Him by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy

Blurb: They don’t play for the same team. Or do they?

Jamie Canning has never been able to figure out how he lost his closest friend. Four years ago, his tattooed, wise-cracking, rule-breaking roommate cut him off without an explanation. So what if things got a little weird on the last night of hockey camp the summer they were eighteen? It was just a little drunken foolishness. Nobody died.

Ryan Wesley’s biggest regret is coaxing his very straight friend into a bet that pushed the boundaries of their relationship. Now, with their college teams set to face off at the national championship, he’ll finally get a chance to apologize. But all it takes is one look at his longtime crush, and the ache is stronger than ever.

Jamie has waited a long time for answers, but walks away with only more questions—can one night of sex ruin a friendship? If not, how about six more weeks of it? When Wesley turns up to coach alongside Jamie for one more hot summer at camp, Jamie has a few things to discover about his old friend…and a big one to learn about himself.

Warning: contains sexual situations, skinnydipping, shenanigans in an SUV and proof that coming out to your family on social media is a dicey proposition.

5 Star

It was written beautifully.  I really liked how Jamie realized he was bisexual. The sex scenes in this book were extremely graphic. I didn’t find it distasteful though. Honestly, it was fucking hot! I liked how Wes’ first thought was always about putting Jamie first.  How he didn’t want to pressure or guilt him into doing something that Jamie didn’t want to do. He was trying to protect him from the negative aspects of how he is treated differently because of his sexual orientation.  Wes is equal parts thoughtful and considerate while also being free-spirited and bold.

I liked how Jamie didn’t lead him on. He was straight-forward about it from the beginning. He discouraged any other potential love interests right off the bat. I hate when there is a miscommunication regarding love interests, it just pisses me off.

I liked the contrast in their backgrounds. Wes’ parents were goal driven and independent and unsupportive of his lifestyle.  Jamie’s parents were total hippies from Cali and accepted everyone for who they were and didn’t make it out to be  very  big deal.  As a native Californian, I completely understand that mind-set.

This book just had all good parts.  Go read it.

Favorite quotes:

He’s still talking to his friends as he watches me approach.  Of course he’s surrounded by people.  I’d forgotten how magnetic he is.  As if he burns with higher test fuel than the rest of us.

Maybe he’s not as carefree as he looks, my conscience suggests.  Fuck off, conscience! I’m busy being mad here.

It only took one look at him today to realize I can’t keep the parts of myself in separate drawers.  It was never going to work.

I don’t feel any different, though.  I fooled round with a guy yesterday – shouldn’t I feel different? Feel gay, you mean? A laugh bubbles in my throat.  Does one feel gay? And damn it, I’m bewildered to discover I’m rocking a boner,and it’s more than a case of morning wood.  It’s Wes-wood, a result of thinking about messing around.  I…think I might want to do it again.  And how screwed up is that?  I’d been fully prepared to view last night as a chemistry experiment.  A test. I didn’t expect to ace the damn thing.