They don’t play for the same team. Or do they?
Jamie Canning has never been able to figure out how he lost his closest friend. Four years ago, his tattooed, wise-cracking, rule-breaking roommate cut him off without an explanation. So what if things got a little weird on the last night of hockey camp the summer they were eighteen? It was just a little drunken foolishness. Nobody died.
Ryan … died.
Ryan Wesley’s biggest regret is coaxing his very straight friend into a bet that pushed the boundaries of their relationship. Now, with their college teams set to face off at the national championship, he’ll finally get a chance to apologize. But all it takes is one look at his longtime crush, and the ache is stronger than ever.
Jamie has waited a long time for answers, but walks away with only more questions—can one night of sex ruin a friendship? If not, how about six more weeks of it? When Wesley turns up to coach alongside Jamie for one more hot summer at camp, Jamie has a few things to discover about his old friend…and a big one to learn about himself.
Warning: contains sexual situations, hotties on hockey skates, skinnydipping, shenanigans in an SUV and proof that coming out to your family on social media is a dicey proposition.
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This book! I can’t believe it took me so long to listen to this audio! Once I started, I could not put it down. A truly beautiful love story with fantastic narration. I’ll be thinking about these two characters for a very long time. The best MM romance I’ve ever read or listened to.
I listened to the audio of this book and it was amazing. The story line was absolutely captivating and the narrators did an amazing job engaging their audience. This is the second M/M romance I have read and they are so damn steamy, hot and sexy. I loved the chemistry between the characters. While this was a friends to lovers romance story, this book brought up topics of homophobia and having to hide one’s sexuality because of the fear of rejection from others. I can’t wait to listen to and/or read the sequel, Us, and catch up with Wes and Jamie.
This book by Sarina Bowen, Elle Kennedyis AMAZING! It was my first favorite book of 2017.
I’ve never liked hockey, and never thought I’d enjoy a male/male romance, but holy hell this book delivers in every way possible. It’s got emotion, and sex, and struggles and all the feels.
Check my blog (http://stacygold.com/random-musings/) for a full review, or just take my word for it–buy and read this one now!!
*5 Stars*
Um, holy wow! I do not know where to start with this review. I absolutely LOVED this book! I was captivated by it immediately, and knew that there was no way I wouldn’t be reading the rest of the series.
Now, I’m not usually that into MM books, and I’ve only read a couple in the past. But this one? It is now one of my favourite books and has made me want to go and read every single MM word that I can by these to authors. I love both their books individually, so I guess its no surprise that I really enjoyed this one, written together by them.
Something about Jamie and Wes’s story, it just captures you. Their friendship and the connection they have is amazing. The sexy times are hot. But the biggest part of this story, is them just having that huge connection and realising what it means. Someone said to me that it’s a great coming of age novel, and they were spot on.
A hockey book with these two amazingly loveable and fun characters? I just couldn’t put it down, and have promptly gone and one clicked the next two books! It’s just a really lovely read. Highly recommend!
This book was spectacular. It opens with the specter of a past “wrong,” being remembered by each of the MMCs. You slowly learn what stands between them, what ended their friendship, as they remember the event in flashback form.
I ripped through this book and could barely put it down. It’s a page turner and a wonderful romance. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
Him by Sarina Bowen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Book: Him
Author: Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy
Type: Book 1 in Him Series
POV: First Person – Dual
Genre: MM Romance
Rating: 4 Stars!
Age: Ryan – 22; Jamie – 22.
Jamie Canning was my first crush and my first love. But he was never mine to have.
‘Him’ by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy was adorable, romantic, heartfelt and hilarious friends-to-lovers romance. It was exactly what I needed. This book was absolutely marvelous from start to finish. It’s precisely my third MM Romance (not counting partial ones like ‘The Devil’ by Ashley Jade) and it’s safe to say I’m developing quite a liking to them. There were some moments where I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face. Moments where I was trying not to bite my nails. And Moments where I was so happy, I put down my Kindle and just stared off into space (I’m sure with a completely demented smile on my face). If someone would’ve seen my face then, I’m sure they would’ve thought I was off my rockers. The romance was so hot but also soft at the same time. I’m so glad I finally decided to read this one. It was so worth my time. Elle Kennedy and Sarina Bowen are great authors in their own right but together they make for a writing duo that is absolutely remarkable.
Why hasn’t anyone ever told me the prostate was some kind of magical pleasure zone? Are there unicorns and orgasm fairies dancing around in there?
Ryan and Jamie… what can I say about them? They were great together. Even as best friends. And once they ventured into the lovers category… simple explosive. So well developed as characters with loads of complexity, they made it so easy to fall in love with them. The intimate scenes between Ryan and Jamie were scorching and yet there was a tenderness there that makes your heart trip in all the right ways. Sweet, tender love story combined with hot erotic scenes. Wonderful cast of main and side characters in this well written, fast paced, engaging read with impeccable writing and storytelling. And the cherry on top? No cliffhanger. Yeah that’s right. NO CLIFFHANGER. Because as soon as I saw that there’s a second book, my mind went straight to the cliffy. But I was worried for nothing. The epilogue was so sweet and satisfying. And some shit from Ryan’s monologue was just hysterical;
Fuck me. I’m a strong guy. I’m a tough guy. But I was not built to withstand the sight of Jamie Canning stroking himself.
I’m attracted to women, no doubt about it. I’m also attracted to men, apparently. Wonderful. Complicated fellow, my dick.
God, when I go gay, I really go gay.
And It breaks my heart to know that there are people out there who can solely despise someone based on their choice of lover. People who can hate so freely without even knowing a single thing about the person they’re hating on. People who show their contempt without consequences just based on their narrow-minded thinking. People like Mr. Killfeather. They have no right to judge someone’s love just because it doesn’t fit into their norms. They have no right. Simple.
The look on the man’s face cuts through me like a blade.
Disgust.
Pure, malicious disgust. Jesus.
Nobody has ever looked at me that way before. Like I’m a piece of dog shit they’ve just had the misfortune of stepping on. Like they want to wipe my very existence off the face of the earth.
See this on Goodreads – Him
Follow me on Goodreads – Catherine Russell
Jamie Canning and Ryan Wesley aka Wes were the best of friends that met at summer hockey camp when they were kids. Every summer they would bunk together during hockey camp and then still communicate throughout the year with gag gifts to each other. Their last summer at hockey camp things may have gotten hot and heavy between them and then Wes disappeared and ghosted Jamie. Now four years later they are facing each other in the Frozen Four finals and Wes realizes that all the feelings that he had for Jamie haven’t gone away and he vows to spend time as much time with him before he heads off to start his NHL career.
I absolutely adored this book. I loved how their friendship was easy and fun, that it picked up right where they left off and then that translated so well when their relationship changed to more. And when things heated up boy did they heat up – their chemistry was off the charts. I also loved the fact that Jamie didn’t struggle with his new found feelings, embraced them and jumped head first into what they both thought would just be a summer fling. But those feelings came into play and both realized this wasn’t just a fling. Sometimes you read book that you just connect with, love the characters so much, have all the feelings for but cannot form the words to describe how much you absolutely loved a book. That is this book for me. I am struggling to find the words good enough to say how much I loved these men and how much their story consumed me. So good and once again I am kicking myself for waiting forever to read this book. I can’t recommend this one enough.
I’ve read and loved the other books in the WAGs series, so I’m not sure why it took me so long to read Him. This was my first M/M book and I was a bit hesitant going in, but I’m so glad that I did because I LOVED this book so much.
If you have read any books by Sarina Bowen or Elle Kennedy or when they write books together, you know to expect a fair amount of humor but also the perfect amount of tenderness. This book had all of those things. I loved the friendship between Jamie and Wes so so much. I felt like I was with them at Summer Camp when they were kids and again a few years later when the reconnected.
Both Jamie and Wes were so vulnerable to one another, and yet you always felt like they just got each other. Their friendship central to their story and I loved that their relationship evolved from that.
When reading an Elle Kennedy/Sarina Bowen book you know to expect a fair amount of steamy scenes. Him was no different and these scenes were sexy! But if it gets to be too much, it’s easy enough to skip over those scenes. Because at the heart of Him is a beautiful love story. Can’t wait to read Us next!
Audiobook
Story: 5
Narration: 5
Overall: 5
The book was narrated by Jacob Morgan (a favorite) and Teddy Hamilton. I used whisper-sync to jump back and forth between the audiobook and the e-book, but honestly I probably listened to the audiobook about 95% of the time. I loved both of these narrators as Jamie and Wes. They brought out so much emotion in each character and I always felt exactly what the characters were going through. What a dynamic duo to have narrate Him and I can’t wait to listen to the audiobook of Us!
Omg. I haven’t read much MM romance. This book absolutely blew me away. It was emotional, angsty, funny, and soooo hot. I loved Jamie and Wesley. And all the side characters gave the story so much depth. The plot was fast paced and I could not put my Kindle down. I will definitely be recommending this book to everyone!
I just can’t, it is so good! I want there to be more of these guys!!!
5 STARBURLICIOUS ‘S!!!
This has been the sweetest story ever written.
I have a serious case of locked jaw from all the grinning I’ve been doing for the last hour of this delectable story!
I actually chuckled… chuckled! & all the awwhs you can muster.
The dynamic between Wes & Jaime is heartwarming and so endearing.
They have now taken position as my “TOP” MM couple of the year. CONGRATS…lol
And thank you to my girl C.L. Mathews for the “Out of the Park” rec. You nailed it and should have hounded me on not having read it yet, more…lol
Now on to, “US”!!!
Wonderful! I cried more than once
****This book to me is much greater than 5 stars!!****
I couldn’t believe how much I loved this story and these two characters. What a fabulous read!
Hot Damn!
I’m not sure I ever wanted to be a guy until I was jealous of these two. Tension, lust, and good old fashioned love are a huge part of this story. Let’s not forget the highly erotic and hot flash inducing sex scenes.
I can honestly say that this book will make you crave both the kind of connection these two have and their sex life too. I’m told I look good in green and it’s a good thing because I truly am jealous of the heat and love in these pages.
If you are looking for the naughty on a whole new level, I strongly beg you to consider the audiobook because two hot growling guys is way more fun than using your inner voice. Also consider how much more motivational it is to hear it in their “voices”.
This book proves that romance isn’t just male and female.
Wes and Canning grew up together at Hockey camp. Wes has kept his crush on his best friend secret until he loses a bet. Wes has a freakout, and they don’t talk to each other for four years until they end up at a tournament, at the same hotel.
Sweet and hot, Also featuring a bisexual character! This hockey romance is 100% worth the purchase.
I loved this book. So hot!
I did cartwheels when I found out Elle and Sarina were co-writing this book. Sarina’s m/m, The Understatement of the Year is one of my all-time favorite books ever. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Him, and find out what kind of awesomeness Sarina and Elle could bring us when working together.
HIM is the story of Jamie and Wes, who one night, put their relationship to the ultimate test when they, on a dare, hook up at hockey camp. Flash forward 4 years and one ruined relationship later, neither one can stop thinking about it. When they meet back up at the Frozen Four, old feelings return to the surface, and what they thought was forgotten, takes them on an incredible journey of love and self-discovery.
Jamie has never really thought of himself as gay, but after that one night with Wes, and the way he feels with him now, he knows that there is something there. He just doesn’t know if it’s something worth exploring. Wes knows what they are like together, having to compete with both men and woman really screws with his head.
The chemistry between Jamie and Wes is at a different level. It is in your face and honest. Nothing about their relationship is forced on you, or told to you. You feel each of their emotions as if they were your own. Four years apart has done nothing to squash Wes’s love for his straight best friend. As they instantly fall back into their friendship, the longing is front and center. I want you to go into this blind like did, so read it without looking for spoilers. Without trying to sound like a cheesy promo for The Bachelor, the road that Wes and Jamie navigate is truly an incredible journey that needs to be traveled spoiler free.
You know you love a book when you go back through your notes, and find yourself rereading the entire book for a second time. The writing, obviously, is top-notch. This is Sarina and Elle we are talking about. There is not one time in the book that felt choppy or disjointed. The writing is clever and moved at a great pace. Elle and Sarina brought so much of their signature humor to the story, it helped bring a bit of light to the heavy parts. It has just the right amount of sexy (seriously hot) without it distracting from what is a beautiful story. Wes and Jamie are going to stay with you long after you have finished.
I can’t believe it took me so long to get on the Sarina Bowen/Elle Kennedy bandwagon! I actually read this book about a year ago, but somehow also missed reviewing it. Him was a great introduction to both of these authors, and I am so happy that I discovered them!
Wes and Jamie became friends through a hockey camp when they were young. Over the years, they kept in touch, but a misunderstanding of sorts broke their friendship. A few years later, they are both at the same hockey tournament and they work to rekindle their friendship. But, things aren’t as simple as that. Feelings are involved, and they both need to work to see what may come of it.
I love both of these characters! Wes and Jamie- oh, I so love Wesmie!! They are a perfect balance for each other, and so complement each other!
This is definitely a book worth reading~ I highly recommend!