Scan barcode
kaydanielsromance's review against another edition
4.0
Grant and Darryn are both roommates and teammates. Grant has had a crush on Darryn for quite some time, but he never told Darryn he was gay. I completely understand his thought process, straight guys are not very forgiving, especially athletes with raging hormones, and on top of it Grant is under the impression that Darryn is straight. We find out that it isn't entirely true as Darryn's started having feelings for Grant (his first time stepping outside the straight zone), but instead of ever saying anything about it he went and found someone else, Rich.
This begins a toxic relationship between Darryn and Rich, and leaves Grant wallowing in remorse for not saying something sooner. I will admit the story does drag a bit while Grant kicks himself around watching Darryn in his new relationship, but there is also purpose behind it which does all make sense by the end. Although I'm also going to admit, as a reader I'm there wanting that HEA for Darryn and Grant sooner.
Grant is really a sweet guy and you want the best for him, no matter how much you want to scream and shout to stop wallowing, but that is also what makes him a really great guy, he's always got your back.
College is certainly a time where you are trying to find yourself and might get lost along the way. Rough and Tumble is story that highlights those mistakes and pitfalls that young adults fall into, but hopefully don't mess up too much that they can't get out of, especially with the help of a good friend and a little love.
Shae Connor is a new author for me, along with the sport of men's gymnastics. The writing is excellent and I did enjoy the gymnastics portions, if anything the pacing was a bit sluggish, but the topic of toxic relationships, especially in males, is overlooked and I respected Shae for tackling it.
This begins a toxic relationship between Darryn and Rich, and leaves Grant wallowing in remorse for not saying something sooner. I will admit the story does drag a bit while Grant kicks himself around watching Darryn in his new relationship, but there is also purpose behind it which does all make sense by the end. Although I'm also going to admit, as a reader I'm there wanting that HEA for Darryn and Grant sooner.
Grant is really a sweet guy and you want the best for him, no matter how much you want to scream and shout to stop wallowing, but that is also what makes him a really great guy, he's always got your back.
College is certainly a time where you are trying to find yourself and might get lost along the way. Rough and Tumble is story that highlights those mistakes and pitfalls that young adults fall into, but hopefully don't mess up too much that they can't get out of, especially with the help of a good friend and a little love.
Shae Connor is a new author for me, along with the sport of men's gymnastics. The writing is excellent and I did enjoy the gymnastics portions, if anything the pacing was a bit sluggish, but the topic of toxic relationships, especially in males, is overlooked and I respected Shae for tackling it.
andrea_author's review against another edition
5.0
This friends-to lovers story grabbed me from the first sentence. There's so much raw emotion between these two college roommates as they navigate the often confusing world of adulthood, especially as young, gay men. They're not sure who's safe and who's not, and sometimes they make the wrong choices.
This book is structured a little differently than the typical romance, since it doesn't heat up until the end of the novel. But if you like gay romance with a hurt-comfort theme, you will likely enjoy this book. It's well-written and well-edited with a guaranteed happy ending.
I received a NetGalley ARC, and this is my honest review.
This book is structured a little differently than the typical romance, since it doesn't heat up until the end of the novel. But if you like gay romance with a hurt-comfort theme, you will likely enjoy this book. It's well-written and well-edited with a guaranteed happy ending.
I received a NetGalley ARC, and this is my honest review.
bookish_kayy's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to love this. I saw the cover, fell in love(I know, I know) and needed to read this.
Unfortunately, I had such a hard time connecting with the main characters that it made it almost impossible for me to love this the way I wanted to initially..
I’m all for a slow burn romance, but this felt like the confrontations and the bitterness dragged on for so long that it was definitely slow burning and made it a bit unrealistic for these characters to fall in love. I wanted more of their friendship, more something so that I could really experience the draw between them.
However. The plot line was very well developed and I did enjoy most other aspects.
Unfortunately, I had such a hard time connecting with the main characters that it made it almost impossible for me to love this the way I wanted to initially..
I’m all for a slow burn romance, but this felt like the confrontations and the bitterness dragged on for so long that it was definitely slow burning and made it a bit unrealistic for these characters to fall in love. I wanted more of their friendship, more something so that I could really experience the draw between them.
However. The plot line was very well developed and I did enjoy most other aspects.
cotes's review against another edition
2.0
Although categorized as a romance, thus felt more like a New Adult drama where the romance was secondary. Content warning: the book dealt with domestic violence extensively, and I wish that it had stopped trying to be a romance and focused on that.
Received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
angelsbookstaloves's review against another edition
3.0
I would like to say thank you so much Entangled for giving me a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
This is by far one of my favorite reads of the year. It had me laughing, crying, fan girling. Just every emotion. I loved this book so much.
Darryn and Grant are seriously the cutest! I love their relationship so much. Everything they went through together for their relationship to work was so incredible. I was rooting for them from the beginning.
I am so happy to have read this. I would love to check out more from Shae Connor! This is a great short LGBTQ+ read that I'd recommend to everyone!
This is by far one of my favorite reads of the year. It had me laughing, crying, fan girling. Just every emotion. I loved this book so much.
Darryn and Grant are seriously the cutest! I love their relationship so much. Everything they went through together for their relationship to work was so incredible. I was rooting for them from the beginning.
I am so happy to have read this. I would love to check out more from Shae Connor! This is a great short LGBTQ+ read that I'd recommend to everyone!
nolimalumsedheroa's review
funny
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I started reading the book on a whim, but honestly I enjoyed it a lot! I've been gushing to my friends through the whole time I was reading it about how cute Darryn and Grant are. Annie is unhinged and I love her! Loved the parents' reactions and eventually everything turned out for the best.
I'd've loved an epilogue or something, but I'll keep my eye on the author, as this is supposed to be a series 😁
I think anyone who is looking for a lighthearted college roommates/teammates/best friends to lovers won't go wrong with this one
I'd've loved an epilogue or something, but I'll keep my eye on the author, as this is supposed to be a series 😁
I think anyone who is looking for a lighthearted college roommates/teammates/best friends to lovers won't go wrong with this one
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Stalking, Outing, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Sexual content, Physical abuse, and Medical content
catxbooks's review against another edition
3.0
This was an easy read, I read it in one sitting but sometimes the story got a little boring. Grant was amazing but I didn’t like how Darryn acted about everything. Both were at fault for not telling their secreta to each other, but he acted like Grant was responsible for it. And Grant despite everything, was always there and caring for him so he was definitely the best of the book.
doseofromance's review against another edition
3.0
I received this free ebook in exchange for an honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Overall I liked the book though it was a bit light on the romance for me. Because of the focus on Darryn's abusive relationship that works for the storyline though.
For me there was on thing that bothered me the whole book. Apparently Darryn knew for some time that Grant was gay and in turn knew for a while that he himself was bisexual and had a crush on Grant. It also seemed like Darryn knew that Grant had a crush on him. But why didn't Darryn approach Grant then? I was very confused by this because the only reason they aren't together from the start seems to be that Grant didn't know Darryn was even into men. I don't know why this bothered me so much but I couldn't get over it enough to fully enjoy the book.
Otherwise I can say it's a good sporty college romance though I do recommend checking in with yourself about abusive relationships. If this could trigger you at all maybe skip this one. It is a prominent theme.
Overall I liked the book though it was a bit light on the romance for me. Because of the focus on Darryn's abusive relationship that works for the storyline though.
For me there was on thing that bothered me the whole book. Apparently Darryn knew for some time that Grant was gay and in turn knew for a while that he himself was bisexual and had a crush on Grant. It also seemed like Darryn knew that Grant had a crush on him. But why didn't Darryn approach Grant then? I was very confused by this because the only reason they aren't together from the start seems to be that Grant didn't know Darryn was even into men. I don't know why this bothered me so much but I couldn't get over it enough to fully enjoy the book.
Otherwise I can say it's a good sporty college romance though I do recommend checking in with yourself about abusive relationships. If this could trigger you at all maybe skip this one. It is a prominent theme.
morebooksforever's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you Shea Connor for creating and story that hits every emotion in me. Grant and Darryn even though at time made me yell and scream at them are completely swoon worthy. My heart completely broke for Grant and then I want to punch Darryn in the face and then my heart broke for him. The challenges and the growth both of these charters go through is amazing to read. The mental and physical aspects are explained In great detail that you could feel what the guys were feeling. I wish we got to spent more time with the guys after they figured their stuff out because they are total fire. Overall fantastic read and I high recommend this to everyone! Looking forward from more great reads!
squirrelfish's review
3.0
The only reasons this didn't get more stars from me is that I like my romance novels with a bit more sex & escapism - but I think for a newer romance fan, or someone who is really seeking gay romances specifically, or someone who is a little uncomfortable with sex scenes this could easily be a 4 or 5 star book.
Rough & Tumble is a young adult/new adult gay romance featuring two gymnasts that lines up characters for a more extensive "University of Atlanta" series. It's got only a few brief sex scenes so it should be appropriate for a slightly younger audience, although it also addresses real issues, so it's not totally fluffy and might need a trigger warning for some issues. It's got the first person point-of-view that's common in romance aimed at a slightly younger audience, something that's generally not my favorite style but done really really well here, so I can't imagine the book any other way. It's aimed at people a bit younger than me, but I enjoyed it. I'd recommend it for a young romance fan, or a young gay man. It's a coming out story, a romance, and shows the discovery of the rainbow world with a scene at Atlanta pride. I'd definitely give this a spot on my Pride shelf if I had a book store ;). Oh, and one of the protagonists is Japanese-American and his cultural traditions are mentioned, so additional diversity points beyond being a gay romance.
I'm not sure if I'll read more from the series, but I am interested in what happens with Annie, Mo, Pace, Kenny and the rest of the University of Atlanta crew, so I'll let the sample chapters of the next book decide.
Read through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review & my Kobo Aura for physical device.
Rough & Tumble is a young adult/new adult gay romance featuring two gymnasts that lines up characters for a more extensive "University of Atlanta" series. It's got only a few brief sex scenes so it should be appropriate for a slightly younger audience, although it also addresses real issues, so it's not totally fluffy and might need a trigger warning for some issues. It's got the first person point-of-view that's common in romance aimed at a slightly younger audience, something that's generally not my favorite style but done really really well here, so I can't imagine the book any other way. It's aimed at people a bit younger than me, but I enjoyed it. I'd recommend it for a young romance fan, or a young gay man. It's a coming out story, a romance, and shows the discovery of the rainbow world with a scene at Atlanta pride. I'd definitely give this a spot on my Pride shelf if I had a book store ;). Oh, and one of the protagonists is Japanese-American and his cultural traditions are mentioned, so additional diversity points beyond being a gay romance.
I'm not sure if I'll read more from the series, but I am interested in what happens with Annie, Mo, Pace, Kenny and the rest of the University of Atlanta crew, so I'll let the sample chapters of the next book decide.
Read through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review & my Kobo Aura for physical device.