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A review by kaje_harper
Crossing the Touchline by Jay Hogan
4.0
This story of a closeted rugby player trying to choose between coming out for the man he's falling in love with, and a host of cascading disasters that might result, was an engrossing read that kept me up late. I really liked that the reasons Ruben can't come out don't just revolve around his sport and the risk to his career- although that's not inconsiderable as he works hard for a rare opportunity- but also the family repercussions.
He's the one responsible person in the life of his brother's young autistic son. His own father is a manipulative bigot who uses the boy, the apartment Ruben lives in, and the garage his brother works in, as weapons to keep the whole family dancing to his tune. For his father, Ruben is a potential meal ticket down the road when he makes the All-Blacks team. That, and petty victories and cruelties, matter more than family. Ruben's brother is circling the drain of alcoholism, the child's mother is dead, and Ruben is the one holding everything together.
So when he meets a gorgeous, flamboyant, out and proud nurse, anything more than a hidden night is a huge risk. But Cam makes him want to take risks... later. As soon as he makes the All-Blacks and has money and can take care of the kid better and, and, and. Ruben knows it's unfair to ask Cam to hide and wait. Especially when Cam was burned by a closet case before. But they're so good together, they're both hoping they can make it work.
I enjoyed both main characters, but really liked Cam as a no-nonsense, take charge, femme guy with a tough job. Both men are clearly doing their best, with outside odds stacked against them. The chemistry and hurt-comfort are good, there's some wit and banter, and the secondary characters round out the story. The sport aspect is essential to the plot, but fairly light in the execution. You wouldn't have to know anything about Rugby to enjoy this book. The child character is realistic, imperfect, and important to the story. And I appreciated that it moved on past the point where many coming out sports romances stop, and gave us some of the aftermath.
He's the one responsible person in the life of his brother's young autistic son. His own father is a manipulative bigot who uses the boy, the apartment Ruben lives in, and the garage his brother works in, as weapons to keep the whole family dancing to his tune. For his father, Ruben is a potential meal ticket down the road when he makes the All-Blacks team. That, and petty victories and cruelties, matter more than family. Ruben's brother is circling the drain of alcoholism, the child's mother is dead, and Ruben is the one holding everything together.
So when he meets a gorgeous, flamboyant, out and proud nurse, anything more than a hidden night is a huge risk. But Cam makes him want to take risks... later. As soon as he makes the All-Blacks and has money and can take care of the kid better and, and, and. Ruben knows it's unfair to ask Cam to hide and wait. Especially when Cam was burned by a closet case before. But they're so good together, they're both hoping they can make it work.
I enjoyed both main characters, but really liked Cam as a no-nonsense, take charge, femme guy with a tough job. Both men are clearly doing their best, with outside odds stacked against them. The chemistry and hurt-comfort are good, there's some wit and banter, and the secondary characters round out the story. The sport aspect is essential to the plot, but fairly light in the execution. You wouldn't have to know anything about Rugby to enjoy this book. The child character is realistic, imperfect, and important to the story. And I appreciated that it moved on past the point where many coming out sports romances stop, and gave us some of the aftermath.