Title: Dream Boy
Series: N/A
Author: Shawn Bailey
Genre: Contemporary/New Adult/Sports/Interracial
Length: Novel (148 pages)
Publisher: Amber Allure, Amber Quill Press (July 13th, 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts
Blurb: Being gay and in love with the most sought-after college quarterback did nothing for Hiro Aoki’s heart except make it break every time he saw Christian Hill parading around town with pretty girls on his arm. Christian also dated debutants and got invited to the most popular parties, while Hiro and his friends stayed home on weekends studying and trying to improve their GPA. What good did it do Hiro to be smart when the love of his life didn’t return his feelings?
But to Hiro’s surprise, when he agrees to tutor Christian in math, he realizes the football star may be harboring a secret longing for him also. Can the two young men actually become lovers and keep their growing relationship a secret from their families, the rest of the students, and the bullies on the football team?
ISBN: 978-1-61124- 630-8
Product Link: http://www.amberquill.com/store/p/1995-Dream-Boy.aspx
Reviewer: Prime
Review: This is my type of book: I love a good romance that features at least one athlete and I love a book that features someone of the “geek” or “nerd” persuasion. I’m also a bit partial to the college age romances. Being that I’m a nerd myself and I happen to think many athletes are hot, it’s not hard for me to enjoy this. If you’re someone who is critical of stereotypes in books, this might be a difficult read. For everyone else, this was a fun read. It’s cute and sweet, both the stories and the characters.
Hiro and Christian are basically polar opposites and despite the fact that they’ve known each other since primary school, they never had the opportunity to become friends. Well, Hiro did try to he does explain in the book what happened when they were children. All that’s important to know at this point that Hiro is the Student Council President and Christian is the quarterback – so they’re really are leaders in their social own circles.
However, both guys are really nice and it’s interesting to see how things change around them as their relationship changes throughout. The start of their relationship is basically stereotypical and clichéd – the first of many I might or might not point out. However, it is an immensely enjoyable stereotype. Hiro especially is absolutely adorable!
This leads me to the cast of minor characters. I’m not sure if there are going to be more books about these characters. Not all the members of the student council are not outright gay, just most of them are it seems. Some of them are just seem fluid, more into people than gender. Among all the duties of the student council, most of these guys also tutor some of the struggling students. The football team has their token bigot (who is probably gay), as well as a couple other nice guys. Perhaps it is stereotypical, but more than one member of the football team requires some tutoring.
It’s a well-paced book and the plot is straightforward. In saying that, I never found my attention wandering or was bored. If you’re like me who has just read a number of more action orientated stories, this is a definite change in pace. But it’s a good change of pace. This is one of those books you either love or hate, it’s fun and I loved all the characters.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *