Harlow Layne

The plan was to move away and never look back. Get away from him, out from under my father's disapproving stare, and start a new life in Willow Bay. It was supposed to be my fresh start, but instead my past followed me. The one thing I desired and couldn't have...Weston Jackson. I hated how he made me feel things that I couldn't give into without turning my world upside down. I wanted to make him pay. For the way my father now looked at me. For the way I saw myself. But most of all... for show more wanting him the way I did.
Sports romances are not high among my favorites...not because I don't like the romance, but I'm not much interested in the sports part....in spite of that it seems that I have read a plethora of them recently:) I also have to admit that I have read some really well-done ones. These authors have put a really good book together here. The romance is mixed up with "enemies-to-lovers", college bullies and M/M romance. It has everything from heart-breaking times to inspirational reckonings.

I think the book has the ability to cause all the parents that read it to ask themselves this question: what kind of parent am I? Am I supportive? Do I always offer unconditional love? Am I proud and loving of my children, no matter what? Unfortunately for our main character, Finley (Fin) Huntington, the handsome wide receiver for his High School football team, these were not even close to the traits of his uber-rich, verbally abusive, judgmental and mostly absent parents. How can you love others, when you’re not sure yourself, even what love is or even looks like?

The treatment that West Jackson received was abysmal, yet the authors wrote it sympathetically when it’s read from his point of view. It took me a while to even begin to even slightly like this young man, but he burrowed past the defenses of West Jackson, who was entirely opposite of Fin. Wes came from a poor hardworking single parent family. His mother worked several jobs to keep food on the table for him and his younger brother. West played football also, but for a rival High School, opposite that of Fin's. His football talent was impressive. Their major difference though, was the unconditional love and acceptance they each received from their parents.

West was openly gay, and he knew that his family loved and supported him. When he and Fin ended up attending the same college, living in the same house...there were, shall we say "social challenges" that West especially faced. I had to admire the "pure soul" that Fin managed to dredge up from within himself much to everyone’s surprise including his own.

The key event that brought these young men though, was finding a mentor in the most unexpected place, the person who had himself, walked that same path and had suffered those same rejections. This was Wes and Fin's "make-or-break" time, especially for Fin. I loved the characters and how they each used their many differences to create something solid and binding for each of them. show less

I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway.

Reading Unsteady in Love felt like witnessing a gruesome accident. I was unable to turn away because of a compulsive need to find out how it would end up-- all the while feeling a bit queasy over the whole sad situation. The characters at best are irritating and at worst completely unhealthy. The "big scenes" just made me laugh and roll my eyes at the shallow and trite and overly earnest euphemisms. Holden inspired no pity (he came across as show more a wretched d-bag) and Prue needed a backbone. show less

Rockstar, age gap, romance yes please and I say this when age gap isn’t my number one go to choice but this one got me. Pen is a manager for a band, she works hard, takes her job very seriously her attraction to Walker is instantaneously yet with their age difference and her job this is a no go for her. If she was to ever act on her feelings it could end badly for her and not just in heartbreak but in losing her career. Walker is mature for his age and once he knows what he wants it seems show more as if nothing will stop hi at getting it, yet he wants Pen but doesn’t want to be the reason her life is upended. They go back and forth fighting attraction to sneaking around but can this actually turn into more or is this just a more time thing? I really enjoyed this read and the connection between characters. show less

4.1 stars

I have to say that I had several laughs with this story. The names of the dogs and Pria's experience with them were hilarious. I enjoyed the interactions with Pria and Kingston and felt their chemistry. Cute dialogue between them.

I did wish that there was further explanation into how they first met, as well as more about Murphy and Pria's father's reaction. I wanted that fleshed out more, especially, as this story did have a great foundation. It was a great addition to the Cocky show more Hero Club. show less