In their battle against post-retirement weight gain, a former football star and a former hockey star meet in a hush-hush counseling group for celebrities. Soon retired pro football player Gabe Finch is working on trash-talking his way into Logan Peterson’s heart. Logan was an ice hockey star. Selected as league most valuable player in four different seasons, he retired after fifteen years as an … retired after fifteen years as an eventual shoo-in for the Hall of Fame. Then he took a break. It was his time to let down and enjoy life. He didn’t know that the good times would catch up with him as a coach two years later when he found himself lying in a hospital bed after collapsing on the ice.
To all but those who knew him well, Gabe was the least likely of quarterback heroes. He trash-talked his teammates, bad-mouthed the media, and he was gay. However, with a football in his hand, Gabe achieved greatness. Three years after retirement, out of shape, overweight, and aimless, he didn’t know where to turn for his next act in life. Then he met Logan.
Saving the life of the man he might love is finally reason enough for Gabe to commit to turning his own life around. The only hitch is Logan is divorced, has two daughters, and has never loved a man before.
The growing passion between them becomes too intense to ignore, and they both know they can’t move forward without opening their hearts and letting them soar. A hush-hush weight loss counseling group for celebrities, current, and past, brought them together. Love, persistence, patience, and an iron will are all necessary to keep them there.
The Weighting Game is a standalone 55,000-word gay romance with first time gay, friends to lovers, and struggles with weight gain themes. It has steamy scenes and a happily-ever-after ending.
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This is sweet and romantic. Gabe is a saucy, engaging and determined retired gay football player. Logan is a mellow and friendly retired hockey player. The one thing they have in common is that they’ve enjoyed retirement a little too much by slacking on exercise and eating right. So they both end up in a weight loss group. Gabe immediately notices Logan and initiates a friendship, Logan responds to the offer enthusiastically because he knows no one in the area. They agree to be exercise buddies. Logan is intrigued by Gabe and he finds himself wondering what it would be like to see and touch his body, and finds that he’s not bothered by that. When Gabe notices Logan is watching him, he begins a slow, subtle seduction, which Logan gradually responds to. New Year’s Eve is their first date, and when things become physical, but Logan is confused when realizes what happened, and completely shuts Gabe out. Fortunately for Logan Gabe doesn’t give up on him. It’s a heartwarming friends to lovers story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.
I enjoyed the characters and theme in this very different sports romance. This was a realistic story of what happens to two sports stars after the glory, and showcases the risks and challenges that come from an unhealthy diet and lifestyle. Don’t worry, though, it’s not preachy, and there is plenty of good lovin’ too. A little emotion, mild angst, some self-discovery, passionate romance, and – as always from Declan – a perfect HEA.
I received a complimentary ARC. This is my honest, voluntary review.
Declan Rhodes has become a go-to author for me when it comes to sweet romance with a bit of steam, and great characters to revisit from time to time. The Weighting Game is just one more reason why. There’s just something about Gabe and Logan and their slow-burn romance. I love that they’re friends first and they just genuinely enjoy each other’s company. Their struggles with weight gain and loss, and the health issues that can go along with it are something a lot of people can relate to, and the author does an excellent job of showing the emotional side of that, including the depression that can set in when we don’t see the results we hope for. That, along with Logan’s confusion about his sexuality does generate some angst, but it’s tempered wonderfully with lighter moments, wit, and secondary characters that give the whole story a well-rounded feel. The best part for me is that Gabe and Logan’s story is good with or without the romance. Even if there had never been the first kiss between them, I would’ve kept turning the pages and enjoyed every word.
I received an ARC from the author. Declan Rhodes, who writes fascinating stories that mirror our lives, has honed in on one that affects so many Americans…the detriments of living with too much weight.
His characters, Gage and Logan, may be retired professional athletes, but they’ve both fallen victims to aging and a decrease in their physical activing. As a result, they’ve arrived at a crossroads… give up or try to affect a change in their behavior… so their lives can be lived longer and heathier.
On this journery, their lives have intersected and they learn more than just what to eat, what not to eat, and which exercise is the most effective. They also open their hearts, and minds, to new relationships and career opportunities.
A beautiful story by a fine writer.