There are moments in your life that become part of you. They become so ingrained in your memory that you can’t let them go, no matter how hard you try. Some may seem small and insignificant when they happen. Others are so big and important that you know, even while you’re in the moment, that your life will be forever changed. For me, almost all those moments—both the small and insignificant as … well as the big and important—were moments I shared with Chance Wyrick.
If I were in a support group for hopelessly pathetic gays, I’d have to introduce myself by saying, “Hi, I’m Andy Michaelson and I can’t stop myself from thinking about Chance Wyrick.”
From the time we met, when we were only six years old, and for the next twelve years, he was my best friend. I fell in love with him along the way. I couldn’t say exactly when it happened, only that it happened.
Words of advice:
Never fall in love with your best friend, especially if he’s one of the most popular kids at school, the best high school quarterback in the state, or if he happens to be your next-door neighbor.
But most of all…
Never, I repeat never, fall in love with your best friend if he’s straight. Nothing good can come of it. Trust me.
Our friendship was over before we finished our last year of high school. My best friend became my ex-best friend. I hoped to forget about him when I went off to college. But Chance followed me there. So did all the memories.
I tried to forget him. I did. But he was more beautiful than ever. He was the starting quarterback for Gilcrest University. He was larger than life. He was impossible to ignore. We hadn’t spoken in years, but the memories still hit me out of nowhere, and they still hurt.
By the time I started my third year at Gilcrest, I was beginning to think I’d never be over him.
As it turns out, I was right…
Chasing Chance is the first book in the Gilcrest University Guys series. It’s a full-length, “friends to lovers” romance novel. It has “coming out” and “first-time gay” themes, is stocked full of STEAM, heartache, and laughter, and it has a guaranteed happy ending. The series will follow the love stories of four college friends. Chasing Chance is the first of two books that will tell Andy and Chance’s love story. Look for book two, Catching Chance, to come out next month!
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Andy fell in love with the boy next door. His best friend since they were six, they spent all their time together, until one wrong moment, a line that got crossed, costs them their friendship. Now a few years later, they are both at the same college and seem to have done a successful job of forgetting their friendship. But that’s only on the outside, Andy is still mourning the loss of his best friend and can’t seem to get over Chance. When fate puts them in the same place at the same time, the two end up having a bit of chat and now Andy is hopeful, cautious but hopeful that maybe just maybe he doesn’t have to get over Chance.
This is the first of the series, and what a good start! With a HFN ending, I can’t wait to see what happens next. I give this 4 stars.
This book was so good. I really enjoyed the second chance/friends to lovers trope they had. It was great to be able to go back and see them growing up and how their friendship started and then progressed. Both MCs were extremely likeable and the side characters were great too. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
I don’t read very many M/M books. But every once in awhile I do like to pick one up. When I read the blurb of this book I thought, why not. It’s been awhile and I wanted something different from what I was reading. I’m glad I gave it a chance. The only thing I’m disappointed with is that I have to wait to find out what happens with these two, I’m not a fan of waiting when I want my HEA. If you want something to read that doesn’t have drama or angst then this is the perfect read. My heart broke for these two. It hurt for Andy and what he thought was unrequited love. It hurt for Chance and the fact that he didn’t feel he could be himself. He was hiding the truest part of himself because his dad’s words when he was a teen had affected him and the way he thought people would look at him. These two deserve their HEA after all these years and hopefully they can find a way to have it without outside forces hurting them beyond repair. I looking forward to reading the second part of this story and seeing what happens with the rest of the guys in this series! *I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.*
5 stars for Chasing Chance by M.E. Parker. This is book 1 in the Gilcrest University Guys. This is my first book from this author, and I have to say I am a fan. This goes back and forth from past to present. I like this so we can learn about how Chance and Andy become what they are today. Andy and Chance used to be best friends. They had been best friends from the time they were young until high school. Then when Andy ‘s father died, and something happened between him and Chance everything changes. Andy comes out as gay and him and Chance are no longer friends. Chance has finally admitted he is gay but what will he do about it is the question. He has been watching Andy run everyday since they started college. He misses him and Andy misses Chance, but he doesn’t want to. Chance has been in love with Andy for a long time, but he doesn’t know what to do about it. Can Andy ever forgive him for what he did in high school. Chance is afraid to come out to his family. He father is a pastor, so he thinks it won’t go well.
I felt for these two. This is a great romance that will pull at your heart. It will give you all the feels. I loved it and can’t wait to read the next one.
This book is about Andy and Chance, two childhood friends, and their circuitous way to love.
Andy is smart, nerdy and a brilliant baker. He’s also openly gay.
Chance is the star quarterback, son of a pastor and Andy’s former best friend.
The two were inseparable from when they were kids, until the last summer of high school when Chance panics after giving in to their mutual attraction.
Several years later, in College, they reconnect and it’s downright sizzling. However, Chance is in the closet and is terrified of being outed. So how long can Andy stand to be Chance’s dirty little secret?
This book is awesome. So is the sequel, Catching Chance.
The story of Andy and Chance is beautiful with plenty of steamy, gymnastic moments for us who likes the male anatomy. It’s the perfect College romance read with just the right amount of conflict and heartache. You’ll get all the feels from these two books and I envy everyone who hasn’t read them yet because they’ll get the chance (!) to discover this amazing story. Also, the books are really funny with some truly great characters. I can’t wait to read the third installment about Cam, Andy’s hilarious room mate.
The hot jock and the (granted, equally hot) nerd is a combination I’ve come to realize that I truly enjoy. And I don’t think I’m the only one considering it seems to be a genre of it’s own. But I seriously hope Parker will come back to that combo in later Gilcrest University Guys books.
For full review: https://reflectionsofaswedishgirl.blog.se/
Andy and Chance had been best friends since they were kids. But when Andy came out, Chance ghosted Andy. Now they’re both at Gilcrest University, but still not in each other’s lives.
Chance has always regretted how he handled Andy’s coming out, for more than one reason. Lately he’s been questioning himself, his desires, and the direction of his life. He’s realizing that he doesn’t love football as much as he used to, and he really misses Andy. Is there a hope in the world that Andy will ever allow him back in his life?
I am on the fence about Chasing Chance. On one hand, I liked Andy and his friends, and even Chance. But, and that’s a big but, I didn’t like how Andy so quickly forgave Chance, and didn’t really demand an explanation. I’m hoping there’s resolution of their relationship, of their feelings, in book 2, but I have to say the ending in book 1 was abrupt and unsatisfying.
Andy and Chance were both likeable, realistic characters. They had a difficult time communicating, but they had the excuse of being young and unsure of themselves. I loved the flashback scenes, getting to see how close the guys were as children, as well as how each related to his parents. The book was engrossing and made me care about this potential romance. Along with Chance and Andy, I also loved Andy’s roommate Cameron and wanted him to find happiness. Now on to book two!
I loved this book. I can’t wait for the continuation coming soon, but yeah, this is a great book. Both characters, Chance and Andy, are realistic, sympathetic characters you love from the first page. The flashbacks were handled perfectly and I had to keep reading because I wanted to know how these to men find their happiness. Although it doesn’t end in this book, and continuations usually bug me, but I can’t wait for Chance and Andy’s story to continue.
Andy and Chance have been friends since Chance and his family moved in next door when they were six. They were inseparable every day since. But as they grew older, Andy came to the realization he was gay and attracted to his best friend, but one night ended their friendship abruptly, breaking his heart. But you can’t be mad at Chance, especially after you learn about his past through his POV.
Many times this book made me smile and with low angst, it’s a great read. I can’t wait to see how their relationship develops and I’m excited about the other books in the Gilcrest Series!! A must read!!
Figuring out you are gay is something that changes your life forever, but finding out you are in love with your best friend is something that can ruin everything. Andy always knew he had a special connection with Chance but the moment he acted on it the friendship ended. But now they are both in college and Chance needs to reconnect with his best friend. Can Andy forgive Chance for walking away? Can Chance finally open up to Andy and tell him the secrets he has always been hiding? With beautifully written characters and a storyline that had my emotions in overdrive this is a book that should not be missed. I cannot wait for more in this series.
Andy and Chance friends for over more than twelve years from when they were six. Only four years ago after Andy outed himself to Chance, suddenly Andy was ghosted by Chance, not one word after that. Andy stayed behind with a broken heart.
Now they meet again, unexpected and Chance just doesn’t know how to make up for the lost years. Far in the closet for his father, his football coach and teammates.
I loved this one, not just another “sport guy in the closet” story. They had a past and we get to know it widely. I loved Andy’s kind personality. I loved his supportive friends, specially Cameron! I even loved Chance who stumbled and struggled through life.
Good, clear written story. The emotions in this read were so well described, I felt it deeply.
Beside the emotional parts it was also funny at times and at moments quite serious.
The sort of flashbacks did clarify a lot. This story had a smoothly flow and appealing emotional moments! The characters were beautifully flawed and adorable.
Overall a captivating and heartwarming story!
At the end I’d understand there will be a continuation with these guys and hopefully I can get my hands on that one!
This was an emotional read. Chance and Andy are great characters that I felt drawn in by. Chance is going through so much, battling the fear over whether to come out of the closet or not. Andy is trying to suport that he needs to do it in his own time but in another way hates how they must hide. Love is not always easy… especially when navigating young love and coming out issues. I cant wait for the continuation of ther story.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.