Miller: When Talon left to play pro ball six years ago, the hole in my chest confused me. I focused my heartache into making my own NFL dreams come true, and by the time I was drafted, the longing I had for my best friend was buried deep.Now he wants everything to be like it was in college, but we can’t have threesomes and be reckless like we once were. The media storm would be enough to break … enough to break both our careers.That’s not my biggest concern though. The torch I had for him burns brighter after so long apart, and there’s nothing I can do about it. Marcus Talon is straight.I need to stay away from him.
Talon:
Years ago, Miller and I made a pact that we’d win a Super Bowl together. When I’m offered a position on his team in Chicago, I don’t hesitate. I move across the country to chase a dream that’s a decade old.Only, now that I’m here, he’s avoiding me every chance he gets. If he was anyone else, I’d cut my losses.But this is Shane Miller–the guy who makes everything better just by existing in my universe. The guy I’d do anything for. The guy who’s more to me than a brother, a friend, or even a teammate.I’m not going to let him get away.
Blindsided is a full-length MM novel with a HFN/HEA and no cliffhange. Unlike the other books in the Fake Boyfriend universe, Blindsided does not contain a fake boyfriend trope.
more
I love this group of characters so much. Talon and Miller’s story has been one of my highly anticipated reads and I wasn’t dissappointed. They just mesh together so well. I love that Eden took two supporting characters and turned them into a real best friends to lovers story. These two were just so much fun to read.
If Eden Finley wanted to write books in this series forever, I would read every single one of them. Miller and Talon’s story was HIGHLY anticipated by me and it did not disappoint. Their story felt like sort of a mashup of Fake Out (because of Miller’s college experience) and Trick Play (because of the football aspect) and Deke (because of the family involvement) and I loved every moment of it. I don’t think it held the same emotional weight as some of the previous books in the series, but that didn’t make it any less satisfying, plus we get the added bonus of more sexy times because the couple has a history with each other. I loved how quick Miller and Talon were to embrace their feelings for each other and how they didn’t waiver in their devotion to one another even when ish hit the fan. And the way that their formal coming out was just wonderful. I also really REALLY love the way that all of the previous couples were featured in the book and that they all seem to be developing a really strong friend group and I want to see that continue in the upcoming books as well. I can’t wait for Jett and Soren’s story! 4 out of 5 wine glasses.
I love this series, and I’m so glad the author decided to give us Shane Miller and Marcus Talon’s story, even though it doesn’t fit the fake boyfriend trope. These guys have been best friends since college, which is when they began sharing women. Miller is the first to become uncomfortable with the sharing, when he realizes that he is more interested in Talon than in the woman involved. Miller’s attempts to distance himself from his straight friend are only temporary, for two reasons: Talon doesn’t realize what Miller is doing; and Talon is determined that he and Miller are meant to win the Super Bowl as part of the same team.
This is a great story, and these men are funny, caring, crazy, and stubborn. I love seeing the characters from the prior stories here, especially since we see some of the events from their books from a different point of view. (I feel bad for Matt Jackson all over again!) I’m really in love with this group of men, who are amazing in some ways and deeply flawed in others. I appreciate that Miller is strong during Talon’s struggle to come to grips with his feelings and his sexuality; then Talon is the confident one when Miller’s fears try to take over. These men are so good together.
This book would probably work well as a standalone, but I recommend reading the series in order. It’s much more fun to know the stories of the other couples involved while reading Miller and Talon’s book. I’m looking forward to the next (final?) book in the series, and I know I will read them all again!
Eden Finley has once again, wrote an extraordinary book! I truly think this author can do no wrong!!
Miller and Talon met in college and clicked right away. They were instant best friends and did everything together, including share girls. Even though they are complete opposites, Talon being the arrogant loud mouth, who loves being the center attention, Miller being more of the straightforward quiet type, who prefers to be in the background, it worked for them. They balanced each other perfectly.
They eventually go their separate ways when they sign for different teams but find themselves on the same team again, years later. Talon signs a contract with Miller’s team (the Warriors) & wants to pick right up where they left off in college, sharing girls and partying together. Miller doesn’t want this due to his deeper feelings for Talon. He has known he wanted more than friendship with Talon for years but refused to make a move in fear or rejection.
When all those built up emotions finally come front and center, Miller is shocked as hell when Talon makes the first move, kissing him.He can’t believe the one thing he’s dreamed about for years (aside from football) is actually happening. Let’s just say, it gets extremely HOT from that point on!! They have plenty of hurdles to overcome such as, personal fears and telling their teammates, but they have a strong bond and even stronger love for one another. That alone makes it worth the risk. READ THIS BOOK!!!
I liked this story. It was funny and had passionate characters. I liked the realness of the men. They were real friends who share friendship and love. Great writing and excellent story line. I received this as an arc and I freely left this review.
A must read book! I love this book so much! Talon and Miller are so much fun to read about. They are friends and lovers. They have so many obstacles in their way. So they have to decide what they really want. I love the chemistry between them. This is one of my absolute favorite books by this author. If you like mm books this is one I highly recommend!
*Magic Beyond The Covers Book Blog*
While I enjoy reading all types of tropes, best friends-to-lovers has always been my favorite.
For this reason, I have been impatiently waiting for Talon and Miller’s story since the first time they were mentioned in the Fake Boyfriend universe. Even back then, their chemistry and banter was off-the charts, so I knew we’d be in for a treat when they started whispering their sweet nothings into Ms. Finley’s ear.
The opportunities these two had to explore their feelings and slowly dip their toes into the rainbow waters were plentiful. This made for a fantastic slow burn, in my opinion. But the thing that really made me swoon was the deep love they seemed to have for each other. Because they were best friends first, the whole relationship was built on love and trust and not just sex and attraction. So when the sex did come around, it was immediately on a higher level than a lot of other tropes could have attained at that stage.
Talon was like a big puppy and perpetuated a lot of the football player stereotypes, but honestly that’s what made him so charming to me. And Miller *sigh* was so tortured for so much of this, it made his (and their) HFN/HEA that much more rewarding.
If you’re looking for a book that will have you smiling, snorting, swooning, and belly laughing throughout, then read this book.
ARC provided for an honest review.
4.5 Stars
I absolutely loved this one!! It’s book #4 in the Fake Boyfriend series by Eden Finley and this one doesn’t include the fake boyfriend trope as the other 3 books. But it was great! I’ve only read the previous book, but I can honestly say I definitely loved this one much more! #teamSharkus all the way!
I’ve read it in one sitting and I was late at a birthday party because I just couldn’t put it down. Sorry, not sorry! I enjoyed the previous book, Deke but this one really kept me glued to the pages.
I think this book can be read as a stand-alone, but it’s best to have some ideas about the characters from the other books who pop up from time to time. From Deke we get Ollie and Lennon, but also Matt Jackson and Noah from Trick Play.
I absolutely adore friends-to-lovers stories! Especially when one of them is super clueless, like Talon here. Straight Talon…Shane Miller and Marcus Talon used to have many threesomes in college, but there was always at least a woman between them. 6 years later and they are playing for the same NFL team in Chicago.
Old habits die hard, but now Miller has decided to protect his heart and does his best to keep his distance. Which confuses Talon…
I loved the banter between them, loved the way Talon needed to have Miller close and wanted to know why he’s pulling away.
What I loved most here was Talon’s coming out! His determination. I must admit I enjoyed Talon more than Miller. His insecurities were all over the place.
I really loved, the writing. This story was super HOT, hilarious and also sweet at times! Looking forward to reading the next book, Hat Trick which is Jet and Soren’s book.
I highly recommend this book!
Like all of Edens books, it’s narrative is complex and full of deep meaning. These two are super hot together and friends to lovers is always my favorite! I need about four epilogues to this one! Their HEA is hard won, but so good!
Loved this story!! Talon and Miller have always been connected – best friends and teammates. But it is not until after playing on separate teams, they are once again reunited and this time it feels different. Can you take a friendship and turn it into something so much more without ruining the friendship? Or will how others perceive pro football players keep them from continuing their romance? I absolutely loved these characters. You can feel the connection deep down into their souls. Beautifully written and a must read.
Amazing friends to lovers romance! I loved how the out for you element was written into it.
The angst was just delicious and I thought it was great that it wasn’t an instant, lust-fueled road to self-discovery for Talon. He only very gradually starts to realize how he feels about Miller and that growing awareness makes for a very intense, emotional read. The scenes were Talon and Miller finally start to discover that their feelings and attraction are mutual were wonderful.
I love Eden Finley’s writing style with all its humor, nuance and emotions. The world she created for this series is absolutely amazing and I love all of the couples. It was great to reconnect with the other couples and see how they’ve been faring.
Ladies, she’s done it again! Absolutely loved reading about Talon and Miller. With everything they went through it came out perfectly. No pun intended, or was it intended? Loved having all the other guys brought into the story as well.
Holy hotness with a side of sexy! I did not see this one coming but I am so so glad it did!
Talon and Miller had me swooning hard and left me fanning myself. I have loved all of the books in this series but this one my absolute favorite!
I loved watching Talon’s and Miller’s journey to who they really are and what they want out of life. I couldn’t get enough of them as they both learned to put aside what others might think so that they could be the people that they kept hidden.
I could not put this one down. Blindsided is a quick sexy read that will set your kindle on fire and leave you completely… Well, Blindsided!
I wanted this story as soon as I met those boys in Trick Play. Both characters are engaging and lovable. I really liked the Twist in that Talon seemed to just roll with each new revelation and was willing to experiment. Their chemistry was off the charts- but below that is real feeling and deep friendship, which becomes the foundation for so much more. The interaction between the two was real as were how they navigated through their insecuries. Characters from earlier books are seamlessly woven into the story. Feeling their way through coming out really transitions the story at the end. I loved watching them interact with each other. Highly recommend this book!! Read the whole series!
Steamy connection, passionate exploration, heartfelt communication creates a story with all the feels! Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and this story is a touchdown! I loved these guys together, they steel your heart and you want to hug them as they journey to understanding their attraction to finding their forever.
The author paints a picture of Talon and Miller with words and heart that will find a place in your memory for a good long time. This ending is one of the best ever for me! Now don’t cheat and skip too it, read all they wonderful words that were so well crafted by this author. The story-line kept me glued to my kindle from first to last word and some parts i re-read – just because they were that good!
I loved seeing other MC’s from previous books and getting to see how they were doing!
i am so glad this book, it will be a re-read for me! I am hoping that this will be made into an audio book, because i would love to listen to it!
I was gifted this book from the author and i freely give my review.
HOLY.FUCKING.SHIIITT!!!
This is my favourite Eden Finley book. It’s everything I ever wanted and more. #teamSharcus all the way!
Talon and Miller are explosive together. Like when they are together they create fireworks. I’m so glad she wrote this book as they were only meant to be supporting characters in Trick Play.Like how Talon says, they belong together.
Talon is amazing and so very oblivious. He’s an all or nothing kinda guy. Jumps in with both feet first. While Miller is a little more level headed(verylittle).They are opposites that balance each other.
This book also deals with being LGBT+ in the sports. The pressure is huge. We get to meet characters from the previous books too. I will always want more of Damon and Maddox and Matt and Noah. And Lennon ofcourse. I loved every single word of this book. Couldn’t put it down and can you imagine how hard it is to read in class and keep a straight face?(no pun intended)
That epilogue was swoon worthy. It’s sooo Talon. Well he is Talon-ted!
Highly recommended!!
*ARC provided by Foreward PR & Marketing in exchange for an honest review
4.5 stars- Blindsided was the fourth book in the Fake Boyfriend series, but it deviates from the trope and is simply a really great friends-to-lovers story with a hint of a gay-for-you trope. As with the other books in the series, I easily fell into this story and enjoyed the smooth, easy writing style. Fans of the series will be happy to see characters from the other books play a few supporting roles, but Blindsided can easily read as a standalone as well.
Ever since meeting Miller and Talon in Trick Play, I’ve been hoping to gain more insight into their bromance. That underpinning of chemistry which first surfaced in Trick Play was just the start, and their connection was evident throughout Blindsided, making it easy to root for this couple. Talon and Miller’s personalities contrasted and complimented one another making for an entertaining read full of fun banter. Their innate understanding of each other further highlighted their close bond. I also liked that each man worked through coming out in a different pace and fashion. This wasn’t a blanket coming out romance, where it was easy and all hearts and flowers. In each of the Fake Boyfriend books, the coming out stories are never glazed over and the difficulties pro-athletes face over their sexuality aren’t trivialized. That approach makes these books that much better and more memorable. And while there were plenty of things to like about Blindsided, I absolutely loved how sweet and honest Talon and Miller’s love was for one another. Despite all the outside drama and judgement, the love the men shared was uncomplicated at its core, and that made it a true romance for me. Blindsided definitely checked all my boxes and left me with plenty of those swoony romantic moments that guarantees this will be a book I reach for to read again.
*eARC received via author’s ARC group. The PA and author had no influence over this review*
I absolutely love Talon and Millers story. Well done Eden!!!!
A must read, but read them all!! they are wonderful!
What could be better than falling in love with your best friend! Former college teammates/friends Talon and Miller reunite when Talon joins Miller’s NFL team. Feelings they never explored keep coming up and adds confusion to their relationship.
While Miller knows what he wants it takes Talon a while longer to see what is right in front of him.
I loved the dynamics between these two guys. Each one is rattled by the changes but neither can give up on the other. Dealing with these new emotions is made even more complicated by the very public jobs they have.
I found this story to be full of love, humor, some angst, romance and so much more! Don’t even get me started on that epic epilogue. I am such a fan of this series and look forward to what
Eden Finley next has in store for her readers.
I was so happy to finally get to Miller and Talon’s story. It’s a great addition to the Fake Boyfriend series even though it’s a different trope, more of a second chance/friends to lovers storyline. I really enjoyed seeing the MCs reconnect and traverse the changing dynamics in their relationship as it evolved from friendship to something more. Just as with the other books in the series, I read it in one sitting.
*I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book*