Title: Quadruple Flip
Series: A spinoff of Double Flip
Author: David Connor
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novel (320 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (October 25th, 2013)
Heat Level: Mild
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 and a half Hearts
Reviewer: Cat
Blurb: Since childhood, Tom Alan Baranowski has concentrated on one goal: the Sochi Olympics. His figure skating partner, Erika Tsukino, is as talented and dedicated as he is, and their coach, Erika’s father and Tom Alan’s surrogate father—who moved the family back to Japan to live and train—sees bright things in their future.
But when practicing a rarely performed throw—the quadruple flip—leaves Erika seriously injured, Tom Alan is sent off to train separately. His new training partner is Milo Fisher, and meeting the openly gay British ice-dancing champion brings back feelings Tom Alan buried when he promised Erika’s father he’d make her his bride after the Olympics.
As Tom Alan falls head over toes pick for Milo, he realizes that if he follows his heart, he could lose the only true family he has ever known. He fears breaking his vow will hurt Erika, and that her parents, whom he holds dear, will never forgive him—and neither will the legion of Japanese fans who claim him as their own. Now going for the gold might not be his greatest desire or the skate to true happiness.
Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4329
Review: Tom Alan is an up and coming Olympic hopeful. In Japan, he and his partner are big stars and well-loved. They have big shoes to fill following in their parents/ coaches footsteps. Tom Alan has a rough past. He was abused and his partner Erika’s father, rescued him, raised him trained him not only to be a good skater but to be head of their family since he had no biological son and in Japan a man is head of house. Tom Alan and Erika basically have a prearranged marriage and love each other but there is one little issue… Tom Alan is Gay.
Erika gets hurt and Tom Alan goes to America to train and meets Milo. Milo had a small appearance in the first book Double flip. Ben and Kat also become friends with Tom Alan also from Double flips.
I really thought this was a good story. It started out fabulous. I loved how Ben, Kat and a mention of Adam and Rich form the first book were worked in and we got more on Ben and some closure on his story. Milo’s character was so much fun. I loved him though he was painted as a playboy and noncommittal in relationships. Tom Alan is the opposite; Sweet, quiet, loyal, loving and conflicted.
The problem I had is the story became very complicated and focused mainly on Tom Alan and his struggles… That was ok. I just felt the characters got a bit reversed. When things started unfolding, the story really got twisty. This is a good thing. It’s definitely not run of the mill or easy to figure out. I really got disappointed in the characters though. I also felt Milo was played down too much and the romance between Tom Alan and Milo fell short and flat on the ice (pun intended). I am a skate fan so I loved the skating, the descriptions, and the drama. I just expected more in the romance between Tom Alan and Milo and much more from Milo than we got. I also was a bit floored with the ending but at least I know there is more to come.
So if you like ice-skating, Olympics, Japanese culture, anime, romance between both mm and m/f struggles, abusive pasts and overcoming them, and cliffhangers, this is for you.