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The Shutout
Sometimes love is where you least expect it, and sometimes it's right where you left it in this slow burn to steamy friends to lovers tale.
Widower, Max Hartwell, is barely keeping it together, being a single-dad, managing his law firm, and navigating life's chaos. Life after loss is too difficult for surprises, which is why Max would be lost without his reliable best friend and neighbor, Jack.
Best pitcher in the MLB, Jack Spears, is at the top of his game. He has it all, except for the one thing he wants most, which happens to be the one thing he can't have if he doesn't want his private life to overshadow his career: love. When an emotional evening reveals his biggest secret, he's faced with losing everything that matters most to him.
Can Max see him for the man he truly is, or will Jack forever be doomed to live in the shadow of the image he created as America's favorite pitcher?
Heartfelt and human, The Shutout is a story of friendship, loss, love, and the rough road to new beginnings.
Widower, Max Hartwell, is barely keeping it together, being a single-dad, managing his law firm, and navigating life's chaos. Life after loss is too difficult for surprises, which is why Max would be lost without his reliable best friend and neighbor, Jack.
Best pitcher in the MLB, Jack Spears, is at the top of his game. He has it all, except for the one thing he wants most, which happens to be the one thing he can't have if he doesn't want his private life to overshadow his career: love. When an emotional evening reveals his biggest secret, he's faced with losing everything that matters most to him.
Can Max see him for the man he truly is, or will Jack forever be doomed to live in the shadow of the image he created as America's favorite pitcher?
Heartfelt and human, The Shutout is a story of friendship, loss, love, and the rough road to new beginnings.
383 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 22, 2022
About the author
Dianna Roman
12 books572 followersRomcom author, Dianna Roman, believes in laughter, happily-ever-afters, unsung heroes and heroines, internal struggles, chocolate, coffee, fluffiness, talking to yourself, hard work, and above all, love.
She enjoys writing stories set in small and rural towns and about characters who don't have this thing called life quite figured out yet. Her favorite writing challenge is tackling the miscommunication trope by making it entertaining.
Dianna lives with her husband and daughter in the woods where sunsets and gardening are the reason her house may be a bit messy.
She enjoys writing stories set in small and rural towns and about characters who don't have this thing called life quite figured out yet. Her favorite writing challenge is tackling the miscommunication trope by making it entertaining.
Dianna lives with her husband and daughter in the woods where sunsets and gardening are the reason her house may be a bit messy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 389 reviews
October 13, 2023
OH BOY.
If you’re the author, I strongly encourage you to not read this.
First of all, when I harp on about books that are problematic, this one is the PERFECT example. Books like this make me want to leave the MM community because so many authors use gay stereotypes and homophobia as a way to make profit and it’s just gross. So many are so disconnected from the gay community and write solely to appeal to straight women. I. Am. Over. It.
First of all, the “bi awakening” guy, Max, is an absolute asshole. I have no idea what Jack ever saw in him. He’s a shitty friend, a shitty husband, and a shitty father. His internalized homophobia and his very aggressive, both verbal and physical, EXTERNAL HOMOPHOBIA, gives ALL THE RED FLAGS. 🚩 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩
RUN AWAY JACK!!
I call time of death here at 45% but between skimming the rest and reading other reviews, it’s clear this book doesn’t improve. As a queer person, it was physically painful to read this. If you are in the community, I strongly suggest you stay away. Regardless of being aware it’s coming, it’s written in such a way that it’s clear the author is either homophobic or has close ties with those who are. It’s one thing to write about for a plot, it’s another for it to be a part of who a character is. A character WE ARE SUPPOSED TO LIKE AND HAVE EMPATHY FOR.
Tying the dead wife into sexual fantasies and having previous conversations when she was alive reinforcing the fact that Max is homophobic… I just…. Am I supposed to like Max??
All the 4 and 5 stars for this just show me what the target audience is for MM and it’s not for queer people. I am so so tired of reading problematic books.
Author is shelved and this book is on my worst ever. 😒😒😒
Edited to add: I am recently aware of this author and her cronies behaving badly. Not surprised considering the crap she writes. 🙃
If you’re the author, I strongly encourage you to not read this.
First of all, when I harp on about books that are problematic, this one is the PERFECT example. Books like this make me want to leave the MM community because so many authors use gay stereotypes and homophobia as a way to make profit and it’s just gross. So many are so disconnected from the gay community and write solely to appeal to straight women. I. Am. Over. It.
First of all, the “bi awakening” guy, Max, is an absolute asshole. I have no idea what Jack ever saw in him. He’s a shitty friend, a shitty husband, and a shitty father. His internalized homophobia and his very aggressive, both verbal and physical, EXTERNAL HOMOPHOBIA, gives ALL THE RED FLAGS. 🚩 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩
RUN AWAY JACK!!
I call time of death here at 45% but between skimming the rest and reading other reviews, it’s clear this book doesn’t improve. As a queer person, it was physically painful to read this. If you are in the community, I strongly suggest you stay away. Regardless of being aware it’s coming, it’s written in such a way that it’s clear the author is either homophobic or has close ties with those who are. It’s one thing to write about for a plot, it’s another for it to be a part of who a character is. A character WE ARE SUPPOSED TO LIKE AND HAVE EMPATHY FOR.
Tying the dead wife into sexual fantasies and having previous conversations when she was alive reinforcing the fact that Max is homophobic… I just…. Am I supposed to like Max??
All the 4 and 5 stars for this just show me what the target audience is for MM and it’s not for queer people. I am so so tired of reading problematic books.
Author is shelved and this book is on my worst ever. 😒😒😒
Edited to add: I am recently aware of this author and her cronies behaving badly. Not surprised considering the crap she writes. 🙃
May 14, 2023
4.5⭐ rounded up
Featuring ~ dual 1st person POV, baseball, LGBT ~ MM & BI awakening, widower, single dad, friends to lovers, steamage
This was such a heartfelt story of finding love again after loss ~ when and where you least expect it.
I 💙 Jack and Max so much!
MLB star pitcher (I wish I knew if he's left handed ⚾, I have a weird thing about loving lefthandedness 😂 and add in a baseball uniform and holy moly 🥵), Jack Spears moves in next door to the Hartwell's ~ Max, his wife, Lainey and daughter, Emma. They become fast friends and 'Uncle Jack' totally dotes on Emma.
Tragedy strikes and Max is left a widower and single father. During the off-season, Jack steps in and helps take care of Emma, and Max, too.
Usually I am not a fan when children are present throughout the story (I prefer they be introduced during the HEA), but if I have to have them, then my preference is a widowed dad with a daughter. And I didn't find one thing wrong with Emma, she was adorable throughout.
I really loved the dual POV writing, which really showed all their emotions, from being shy and scared to in awe of their feelings to eventually blissfully happy.
I noticed that they talk to themselves a lot - do all books do this? Now I’m going to have to pay attention because it really stood out to me it in this one ~ and I didn’t hate it. All the questioning Max did of himself was endearing.
“I couldn’t face Jack when I was one Lego-foot-piercing away from losing my ever-loving mind.”
I did not like how Jack told Max his secret, why it took him so long to do so, or how Max reacts in the weeks that follow, however, once he figures his sh*t out, he is all in and I mean all in! He really turned out to be so sweet and possessive and not in a creepy stalker way, in a sweet and can't get enough of this man type of way.
“My freaking body had hopped off the layaway shelf and lit up like a black Friday sale.”
It was on the longer side, but the story was so well written that the pages turned rather quickly.
I really enjoyed this authors writing style and funny lines. I will definitely read more books from her in the future.
*Thanks to Booksirens and Dianna Roman for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
Featuring ~ dual 1st person POV, baseball, LGBT ~ MM & BI awakening, widower, single dad, friends to lovers, steamage
This was such a heartfelt story of finding love again after loss ~ when and where you least expect it.
I 💙 Jack and Max so much!
MLB star pitcher (I wish I knew if he's left handed ⚾, I have a weird thing about loving lefthandedness 😂 and add in a baseball uniform and holy moly 🥵), Jack Spears moves in next door to the Hartwell's ~ Max, his wife, Lainey and daughter, Emma. They become fast friends and 'Uncle Jack' totally dotes on Emma.
Tragedy strikes and Max is left a widower and single father. During the off-season, Jack steps in and helps take care of Emma, and Max, too.
Usually I am not a fan when children are present throughout the story (I prefer they be introduced during the HEA), but if I have to have them, then my preference is a widowed dad with a daughter. And I didn't find one thing wrong with Emma, she was adorable throughout.
I really loved the dual POV writing, which really showed all their emotions, from being shy and scared to in awe of their feelings to eventually blissfully happy.
I noticed that they talk to themselves a lot - do all books do this? Now I’m going to have to pay attention because it really stood out to me it in this one ~ and I didn’t hate it. All the questioning Max did of himself was endearing.
“I couldn’t face Jack when I was one Lego-foot-piercing away from losing my ever-loving mind.”
I did not like how Jack told Max his secret, why it took him so long to do so, or how Max reacts in the weeks that follow, however, once he figures his sh*t out, he is all in and I mean all in! He really turned out to be so sweet and possessive and not in a creepy stalker way, in a sweet and can't get enough of this man type of way.
“My freaking body had hopped off the layaway shelf and lit up like a black Friday sale.”
It was on the longer side, but the story was so well written that the pages turned rather quickly.
I really enjoyed this authors writing style and funny lines. I will definitely read more books from her in the future.
*Thanks to Booksirens and Dianna Roman for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
April 1, 2022
Audio - 5 Stars
Story - 4.5 Stars
New to me author. I'm impress.
The grief and humor are very well done. It didn't get annoying. Jack had a tendency to get teary eyed a bit too often for my liking, but at least it wasn't sobbing. I seriously need to work on my understanding of sensitive people.
The last chapter and epilogue were beautiful.
I'm definitely looking forward to more by the author.
Story - 4.5 Stars
New to me author. I'm impress.
The grief and humor are very well done. It didn't get annoying. Jack had a tendency to get teary eyed a bit too often for my liking, but at least it wasn't sobbing. I seriously need to work on my understanding of sensitive people.
The last chapter and epilogue were beautiful.
I'm definitely looking forward to more by the author.
July 12, 2024
While I enjoyed Until I Loved You, The Shutout is a whole other ballgame (no pun intended).
I almost DNF this book at 30% and again at 50% but stuck with it, mostly skimming the marathon internal monologues that interrupted every scene and conversation.
Besides the monologuing, my reasons for strongly disliking this book are as follows:
I never warmed up to Max. He was homophobic, rude, and took Jack for granted. He hurt Jack over and over again.
I didn't like Jack all that much either because he was a doormat when it came to Max. Max said jump, and Jack asked, how high? Jack's internal homophobia was severe.
Indeed, this entire novel is grossly homophobic, biphobic, and low-key misogynistic.
Max's absolute fucktrumpet of a business partner was the most vile, but Max telling Jack that he isn't gay in the middle of Jack giving him a blowjob and then kicking him out immediately after was a close second.
Jack compares being gay to feeding people poison because telling someone his secret means they have to treat him differently in public and tell lies on his behalf. Excuse me, but what the fuckity fuck?
My brother is gay, as are many of my friends, and whether they're out or not, I treat them the same in public as I do in private. It's not like I go around gossiping about people's sexuality. I don't introduce anyone as my straight friend Joe or gay friend Joe or trans friend Joe.
Why would it make me change how I act toward someone when we're hanging out in a coffee shop because I know they're gay and others don't? Oh, what a terrible burden to bear. /s
Even Lainey, Max's late wife and Jack's good friend, did things that made me want to pound my head against the wall.
For example, she refused to let Jack tell Max that he was gay because Max wouldn't react well.
Uh, well, too damn bad. Your friend shouldn't have to hide his identity from your twat of a husband. (Maybe this was just a plot device so Jack could out himself to Max years later once Lainey was gone - regardless, it rubbed me the wrong way.)
Another example: When Max asks Jack what he (Jack) and Lainey talked about, Jack says sex.
Read that again. And again. Until you want to puke because pushing someone to disclose details about their sex life isn't charming and tenacious.
It's coercive, appalling, and ABUSIVE. And if you don't agree ... be better.
I found most of this book to be hugely, horrifically problematic in the same vein.
Max is even an arse in the epilogue, which is a HEA; that kind of happy ending usually makes me smile, but I was so done by then, I couldn't have cared less.
I almost DNF this book at 30% and again at 50% but stuck with it, mostly skimming the marathon internal monologues that interrupted every scene and conversation.
Besides the monologuing, my reasons for strongly disliking this book are as follows:
I never warmed up to Max. He was homophobic, rude, and took Jack for granted. He hurt Jack over and over again.
I didn't like Jack all that much either because he was a doormat when it came to Max. Max said jump, and Jack asked, how high? Jack's internal homophobia was severe.
Indeed, this entire novel is grossly homophobic, biphobic, and low-key misogynistic.
Max's absolute fucktrumpet of a business partner was the most vile, but Max telling Jack that he isn't gay in the middle of Jack giving him a blowjob and then kicking him out immediately after was a close second.
Jack compares being gay to feeding people poison because telling someone his secret means they have to treat him differently in public and tell lies on his behalf. Excuse me, but what the fuckity fuck?
My brother is gay, as are many of my friends, and whether they're out or not, I treat them the same in public as I do in private. It's not like I go around gossiping about people's sexuality. I don't introduce anyone as my straight friend Joe or gay friend Joe or trans friend Joe.
Why would it make me change how I act toward someone when we're hanging out in a coffee shop because I know they're gay and others don't? Oh, what a terrible burden to bear. /s
Even Lainey, Max's late wife and Jack's good friend, did things that made me want to pound my head against the wall.
For example, she refused to let Jack tell Max that he was gay because Max wouldn't react well.
Uh, well, too damn bad. Your friend shouldn't have to hide his identity from your twat of a husband. (Maybe this was just a plot device so Jack could out himself to Max years later once Lainey was gone - regardless, it rubbed me the wrong way.)
Another example: When Max asks Jack what he (Jack) and Lainey talked about, Jack says sex.
" Sex?" I [Max] parroted. "Wha-what...what about sex?"
"About...how it works."
The temperature of my blood shot up a hundred degrees, imagining Lainey asking about and him explaining what went where and various positions.
"Oh. OH," I fucking babbled. "And, uh, you...you told her?"
"I...yeah. A little .... She kind of nagged it out of me."
I smirked taking pity on him, picturing my ridiculously tenacious wife slyly brow-beating Jack until he divulged his sex life.
"She could be fucking persistent," I conceded.
"Yeah," He chuckled. "But in a charming way."
Read that again. And again. Until you want to puke because pushing someone to disclose details about their sex life isn't charming and tenacious.
It's coercive, appalling, and ABUSIVE. And if you don't agree ... be better.
I found most of this book to be hugely, horrifically problematic in the same vein.
Max is even an arse in the epilogue, which is a HEA; that kind of happy ending usually makes me smile, but I was so done by then, I couldn't have cared less.
April 16, 2022
*changed to four stars
trigger warning for: homophobia; grief due to someones passing
my new goal in life is to be a fucking lettuce in this all-meat burger composed of max hartwell and jack spears. dianna roman's the shutout was legitimately good. i swear 2022 is the year where bestfriends/friends-to-lovers trope will get its reign once again. i swooned, i laughed, and shockingly some tears streamed down my face too.
this is a story about jack spears, a famous baseball pitcher, who did the unthinkable: kissed his straight best friend who was at the time a widower. oh my goodness the first half of this book was one big push-and-pull narrative. i was pulling my hairs out. i can't fully fault max for being weirded out after that kiss but all of his actions made my heart break for jack. i just wanna be this psycho who wants to dive in to their world and to say in their faces "you need to fall in love now or the world will end!". the other half of this story was gag-worthy. the way max decided to make it up for jack and to win him over? fucking delicious. giving this 5 stars because of these heavy dark bags under my eyes i'm sporting right now. this book is far from perfect bc i have certain criticisms against it but i was very much ready to throw these things out of the window. it was perfect for me. give me characters that i would want to root for then that's already winner.
trigger warning for: homophobia; grief due to someones passing
❝ Smiling back at him, I knew then that sometimes choosing happiness wasn't enough. Sometimes to whom you gave your happiness was just as important. And when you couldn't believe in yourself, the least you could do was believe in the people who believed in you. ❞
my new goal in life is to be a fucking lettuce in this all-meat burger composed of max hartwell and jack spears. dianna roman's the shutout was legitimately good. i swear 2022 is the year where bestfriends/friends-to-lovers trope will get its reign once again. i swooned, i laughed, and shockingly some tears streamed down my face too.
"I promise I'll make it up to you though some other time... just the two of us." His voice was soft and tender. No matter how hard I looked, I couldn't see any insincerity, and confusion. "So do you think you could give me a chance, or have I screwed everything up too bad?"
this is a story about jack spears, a famous baseball pitcher, who did the unthinkable: kissed his straight best friend who was at the time a widower. oh my goodness the first half of this book was one big push-and-pull narrative. i was pulling my hairs out. i can't fully fault max for being weirded out after that kiss but all of his actions made my heart break for jack. i just wanna be this psycho who wants to dive in to their world and to say in their faces "you need to fall in love now or the world will end!". the other half of this story was gag-worthy. the way max decided to make it up for jack and to win him over? fucking delicious. giving this 5 stars because of these heavy dark bags under my eyes i'm sporting right now. this book is far from perfect bc i have certain criticisms against it but i was very much ready to throw these things out of the window. it was perfect for me. give me characters that i would want to root for then that's already winner.
March 28, 2022
dnf @ 80% I just couldn't go on y'all
This book is so problematic. An over abundance of homophobia, internalized homophobia, misogyny, low key biphobia, and shitty parents.
The dialogue from the sex scenes was plagiarized from the cheesiest porno ever.
Max is our "biawakening". Of course he never says he's bi (unless he does in the last 20% but I seriously doubt it). He was happily married to a woman, he was attracted to said woman. She died in a car accident. When he and Jack get together, he decides to identify as gay. Which. I mean do you. But also. That kind of shits on the memory of the wife you claimed you loved so much and made you so happy.
Jack is ignored by his shitty parents. Oh his mom isn't shitty really. She still talks to him. In hiding and through his sister so his dad doesn't find out. But she still loves him. 🙄 He's also a pitcher in the MLB. Usually I'm okay with storylines involving players in professional sports staying closeted. But Jack hated himself. He didn't want literally anyone knowing about him and Max. That's what bothered me. Stay in the closet if that's what is going to keep you safe. That's not how I read it though. It read like Jack hated himself and didn't want to be gay so he hid.
Emma was cute. There were some cute parts of the story. But jfc pick a struggle for the MCs to go through. Not all of them.
This book is so problematic. An over abundance of homophobia, internalized homophobia, misogyny, low key biphobia, and shitty parents.
The dialogue from the sex scenes was plagiarized from the cheesiest porno ever.
Max is our "biawakening". Of course he never says he's bi (unless he does in the last 20% but I seriously doubt it). He was happily married to a woman, he was attracted to said woman. She died in a car accident. When he and Jack get together, he decides to identify as gay. Which. I mean do you. But also. That kind of shits on the memory of the wife you claimed you loved so much and made you so happy.
Jack is ignored by his shitty parents. Oh his mom isn't shitty really. She still talks to him. In hiding and through his sister so his dad doesn't find out. But she still loves him. 🙄 He's also a pitcher in the MLB. Usually I'm okay with storylines involving players in professional sports staying closeted. But Jack hated himself. He didn't want literally anyone knowing about him and Max. That's what bothered me. Stay in the closet if that's what is going to keep you safe. That's not how I read it though. It read like Jack hated himself and didn't want to be gay so he hid.
Emma was cute. There were some cute parts of the story. But jfc pick a struggle for the MCs to go through. Not all of them.
Shelved as 'dnf'
December 29, 2022DNF. No rating.
Is Max (the MC) homophobic, or is it that the author is homophobic? Because there are some ideas presented here that I had hoped we as a society had moved beyond, like: (a) in a gay relationship one man is the woman, (b) if a straight married man has sex with another man it doesn't count and is not a threat to the straight man's marriage, and (c) imagining a man with the "wrong" gender causes violent nausea.
I wish I could read about Jack falling in love with almost literally anyone else.
Hard pass, and a pass on any more by this author.
Is Max (the MC) homophobic, or is it that the author is homophobic? Because there are some ideas presented here that I had hoped we as a society had moved beyond, like: (a) in a gay relationship one man is the woman, (b) if a straight married man has sex with another man it doesn't count and is not a threat to the straight man's marriage, and (c) imagining a man with the "wrong" gender causes violent nausea.
I wish I could read about Jack falling in love with almost literally anyone else.
Hard pass, and a pass on any more by this author.
April 6, 2022
DNF @ 49%
This was a suggestion for angst and emotion and I got neither. I really struggled and started considering ditching it at about 20% because I was bored. I felt no connection to the characters and the writing just wasn't working for me. Max was especially annoying (can he not say no to anyone but Jack?) and by his second homophobic freakout I was done. Jack doesn't deserve Max - he deserves somebody one thousand times better.
This was a suggestion for angst and emotion and I got neither. I really struggled and started considering ditching it at about 20% because I was bored. I felt no connection to the characters and the writing just wasn't working for me. Max was especially annoying (can he not say no to anyone but Jack?) and by his second homophobic freakout I was done. Jack doesn't deserve Max - he deserves somebody one thousand times better.
May 2, 2022
4 stars
Jack you sweet innocent human! I want to hug you! Haha and Max.. so glad you got your head out of your ass even if it took way longer than I would have liked! Haha
And the narration was great! Iggy Toma and Alexander Cendese are a power dual narration that just work!
Jack you sweet innocent human! I want to hug you! Haha and Max.. so glad you got your head out of your ass even if it took way longer than I would have liked! Haha
And the narration was great! Iggy Toma and Alexander Cendese are a power dual narration that just work!
June 11, 2024
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
I’d never fallen in love before. Of course, the first time I did had to be with a man who could never love me back.
I have lost count of how many times I’ve read or listened to this book, but I still somehow hadn’t reviewed it. This is definitely my favorite book by the author. I love Jack so much, and even though Max isn’t perfect, I love him too. This book is perfect if you want to read a bisexual awakening that doesn’t go 100% smoothly, but isn’t a complete dumpster fire either. Max is confused, upset and dealing with guilt and grief, but he comes around and is so good to Jack (eventually).
I love how these characters are so obviously best friends. In a lot of BFF to lovers books you’re just told that they’re besties, but in this one you can tell that they know each other well. It’s also just nice to read a book with a widower where the dead wife isn’t vilified in any way, but also doesn’t take over the story or feel like she’s a part of the relationship. All three of them were best friends, and it took a long time after she passed for things to change.
I wouldn’t have minded if baseball was a bigger part of the book, but most of it takes place in the off-season, so it makes sense as is.
This book also has the most emotional blowjob ever and I cried buckets the first time I read it, lol. The entire story is a good mix of funny banter, hot first times, vulnerable characters and navigating new situations with a child.
Max’s kid, Emma, is 9 years old and definitely full of sass. Seeing her relationship with ‘Uncle Jack’ is the sweetest damn thing.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Pro aseball player
Single dad
Bi/demi awakening
Best friends to lovers
Widower
Closeted MC
Grumpy/sunshine
Size difference
First times
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Death of wife (past, off page)
Misogynistic comments (side character)
Homophobic comments (side characters, some MC)
Alcohol consumption (casual drinking)
MCs filmed having sex without knowing
Sex tape published by unnamed character
Vomiting
Mild nternalized homophobia
Internalized toxic masculinity
Some details of homophobic parent
MC mildly groped by pushy fan (humorous situation)
Use of homophobic slur
Feelings of guilt and grief
MC blackmailed by hookup (past)
Spanking (once in a while, no impact play sessions)
Physical altercation between MC and homophobic SC
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No, but a few days they don’t talk before getting together. Light friendship breakup.
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 32 and 34 (kid: 9)
Series: Standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 383
Happy ending: Yes
You haven’t seen anything until you’ve seen a three-year-old wrap a six-foot-four baseball player around her little finger. God, Lainey and I used to crack up watching the two of them together. It was like Emma thought he was a giant puppy we brought home for her to keep.
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
I’d never fallen in love before. Of course, the first time I did had to be with a man who could never love me back.
I have lost count of how many times I’ve read or listened to this book, but I still somehow hadn’t reviewed it. This is definitely my favorite book by the author. I love Jack so much, and even though Max isn’t perfect, I love him too. This book is perfect if you want to read a bisexual awakening that doesn’t go 100% smoothly, but isn’t a complete dumpster fire either. Max is confused, upset and dealing with guilt and grief, but he comes around and is so good to Jack (eventually).
I heard people open speeches with it’s both an honor and a privilege. That defined my time with Max and Emma these last few years.
I love how these characters are so obviously best friends. In a lot of BFF to lovers books you’re just told that they’re besties, but in this one you can tell that they know each other well. It’s also just nice to read a book with a widower where the dead wife isn’t vilified in any way, but also doesn’t take over the story or feel like she’s a part of the relationship. All three of them were best friends, and it took a long time after she passed for things to change.
I wouldn’t have minded if baseball was a bigger part of the book, but most of it takes place in the off-season, so it makes sense as is.
This book also has the most emotional blowjob ever and I cried buckets the first time I read it, lol. The entire story is a good mix of funny banter, hot first times, vulnerable characters and navigating new situations with a child.
Max’s kid, Emma, is 9 years old and definitely full of sass. Seeing her relationship with ‘Uncle Jack’ is the sweetest damn thing.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Pro aseball player
Single dad
Bi/demi awakening
Best friends to lovers
Widower
Closeted MC
Grumpy/sunshine
Size difference
First times
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Death of wife (past, off page)
Misogynistic comments (side character)
Homophobic comments (side characters, some MC)
Alcohol consumption (casual drinking)
MCs filmed having sex without knowing
Sex tape published by unnamed character
Vomiting
Mild nternalized homophobia
Internalized toxic masculinity
Some details of homophobic parent
MC mildly groped by pushy fan (humorous situation)
Use of homophobic slur
Feelings of guilt and grief
MC blackmailed by hookup (past)
Spanking (once in a while, no impact play sessions)
Physical altercation between MC and homophobic SC
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No, but a few days they don’t talk before getting together. Light friendship breakup.
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 32 and 34 (kid: 9)
Series: Standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 383
Happy ending: Yes
You haven’t seen anything until you’ve seen a three-year-old wrap a six-foot-four baseball player around her little finger. God, Lainey and I used to crack up watching the two of them together. It was like Emma thought he was a giant puppy we brought home for her to keep.
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
March 27, 2022
I'm torn on this one. On the one hand, it went deeper than I thought. The angst and emotions were done well.
On the other hand, I had some niggles. The firs 20% was solely inner monologue and telling instead of showing. And there was unnecessary melodrama that was truly immature at times.
I'll land on 3 stars.
On the other hand, I had some niggles. The firs 20% was solely inner monologue and telling instead of showing. And there was unnecessary melodrama that was truly immature at times.
I'll land on 3 stars.
May 29, 2023
4.75
There were definitely some things I didn't like about this book: Jack's parents; Lainey's parents who then just disappear; unrealistic events; having to be either gay or straight with no other options - it felt like bisexual didn't exist at all, let alone pan, demi etc. all three could have been relevant for Max; but regardless, I really enjoyed this story of friends to lovers.
I cried so much throughout this book and my heart broke for Jack so many times. I just completely loved his character and his emotional rollercoaster felt real - the way he's all sunshine and light outwardly, but internally he's a catastrophiser and feels everything deeply.
Max was very difficult for me to like for so much of the book because his communication skills were frankly awful for someone who relies on getting his point across clearly in his profession. Once I got there though I really liked his character too, and I liked how he took control.
It was probably a bit too long, but it hit all the emotions I want from a story and I couldn't really pinpoint much I'd remove - I always like long books where you get to know characters really well. I loved the dual POV because without it I would never have liked Max at all. There were also some really good laugh out loud moments too, so on the emotional scale I rate with, I really couldn't ask for much more.
There were definitely some things I didn't like about this book: Jack's parents; Lainey's parents who then just disappear; unrealistic events; having to be either gay or straight with no other options - it felt like bisexual didn't exist at all, let alone pan, demi etc. all three could have been relevant for Max; but regardless, I really enjoyed this story of friends to lovers.
I cried so much throughout this book and my heart broke for Jack so many times. I just completely loved his character and his emotional rollercoaster felt real - the way he's all sunshine and light outwardly, but internally he's a catastrophiser and feels everything deeply.
Max was very difficult for me to like for so much of the book because his communication skills were frankly awful for someone who relies on getting his point across clearly in his profession. Once I got there though I really liked his character too, and I liked how he took control.
It was probably a bit too long, but it hit all the emotions I want from a story and I couldn't really pinpoint much I'd remove - I always like long books where you get to know characters really well. I loved the dual POV because without it I would never have liked Max at all. There were also some really good laugh out loud moments too, so on the emotional scale I rate with, I really couldn't ask for much more.
Read
April 10, 2022DNF @ 20%
From what I read so far in the book, there is too much inner monologue which I can't deal with right now, and too tedious. Not to mention, the homophobia which is at the best of it here.
From what I read so far in the book, there is too much inner monologue which I can't deal with right now, and too tedious. Not to mention, the homophobia which is at the best of it here.
January 5, 2022
I went into the story thinking it was just going to be a lighthearted romance, but it turned out to be so much more. Max and Jack’s relationship was so beautifully written and I felt like the pacing was so well done in building tension between the two. The author also did a really good job showing Max and Jack helping each other through past traumas. This mlm second chance romance is so incredibly heartwarming with lots of steamy scenes sprinkled throughout. This is genuinely one of my favorite romances that I’ve read in a long time and I can’t recommend it enough!
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 1, 2024
This was beautiful and sad and angsty and I spent the first 45% angry with Max but my boy got his head out of his ass and was actually pretty good afterwards, Jack was perfection I have nothing bad to say about him.
December 4, 2024
Every single time I read Dianna Roman book I’m drawn in immediately and I never let go until the end and then I’m just staring at wall after thinking “Does every book have to be perfect?” This book was no exception. Max and Jack had my heart from the very first page. This was such a gut-wrenchingly heartbreakIng yet amazingly sweet, story that shows while loss can gut you and break you down until you feel like you might never be whole again…love, real true love can build you back up in a different way that leaves you maybe even stronger than you were before.
The first half of this book I was a deranged sobbing mess, like finger-tingling sad (iykyk) I wanted to simultaneously squeeze-hug Max so tight because he’d been through such a devastating, debilitating loss and while also pummeling him upside the head for hurting my dear sweet bby Jack too many times. Of course he redeemed himself x a million after he worked through his pain, grief and understanding of himself and was definitely worthy of Jack but damnnn I was mad for a good minute there.
My dear sweet bby Jack was so perfect yet heartbreakingly lonely because of so many hags in his past I just wanted to protect him from every bad thing everrrr. He was so sweet, patient, understanding and forgiving of Max, much more than I was but I understood why and loved that we got sooo much time with them after they got together. The banter and their friendship never died or even really changed after they got together, it just became stronger, funnier and more beautiful and I loved that for them 🥹
I loved Emma too, I keep saying I don’t like the single dad trope but I guess that’s not true when the child in the book is as badass and wonderful as my girlie Emma. She didn’t even feel like a side character, she was most definitely an integral part of this love story that I loved just as much as I loved Max and Jack.
Lainey, Max’s late wife and Jack’s best friend was also so well written and perfect and really lived with both men in a way that showed how they respected, revered and loved her. I appreciated that she wasn’t written out or off in either of their stories or their love in general, the complex and rich way all three of these characters loved each other was just so well done. Also super important to note, the epilogue was 16 YEARS LATER, I truly love that for us all 😍🥹
I clearly adored every part of this story (even the crying bits) and Dianna Roman can do no wrong in my eyes, her writing will always truly stick with me after every story I read. This was friends to lovers, hurt/comfort, second chance, size difference, possessive bf goodness all rolled into one beautifully told story of love, grief and loss. what can happen when you take a chance at love that was always there with you. You must go read this beautiful book to understand honestly.
The first half of this book I was a deranged sobbing mess, like finger-tingling sad (iykyk) I wanted to simultaneously squeeze-hug Max so tight because he’d been through such a devastating, debilitating loss and while also pummeling him upside the head for hurting my dear sweet bby Jack too many times. Of course he redeemed himself x a million after he worked through his pain, grief and understanding of himself and was definitely worthy of Jack but damnnn I was mad for a good minute there.
My dear sweet bby Jack was so perfect yet heartbreakingly lonely because of so many hags in his past I just wanted to protect him from every bad thing everrrr. He was so sweet, patient, understanding and forgiving of Max, much more than I was but I understood why and loved that we got sooo much time with them after they got together. The banter and their friendship never died or even really changed after they got together, it just became stronger, funnier and more beautiful and I loved that for them 🥹
I loved Emma too, I keep saying I don’t like the single dad trope but I guess that’s not true when the child in the book is as badass and wonderful as my girlie Emma. She didn’t even feel like a side character, she was most definitely an integral part of this love story that I loved just as much as I loved Max and Jack.
Lainey, Max’s late wife and Jack’s best friend was also so well written and perfect and really lived with both men in a way that showed how they respected, revered and loved her. I appreciated that she wasn’t written out or off in either of their stories or their love in general, the complex and rich way all three of these characters loved each other was just so well done. Also super important to note, the epilogue was 16 YEARS LATER, I truly love that for us all 😍🥹
I clearly adored every part of this story (even the crying bits) and Dianna Roman can do no wrong in my eyes, her writing will always truly stick with me after every story I read. This was friends to lovers, hurt/comfort, second chance, size difference, possessive bf goodness all rolled into one beautifully told story of love, grief and loss. what can happen when you take a chance at love that was always there with you. You must go read this beautiful book to understand honestly.
January 15, 2022
Disclaimer : I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I loved this book. I went into it with expectations after reading the summary and it totally delivered (it even went beyond). From the first lines I knew I would like it, the writing is fluid and the author focuses on the two main characters from the start, making sure we know enough about them separately and them as friends to care about them as more.
Boy, the friendship between Max and Jack was so beautiful. I wish we saw more of those in books. I also loved that Jack cried easily, even though he's this famous muscled baseball player and the ''sunshine'' character. I was so happy for him, he deserved so much. I liked how Max's grief and struggles weren't downplayed. The characters felt very real and not just copy and paste from other books, even if they fit into the grumpy/sunshine trope.
I usually don't like the kids in books but I liked Emma in this one, she really brought something to the story and she wasn't too annoying. I loved how her shows how open minded kids can be.
The first part of the book was my favorite as I like to make myself suffer by reading the most angsty things I can put my hands on. I loved the tension, I loved the struggles, I loved the pining.
The second part of the book delivered as well. It was classic, if you read a lot of romance you know what will happen, but the writing was strong and the characters were very well developed. The communication between them was awesome and the spicy scenes were very good.
Though it's a sport romance, we get the sport at the end really but I didn't mind. I loved the parts with the teammates, the support and friendship they show to each other.
My only complaint would be how cheesy it became in the end.
I loved this book. I went into it with expectations after reading the summary and it totally delivered (it even went beyond). From the first lines I knew I would like it, the writing is fluid and the author focuses on the two main characters from the start, making sure we know enough about them separately and them as friends to care about them as more.
Boy, the friendship between Max and Jack was so beautiful. I wish we saw more of those in books. I also loved that Jack cried easily, even though he's this famous muscled baseball player and the ''sunshine'' character. I was so happy for him, he deserved so much. I liked how Max's grief and struggles weren't downplayed. The characters felt very real and not just copy and paste from other books, even if they fit into the grumpy/sunshine trope.
I usually don't like the kids in books but I liked Emma in this one, she really brought something to the story and she wasn't too annoying. I loved how her shows how open minded kids can be.
The first part of the book was my favorite as I like to make myself suffer by reading the most angsty things I can put my hands on. I loved the tension, I loved the struggles, I loved the pining.
The second part of the book delivered as well. It was classic, if you read a lot of romance you know what will happen, but the writing was strong and the characters were very well developed. The communication between them was awesome and the spicy scenes were very good.
Though it's a sport romance, we get the sport at the end really but I didn't mind. I loved the parts with the teammates, the support and friendship they show to each other.
My only complaint would be how cheesy it became in the end.
February 12, 2022
The shutout by Dianna Roman is a fantastic book in my opinion. Wholly cow I was blown away! It was such a roller coaster of emotions. I laughed so hard, cried so many times( happy and sad ), was on the edge of my seat in anticipation , and angry for jack and max so many times. Jack was max and Lainey’s next door neighbor and best friend. Then Lainey dies and for 3 years jack has supported max and his daughter Emma while secretly in love with max. When it comes to light that jack is gay and is extremely attracted to max. Max has to come to terms with so many things really,His grief over his wife, his sexuality, jacks sexuality, and the secret that was kept from him. I loved that we were able to be in max’s head while he sorted everything out the best that he could. I felt like I was with these two characters the whole time every step of their journey.
I just want to pay a little homage to Morgan, max’s sister, one of the best side characters ever. Also the title of the book is so perfect for this story. The only thing I would critique would be and maybe I just missed it but I never found out what happened with laney’s parents. In the epilogue everything was tied up neat in a great package but for Lainey,s parents. I could have just missed it. Not a big deal anyway it doesn’t take away from how incredible this book is. I absolutely loved it. Thank you Dianna Roman.
I received an advance copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I just want to pay a little homage to Morgan, max’s sister, one of the best side characters ever. Also the title of the book is so perfect for this story. The only thing I would critique would be and maybe I just missed it but I never found out what happened with laney’s parents. In the epilogue everything was tied up neat in a great package but for Lainey,s parents. I could have just missed it. Not a big deal anyway it doesn’t take away from how incredible this book is. I absolutely loved it. Thank you Dianna Roman.
I received an advance copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 31, 2022
This is one of those books where you want to sit in an overstuffed chair with your bunny slippers in front of the fireplace drinking hot chocolate. The protagonists, Jack and Max, are wickedly snarky which makes the story even better. The author, Dianna Roman, did a wonderful job of pacing the storyline and allowing the friendship between Jack and Max evolve in a plausible manner. The story is heartrending but also full of joy. It is a story of family and unconditional love. I love when I find a book that is so good I have to read it from cover to cover without putting it down.
There are so many things that stand out in this book but I think the foundation of the book is that it is so very real. You feel a connection with the characters. You see how their perception of things change over time. Jack and Max and most of the secondary characters are full of snark. Some of the scenes are so hilarious that I could not stop laughing. My poor dog became so annoyed with me after my laughter woke her up that she actually got up and left the room. I can not wait to read more of this author's work.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
There are so many things that stand out in this book but I think the foundation of the book is that it is so very real. You feel a connection with the characters. You see how their perception of things change over time. Jack and Max and most of the secondary characters are full of snark. Some of the scenes are so hilarious that I could not stop laughing. My poor dog became so annoyed with me after my laughter woke her up that she actually got up and left the room. I can not wait to read more of this author's work.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 30, 2022
DNF
I really wanted to like this. The writing and characterisation is excellent but it's got ableist ("cr*ppled"), racist ("g*psies") and sexist ("wh*re") language and MC2 treats MC1 horribly for 40% of the book, when MC1 is sweet, patient and unconditionally loving.
There was so much potential in this, even an excellent moment where MC2 realises his own internalised misogyny, and it just all goes unrealised.
I really wanted to like this. The writing and characterisation is excellent but it's got ableist ("cr*ppled"), racist ("g*psies") and sexist ("wh*re") language and MC2 treats MC1 horribly for 40% of the book, when MC1 is sweet, patient and unconditionally loving.
There was so much potential in this, even an excellent moment where MC2 realises his own internalised misogyny, and it just all goes unrealised.
March 31, 2022
5 ++++++++++ glowing stars audio and story!!! One of the best bi-awakenings ever. Loved loved loved this book!! Can't wait to read more books by this author!!!!!
September 17, 2023
It's a heartwarming story of deep friendship evolving into a relationship full of love and shared responsibilities as Jack helps Max move on after the loss of his wife, and Max proves to Jack that being an "out" professional athlete is worth the potential repercussions because of the freedom it gives him to live authentically for the first time. Jack is a laid back, happy go lucky major league baseball pitcher who has earned the highest accolades: four-time MVP, eight-time all-star, three-time World Series player, and more. He feels that he is nothing without baseball. His greatest joy other than baseball, are his next-door neighbors of six years: Max... his nine-year-old daughter Emma... and until three years ago, Max’s wife Lainey who was Jack’s best friend, who died tragically. Jack just wants nothing more than to be a normal guy, living in the suburbs with good friends and a sense of community. Oh, and a man of his own wouldn't be so bad either. He soon realizes that he’s in love with Max. He wants to belong to him and be a father figure to Emma. Wouldn't you know it... his first time falling in love, is with his very straight friend. Jack needs to be needed by Max and doesn’t know where he would be without it. Max and Emma provide Jack with the stability and family that he craves and give him relief from the pressure to be the best and relief from the isolation that he feels from so much time on the road during the season. The luxury of living freely "out" of the closet is not something that Jack can have...and he feels that he is suffocating. The story is clever and witty. Max is really funny at times with his dry sense of humor and sarcasm. Even when he’s miserable he’s still hilarious. The one thing that was really offsetting and brought the rating down for me...was the enormous shift in timelines as Jack and Max's relationship grew. We went from them falling in love...growing closer and then we're moved seven months into the future. About the time you think you're settled and moving along, we realize that we've come to the conclusion, which moves us ahead another sixteen years, making Max and Jack now 45 and 50 years old and Emma 25 and living a life of her own. It was a happy ever after ending but it just happened too abruptly, making the reader feel that they had been trapped in a time warp.
February 13, 2022
Page-turner! This satisfying, piercing, funny, comical, romantic, and touching story had me hooked from the moment I started. This story is brilliant, it tugs on your emotions while giving you enough comedic relief to really root Jack and Max on in their journey of self-acceptance and love. This scintillating story shows that love has no boundaries and you can find love where you least expect it, and sometimes it is right in front of you without even knowing it. I give this book a 5-star rating, it is a must read and each chapter will have you wanting more and more that you just can’t put it down.
The characters in this book were all very well developed. I feel that Dianna Roman brought these individuals to life with their personal backstories as well as the shared backstories of when Lainey was alive. The witty banter between all of the characters, especially Max and Jack was superbly written, it had me laughing throughout. The tender and steamy moments between Max and Jack were also spot on as they were splendidly portrayed.
This is a book that I will be able to pick up and read over and over!
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The characters in this book were all very well developed. I feel that Dianna Roman brought these individuals to life with their personal backstories as well as the shared backstories of when Lainey was alive. The witty banter between all of the characters, especially Max and Jack was superbly written, it had me laughing throughout. The tender and steamy moments between Max and Jack were also spot on as they were splendidly portrayed.
This is a book that I will be able to pick up and read over and over!
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 23, 2022
OMG! This was so amazing. I love Max and Jack's story. How once Jack moved in, he became immediate friends with Max and his late wife. He found a family with them. Someone he could be himself and people that appreciated him just for himself and not his celebrity status or money.
I loved how Jack was there for Max when his wife passed. How also Jack was impacted as he lost his best friend that day. He helped with picking up the slack when he was home in the off season and helped take care of Emma.
They formed a deeper bond in their friendship, a solid foundation to build their relationship on.
However, that first kiss. Almost cracked the foundation wide open. Max had to soul dive into what he really felt and what that would mean for him and his life to acknowledge what he felt.
Their relationship was epic. I just loved them!
The way they worked. They supported one another. They building of their romance and taking it slow and learning from each other.
I can't get enough of them and I want more and hoping another story comes in the future.
This is my first book by Diana, and I will be reading now whatever she puts out. as this writing was amazing!
I loved how Jack was there for Max when his wife passed. How also Jack was impacted as he lost his best friend that day. He helped with picking up the slack when he was home in the off season and helped take care of Emma.
They formed a deeper bond in their friendship, a solid foundation to build their relationship on.
However, that first kiss. Almost cracked the foundation wide open. Max had to soul dive into what he really felt and what that would mean for him and his life to acknowledge what he felt.
Their relationship was epic. I just loved them!
The way they worked. They supported one another. They building of their romance and taking it slow and learning from each other.
I can't get enough of them and I want more and hoping another story comes in the future.
This is my first book by Diana, and I will be reading now whatever she puts out. as this writing was amazing!
Read
December 19, 2023I’m sort of torn on how to rate this tbh lol
Max was really hard to like and does a lot of shitty homophobic things, on top of just being a total dick to Jack repeatedly, who just let him???
He mentions several times that he doesn’t know ‘how to be gay’, and it’s pointed out a couple times that he married a woman and had a child with one, as if being bisexual is not a thing 🤣
Also, he only really makes a point to stop others from being homophobic when it’s pointed in his direction, which kind of sucked
Then the whole thing with Jack telling Max about his dead wife hassling him about his sexuality and sex life, told him about her fantasizing about him blowing Max, and just fucking around with his feelings for Max their entire friendship in general… It was weird. How did no one find that weird???
I struggled a lot with the constant internalized and verbalized homophobia/biphobia, stereotypes like being gay and liking/doing “manly” things (which just blew Max’s mind), and Jack referring to being gay as a poison.
It just made me sad.
Max was really hard to like and does a lot of shitty homophobic things, on top of just being a total dick to Jack repeatedly, who just let him???
He mentions several times that he doesn’t know ‘how to be gay’, and it’s pointed out a couple times that he married a woman and had a child with one, as if being bisexual is not a thing 🤣
Also, he only really makes a point to stop others from being homophobic when it’s pointed in his direction, which kind of sucked
Then the whole thing with Jack telling Max about his dead wife hassling him about his sexuality and sex life, told him about her fantasizing about him blowing Max, and just fucking around with his feelings for Max their entire friendship in general… It was weird. How did no one find that weird???
I struggled a lot with the constant internalized and verbalized homophobia/biphobia, stereotypes like being gay and liking/doing “manly” things (which just blew Max’s mind), and Jack referring to being gay as a poison.
It just made me sad.
February 24, 2022
I don't always rate a book that I DNF but my concerns with this book were not going to change with more reading and there needs to be some balance in the overall rating. By 5% into this book I already found it heavy with exposition - so much telling, very little showing - but also with increasingly offensive/insensitive words peppered in. I kept reading and found the main characters (who I assume were at least in their early thirties?) exceedingly juvenile, somewhat misogynistic and sex negative in general plus there is a good dose of (internalized) homophobia. I ended up skimming until about halfway through and I just kept finding more examples of immaturity and repetition that I had to stop reading.
I received a digital Advanced Review Copy of this book from BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
I received a digital Advanced Review Copy of this book from BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
August 19, 2024
Realizing I might be a bad person because when one MC hurts the other, I want the other to hurt him back before I consider the slate wiped clean🙈🙈🙈🙈
So. My thoughts on this veered wildly from the start to the end, so I'm writing my review in the order which I felt the things.
I found the first 20% of this kinda boring and I almost DNF-ed it(so glad I didn't). Part of this was because I hated Max sooo much at the start.
I'll give him a pass for the first shove. It was a surprise —understandable.
Wanking over the idea of him then acting like Jack had actually done something to him. Hmm.
Demanding a blow job, then freaking out and treating Jack like a leper, then throwing him out. Side eye.
Rubbing one out to a photo of your bestie while you speak to your dead wife is......I give up. I don't know what it is but it's certainly a choice.
Leaving him home alone on Christmas yet this man's off season revolves around Max and his kid. And not even telling him before they go? Nasty spirit.
Every time he thought of him, he'd pull his dick out and start pumping. He was literally thinking about how much he'd hurt Jack and how he could see the hurt and defeat in his eyes. Then he's pulling out his dick? Ewww.
Multiple times, Max would know he'd done some despicable shit then he'd just skulk around and not apologize. Until Jack was forced to make the first move regardless. Courage the cowardly dog was braver than this man.
He calls it 'inadvertent cruelty'. Sigh. Is it inadvertent if you know it's a shitty thing to do/say but go ahead regardless?
'He needed to see me, needed to see all the affection and good wishes in my eyes that I had for him.' And by 'good wishes', he means his dick, btw. He can't fool me.
60% in, Max makes a vow to never hurt Jack again. Y'all. Might as well call him a Vow Keeper because....Y'ALL. If redemption were a person, it would be Max.
Man said “I’m going to take care of you now, not the other way around anymore.” and meant that shit. Can't hate.
'His list of worries was starting to get under my skin. After living under a black cloud for the last three years, I’d finally found the sunshine, and now I was supposed to worry about everyone else’s opinion of the sunshine? Fuck. That.'
“No. I mean, we shouldn’t have to play it safe. It’s no one’s business who you or I care about—who we want to be with.”
“People don’t see it that way.”
“Well, people are ignorant pricks.”
“Uh, two weeks ago, you shoved me away and quit talking to me.”
Sidenote-💀Love a good passive aggressive reminder of past crimes.
I ended up really loving their dynamic because once Max was on board, he was gung-ho and eager to tell everyone and their cousin about them BECAUSE he knew Jack had been shamed for his sexuality before and didn't want to ever be part of that, while Jack was so scared because he knew what 'Overwhelmed Max' looked like and he didn't want that for him because it would be a natural result due to the fame thing— even if it meant staying closeted forever. 🥹
See two people loving each other so much in diammetrically opposite ways😩
A quick commercial break for funsies....
'My dick was yelling "let the man pass" , while my ass was unloading concrete road barriers and oversized load hazard tape.'
Sorry but this description of Max's initial reaction to bottoming killed me💀💀💀
Back to regular programming....
The way they expressed their love for each other >>
“I told you to fuck off. Doesn’t that mean anything?” 😭😭����😭😭😭 I promise, with context, this is a really sad thing to have to ask.
The way Max steps up to be the rock when Jack is now 'Overwhelmed Jack' and is unable to???
“I want you to know what I see.” Reclaimed that moment for them.
Max really won me over, let me tell you.
“It won’t get any easier,” he warned, looking back at me.
“I know,” I assured him with a kiss. “There’s arthritis to think about and maybe hip replacements a few decades from now, but we’ll manage. We can get creative.” I wriggled my brows.
❤️🥹❤️🥹❤️🥹❤️🥹
I hated Max so much at first but by this point, I was so, SO sold on the vision.
And when Jack did that THING at the game? Lol I wanted to jump out of my seat and cheer as loudly as everyone in that stadium but sadly I had to remind myself that it's Monday morning, and I'm at work, and I have pending deliverables that I've been ignoring in favor of finishing this book first.
Seriously though, this was everything and then some.
So. My thoughts on this veered wildly from the start to the end, so I'm writing my review in the order which I felt the things.
I found the first 20% of this kinda boring and I almost DNF-ed it(so glad I didn't). Part of this was because I hated Max sooo much at the start.
I'll give him a pass for the first shove. It was a surprise —understandable.
Wanking over the idea of him then acting like Jack had actually done something to him. Hmm.
Demanding a blow job, then freaking out and treating Jack like a leper, then throwing him out. Side eye.
Rubbing one out to a photo of your bestie while you speak to your dead wife is......I give up. I don't know what it is but it's certainly a choice.
Leaving him home alone on Christmas yet this man's off season revolves around Max and his kid. And not even telling him before they go? Nasty spirit.
Every time he thought of him, he'd pull his dick out and start pumping. He was literally thinking about how much he'd hurt Jack and how he could see the hurt and defeat in his eyes. Then he's pulling out his dick? Ewww.
Multiple times, Max would know he'd done some despicable shit then he'd just skulk around and not apologize. Until Jack was forced to make the first move regardless. Courage the cowardly dog was braver than this man.
He calls it 'inadvertent cruelty'. Sigh. Is it inadvertent if you know it's a shitty thing to do/say but go ahead regardless?
'He needed to see me, needed to see all the affection and good wishes in my eyes that I had for him.' And by 'good wishes', he means his dick, btw. He can't fool me.
60% in, Max makes a vow to never hurt Jack again. Y'all. Might as well call him a Vow Keeper because....Y'ALL. If redemption were a person, it would be Max.
Man said “I’m going to take care of you now, not the other way around anymore.” and meant that shit. Can't hate.
'His list of worries was starting to get under my skin. After living under a black cloud for the last three years, I’d finally found the sunshine, and now I was supposed to worry about everyone else’s opinion of the sunshine? Fuck. That.'
“No. I mean, we shouldn’t have to play it safe. It’s no one’s business who you or I care about—who we want to be with.”
“People don’t see it that way.”
“Well, people are ignorant pricks.”
“Uh, two weeks ago, you shoved me away and quit talking to me.”
Sidenote-💀Love a good passive aggressive reminder of past crimes.
I ended up really loving their dynamic because once Max was on board, he was gung-ho and eager to tell everyone and their cousin about them BECAUSE he knew Jack had been shamed for his sexuality before and didn't want to ever be part of that, while Jack was so scared because he knew what 'Overwhelmed Max' looked like and he didn't want that for him because it would be a natural result due to the fame thing— even if it meant staying closeted forever. 🥹
See two people loving each other so much in diammetrically opposite ways😩
A quick commercial break for funsies....
'My dick was yelling "let the man pass" , while my ass was unloading concrete road barriers and oversized load hazard tape.'
Sorry but this description of Max's initial reaction to bottoming killed me💀💀💀
Back to regular programming....
The way they expressed their love for each other >>
“I told you to fuck off. Doesn’t that mean anything?” 😭😭����😭😭😭 I promise, with context, this is a really sad thing to have to ask.
The way Max steps up to be the rock when Jack is now 'Overwhelmed Jack' and is unable to???
“I want you to know what I see.” Reclaimed that moment for them.
Max really won me over, let me tell you.
“It won’t get any easier,” he warned, looking back at me.
“I know,” I assured him with a kiss. “There’s arthritis to think about and maybe hip replacements a few decades from now, but we’ll manage. We can get creative.” I wriggled my brows.
❤️🥹❤️🥹❤️🥹❤️🥹
I hated Max so much at first but by this point, I was so, SO sold on the vision.
And when Jack did that THING at the game? Lol I wanted to jump out of my seat and cheer as loudly as everyone in that stadium but sadly I had to remind myself that it's Monday morning, and I'm at work, and I have pending deliverables that I've been ignoring in favor of finishing this book first.
Seriously though, this was everything and then some.
March 7, 2022
Review will be posted on my blog www.mmromancereviewed.com on March 22nd when the book releases
February 13, 2022
This was an amazing and beautiful slow burn friends to lovers story. Max is a single dad and widower. He is barely keeping it together while managing his law firm and navigating all of life’s insane ups and downs. He would be completely and utterly lost if it weren’t for his best friend, Jack. Jack is there for Max through everything. He is his support and his rock. He loves Max but also feels he has to hide who he truly is or his life would become chaos. The way this story unfolded was truly so beautiful. The pacing was perfect for these two. They both had to work through past traumas and they were able to do it together. They were perfect together. Truly a beautiful and amazing story and I am so excited I got the opportunity to read this book!
I received a copy of this book from Book Sirens, and this is my honest review.
POV: 1st person dual POV
Standalone or series: Stand alone
Would I recommend it: 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ highly recommend!! 🤩
Would I read it again: Most definitely!
I received a copy of this book from Book Sirens, and this is my honest review.
POV: 1st person dual POV
Standalone or series: Stand alone
Would I recommend it: 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ highly recommend!! 🤩
Would I read it again: Most definitely!
February 16, 2022
Yas Yas yas Yas yasssssss.
First of all, smut is not my jam.
So when it was suggested that I read a mm smut book (and by suggested I mean basically forced) I’ll be honest I wasn’t thrilled, way outside my comfort zone.
HOWEVER.
Oh my gosh.
This book, made me comffffyyy.
Jack & Max have an incredible history and a beautiful blossoming romance that just truly shows how finding the right person will make you the absolute best version of yourself.
And Emma, you fierce, brave queen.
I loved them all so much.
I laughed. a lot
I cried.
I squealed like a little school girl.
And I was just so happy sad when it ended.
If you have not read a book by Dianna Roman, you are missing out. We will be seeing her name on #1 best seller lists in no time!
First of all, smut is not my jam.
So when it was suggested that I read a mm smut book (and by suggested I mean basically forced) I’ll be honest I wasn’t thrilled, way outside my comfort zone.
HOWEVER.
Oh my gosh.
This book, made me comffffyyy.
Jack & Max have an incredible history and a beautiful blossoming romance that just truly shows how finding the right person will make you the absolute best version of yourself.
And Emma, you fierce, brave queen.
I loved them all so much.
I laughed. a lot
I cried.
I squealed like a little school girl.
And I was just so happy sad when it ended.
If you have not read a book by Dianna Roman, you are missing out. We will be seeing her name on #1 best seller lists in no time!
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