feliciasreview's review
5.0
Wow this book was amazing. These authors did such a great job. Kalen is having the worst day ever when Monroe sits next to him and ask him to come home with him. Kalen never been with a man. This book is the journey of their love. It was such a good book it was hard to put down. I can't wait for more from these two.
enayqueerbooklover's review
3.0
Ok, so I’m conflicted about this one. This is my favourite trope - professor & student with age gap. I love the forbidden bit, how they get around a forbidden relationship with a power differential. Honestly though, I nearly stopped reading this one the first few chapters. I personally don’t like dubcon, and consent was questionable when they first met. Forcefully pushing someone into sexual acts when someone is still questioning their sexuality is NOT sexy. It’s abusive. So I was very close to stopping this. But it maintained my attention enough that I kept reading, more through curiosity to see if it was going to get better. The dialogue was often cheesy and cringeworthy rather than sexy. But because I love the trope, I kept reading. I did like the relationship when they were in love, but I found both MCs quite immature & emotionally stunted. Soooo, I finished it. Maybe I’m so critical because I’ve read lots of this trope, and this was OK compared to others I’ve read.
renteigl's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
stillsarahjane's review
4.0
A forbidden/taboo (professor/student) age-gap romance featuring a sexual awakening.
This book was recommended by Lillian Lark on tiktok and I love a sport romance so it was an immediate add to the TBR.
I enjoyed this book, and I hope there's a follow up to this.
This book was recommended by Lillian Lark on tiktok and I love a sport romance so it was an immediate add to the TBR.
I enjoyed this book, and I hope there's a follow up to this.
jamies_bookreads's review
4.0
Very good M/M book!
Both Maya Nicole and Britt Andrews are fantastic authors on their own, so I knew this would be a great book. They did not disappoint. The emotions they write into these characters are true and raw. Kalen, is a rising junior in college that is looking to get drafted into the big leagues. When his name is not called on draft night he finds himself at the local bar. College classes are not his strong suit, so not getting drafted means taking a summer course to up his GPA. With this on his mind, his buddies and the girls are the last thing he wants to deal with. So while getting drunk at the bar he meets a guy who buys him a drink. A drink turns into something he has never thought about. Monroe sees a guy that calls to him in every way. Knowing this guy is straight doesn’t stop his thoughts one bit. The next week Kalen walks into his summer class, to find Monroe the professor…things change and Kalen has to face some hard questions. The book really does draw you in, so I am not going to give away anymore. These characters and their story felt real, and the supportive characters helped make this just as much. Not just another college M/M sports story, it has depth and heart.
4.5/star 3/spice
Both Maya Nicole and Britt Andrews are fantastic authors on their own, so I knew this would be a great book. They did not disappoint. The emotions they write into these characters are true and raw. Kalen, is a rising junior in college that is looking to get drafted into the big leagues. When his name is not called on draft night he finds himself at the local bar. College classes are not his strong suit, so not getting drafted means taking a summer course to up his GPA. With this on his mind, his buddies and the girls are the last thing he wants to deal with. So while getting drunk at the bar he meets a guy who buys him a drink. A drink turns into something he has never thought about. Monroe sees a guy that calls to him in every way. Knowing this guy is straight doesn’t stop his thoughts one bit. The next week Kalen walks into his summer class, to find Monroe the professor…things change and Kalen has to face some hard questions. The book really does draw you in, so I am not going to give away anymore. These characters and their story felt real, and the supportive characters helped make this just as much. Not just another college M/M sports story, it has depth and heart.
4.5/star 3/spice
book_lover_97's review
5.0
This is an incredible MM sports romance that is well written, sweet and funny. The emotions are realistic and raw. Captivating from cover to cover. Steamy, MM, age gap romance with an instant palpable connection between Monroe and Kalen.
kle105's review
4.0
Kalen is having a rough night having not made the draft for baseball he has to stay at college one more year. He now has to take a summer course. While at a bar drowning his sorrows, a man hits on him and he doesn't understand why he is attracted to him, he's never been with a man. He can't help it though, he is and when he invites him to his hotel he wants to go.
Monroe gives him a chance to back away, giving him his room number. When Kalen shows up he is happy to show him how much he wants him.
Little did they know that on the first day of the summer class that Monroe is Kalen's professor. While Monroe wants him to drop the class because he isn't done with Kalen, but Kalen needs the class to be able to play baseball.
The chemistry is everything, and as much as Kalen tries to fight it, he also can't stay away. Monroe while a very dominant take charge kind of guy was also very sweet with Kalen, asking for his consent repeatedly.
There is still a push pull to their relationship due to Kalen being uncomfortable and the forbidden aspect to their relationship. At one point they aren't going to be able to hid it, and Kalen's father not also put pressure on him regarding baseball he also is homophobic.
The end leads them to make some decisions and I love how they were both willing to stand up for the other. I loved some of the secondary characters and look forward to their stories.
Monroe gives him a chance to back away, giving him his room number. When Kalen shows up he is happy to show him how much he wants him.
Little did they know that on the first day of the summer class that Monroe is Kalen's professor. While Monroe wants him to drop the class because he isn't done with Kalen, but Kalen needs the class to be able to play baseball.
The chemistry is everything, and as much as Kalen tries to fight it, he also can't stay away. Monroe while a very dominant take charge kind of guy was also very sweet with Kalen, asking for his consent repeatedly.
There is still a push pull to their relationship due to Kalen being uncomfortable and the forbidden aspect to their relationship. At one point they aren't going to be able to hid it, and Kalen's father not also put pressure on him regarding baseball he also is homophobic.
The end leads them to make some decisions and I love how they were both willing to stand up for the other. I loved some of the secondary characters and look forward to their stories.
25thavenuewest's review
5.0
TWELVE OUT OF TEN, WOULD RECOMMEND.
TWELVE FREAKING STARS
When I tell you I loved this book, I mean it is the best MM romance I have ever read. Honest to goodness, I wept, I hollered, I might have cussed at Britt.....okay I definitely did.
Y'all, consent is SEXY, all throughout the book they each made sure they were both comfortable in whatever they decided to do. Which let me say, SPICEEEEEY, the spice is next level with this book. I don't know how Britt and Maya did it. But SWOON.
I can totally imagine both men smelling like temptation. Both are extremely sexy, and did I mention an age gap? This is easily going to be a reread for me. I loved the story, the growth, and the LOVE they share.
If you haven't picked this one up, or are on the fence. PICK. IT. UP.
You will not be disappointed.
Thank you [a:Britt Andrews|20607704|Britt Andrews|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1599840976p2/20607704.jpg] and [a:Maya Nicole|19412758|Maya Nicole|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1568734910p2/19412758.jpg] for an advanced copy of Catching Kalen, I can't wait for the next installment of the Diamond Dreams books! This review is being left voluntarily, all opinions are my own.
TWELVE FREAKING STARS
When I tell you I loved this book, I mean it is the best MM romance I have ever read. Honest to goodness, I wept, I hollered, I might have cussed at Britt.....okay I definitely did.
"I couldn't wait to run my hands all over him-if he let me."
Y'all, consent is SEXY, all throughout the book they each made sure they were both comfortable in whatever they decided to do. Which let me say, SPICEEEEEY, the spice is next level with this book. I don't know how Britt and Maya did it. But SWOON.
"He smelled like fucking temptation."
I can totally imagine both men smelling like temptation. Both are extremely sexy, and did I mention an age gap? This is easily going to be a reread for me. I loved the story, the growth, and the LOVE they share.
If you haven't picked this one up, or are on the fence. PICK. IT. UP.
You will not be disappointed.
Thank you [a:Britt Andrews|20607704|Britt Andrews|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1599840976p2/20607704.jpg] and [a:Maya Nicole|19412758|Maya Nicole|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1568734910p2/19412758.jpg] for an advanced copy of Catching Kalen, I can't wait for the next installment of the Diamond Dreams books! This review is being left voluntarily, all opinions are my own.
traci_booksagram's review
5.0
So I may have stayed up until 1am to finish reading this book. That is probably the biggest compliment I could give a book, I just couldn’t put it down. It was absolutely amazing! I am not a huge MM romance reader, but this one has officially made it to the top of my favorite list for MM.
Monroe & Kalen have a forbidden romance, after all, having a relationship with your student tends to be frowned upon. These two go through so many challenges together & I loved how their romance developed. Monroe is absolutely amazing with Kalen, who is just discovering his true self. These two are also incredibly hot together, so yummy. I loved getting the dual POV with chapters from bit Kalen & Monroe.
This book is definitely a must read!
Monroe & Kalen have a forbidden romance, after all, having a relationship with your student tends to be frowned upon. These two go through so many challenges together & I loved how their romance developed. Monroe is absolutely amazing with Kalen, who is just discovering his true self. These two are also incredibly hot together, so yummy. I loved getting the dual POV with chapters from bit Kalen & Monroe.
This book is definitely a must read!