When I first embarked upon the story of the entitled emerging rock star and the struggling footballer, I wasn’t quite sure what I was getting myself into. When the third book drew to a close, I know I’d found something special. Something with that extra awesomeness.
In some ways, the story is simple – two guys who bump into each other, discover each is gay, and move into a relationship. A few bumps, a few bruises, a broken leg, a move across the ocean, fame, and homophobia and voila, a series you have.
This book begins with Jay and Seb settling into life living together. This is Britain in the mid-2000’s, so we’re nowhere near legal marriage. That being said, the men are committed to each other. Their time apart has shown them that they are happier together. Are meant to be together.
But this is a C.F. White book so it can’t be all hearts and roses. And it isn’t because the men have barely resumed their new activities – Seb playing in the band and Jay back on the pitch – when Jay is taken out by a horrific injury. I mean, like, ouch. Devastating to say the least. Seb is there at every moment but a distance between them grows as Jay is running out of patience and pushing Seb away. It all comes to a head and it’s only with the intervention of their friends that both men finally pull their heads out of their asses.
But then if they’d communicated in the first place, the book probably wouldn’t have been as good. Had to add a little angst. And speaking of their friends – a few surprises in store that I did not see coming. All good, I promise.
In the end, I got my happy ending. Something I demand these days. I even got a special epilogue that made my heart sing. This is a great series and I wouldn’t hesitate to pick up any other C.F. White book. And I can’t finish without mentioning Piers Ryman. I have a thing for British accents and although I’m not so good at spotting upper class versus working class, Ryman had a distinctive voice for each character and it worked. The whole book just worked. So glad I listened.