Love Simplified by Teegan Loy

LoveSimplifiedLGTitle: Love Simplified
Series: Game, Set, Match, #2
Author: Teegan Loy
Genre: Contemporary/Sports
Length: 286 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (4 March 2016)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Blurb: Life is about making choices. For nineteen-year-old Jalen Marten, the choices he makes will not only affect his life, but the life and career of his superstar tennis player boyfriend, Austin Suter. Jalen spends the summer following Austin around the pro tennis circuit playing the supportive friend as Austin adjusts to life on tour.

Keeping secrets from people is hard enough, but when the media, a horde of new fans, and staff and family who all think they know what’s best for Austin are involved, it’s even worse. Coming out to the world is not an option, so Jalen is forced to hide in the shadows. It doesn’t always work, and Jalen begins to wonder if they should stay together.

The next choice could make or break them as a couple, and both men wonder why love has to be so complicated.

ISBN: 978-1-63477-046-0

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7508

Reviewer: Prime

Review: Love Simplified is the second book in Teegan Loy’s series Game, Set, Match. This is a direct sequel to book 1, Love Complicated but to be completely honest I read most of the book not realising that I had read the first book and I didn’t get confused or lost at all. So in a way, though I don’t like recommending to so, you could read this as a standalone book.

But let’s talk about Love Simplified.

We back with nineteen year old lovers Jalen and Austin. They’ve finished high school and Austin is now a tennis champ, playing all the big international tournaments like Wimbledon. For the good of his career – and for handling his homophobic father – Austin must stay in the closet. This is more Jalen’s story rather than Austin, entirely from Jalen’s side – something which I think does not take away from the story in any way.

Instead we are seeing two young men who have such a deep love for each other face the reality of celebrity and the paparazzi with Jalen knowing that he has to be careful with each step that he takes so not to expose Austin. Jalen can be a tad melodramatic at times but it all fits the story, which is relatively simple with no real “villains” or massive stumbling block other than Austin’s career and Jalen doing the best he can to keep it all together.

We are introduced to more minor characters when Jalen is in LA which gives the story a bit of a shake up and some smiles. They also act as good companions for Jalen as he battles his internal demons.

Despite the fact that this can be read as a standalone, this is a must read companion to Love Complicated. Though these feature young adult characters, they are also quite mature, so don’t be afraid to read of it because of the age of the couple.

I’m not sure if there is going to be anything else in store for Jalen and Austin (or any of Jalen’s friends in the future), but the ending was sweet and satisfying, everything that I want for in a book.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

Love Complicated by Teegan Loy

LoveComplicatedLGTitle: Love Complicated
Series: N/A
Author: Teegan Loy
Genre: New Adult Romance
Length: Novel (280 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (11 May 2015)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts
Blurb: Life is all about making choices. Some are complicated. Some are simple. But for eighteen-year-old Jalen Marten, none are easy. Jalen has managed to stay invisible for his entire high school career. He has a small group of friends, and it’s enough for him. He doesn’t want or crave attention from his peers. All Jalen wants is to survive high school.

Austin Suter is the hot, talented tennis player who has the entire school bowing at his feet. Girls routinely throw themselves at him, and boys like Jalen stay the hell out of his way. Austin is destined for greatness on the world stage of professional tennis.

The kiss between them wasn’t supposed to happen. Falling in love definitely hadn’t been part of Jalen’s plan.

And when Austin turns pro, Jalen begins to realize that the choices he makes will affect Austin’s life. One wrong choice and Austin’s career could be over before it really begins. Jalen is not sure where he fits, or even if he fits at all in Austin’s life. But the more complicated things become, the less the idea of being apart appeals.

Love should simplify things, not complicate them.

ISBN: 9781632169259

Product Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6370

Reviewer: Prime

Review: Not many New Adult books leave me going, “OMFG, that was f-ing fantastic”, but Love Complicated left me both blown away and extremely happy by the end I got to the end of this novel.

This is about two 18-year-old guys, who are seniors in high school, but they are poles apart socially. Jalen is a quiet guy who doesn’t think that anyone notices him, though he is prominent in the school’s music department (I think I identified with him because minus being gay that was essentially me until I went to my 10 year high school reunion).

In fact, I was half expected for Jalen to take steps to become professional. Then there is Austin. He is one of the school’s “jocks” – Austin is a championship tennis player who is going to go pro at any time. It also happens that he has noticed Jalen much more than Jalen could ever think.

This is a sweet story of two guys in high school, going through the roller coaster that is senior year and with Austin coping with a particularly controlling father who wanted to be a pro tennis player long before. Jalen is the middle-class sort of guy with only his mother, and Austin is the rich-kid who has everything material except his parents are too busy making barbs at each other to be really there for their kids.

The minor characters are also fantastic and really make the story much more and add a definite depth that makes it feel so real. I love and adore Jalen’s BFF Sarah, and Austin’s BFF Clark, as well as Austin’s little sister CeCe. All three inject a lot of needed humour and fun to proceedings.

They are also fun and realistic catalysts that help Jalen and Austin along the way. Basically, they are exactly what minor characters are meant to be. I’m also giving honourable mentions to Jalen’s and Austin’s respective mothers. Jalen’s mother is a total sweet and fun-loving woman who is devoted to her son, whereas with Austin’s mother we get to also see her grow up as she makes her occasional appearances.

I cannot recommend this enough, even if you do not like young adult fiction, I think even us adults can see a lot of our experiences at that age reflected in either the major or minor characters.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

Frozen Hearts by Teegan Loy (2nd Edition)

FrozenHeartsLGTitle: Frozen Hearts, 2nd edition
Author: Teegan Loy
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: Novel (200 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (August 22nd 2014) NOTE: 2nd edition, originally published in 2013 by Silver Publishing
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts
Reviewer: Tams
Blurb: The best college hockey player in the country is hanging up his skates because he’s tired of living a lie. Five years ago, Erik Fox’s father found out about his indiscretions and forced him to change schools in the middle of the night. Erik had a boyfriend, and hockey players do not date boys.

With his college career over, Erik is determined to get his life on the right track, and that means making peace with the boy he left behind and living according to his own desires. But to do it, he must resist pressure from his father and everyone who wants to define him as nothing but a hockey player.

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5333
Review: Erik Fox loves two things in life, Tyce and playing hockey. Five years ago, his father forced him to give up one for the other and Erik’s life has never been the same. Now that he’s old enough to make his own decisions, Erik wants to be more than just a hockey player. He decides to turn down an offer to go pro, finish college and keep his grades, and be open about his sexuality finally. In a world dominated by narrow-minded men, Erik will face challenges he didn’t consider as friends and family turn against him in the aftermath of his decision.

Erik’s roommates and sister rally around him as judgement and hatred run rampant. Though it’s been five years since that night when Erik was forced to leave Tyce without so much as a goodbye, neither of them has really moved on. They gave their hearts away a long time ago, a stolen kiss on the ice, and they never got them back. “Always have, Always will.” They gravitate back toward each other and slide right back into a groove, as if nothing had ever changed. But just as it was five years ago, other people have other plans that don’t include Erik and Tyce having their Always and forever.

While the premise for this story was evident within the first few pages, the execution was flawless. I was pulled in from the start, with that first look into Erik’s mind in the locker room, and my attention stayed focused throughout. There is a lot going on and the subject matter is at times dark and depressing, but the love Erik and Tyce share and the bond they have with their friends adds a lightness to the story that was needed. The story is told from Erik’s POV as he finally takes control over his own life and the emotional process of being true to himself regardless of the cost.

There were a few unrealistic situations that made me scratch my head a time or two, but overall I just fell in love with these characters. They made mistakes and learned from them, they found their way back to each other and found a way to forgive and move forward. If you are a fan of any stories that have Ice, Sticks and Pucks in them like me then this is definitely a book for you. But there is so much more to Erik and Tyce and their story. True love conquers all, standing up for what’s right and being true to yourself are definite morals to this story.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

Picks & Pucks by Teegan Loy

PicksandPucksLGTitle: Picks and Pucks
Series: N/A
Author: Teegan Loy
Genre: Contemporary/Sports
Length: Novel (254 Pages)
ISBN: 978-1-62798-632-8
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (April 21st, 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Blurb: Rising men’s figure skating star, Justin Corrin, is coming home to train for the upcoming season and face his demons. The last thing Justin needs is to fall in love with a hockey player. Instead of getting rid of his demons, Justin is collecting more. He tries desperately to control his growing feelings for CJ Daly, but finds being with CJ keeps his nightmares away.

Justin isn’t the only one with problems, and hidden fears and secrets threaten to separate the two. With the pressure mounting, CJ starts to pull away, and Justin doesn’t know why. His skating suffers, and he decides to stop wasting his time on love and focus on winning the nationals.

If Justin can destroy his demons, he might have a chance for happiness on and off the ice. But if the demons win, Justin’s life could be ruined.
Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4898
Reviewer: Tootsie
Review: Teegan Loy has written a very enjoyable, sometimes emotional story, about two young men, both in sports, both gay, and both trying to find their balance. Both Justin and CJ are damaged souls, both conflicted with demons from their past but who have a very good support system thru family and friends if they will allow themselves to reach out, accept the resources, and help around them.

Justin has recently returned home from California where he was away training for the US Nationals. After his mother passed away, he misunderstood some things and felt everyone was against him. His dad was heartbroken from losing his wife, and probably a little standoffish, his siblings were getting more and more distant, the boy he loved would not come out to be with him, so he fled. He decides to come home with the hope and intentions of putting all of these bad demons that haunt him, in his past. It’s not an easy thing to do when he doesn’t want to communicate with anyone, nor tell them how he feels. He has a chip on his shoulder most of the time, and he avoids situations that he feels will put him to much in the spotlight. He continues to have nightmares from things he wants to forget. Will he ever be able to come forward and face the demons he carries around in his head and heart? Will he finally open up, allow someone else in his heart, and share his burdens and torment with him? Justin hates all hockey players, or so he thinks. Will he give CJ a chance to show him he’s his own person? He doesn’t act like the rest of the guys on the team and he wants the chance to prove that to Justin.

CJ is a new transfer that has joined the hockey team. The same team Justin’s dad is the coach for. He is also gay, but he hides it from the team. He, also, is hiding a lot of fear and hurt from a situation that happened in his hometown. He has a hard time letting anyone in his heart or opening up about his past troubles. When you have been abused and ridiculed by people you thought you could trust, that makes him very weary to put himself in that situation again. He and Justin start to get close, they have sex and it’s good but they have a lot to learn. CJ is not as experienced as Justin, but they are working on it and they have good chemistry. He is not willing, or…. more like he is afraid to confide in Justin, so he keeps his past locked up. Justin knows something bad happened, it must have, he just doesn’t know what. Will he be able to convince CJ to share his feelings with him? What happens when Danny, the boy who Justin was in love with, realizes he made a mistake?

Teegan Loy held my interest throughout this entire story. I think that she done an amazing job with the plot as it continued to move forward. I don’t know if the facts were correct in relation to the skating world, whether it was figure skating or ice hockey. What I do know, is she made me believe they were. I was fascinated with the ins and outs that she described within the setting. I would have liked for the boys to come to a resolution a little sooner, in regards to their relationship, but that is just me wanting the romance kicked up a few notches. She still held my attention waiting and wondering what would happen next. The author has included some wonderful side characters that were a large part of this story. Eli, Justin’s best friend was awesome, supportive and extremely funny. I would love to see him have his own story in the future. I would recommend this to anyone who loves sports driven plots and who enjoy laugh out loud banter between characters. There is quite a bit of angst with both Justin and CJ, as they try to figure out how to slay their demons once and for all. It’s a good story, read it for yourself, I think you will agree.

Echoes of Us by Teegan Loy

18691994Title:  Echoes of Us

Author: Teegan Loy 

Genre:   Contemporary Romance

Length:  Novel, 230 pages

Publisher:  Dreamspinner Press (November 18th 2013)

Heat Level:  Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Blurb: Most people think falling in love is a wonderful thing. For Rylan Blake, love only complicates his life. After a disastrous trip home, Rylan and his best friend, Maggie, head back to Chicago to meet their new roommate, Jade Marin, and prepare for their final year of college.

Love is the last thing Rylan expects when he meets Jade. But as the two men get to know each other and discover their mutual love of music, friendship becomes more. They compose songs and, at Maggie’s urging, post their work on YouTube—where the videos go viral and a music producer discovers them.

But hitting it big isn’t always a good thing, especially when it comes with a price. When Rylan and Jade sign a deal with a big music company, they’re ordered to hide their relationship from the public and take fake girlfriends. At first, it’s a game, but as their fame grows, Rylan feels forced to choose: Does he stay and live a lie, or does he walk away from a life of fame—and from Jade?

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4372

Reviewer:   Tams

Review:  Love and money don’t always mix well.

Rylan Blake and his best friend and roommate, Maggie, return home from a disastrous trip to see Rylan’s family to meet their new roommate, Jade. Rylan is fresh off of a break up with their last roommate and coming out to his family, so his mood is understandably gloomy. Rylan promised Maggie after his last faux pas that he would keep his hands off the new roommate.

Jade Marin is fresh off of a break up with his girlfriend as well. He is oh so sexy and sweet and Rylan has a little trouble with his ‘hands off’ policy, so Jade makes the first move. The two become much more than friends and roommates very quickly, and bond over a shared love of music. When Maggie puts one of their songs on YouTube, it’s a huge success and the pair becomes insanely famous almost overnight.

But with fame and money come the good, the bad, and the ugly. In an attempt to keep up appearances, their new manager adds a girlfriend clause to their contract, and attaches them with a guard dog in the form of a homophobic driver. Thankfully, they make quick work of the driver, but Maggie and Rylan’s sister posing as their girlfriends ends up going too far. Maggie is getting hate mail from diehard fans, and Rylan’s sister is cracking under the pressure of standing up as Jade’s arm candy. All Rylan wants is to go back to the way things were, when Jade could sit next to him on the couch writing music and link their ankles together in a show of love and affection. But Jade’s eyes are glassy with the promise of fame and the expectation of riches. Will he choose the lime light and the money? Or will he follow his heart and choose Rylan?

This is a coming of age emotional story about two young men that found their soul mates early on in life. But face the very real danger of losing each other when one of them loses sight of what’s important. Loy did an amazing job of conveying Rylan’s inner turmoil to the reader. He struggles with having to pretend he is straight and hide his love for Jade from the public eye. When Rylan made the impossible choice to leave it all behind, and Jade as well, if he couldn’t just be happy just loving Rylan, my heart broke for him. And then on top of all that he has to face family tragedy as well.

A little dark and extremely emotional, but the love that these two have for each other literally jumps off the pages. You will be drawn into their story and feel their pain with them. And let me just say, Loy balanced the pain with some pretty hot sex. I wasn’t kidding when I said Jade made the first move, and it set the stage for their relationship going forward. When they go at it in a supply closet at a venue, then come out wearing each other’s shirts, they come out in more ways than one!

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review for MM Good Book Reviews*

http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com

Frozen Hearts by Teegan Loy

77b1d9f2b6c7f8e0db90fc4232b95b74.image.200x300Title: Frozen Hearts

Author: Teegan Loy

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel Plus (258pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (2nd March 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating:   ♥♥♥♥♥4½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Forced to live a lie for an image, the best college hockey player in the nation is quitting the game. Can Erik make peace with his past and the boy he left behind, or will he fold under the pressure?

The best college hockey player in the nation is hanging up his skates because he’s tired of living a lie. Five years ago, Erik Fox was forced by his father to change schools in the middle of the night when his father found out about his indiscretion. Erik had a boyfriend and hockey players do not date boys.

With his college career over, Erik is determined to change his life. Can Erik make peace with the boy he left behind and find the life he wants to live, or is he going to fold under the pressure from his father and everyone else who thinks he is defined by the game of hockey.

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/frozen-hearts-ebook-p-1408.html

Review: Erik is giving up one of the things that he used to love because it no longer gives him joy and because it helped cost him the only one he has ever truly loved. Now, wanting to be honest with himself and the world, he is hanging up his skates and breaking away from his father’s control. Living life by Erik’s own rules is all that he wants now; even if he can never get back the one man he loved.  Facing his past mistakes and gaining forgiveness from Tyce is something he never thought to have, but the dangers he now faces are harsh and unfair.  Just what will he do to keep Tyce safe?

This is an excellent story of standing on your own two feet and taking control of your life, facing the challenges that are thrown at you and hopefully becoming stronger for it. Erik has just finished his college hockey career and everyone is expecting him to sign for the Pros, but he wants to live honestly and if he is honest with himself he long ago lost his joy in hockey. Walking away from hockey is just the beginning and when his first love is brought back into his life by his wonderful, but interfering sister, Arielle, Eric admits to himself that he has always wanted Tyce, but his own fears kept him away.

There is so much going on in this story that it takes your breath away with the sheer amount or stuff that Eric and his friends have to cope with; strangers turning on Eric for giving up hockey, friends and strangers turning on him for coming out and his father turning on him for everything, the threats, the assaults and the stalking.  It’s all scary stuff. When Eric and Tyce do meet up again there are a lot of regrets and recriminations that they have to get through and none of it is brushed over, and when Eric tries to protect Tyce, their friends try to make Eric realize his mistake. There are some moments when we are taken to the past, as Eric relives moments when he was truly happy, those moments when he and Tyce have their first kiss, and discover their love for each other.

There are many great characters in this story and they act like true family and friends, telling you like it is and trying to smack sense into you when you are being stupid, and Eric needs quite a bit of both. Tyce is a wonderful man who even though he was hurt in the past still opens his heart to Eric. Arielle is a great big sister and friend.  Sam, Dix and Marshy are friends that can be counted on and are true friends. I must admit there are times that you think that Eric is getting the rough end of the stick and is being blamed for things he has no true control over, you wish that someone would just hug him and tell him it will all work out.

I recommend this to those who love first loves finding each other again, of facing difficulties head on, of staying strong in the face of hatred, finding forgiveness and love and finally a happy ending.

The Roommate by Teegan Loy

1009443Title: The Roommate

Author: Teegan Loy

Genre: Contemporary, Christmas

Length: Short (51pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (1st December 2012)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Heart

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Ryan’s finally home after a long week of hiding in a hotel while his boyfriend’s parents visited. He isn’t happy that Jordan hasn’t told his parents he’s gay but believes Jordan when he promises to come out. When Jordan’s family ends up on their doorstep after a winter storm shuts down the airport, Jordan introduces Ryan as his roommate, leaving Ryan horrified and hurt. Jordan’s little sister notices and tells Ryan she’s going to ask Santa to make him happy… but does Ryan’s Christmas wish have any hope of coming true?

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3416

Or purchase the entire EVERGREEN collection: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3476

Review: Ryan is finally back home after a week of hiding out at a hotel.  He has big plans to celebrate his return home to his boyfriend, but disaster strikes and Ryan gets more and more frustrated as one thing after another threatens to ruin his Christmas plans. Jordan puts Ryan in a position he hates when a snow storm strands Jordan’s parents… and Jordan has to make a decision if he wants to make Ryan’s Christmas wish come true.

Ooookkkaaayyy.  Ryan, you have the patience of a saint. Jordan, you should be ashamed of yourself. This is one of those stories that you get pulled in both directions. On one hand you have Ryan, who loves his boyfriend so much that he moves out for a week, while Jordan moves in because Jordan isn’t out to his family and they are helping him move. But, you also have Jordan, who is terrified of how his family will react to him being gay, so he still hides it from them, even if it kills him to treat Ryan as just his roommate.

This was quite a funny story with Ryan’s comedy of errors as he tries valiantly to produce a romantic meal for his first night home so he can show Jordan how much he missed and loved him.  There was always something funny to break the tension and to ease the way. Ryan is a saint to do everything he did for Jordan, especially as Jordan didn’t have the courtesy to even ask Ryan if his taking over and doing what he was doing was even okay. The only thing that redeemed Jordan to me was that he didn’t try to back down when confronted with the truth, because I really don’t think he ever would have come out on his own.

I have to recommend this if you love awkward coming out stories, cooking disasters, loving relationships and finally a very happy Christmas with a very bright future.

 

Summer Surprise by Teegan Loy

Title: Summer Surprise

Author: Teegan Loy

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novella (83pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (28th July 2012)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: It’s hard being in love with your best friend. For Kasey, it’s meant watching endless guys walk through Devyn’s life. Will Kasey tell Devyn how he feels before summer ends and not live a life filled with regret?

Years of wanting his best friend have worn Kasey down. After graduating from college, the two head to the lake for the summer. This is Kasey’s last chance and he’s going to make the best of it. But Kasey’s plans often go awry.

He has Devyn to himself–until boys start turning up everywhere. The crabby old lady next door prods him to make up his mind, reminding him to avoid a life of regret.

Summer is almost over and Kasey has all but given up on Devyn. One drunken night, accusations are made, and Kasey confesses his love. Next morning, Kasey discovers the truth. But will the summer end where Kasey wanted it to begin?

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/products_id/1170

Review: Kasey and Devyn are best ,but Kasey wants so much more from his sexy friend. He just needs to tell Devyn how he feels. He has it all planned out, a vacation to his family’s cabin, confessing how he feels and then spending the rest of the holiday in bed. But, even the best laid plans get lead astray when there are boys coming out of the wood work and throwing themselves at Devyn. Now with the vacation coming to an end and Kasey drowning his sorrows will he finally confess his feelings for Devyn?

This is a great friends-to-lovers summer love story. Well, when they finally confess to their feelings. Kasey has lusted and loved his best friend for four years. Hiding how he feels as Devyn has a parade of men through his bed. Now, they have the summer together and he plans on it being just the two of them, but Davyn has other plans and now Kasey just doesn’t know what to do. Devyn thinks love complicates things, so is perfectly happy with his strings of Mr. Right Knows, but Kasey’s attitude starts to get to him and he confronts him when Kasey is drunk and the truth comes out.

I really enjoyed this story and not just for Kasey’s angst and Devyn’s obliviousness. Mrs. Jorgenson added character and Steph added a touch of fun. The storyline is simple, two friends one loving the other and wanting to confess his feelings but other men appear whenever he tries to confess, which leaves him frustrated. Oh, it was fun to read some of Kasey’s imaginings of all the men that Devyn attracts and when they finally got around to talking about his drunken confession the sex was hot. Having Devyn confess about his own feelings was a bit of a surprise, but then you look back over the story and begin to think that maybe all those men were a way to protect himself from rejection.

So, all in all, a very enjoyable summer love story, with some angst, drunken confessions, hot sex, jealousy and a happy ending, so give this one a try if you love friend’s to lover’s stories.