Losing It (A Ringside Romance) by Christine d'Abo at Riptide Publishing
Genre | Gay / Contemporary / Erotic Romance |
Reviewed by | Lena Grey on 16-March-2018 |
Genre | Gay / Contemporary / Erotic Romance |
Reviewed by | Lena Grey on 16-March-2018 |
Finn Miller doesn’t do social. He works his IT job from home as often as he can to avoid people. If it weren’t for his weekly training sessions at Ringside Gym, he might never leave his apartment. And he only does that because of Leo, the gym member he’s in love with. When Finn gets talked into attending a speed dating fund-raiser at the gym, his greatest wish is to have the courage to try to say something—anything—to Leo.
Justin McCormick has spent most of his adult life being used, whether playing a corporate heavy, or acting as guard dog for his ward. So when he leaves Vancouver for a fresh start in Toronto, he doesn’t quite know what to do with himself.
The moment Justin sees Finn at a speed dating event, he knows there’s no way he’ll make it without a little help, so he offers to coach Finn on the art of conversation. What he doesn’t count on is his unexpected attraction to this shy boxer, or his fear that if Finn gets his way, Justin might lose out on his best chance at love.
“It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives.” ~ unknown
When Justin McCormack walks into the Ringside Gym, he's not at all sure if it is a good idea. Justin just knows that he needs help and has run out of people to ask. Justin's only hope is Grady, a man whose life he'd made miserable for years because Justin was assigned to keep an eye on him by his employer, Grady's father. Will Grady be forgiving or spiteful? Justin isn't sure, but he has to try. Regardless of what happened between them, Grady had missed Justin and is welcomed with open arms, at least by Grady. His boyfriend, Max, isn't so forgiving. A year before, Justin had done his best to break up Max and Grady. After talking to Justin for a while and judging his sincerity, Max decides everyone needs a second chance.
Grady introduces Justin to Zack, the owner of the gym, to see if he can help Justin. Zach makes him a proposition. He has some apartments upstairs that he wants to have renovated. If Justin agrees to help, he can live there until he can get himself into a better situation and Justin agrees. For him, it solves two problems at once; he has a free place to live and some income. It will buy him some time to find a job in his field of work.
While Justin is getting a tour of the building, he meets Finn Miller, a shy young man who is a computer whiz but not good with people. The subject of a speed dating event to benefit LGBT youth comes up. Finn is browbeaten into going and is secretly hoping to have time with Leo, the man he is infatuated with. At the event, Finn gets up the courage to ask him out and Leo agrees. After he leaves, Justin sits down to talk with Finn. Justin sees how much Finn wants to impress Leo but, from what he's seen of their interaction, knows Finn can't handle a date with someone like Leo, who is basically an arrogant jerk. However, since Finn is so intent on wanting Leo, against his better judgement, Justin agrees to help him. Finn is thrilled to have someone who can teach him what to say and how to act to impress Leo. Justin and Finn begin to have 'coaching' session. And in the meantime, become good friends. Justin and Finn enjoy each other's company. Finn realizes that he doesn't get all nervous and tongue-tied with Justin the way he does everyone else. Justin enjoys Finn's company but is conflicted about “grooming” him for Leo. Justin is trying not to be selfish, but he is beginning to want to keep Finn for himself.
The relationship between Justin and Finn reminds me of a modern Cyrano de Bergerac story. Finn is enamored with Leo; Leo is in love with himself; Justin wants Finn. Justin helps Finn pursue the “object of his obsession” in a most unselfish way, just so Finn can be happy. It's a good story about second chances and reminds me that, sometimes, people can and do change for the good. Thanks, Christine! If you like a friends-to-lovers story with not much angst, sexy men, boxers, gyms, and second chances, you may enjoy this book.
DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Riptide Publishing for the purpose of a review.
Format | ebook and print |
Length | Novel, 229 pages/60400 words |
Heat Level | |
Publication Date | 19-February-2018 |
Price | $4.99 ebook, $17.99 paperback, $22.98 bundle |
Buy Link | http://riptidepublishing.com/titles/losing-it |