Happy release day to Santino Hassell! ILLEGAL CONTACT is the first in a hot new series about football players who have drama both on and off the field.
SYNOPSIS:
The rules of the game don’t apply off the field in this first Barons novel.
New York Barons tight end Gavin Brawley is suspended from the team and on house arrest after a video of him brawling goes viral. Gavin already has a reputation as a jerk with a temper on and off the field—which doesn’t help him once he finds himself on the wrong side of the law. And while he’s been successful professionally, he’s never been lucky when it comes to love.
Noah Monroe is a recent college grad looking for a job—any job—to pay off his mounting student debt. Working as Gavin’s personal assistant/babysitter seems like easy money. But Noah isn’t prepared for the electrifying tension between him and the football player. He’s not sure if he’d rather argue with Gavin or tackle him to the floor. But both men know the score, and neither is sure what will happen once Gavin’s timeout is over…
This book is the first in a new series.
MY REVIEW:
“He was so addictive. Like candy. Or drugs. One taste of him had me fiending and my heart beating out of my chest.”
OH YES!!! I loved this fun and spicy slow-burn sports romance!! ‘Illegal Contact’ has the perfect mix of romance and heat. Any sports-romance lover will adore this story!!
Football superstar Gavin Brawley of the New York Barons has major anger issues. A tough guy who grew up in the foster system, he is caught on video assaulting a man and as a result, is put on six months of house arrest. What is was really doing was protecting his friend but Gavin will take his punishment even though it means he is suspending from playing football, the only thing that saved him from a life of total despair.
Most fans think Gavin is a total asshole. And he does little to nothing to dispel the public’s opinion of him. In reality, he is a deeply closeted bisexual who has just a few close friends in his inner circle. He trusts no one outside his tight-knit circle. But because Gavin is a prisoner in his own home (a stunning mansion in the Hamptons), he is forced by his long-time manager to hire a PA to shop for him, cook his meals and run his errands. But Gavin is dead-set against this idea because he really doesn’t like most people and he just wants to be left alone.
“I was a multimillionaire and a famous athlete, and yet people still treated me like a dirt-poor street kid from Newark. Some things never changed.”
Noah Monroe is in desperate need of a job. His last one ended badly and his father was just laid off. His student loans are looming over his head. He knows absolutely zero about football but that adds to his charm. And so he has no idea who Gavin Brawley is either. He is completely clueless but must find a job as soon as possible. He is out of options and will take any job, even if it is way outside his chosen field of social work.
“Was that the celebrity I’d be servicing? Bad choice of words. Was that the celebrity I’d be . . . personally assisting? I wasn’t too clear on what this job would even entail. I’d just been told to send my résumé and cover letter to Joe’s receptionist.”
Of course Noah and Gavin cannot stand each other at first! Gavin is a total jerk to Noah.
“The man I hired has worked for movie stars, Gavin. He understands discretion.”
“I don’t give a shit if he understands quantum physics. He’s more likely to land on the moon than set foot in this ridiculous mansion.”
I adore an enemies-to-lovers story. Gavin and Noah could not be more different. Gavin tries to shut Noah out of his life but he has to admit, Noah begins to do an amazing job as his PA. Noah begins to answer the huge amount of fan mail that has been accumulating and starts a social media presence for Gavin. So the fans actually begin to like Gavin Brawley. Gavin is wildly attracted to Noah but as a closeted bisexual, he feels that coming out would ruin his football career. Santino Hassell does a fantastic job of building their relationship from intense dislike, to friendship, to sweet, sweet romance. I could not put this story down! The sex scenes are CRAZY hot. Even when Noah and Gavin were breaking my heart, I just knew these two had to have a HEA. And boy, did they ever.
I finished with my hands in his hair and our lips crushed together. It was an orgasm worthy of Olympic medals, but what really stopped my heart was the sound of my name in his lust-soaked voice. We were both in trouble.
When Gavin finally begins to trust Noah, it is a beautiful thing. The banter, the sexy flirting, the touches of humor – it all worked for me. There is a second book planned in this series for Gavin’s friend and teammate Simeon and let me just say that it sounds all kinds of awesome. I already miss these guys!!
Gavin cocked a brow. “If you think I’m going to try to spare your delicate baby eyes, I suggest you readjust your expectations. FYI—after showering, I air dry.”
(ARC provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.)
Book 2 coming January 2018!!
Loraine Oliver says
Thanks for review Ellen-this sounds awesome!