Roughing the Passer by Alison Hendricks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
*~~*ARC kindly provided by the author to me in exchange for an honest review *~~*
They couldn’t be more different, and yet they might just be exactly what each other needs.
Garrett Barnes is no stranger to overcoming the odds. Forced to walk away from a Division I scholarship to take care of his family, Garrett was sure he’d never play football again. When an offer comes in from the ESC Mavericks–a school near his hometown–it seems like a dream come true. There’s only one catch: he’s expected to single-handedly save the worst team in the state.
Diego Ruiz has known his whole life that the deck is stacked against him. The harder he tries to fight it, the more it hurts when it knocks him back down. With a lifetime of disappointment to back him up, he’s stopped trying for anything more than mediocrity, both on and off the football field. If not for a promise he’d made years ago, he’d probably just be some nobody in a nowhere job.
So when Coach Ladner brings in some D1 “hero” to save the team, Diego is determined to show him exactly where hard work and perseverance get you–absolutely nowhere. Despite his best efforts, Garrett’s unwavering optimism starts to get under Diego’s skin. Caught on the verge of giving in, he relies on the one thing that’s never failed him: his ability to get curious straight boys into bed.
As the friction between them gives way to passion, the stakes of their former rivalry increase tenfold. With both men’s hearts–and a state title–on the line, there’s no time for playing games. But when Diego’s past comes back to remind him that everything eventually goes to hell, Garrett will have to convince him that some things are worth fighting for.
Roughing the Passer is a steamy, standalone gay romance novel with a HEA ending and no cliffhanger.
Again a good Alison Hendricks book, this time away from the Eastshore Tigers and now the ESC Mavericks. I really liked Diego and Garrett.
The beginning was a bit bumpy and Diego could be a bit pain in the ass. xD But I really started to like him after a while. :3
It started slow, Diego isn’t at the beginning a charming guy, he is passive aggressive, often tries to get in Garrett’s way. The tension is slow rising between the both guys, risind to the top and fully revealed later. :3
I liked Garrett’s mature behaviour in contrast to Diego. On the other hand we soon get the information that Diego is only trying to be tough and aloof because of his past. It is great that we get the information my only complain is the way we get it: sometimes it is thrown in, a bit lazy and without the connection I needed – or maybe I only missed it. Despite the fact that a few information were a bit bumpy introduced it is a good insight of the character. Diego get his dynamics and is more dimensial.
Garrett on the other hand is a whole different character in comparision to Diego, he is the more mature guy, the one who’s not only responsible of his injured father and his younger sister, he is also hiding his true emotions and has a huge things to carry on his shoulders. It is really touching to see him so devoted. So truely standing behind his family. Behind a family Diego is wishing for himself.
As I said the tension between is slowly rising and both learn new things about each other – as well as the reader. Diego for example isn’t the aggressive, rumbling guy with the snark side comments and with bad jokes.
Why I only give 4.5 out of 5 stars? Because the things about the character were a bit randomly smashed into, the connection had to be a slight bit better. Also I was involved but I think it could be confusing to only “read” about several actions. I try to explain: normally there is a balance between the told and the direct actions. This time it was a lot of describing – which was great for the insight and the overview, of the character and the surroundings – but some actions could actually really shown. It was sometimes reducing the sensation, which is a pity. But still I was so hooke I give the book 4.5 out of 5 stars.
The small reappearance of Luke from the 3rd Eastshore Tigers book – Trick Play (check out my review) – was great, it was a mini connection. I really like this.
Mikku-chan 
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