dated.
Finn is in the closet. Afraid of what his family will think (his partner Tristan was disowned after coming out to them), afraid of what the public will think and not ready to face the media attack. Hiding a part of who he is, becomes harder and harder for him driving him to act like a brooding jerk quite frequently. He also finds himself distancing himself from his parents and sisters.
I loved the sexual tension between them. It was impossible not to see what they did to one another and the more they tried to play it off the more apparent it became. I think they're good together because on so many ways they balanced each other out. While there was a lot of back and forth from hate to lust to hate to love, it didn't bother me as much as some stories have in the past. Instead, I took it in stride waiting for when they realized they were in love.
I truly hope we'll get to see more, a few cameo appearances perhaps, from Dex and Finn in future books.
I will definitely be picking up more books from Leigh Carman.
Rating: 5 Stars
July 21, 2016
Two firsts rolled into one. Leigh Carman is a new author for me and this is also my first beach volleyball story. I haven’t read many sports-themed stories, but this one was gripping. The sports scenes didn’t dominate the story and were written in an exciting way, often highlighting the tension between the two MCs.
Leigh’s engaging writing style kept me glued to the pages from beginning to end. It made a refreshing change to read a present tense narrative, and yes, some scenes jump ahead in time, but I liked that. I also thought the alternate POVs gave us insight into the thoughts, backgrounds, and motivations of Finn and Dex, which help make us aware of their situations and feelings. I liked both of these great characters and their enemies-to-lovers romance. Their hatred stemmed from being rivals at college and on the pro-circuit, and we gradually get to find out the reasons why as the story unfolds.
I felt like I was actually watching a volleyball game at times with all the going back and forth of emotions and changes of heart between these two. And yet, their love-hate relationship oozed sexual chemistry from the start and this all added to the UST. And when you think they’re finally getting somewhere at last. Gah! How you want them to bash their heads together and tell them to just get together and sort things out once and for all. They both come across as hot headed drama queens who have a tendency to storm off when they get angry or jealous rather than talking through their problems. There are plenty of intense scenes between them and when they finally get down to making out, it’s super hot! Once they are together, they are perfect for each other. I loved their dialogue throughout, even when they were at each other’s throats. It came across as real and vivid.
I must say that whenever Finn’s ex was mentioned I was in tears. Tris was a lovely guy and they were great together. My heart went out to Finn, especially as he had to keep his feelings to himself and couldn’t share his grief with anyone, not even his family. I liked that Finn’s attraction to Dex developed slowly as he came to terms with his loss of Tris. The transition didn’t feel morbid or unfaithful to the memory of his ex and the scene at the graveside had me weeping. So moving.
For me, I didn’t find Dex’s reasons for not realizing he was gay, and then for not coming out to be entirely plausible, and the continued animosity between the guys seemed a little far-fetched at times. Yet despite these few issues, I adored this story, the writing, and the passion-filled characters. If a book grips me like this one did, I overlook minor points and still award it 5*.
Overall, a wonderful enemies-to-lovers story involving two men who wished to remain in the closet at the start, but eventually bring out the best in each other. Highly recommended.
Leigh’s engaging writing style kept me glued to the pages from beginning to end. It made a refreshing change to read a present tense narrative, and yes, some scenes jump ahead in time, but I liked that. I also thought the alternate POVs gave us insight into the thoughts, backgrounds, and motivations of Finn and Dex, which help make us aware of their situations and feelings. I liked both of these great characters and their enemies-to-lovers romance. Their hatred stemmed from being rivals at college and on the pro-circuit, and we gradually get to find out the reasons why as the story unfolds.
I felt like I was actually watching a volleyball game at times with all the going back and forth of emotions and changes of heart between these two. And yet, their love-hate relationship oozed sexual chemistry from the start and this all added to the UST. And when you think they’re finally getting somewhere at last. Gah! How you want them to bash their heads together and tell them to just get together and sort things out once and for all. They both come across as hot headed drama queens who have a tendency to storm off when they get angry or jealous rather than talking through their problems. There are plenty of intense scenes between them and when they finally get down to making out, it’s super hot! Once they are together, they are perfect for each other. I loved their dialogue throughout, even when they were at each other’s throats. It came across as real and vivid.
I must say that whenever Finn’s ex was mentioned I was in tears. Tris was a lovely guy and they were great together. My heart went out to Finn, especially as he had to keep his feelings to himself and couldn’t share his grief with anyone, not even his family. I liked that Finn’s attraction to Dex developed slowly as he came to terms with his loss of Tris. The transition didn’t feel morbid or unfaithful to the memory of his ex and the scene at the graveside had me weeping. So moving.
For me, I didn’t find Dex’s reasons for not realizing he was gay, and then for not coming out to be entirely plausible, and the continued animosity between the guys seemed a little far-fetched at times. Yet despite these few issues, I adored this story, the writing, and the passion-filled characters. If a book grips me like this one did, I overlook minor points and still award it 5*.
Overall, a wonderful enemies-to-lovers story involving two men who wished to remain in the closet at the start, but eventually bring out the best in each other. Highly recommended.
July 24, 2016
An M/M enemies to lovers romance featuring hot beach volleyball players? This was something I could not pass up, especially when I've read the author's previous M/M story and loved it. There's just something about the whole enemies to lovers trope that's always appealing and gives a story that extra tension that's so good to read.
One thing Dex and Finn have in common is their capacity for snarkiness and their cocky attitudes. I found Dex to be the more charming of the two, a personality trait that everyone in the story seems to agree with as well. He does come from a rough past, one that is constantly at the forefront of his thoughts as he strives for success on the court to keep him from ever falling back to that past again. This does color his words and actions for much of the story, contributing to the tension between him and Finn. Finn's attitude is much more abrasive thanks to a closeted life and the loss of his teammate and lover. But as much as Finn is closeted, Dex is in there even deeper-way deeper.
As far as story pacing, it did move pretty quickly and there were some jumps in time that made the story flow not quite as smoothly as I would have liked. Also, the attitude Dex had regarding his worry about money-while understandable-was a bit annoying for me. This was tempered by what occurred in his past, but I disliked how it continued affect him in the present to the extent that it did.
I enjoyed the descriptions of the sport and games, and it was quite evident how much both men loved playing volleyball. Then as things escalated between them physically, the chemistry between them really exploded making for some particularly hot scenes. I really liked how Dex's attitude changed after the incident between Finn and Ted (Finn's horrible brother-in-law) occurs, once he realizes what really is important.
An overall satisfying read, if a bit of a bumpy ride thanks to Dex and Finn's personalities, Match Point was a 3.5-star read for me. Recommended to M/M sports romance fans and enemies-to-lovers fans who are 18+ for adult language and M/M sexual content. I'm looking forward to reading the other books in this series!
One thing Dex and Finn have in common is their capacity for snarkiness and their cocky attitudes. I found Dex to be the more charming of the two, a personality trait that everyone in the story seems to agree with as well. He does come from a rough past, one that is constantly at the forefront of his thoughts as he strives for success on the court to keep him from ever falling back to that past again. This does color his words and actions for much of the story, contributing to the tension between him and Finn. Finn's attitude is much more abrasive thanks to a closeted life and the loss of his teammate and lover. But as much as Finn is closeted, Dex is in there even deeper-way deeper.
As far as story pacing, it did move pretty quickly and there were some jumps in time that made the story flow not quite as smoothly as I would have liked. Also, the attitude Dex had regarding his worry about money-while understandable-was a bit annoying for me. This was tempered by what occurred in his past, but I disliked how it continued affect him in the present to the extent that it did.
I enjoyed the descriptions of the sport and games, and it was quite evident how much both men loved playing volleyball. Then as things escalated between them physically, the chemistry between them really exploded making for some particularly hot scenes. I really liked how Dex's attitude changed after the incident between Finn and Ted (Finn's horrible brother-in-law) occurs, once he realizes what really is important.
An overall satisfying read, if a bit of a bumpy ride thanks to Dex and Finn's personalities, Match Point was a 3.5-star read for me. Recommended to M/M sports romance fans and enemies-to-lovers fans who are 18+ for adult language and M/M sexual content. I'm looking forward to reading the other books in this series!
August 22, 2016
This book was an emotional surprise. I wasn't expecting to cry so much from a summer read.
Finn and Dexter are fantastic together. What I really love about this book is the realistic way the two men interact with each other from the start. Tense, fraught with overtones of sexual attraction, and stubbornness. One man comes from the deep well of grief from the loss of a partner, the other from the shadows of always being seen as second best. There's hints of competition--with a dead man, which is always going to be something a new partner will think about, professionally and romantically. We're all human--we compare ourselves to everyone, even the departed.
The fact that Finn and Dex were attracted to each other before the loss of Tristan was actually a solid selling point for me. Regardless of who we love, our bodies don't magically turn off and stop feeling attraction to other people. The way this was handled was not at all insensitive to Finn's loss, and not once was there cheating of any kind before Tristan's death. Nearly a year goes by before Finn can even function and think about getting back in the sand and play the game he and his partner loved so much. Dexter is waiting and watching, worried and wondering how he can help, or if his concern will even be welcome.
Two men, now paired up to play together, who have never been friendly to the other, each with their own emotional baggage and previous assumptions about the other, are never going to be friends right away. Despite the sexual tension, which is off the charts, the two men even explode into a minor fist fight while working through their issues. Usually violence puts me off, but this goes back to the realistic side of things--none of us are perfect, and it can take something so extreme to tear away the blinders we wear to see the truth underlying an issue.
The emotional punch this book carried was unexpected, left me aching for days, and has earned a spot on my Reread List. A marvelous debut effort and an author I will be returning to for certain.
Finn and Dexter are fantastic together. What I really love about this book is the realistic way the two men interact with each other from the start. Tense, fraught with overtones of sexual attraction, and stubbornness. One man comes from the deep well of grief from the loss of a partner, the other from the shadows of always being seen as second best. There's hints of competition--with a dead man, which is always going to be something a new partner will think about, professionally and romantically. We're all human--we compare ourselves to everyone, even the departed.
The fact that Finn and Dex were attracted to each other before the loss of Tristan was actually a solid selling point for me. Regardless of who we love, our bodies don't magically turn off and stop feeling attraction to other people. The way this was handled was not at all insensitive to Finn's loss, and not once was there cheating of any kind before Tristan's death. Nearly a year goes by before Finn can even function and think about getting back in the sand and play the game he and his partner loved so much. Dexter is waiting and watching, worried and wondering how he can help, or if his concern will even be welcome.
Two men, now paired up to play together, who have never been friendly to the other, each with their own emotional baggage and previous assumptions about the other, are never going to be friends right away. Despite the sexual tension, which is off the charts, the two men even explode into a minor fist fight while working through their issues. Usually violence puts me off, but this goes back to the realistic side of things--none of us are perfect, and it can take something so extreme to tear away the blinders we wear to see the truth underlying an issue.
The emotional punch this book carried was unexpected, left me aching for days, and has earned a spot on my Reread List. A marvelous debut effort and an author I will be returning to for certain.
July 5, 2016
Match Point by Leigh Carman takes place around the world of professional Volley ball. We start off in Finn's point of view. Finn has given up on life at this point. His lover has been killed and he cannot get past that moment in time. He was a champion volley ball player now he cannot get through the day with out a drink and feeling anger at himself and the world. He wants to die. He snaps at everyone and has so much pain he is going through. I really felt this character's grief, I wanted him to find someone to love him and bring him back into the light.
Dex he needs Finn to be his volley ball partner. He is terrified of being broke and the sponsors not wanting him any more. He thinks he has to hide the fact he is gay as well. But the attraction he feels for Finn, could make him or brake him.
I liked watching Dex grow in this book. He has so many layers once we get to know him. He needs Finn as much as Finn needs him and that makes them both perfect for each other. Finn can be Dex's sunshine and stability if he can just let himself be who he really is deep inside.
I loved this story, so much more than a typical love story. This is someone coming back from the worst moment in their life and finding happiness again. Heart breaking and made me smile too! Love the happy ending. I will so be looking for more from Leigh Carman in the future. They are a new to me author and I am so glad I got the chance to read this book!!
Five Shooting Stars
Dex he needs Finn to be his volley ball partner. He is terrified of being broke and the sponsors not wanting him any more. He thinks he has to hide the fact he is gay as well. But the attraction he feels for Finn, could make him or brake him.
I liked watching Dex grow in this book. He has so many layers once we get to know him. He needs Finn as much as Finn needs him and that makes them both perfect for each other. Finn can be Dex's sunshine and stability if he can just let himself be who he really is deep inside.
I loved this story, so much more than a typical love story. This is someone coming back from the worst moment in their life and finding happiness again. Heart breaking and made me smile too! Love the happy ending. I will so be looking for more from Leigh Carman in the future. They are a new to me author and I am so glad I got the chance to read this book!!
Five Shooting Stars
July 14, 2016
6 STARS
I don't know if I can find the words to explain how much I loved this books...but I will try. I didn't know what to expect going into this book.This is a sports romance featuring to males working in the competitive world of beach volleyball. Dax and Finn have known each other since high school but have always hated each other. I loved the enemies to lovers trope!!! Not only is there so much passion because of their hatred for each other, there is ten times more passion when they get together! That make for some off the charts hook up scenes!!!
Every time I thought I had the book figured out, the author threw a curve ball at me! Whether it involved Finn, Dax, their relationship, their families...I was always surprised!!! The story was simply fantastic!!! It was well written, interesting, fun and hot!!! The banter between Dax and Finn was fun to read.
Overall, if you like reading enemies to lovers stories this is a must read! It features two very hot and stubborn males who learn about love, loss, heartbreak and starting over. It's a book that brings out all the emotions!!! It's one of my favorite books this year!
ARC Review
I don't know if I can find the words to explain how much I loved this books...but I will try. I didn't know what to expect going into this book.This is a sports romance featuring to males working in the competitive world of beach volleyball. Dax and Finn have known each other since high school but have always hated each other. I loved the enemies to lovers trope!!! Not only is there so much passion because of their hatred for each other, there is ten times more passion when they get together! That make for some off the charts hook up scenes!!!
Every time I thought I had the book figured out, the author threw a curve ball at me! Whether it involved Finn, Dax, their relationship, their families...I was always surprised!!! The story was simply fantastic!!! It was well written, interesting, fun and hot!!! The banter between Dax and Finn was fun to read.
Overall, if you like reading enemies to lovers stories this is a must read! It features two very hot and stubborn males who learn about love, loss, heartbreak and starting over. It's a book that brings out all the emotions!!! It's one of my favorite books this year!
ARC Review
July 24, 2016
I was given a copy of this book free by the author in exchange for an unbiased review.
Dex and Finn have been long term oponents on the volleyball circuit. When tragedy strikes they are thrown together as a new partnership.
Finn is gay but not out and Dex is straight. However, events has Dex questioning his sexuality.
I liked this book but at times felt it was a little disjointed. The beginning chapters fly by time wise.
Also After the relationship Tris had with Finn I did wonder how he fell so easily into a relationship with Dex. No doubts, even bringing Dex home the first time and using the bed that he had shared with Tris.
There was also alot of angst with both men walking out on each other instead of talking it through.
I see this is the first in a series of sports themed books, I am not sure whether I will read further ones.
Dex and Finn have been long term oponents on the volleyball circuit. When tragedy strikes they are thrown together as a new partnership.
Finn is gay but not out and Dex is straight. However, events has Dex questioning his sexuality.
I liked this book but at times felt it was a little disjointed. The beginning chapters fly by time wise.
Also After the relationship Tris had with Finn I did wonder how he fell so easily into a relationship with Dex. No doubts, even bringing Dex home the first time and using the bed that he had shared with Tris.
There was also alot of angst with both men walking out on each other instead of talking it through.
I see this is the first in a series of sports themed books, I am not sure whether I will read further ones.
August 1, 2016
It started out fun and I thought I'd totally love this book, but sadly I quickly lost interest and stopped rooting for the MCs, for many tiny reasons I'm too lazy to list right now.
Guess it's just another personal miss :(
Guess it's just another personal miss :(
July 21, 2016
4 out of 5 stars
Description ~
Two stubborn men.
One is a rude jerk. The other, the life of the party.
It was hate at first sight.
Pro beach volleyball players Finn Callahan and Dexter Savage have been rivals since college. While Finn always comes out on top on the court, Dexter’s carefree and fun-loving personality earns him scores of adoring men and women. And as much as Finn fights to deny it, there’s another reason for the tension he feels when Dex is around. Hate wasn’t the only thing he felt when he first laid eyes on his opponent.
When they’re forced to team up, the two men must bury their differences—on and off the court—if either of them is going to succeed professionally.
My Review ~
Match Point is a new contemporary m/m romance by Leigh Carman.
Finn and Dex are the epitome of frenemies since they met in college. Friendly enemies who happen to play the same sport and constantly try to one up the other. Finn and his teammate, Tris are on top of the beach volleyball ranks. They're rock solid, winning most every game and tournament they enter. Dex and his teammate always seem to be chasing after them. Dex is desperate to one up Finn to the point where their rivalry ends up looking more like hatred. Then tragedy strikes Finn and he drops off the PBVA circuit leaving Dex and his teammate to step into the championship spot.
Dex is elated that they're on top of the PBVA circuit until his teammate ends up with a career ending injury and he has to find another partner. Dex has a momentary panic attack because to him security is money coming in, sponsors paying him, making money from the tour, etc. His childhood has left scars that have made him push himself so hard and shaped him into who he is now. While he isn't happy to have to learn to work with a new teammate he's resigned because his need to have monetary stability outweighs pretty much everything else. Then he finds out who his new teammate is...Finn.
There are a lot of plot points that could easily be spoiled by sharing more of the details of the story so I'll leave those to you to read and enjoy first hand. I was pretty excited to read match point even prior to getting an ARC because I've always loved to watch beach volleyball. It's a perfect warm weather sport and shows off the players bodies to perfection. Match Point really did dig into the sport in the storyline, which I really liked but the main part of the story is the antagonism between Finn and Dex. Obviously there is way more to their story then just antagonism though and their working together as a team creates friction which leads to both men pissed off at the other but riding that fine line of lust/hate, too. Which of course Dex refuses to allow himself to think about because of things that happened when he was a young teenager.
While the antagonism between them is seriously hot, there are times I wanted to slap both of them for not talking to each other and that's the main reason this isn't a higher rated read for me. The antagonism/hatred was a lot about no communication along with a huge dose of stubborness, along with fear of the future. I'd really have liked to see more of the relationship developing between Finn and Dex, or even bits and pieces from college when they first met to see if there was something there even then. Again though, the story is good, the characters are rock solid, and I did enjoy the book. I just like more relationship development between the two of them. And even a bit more backstory on both of them to flesh out their story.
Match Point is definitely a good, strong read and perfect as a summer read even. I recommend that while I had minor issues with the book that readers give it a try because what doesn't work for one reader is perfectly fine for the next.
I do look forward to reading more books from this author in the future.
Description ~
Two stubborn men.
One is a rude jerk. The other, the life of the party.
It was hate at first sight.
Pro beach volleyball players Finn Callahan and Dexter Savage have been rivals since college. While Finn always comes out on top on the court, Dexter’s carefree and fun-loving personality earns him scores of adoring men and women. And as much as Finn fights to deny it, there’s another reason for the tension he feels when Dex is around. Hate wasn’t the only thing he felt when he first laid eyes on his opponent.
When they’re forced to team up, the two men must bury their differences—on and off the court—if either of them is going to succeed professionally.
My Review ~
Match Point is a new contemporary m/m romance by Leigh Carman.
Finn and Dex are the epitome of frenemies since they met in college. Friendly enemies who happen to play the same sport and constantly try to one up the other. Finn and his teammate, Tris are on top of the beach volleyball ranks. They're rock solid, winning most every game and tournament they enter. Dex and his teammate always seem to be chasing after them. Dex is desperate to one up Finn to the point where their rivalry ends up looking more like hatred. Then tragedy strikes Finn and he drops off the PBVA circuit leaving Dex and his teammate to step into the championship spot.
Dex is elated that they're on top of the PBVA circuit until his teammate ends up with a career ending injury and he has to find another partner. Dex has a momentary panic attack because to him security is money coming in, sponsors paying him, making money from the tour, etc. His childhood has left scars that have made him push himself so hard and shaped him into who he is now. While he isn't happy to have to learn to work with a new teammate he's resigned because his need to have monetary stability outweighs pretty much everything else. Then he finds out who his new teammate is...Finn.
There are a lot of plot points that could easily be spoiled by sharing more of the details of the story so I'll leave those to you to read and enjoy first hand. I was pretty excited to read match point even prior to getting an ARC because I've always loved to watch beach volleyball. It's a perfect warm weather sport and shows off the players bodies to perfection. Match Point really did dig into the sport in the storyline, which I really liked but the main part of the story is the antagonism between Finn and Dex. Obviously there is way more to their story then just antagonism though and their working together as a team creates friction which leads to both men pissed off at the other but riding that fine line of lust/hate, too. Which of course Dex refuses to allow himself to think about because of things that happened when he was a young teenager.
While the antagonism between them is seriously hot, there are times I wanted to slap both of them for not talking to each other and that's the main reason this isn't a higher rated read for me. The antagonism/hatred was a lot about no communication along with a huge dose of stubborness, along with fear of the future. I'd really have liked to see more of the relationship developing between Finn and Dex, or even bits and pieces from college when they first met to see if there was something there even then. Again though, the story is good, the characters are rock solid, and I did enjoy the book. I just like more relationship development between the two of them. And even a bit more backstory on both of them to flesh out their story.
Match Point is definitely a good, strong read and perfect as a summer read even. I recommend that while I had minor issues with the book that readers give it a try because what doesn't work for one reader is perfectly fine for the next.
I do look forward to reading more books from this author in the future.
July 25, 2016
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
After reading the blurb and expecting a story ending up with Finn and Dex being happy together, this book started out with a bit of a surprise. Whereas some people may find it awesome when authors manage to surprise them, in this case I was more like 'oh..., okay - let me just wrap my head around that one'. This beginning also meant that one way or another something unpleasant would have to happen. Unless I am deliberately reading an angsty book, I am not too fond of that feeling of doom looming. At least it was fairly quick when the pain happened.
Dex and Finn spend a lot of time on opposite sides of the volleyball net scowling at one another. Until they are more or less forced to play on the same side at which point they still scowl at each other. Except, of course, when they were busy fighting off the chemistry and sexual tension.
This took up most of the book; a constant back and forth with them being drawn together only for Dex to push Finn away again. Dex annoyed me to no end during this and in my opinion his behaviour and rationalization just didn't add up. On one page he is thinking back to his youth knowing he was a gay boy who did everything he could to not be gay. But he was, he knew it, and during this retrospective he admitted knowing it (at least to himself). Then just a little further on in the book he almost acts surprised that maybe he is attracted to Finn moving on to almost having an epiphany shortly after thinking that 'yes, he obviously must be gay'. There is no way that would come as a surprise at this point after knowing that, yes, he had been checking out guys already at the age of fifteen.
So, does all my whining here mean I didn't like the book? Not at all. It was a quick, easy, relaxing read with no real angst and although Dex annoyed me throughout the middle section he was still basically a good guy and he got the stick out of his behind and manned up when trouble came knocking towards the end.
After reading the blurb and expecting a story ending up with Finn and Dex being happy together, this book started out with a bit of a surprise. Whereas some people may find it awesome when authors manage to surprise them, in this case I was more like 'oh..., okay - let me just wrap my head around that one'. This beginning also meant that one way or another something unpleasant would have to happen. Unless I am deliberately reading an angsty book, I am not too fond of that feeling of doom looming. At least it was fairly quick when the pain happened.
Dex and Finn spend a lot of time on opposite sides of the volleyball net scowling at one another. Until they are more or less forced to play on the same side at which point they still scowl at each other. Except, of course, when they were busy fighting off the chemistry and sexual tension.
This took up most of the book; a constant back and forth with them being drawn together only for Dex to push Finn away again. Dex annoyed me to no end during this and in my opinion his behaviour and rationalization just didn't add up. On one page he is thinking back to his youth knowing he was a gay boy who did everything he could to not be gay. But he was, he knew it, and during this retrospective he admitted knowing it (at least to himself). Then just a little further on in the book he almost acts surprised that maybe he is attracted to Finn moving on to almost having an epiphany shortly after thinking that 'yes, he obviously must be gay'. There is no way that would come as a surprise at this point after knowing that, yes, he had been checking out guys already at the age of fifteen.
So, does all my whining here mean I didn't like the book? Not at all. It was a quick, easy, relaxing read with no real angst and although Dex annoyed me throughout the middle section he was still basically a good guy and he got the stick out of his behind and manned up when trouble came knocking towards the end.
July 20, 2016
A review.
4.25 stars
The blurb on this book had me expecting a lighter sports-themed book with a built-in professional rivalry and then an enemies-to-lovers storyline. While it was some of those things, Finn is grieving and there were heavier themes to be found as well.
The beginning sets up the rivalry between the men. Finn was attracted to Dex when they met but he hadn’t fully come to terms with being gay at that point. He figured that if he couldn’t be with Dex, then he would hate him even through everyone loves outgoing Dex. The rivalry became out of control over the years and a civil word has never been spoken between the men.
Finn experiences a personal as well as professional tragedy that he can’t seem to pull himself out of and has no one to turn to. Subsequently, Dex’s teammate is injured, sending Dex to offer Finn a new partnership. This is where the sparks start to fly. Carman writes the tension between these guys so well. She writes the chemistry and the sizzle and the electric charge they feel when they brush against each other or take a swing at each other.
Added to this are back stories and side stories for both men. Dex had a difficult childhood and lived on the streets at fifteen. He’s still freaked out about money, although he has plenty of it and has become consumed with signing as many sponsorship deals as possible. Those circumstances led him to denying his sexuality as he feels that if he wasn’t gay, bad things wouldn’t happen to him. He first has to discover who is and then come to terms with who he wants. I did need some more on his family story. It’s a storyline that’s been done before and came across as more of a plot device the way it was handled.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety .
4.25 stars
The blurb on this book had me expecting a lighter sports-themed book with a built-in professional rivalry and then an enemies-to-lovers storyline. While it was some of those things, Finn is grieving and there were heavier themes to be found as well.
The beginning sets up the rivalry between the men. Finn was attracted to Dex when they met but he hadn’t fully come to terms with being gay at that point. He figured that if he couldn’t be with Dex, then he would hate him even through everyone loves outgoing Dex. The rivalry became out of control over the years and a civil word has never been spoken between the men.
Finn experiences a personal as well as professional tragedy that he can’t seem to pull himself out of and has no one to turn to. Subsequently, Dex’s teammate is injured, sending Dex to offer Finn a new partnership. This is where the sparks start to fly. Carman writes the tension between these guys so well. She writes the chemistry and the sizzle and the electric charge they feel when they brush against each other or take a swing at each other.
Added to this are back stories and side stories for both men. Dex had a difficult childhood and lived on the streets at fifteen. He’s still freaked out about money, although he has plenty of it and has become consumed with signing as many sponsorship deals as possible. Those circumstances led him to denying his sexuality as he feels that if he wasn’t gay, bad things wouldn’t happen to him. He first has to discover who is and then come to terms with who he wants. I did need some more on his family story. It’s a storyline that’s been done before and came across as more of a plot device the way it was handled.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety .
July 19, 2016
**I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.**
Finn Callahan and Dex Savage are both pro beach volleyball players. They have been rivals since college. Finn and Tristan are the better team and win constantly over Dex. Dex and Blake have the better personality earning more sponsorships even though their team isn't always in first. Whenever these two are in range of the other the insults always start flying.
Finn and Tris are more than teammates but no one on the circuit is aware of their relationship, not even Finn's family. When tragedy strikes Finn spirals into a depression so deep he doesn't think he'll ever get out.
Blake knew he was taking a risk on the water, but he never expected it to ruin his career. Now Dex is left without a teammate. Dex realizes without a teammate he has no championships, no sponsers, no money and that cannot happen. Dex knows the only option is to get Finn to team up with him.
On the sand, Dex and Finn do not make the perfect team. There is so much between them neither knows how to act any different toward each other. When sponsors take notice and drop them for not getting along they need to reevaluate. Will they ever work together as a team? Or will they fight what they have?
I really enjoyed Match Point. I devoured it in a few hours. My only complaint is that the time line is very jumpy. From chapter to chapter, if felt like paragraph to paragraph you were jumping ahead in time. For me that lost some connection to the characters. Overall, it was an emotional story that you get invested in.
Finn Callahan and Dex Savage are both pro beach volleyball players. They have been rivals since college. Finn and Tristan are the better team and win constantly over Dex. Dex and Blake have the better personality earning more sponsorships even though their team isn't always in first. Whenever these two are in range of the other the insults always start flying.
Finn and Tris are more than teammates but no one on the circuit is aware of their relationship, not even Finn's family. When tragedy strikes Finn spirals into a depression so deep he doesn't think he'll ever get out.
Blake knew he was taking a risk on the water, but he never expected it to ruin his career. Now Dex is left without a teammate. Dex realizes without a teammate he has no championships, no sponsers, no money and that cannot happen. Dex knows the only option is to get Finn to team up with him.
On the sand, Dex and Finn do not make the perfect team. There is so much between them neither knows how to act any different toward each other. When sponsors take notice and drop them for not getting along they need to reevaluate. Will they ever work together as a team? Or will they fight what they have?
I really enjoyed Match Point. I devoured it in a few hours. My only complaint is that the time line is very jumpy. From chapter to chapter, if felt like paragraph to paragraph you were jumping ahead in time. For me that lost some connection to the characters. Overall, it was an emotional story that you get invested in.
August 23, 2016
So, this was... idk. A very mixed, full, busy, whiplash-y, sexy bag. Thats a weird sentence... I'm leaving it though.
So at the heart of the matter, reading this was just plain weird. The best way I can describe it was that it felt like reading text where every vowel had been slashed out, so I kept having to stop, and re-read sentences, and mentally flesh them out. Or I'd read a chapter, or part of a chapter, and realize, thats it. That's all we get about a whole subject. Like, Or Or IDK a whole other host of issues that were just barely glanced at before we barreled past them. Oh, and the multiple 'great misunderstandings' and snit fits.... good grief. I felt like I was reading about 8th graders here.
So if I were rating it on the above alone, we'd land somewhere around a 2. For real. Even though I really genuinely liked both characters, and somehow did feel like I 'got' them by the end, I really thought "please. These two... good grief"
But... the chemistry.
Whoa. Ye gads. It was like, melt-your-iPad hot. Hot hot hotttt. And SO convincing. Given Dex's past, his gay-ginity (is that a thing? its now a thing) was totally believable... and his willingness to jump into the gay sex deep-end with Finn, no-holds-barred, actually worked. Very well. Very, very well. Gah. *fanning self*
So, I literally would add 2 stars for that.
At the end, we average out at a 3... and frankly I will definitely be looking for the others in the series, if she can continue to light the pages on fire with these characters.
So at the heart of the matter, reading this was just plain weird. The best way I can describe it was that it felt like reading text where every vowel had been slashed out, so I kept having to stop, and re-read sentences, and mentally flesh them out. Or I'd read a chapter, or part of a chapter, and realize, thats it. That's all we get about a whole subject. Like, Or Or IDK a whole other host of issues that were just barely glanced at before we barreled past them. Oh, and the multiple 'great misunderstandings' and snit fits.... good grief. I felt like I was reading about 8th graders here.
So if I were rating it on the above alone, we'd land somewhere around a 2. For real. Even though I really genuinely liked both characters, and somehow did feel like I 'got' them by the end, I really thought "please. These two... good grief"
But... the chemistry.
Whoa. Ye gads. It was like, melt-your-iPad hot. Hot hot hotttt. And SO convincing. Given Dex's past, his gay-ginity (is that a thing? its now a thing) was totally believable... and his willingness to jump into the gay sex deep-end with Finn, no-holds-barred, actually worked. Very well. Very, very well. Gah. *fanning self*
So, I literally would add 2 stars for that.
At the end, we average out at a 3... and frankly I will definitely be looking for the others in the series, if she can continue to light the pages on fire with these characters.
July 3, 2017
2.5 stars
Synopsis: Dex and Finn are rivals in beach volleyball. They've been rivals since college. Finn's higher ranked, and Dex is resentful of that, as well as the fact that Finn has been antagonistic ever since they met. No one knows that Finn is gay, and that he and his teammate have been lovers since college. When Finn's teammate is killed, he naturally goes off the rails. Then Dex's teammate injures himself,and Dex asks Finn to play with him.
Finn hasn't played since his lover died, but he agrees to play with Dex. Their antagonistic attitude off court translates on court, and they are in danger of losing sponsors. This is a huge problem for Dex, who is very worried about not having enough money.
Finn has always thought that Dex was cute, which is why he started to treat him harshly. When Dex starts to have feelings for Finn, he doesn't know what to do, but he is bound and determined not to be gay, since that will lose them sponsors. Finn, however, is tired of living a lie, and decides that he will come out at the end of the season.
What I liked: this author has promise. The story needs to be fleshed out a little, since it felt as though everything happened really fast, even though at least a year passed between the beginning of the story and the end. The characters were interesting, if a little stereotypical. I liked that Dex was so cheerful and outgoing and engaging, even with all that he had been through. I also liked that Finn wasn't just magically over the death of his partner.
What I didn't like: How you never really seem to get to know Dex and Finn.And everything wrapped up a little too neatly, with pretty, pretty colours and nice ribbons.
Synopsis: Dex and Finn are rivals in beach volleyball. They've been rivals since college. Finn's higher ranked, and Dex is resentful of that, as well as the fact that Finn has been antagonistic ever since they met. No one knows that Finn is gay, and that he and his teammate have been lovers since college. When Finn's teammate is killed, he naturally goes off the rails. Then Dex's teammate injures himself,and Dex asks Finn to play with him.
Finn hasn't played since his lover died, but he agrees to play with Dex. Their antagonistic attitude off court translates on court, and they are in danger of losing sponsors. This is a huge problem for Dex, who is very worried about not having enough money.
Finn has always thought that Dex was cute, which is why he started to treat him harshly. When Dex starts to have feelings for Finn, he doesn't know what to do, but he is bound and determined not to be gay, since that will lose them sponsors. Finn, however, is tired of living a lie, and decides that he will come out at the end of the season.
What I liked: this author has promise. The story needs to be fleshed out a little, since it felt as though everything happened really fast, even though at least a year passed between the beginning of the story and the end. The characters were interesting, if a little stereotypical. I liked that Dex was so cheerful and outgoing and engaging, even with all that he had been through. I also liked that Finn wasn't just magically over the death of his partner.
What I didn't like: How you never really seem to get to know Dex and Finn.And everything wrapped up a little too neatly, with pretty, pretty colours and nice ribbons.
July 7, 2016
I received a copy of this title to read and review for Wicked Reads
4 Stars
Leigh Carman is a new-to-me author, and I found the writing style to be instantly engaging, with a steady pace that kept me interested, without any unnecessary description of filler- all scenes added to the overall enjoyment of the story.
Dexter & Finn have been volleyball rivals since college, a hate-hate relationship both on and off the sand. When they both lose their respective volleyball partners, one a true partner in every sense of the word, they’re partnered together in a dream team promising enough to guarantee a spot in the Olympics.
Both men are gay, neither are out of the closet, and neither realize the other is feeling them, making them ornery.
Overall, Match Point was a quick read, with a ton of push-pull, love-hate romance. Dexter and Finn have intense chemistry, which leads to delicious tension. There is no insta-love/lust, with a slow burn buildup that was accomplished well in so few pages.
The main reason I can’t hand out 5 stars is simply with character development- a major thread of the storyline was slightly written away. However, it is broached, but simply not to the standard for maximum emotional impact.
Recommended to MM romance fans, especially with the sport subgenre. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future- I’ll be on the lookout for their next new release.
4 Stars
Leigh Carman is a new-to-me author, and I found the writing style to be instantly engaging, with a steady pace that kept me interested, without any unnecessary description of filler- all scenes added to the overall enjoyment of the story.
Dexter & Finn have been volleyball rivals since college, a hate-hate relationship both on and off the sand. When they both lose their respective volleyball partners, one a true partner in every sense of the word, they’re partnered together in a dream team promising enough to guarantee a spot in the Olympics.
Both men are gay, neither are out of the closet, and neither realize the other is feeling them, making them ornery.
Overall, Match Point was a quick read, with a ton of push-pull, love-hate romance. Dexter and Finn have intense chemistry, which leads to delicious tension. There is no insta-love/lust, with a slow burn buildup that was accomplished well in so few pages.
The main reason I can’t hand out 5 stars is simply with character development- a major thread of the storyline was slightly written away. However, it is broached, but simply not to the standard for maximum emotional impact.
Recommended to MM romance fans, especially with the sport subgenre. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future- I’ll be on the lookout for their next new release.
July 27, 2016
This was a sweet, relatively short romance involving two men. You could define the romance per se as a hate to love romance type of story. The writing enthralled me and I was able to finish the book in one day, despite multiple breaks. My emotions have been involved a lot LOL I admit, that I haven’t cried, but I had wet eyes more than once.
The steam-factor in this book was VERY high, so everyone who likes explicit, sexy MM-books is very much recommended to read “Match Point�. But that wasn’t all, the romance was very sweet and I have to give kudos to the author, because not everyone has the ability to create such a beautiful and emotional book with only such a short count of pages. Headbow from me!!!
All in all, I rate “Match Point� with 5 stars, despite a few minor issues. But those were very minor, so no harm there. Everyone, who likes steamy, short romance and/or MM-books, pick up this little gem, you won’t regret it. Hot, muscular and sweaty Volleyball-players. Nuff said.
The steam-factor in this book was VERY high, so everyone who likes explicit, sexy MM-books is very much recommended to read “Match Point�. But that wasn’t all, the romance was very sweet and I have to give kudos to the author, because not everyone has the ability to create such a beautiful and emotional book with only such a short count of pages. Headbow from me!!!
All in all, I rate “Match Point� with 5 stars, despite a few minor issues. But those were very minor, so no harm there. Everyone, who likes steamy, short romance and/or MM-books, pick up this little gem, you won’t regret it. Hot, muscular and sweaty Volleyball-players. Nuff said.
July 20, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. I have read a lot of sports books that were just ok, a lot of sports action and sex but little to no story. This book is a perfect mix of sports and storyline.
Finn and Dex hate each other both on and off the volleyball court. When Dex ends up needing a partner his coach suggests Finn. The two will need to put their differences aside and play together to keep winning.
I was blown away at the amount of emotion I felt for Finn after just two chapters. The writing really conveyed his loss with believable emotion.
The two MC's were both likeable characters with great backstory. The plot moved along at a steady pace and kept me on my toes. Both Dex and Finn have pasts to overcome and by working together they do just that.
This was a great start to a new book series. I can't wait to get my hands on book two.
Finn and Dex hate each other both on and off the volleyball court. When Dex ends up needing a partner his coach suggests Finn. The two will need to put their differences aside and play together to keep winning.
I was blown away at the amount of emotion I felt for Finn after just two chapters. The writing really conveyed his loss with believable emotion.
The two MC's were both likeable characters with great backstory. The plot moved along at a steady pace and kept me on my toes. Both Dex and Finn have pasts to overcome and by working together they do just that.
This was a great start to a new book series. I can't wait to get my hands on book two.
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