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Charleston Condors #1
The Star
Tight end Landry Banks knows the score when he signs with the Charleston Condors in a rebuilding year.
New owner. New coach. New players. New rules.
But one rule hasn’t changed: Don’t hook up with your best friend’s little brother.
Rookie quarterback Riley Flynn knows what it takes to make it in the NFL. He’s in Charleston to prove himself—to the world and to his teammates, but mostly to his older brother, who’s never believed he could be a star.
The last thing he expects is for his brother’s best friend Landry to welcome him with open arms and an offer to become roommates.
Riley’s always believed Landry was straight—but the way Landry keeps checking him out leaves him suddenly unsure. And Landry’s hot looks certainly don’t help squash the crush he’s always had on his brother’s best friend.
Revisiting his teenage crush isn't part of the plan. But as he and Landry fall into a rhythm of thrilling plays on the field and sizzling tension off it, there's no denying their connection.
Riley isn’t willing to trade becoming the next big NFL superstar for love. But with a man like Landry Banks waiting to catch anything he throws at him, maybe he can have both.
New owner. New coach. New players. New rules.
But one rule hasn’t changed: Don’t hook up with your best friend’s little brother.
Rookie quarterback Riley Flynn knows what it takes to make it in the NFL. He’s in Charleston to prove himself—to the world and to his teammates, but mostly to his older brother, who’s never believed he could be a star.
The last thing he expects is for his brother’s best friend Landry to welcome him with open arms and an offer to become roommates.
Riley’s always believed Landry was straight—but the way Landry keeps checking him out leaves him suddenly unsure. And Landry’s hot looks certainly don’t help squash the crush he’s always had on his brother’s best friend.
Revisiting his teenage crush isn't part of the plan. But as he and Landry fall into a rhythm of thrilling plays on the field and sizzling tension off it, there's no denying their connection.
Riley isn’t willing to trade becoming the next big NFL superstar for love. But with a man like Landry Banks waiting to catch anything he throws at him, maybe he can have both.
451 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 7, 2023
440 people are currently reading
941 people want to read
About the author
Beth Bolden
76 books677 followersA lifelong Oregonian, Beth Bolden has just recently moved to North Carolina with her supportive husband and their sweet kitten, Earl Grey. Beth still believes in Keeping Portland Weird, and intends to be just as weird in Raleigh.
Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published fourteen novels and five short stories.
Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published fourteen novels and five short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 218 reviews
August 16, 2024
This was good, but it was a lot lengthier than it needed to be. I don't think contemporary romances need to be over 400 pages. But, I still overall really enjoyed this. I didn't read the other series this is a spin off from but maybe some day I will go back and read it. All the set ups for future books sound so good I am excited to continue this series!
June 9, 2023
Great start to the Condors series! I've probably said this before but I love Beth Bolden's story universe.
Landry and Riley were really good together, loved their instant chemistry and both of them dancing around each other.
Riley has the patience of a saint, if my sisters spoke to me the way Aidan spoke to him I'd have told them to fuck off the first instance, not years later 😂
What I really missed was interaction with Landry and his brothers, they were only briefly mentioned compared to the onslaught of overbearing Aidan. I'd have just liked to 'see' them meeting Riley and obviously teasing Landry.
This one also ended pretty abruptly but I'm definitely eager to get Beck and Micah's book next.
Landry and Riley were really good together, loved their instant chemistry and both of them dancing around each other.
Riley has the patience of a saint, if my sisters spoke to me the way Aidan spoke to him I'd have told them to fuck off the first instance, not years later 😂
What I really missed was interaction with Landry and his brothers, they were only briefly mentioned compared to the onslaught of overbearing Aidan. I'd have just liked to 'see' them meeting Riley and obviously teasing Landry.
This one also ended pretty abruptly but I'm definitely eager to get Beck and Micah's book next.
July 4, 2023
Tropes: best friend's brother, teammates, housemates, forced proximity, bi for you
Feels: 4/5
Steam*: 4/5
Kinks: n/a
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content themes: overbearing brother
Landry is 31. He's an established NFL player who has moved to a team that's in a rebuilding year because he wants to be closer to his brother and he wants to try a different team, and not just be stuck at one team in the NFL. He has to queer brothers and he's always thought that he was straight. But when he sees Riley, his best friend's little brother after not seeing him for many years he's attracted to him.
Riley is 24. He is bi and out. He is a quarterback and when the book starts he hasn't been recruited to the NFL because he's shorter flush smaller than the usual. But that means he's had to work harder and be better. His brother is Landry's best friend and a traditionally successful quarterback. His brother has always given him a hard time being critical and trying to get him to give up on his dream. Not in a mean-spirited way. Riley gets recruited to be the quarterback of the same team that Landry just moved to because they are in a rebuilding year and Riley is an affordable quarterback option. Riley moves in with Landry because Aiden the brother wants Landry to help Riley settle in.
Riley and Landry are obviously attracted to each other. But it's not just physical. They're both nice guys and they're both perfect for each other, they fit together really well. Riley and Landry are horrible about hiding their attraction to each other and everyone around them knows pretty much.
This is a nice, fun read. A light read. I like Beth's world of queer athletes and people being accepting. I like the steam between them and the real development of feelings. Their relationship was something special for both of them. I liked that while Riley had a crush on Landry while he was growing up, their relationship in the book was based on real feelings about the person they actually are and not just some childhood dream, it made the relationship more real.
Some notable moments:
"Instead, it showed him a half dozen imaginary versions of Riley—Riley smiling, Riley joking with him at practice, Riley on the sideline, Riley in the red and orange of the Condors uniform and how fucking unreal blue his eyes looked behind the visor of his helmet, Riley on the new couch in Landry’s townhouse, leaning closer as he laughed—and not for the first time Landry realized just how fucked he was."
"“He’s…well, he’s the worst person I could be feeling this about,” Landry admitted. “Isn’t that always the case?” Logan sounded amused now. “Apparently. It’s Riley Flynn. Aidan’s little brother.” There was silence again on the other end of the line. Landry laughed nervously. “Was that the final nail in your coffin, bro?” “No, I’m just…you don’t fuck around, Landry.”"
*FYI, I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink."
Feels: 4/5
Steam*: 4/5
Kinks: n/a
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content themes: overbearing brother
Landry is 31. He's an established NFL player who has moved to a team that's in a rebuilding year because he wants to be closer to his brother and he wants to try a different team, and not just be stuck at one team in the NFL. He has to queer brothers and he's always thought that he was straight. But when he sees Riley, his best friend's little brother after not seeing him for many years he's attracted to him.
Riley is 24. He is bi and out. He is a quarterback and when the book starts he hasn't been recruited to the NFL because he's shorter flush smaller than the usual. But that means he's had to work harder and be better. His brother is Landry's best friend and a traditionally successful quarterback. His brother has always given him a hard time being critical and trying to get him to give up on his dream. Not in a mean-spirited way. Riley gets recruited to be the quarterback of the same team that Landry just moved to because they are in a rebuilding year and Riley is an affordable quarterback option. Riley moves in with Landry because Aiden the brother wants Landry to help Riley settle in.
Riley and Landry are obviously attracted to each other. But it's not just physical. They're both nice guys and they're both perfect for each other, they fit together really well. Riley and Landry are horrible about hiding their attraction to each other and everyone around them knows pretty much.
This is a nice, fun read. A light read. I like Beth's world of queer athletes and people being accepting. I like the steam between them and the real development of feelings. Their relationship was something special for both of them. I liked that while Riley had a crush on Landry while he was growing up, their relationship in the book was based on real feelings about the person they actually are and not just some childhood dream, it made the relationship more real.
Some notable moments:
"Instead, it showed him a half dozen imaginary versions of Riley—Riley smiling, Riley joking with him at practice, Riley on the sideline, Riley in the red and orange of the Condors uniform and how fucking unreal blue his eyes looked behind the visor of his helmet, Riley on the new couch in Landry’s townhouse, leaning closer as he laughed—and not for the first time Landry realized just how fucked he was."
"“He’s…well, he’s the worst person I could be feeling this about,” Landry admitted. “Isn’t that always the case?” Logan sounded amused now. “Apparently. It’s Riley Flynn. Aidan’s little brother.” There was silence again on the other end of the line. Landry laughed nervously. “Was that the final nail in your coffin, bro?” “No, I’m just…you don’t fuck around, Landry.”"
*FYI, I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink."
July 24, 2023
This was my first Beth Bolden book and I really enjoyed it! This book is the first in a new spin-off series and we hear about lots of other characters in other series but I wasn’t confused or felt like I was missing anything so definitely this this can be read as a standalone. However, a lot of the couples intrigued me so I’d love to read their stories at some point.
I really enjoyed watching Landry and Riley grow on their own and together as a couple. I really felt the chemistry and love between them and even though it moved pretty quickly for Landry I felt it was believable.
This book is fairly low-angst with a bit of trouble with Riley’s brother but other than that, even their coming out was handled without a lot of drama. It was a nice, fun, easy-to-read sports romance and I look forward to reading the next in the series!
I really enjoyed watching Landry and Riley grow on their own and together as a couple. I really felt the chemistry and love between them and even though it moved pretty quickly for Landry I felt it was believable.
This book is fairly low-angst with a bit of trouble with Riley’s brother but other than that, even their coming out was handled without a lot of drama. It was a nice, fun, easy-to-read sports romance and I look forward to reading the next in the series!
May 28, 2023
Copy received from Neon Rainbow Reviews for an honest review
In my head, I have renamed The Star "Landry's Gaywakening".
I know nothing about NFL other than it is some kind of sports ball, but that did not affect my enjoyment of The Star.
After reading a couple of very emotional reads, this was the kind of light read I needed.
Riley and Landry are just lovely. The out and proud guy, lusting for years over his brother's straight best friend - gah, love it.
Straight best friend realising he is not so straight after all? Heck yeah!
Now, I haven't read any of Ms Bolden's previous works, so I am sure I am missing some nuances about brothers and other players and dramas, but I had enough information to a) keep me interested in this book and b) make me keen to go back and read her back catalogue.
I will say that I was quite annoyed with Riley's brother/Landry's bestie for most of the book, he drove me batty with the way he was, but he did come better by the end.
I am looking forward to more of the Charleston Condors series, and want to see where our lovelies from The Star end up.
In my head, I have renamed The Star "Landry's Gaywakening".
I know nothing about NFL other than it is some kind of sports ball, but that did not affect my enjoyment of The Star.
After reading a couple of very emotional reads, this was the kind of light read I needed.
Riley and Landry are just lovely. The out and proud guy, lusting for years over his brother's straight best friend - gah, love it.
Straight best friend realising he is not so straight after all? Heck yeah!
Now, I haven't read any of Ms Bolden's previous works, so I am sure I am missing some nuances about brothers and other players and dramas, but I had enough information to a) keep me interested in this book and b) make me keen to go back and read her back catalogue.
I will say that I was quite annoyed with Riley's brother/Landry's bestie for most of the book, he drove me batty with the way he was, but he did come better by the end.
I am looking forward to more of the Charleston Condors series, and want to see where our lovelies from The Star end up.
July 31, 2023
This book is the first one of the Charleston Condors series and I loved, loved, loved it so much!!!
Landry is a famous NFL player who decided he needed a change in his career and accepted an offer to play at the Charleston Condors. Then his best friend's little brother, Riley, ends up playing for the same team. The sparks fly from the very first time they meet as Landry hadn't seen Riley since the latter was a teenager.
Like I said, I absolutely loved this book. It was beautifully written, with great MCs that stole my heart. The chemistry between Landry and Riley was undeniable and they developed a very special relationship from the beginning. They became friends first, but the feelings were there all along. Living together just made them become close and helped Landry realise he wasn't as straight as he thought.
That is one of the things that I liked the most about this book. Landry was straight, then he discovered he felt attracted to Riley and the way he reacted to those feelings were realistic and believable. He didn't refuse to accept them, he just wondered about stuff. It's hard to believe when a straight MC just jumps head first into a relationship with another man. The author didn't do that in this book and I was thankful for that. Landry thought about it, wondered and even freaked out a bit, but it all made sense because he was 31 and had never felt attracted to someone of his own gender.
Aiden, Riley's brother and Landry's best friend, was a meddling brother and he was difficult to like. The fact he refused to acknowledge Riley's success and talent made me dislike him throughout the book. He had his reasons, but for a while I just wanted to hit him hard on the head.
I've enjoyed this book so much, it's sweet and romantic. The MCs are perfect, the football part of it was great and not too much. And the secondary characters, those teammates, were just funny, accepting and I can't wait to read about their stories.
Landry is a famous NFL player who decided he needed a change in his career and accepted an offer to play at the Charleston Condors. Then his best friend's little brother, Riley, ends up playing for the same team. The sparks fly from the very first time they meet as Landry hadn't seen Riley since the latter was a teenager.
Like I said, I absolutely loved this book. It was beautifully written, with great MCs that stole my heart. The chemistry between Landry and Riley was undeniable and they developed a very special relationship from the beginning. They became friends first, but the feelings were there all along. Living together just made them become close and helped Landry realise he wasn't as straight as he thought.
That is one of the things that I liked the most about this book. Landry was straight, then he discovered he felt attracted to Riley and the way he reacted to those feelings were realistic and believable. He didn't refuse to accept them, he just wondered about stuff. It's hard to believe when a straight MC just jumps head first into a relationship with another man. The author didn't do that in this book and I was thankful for that. Landry thought about it, wondered and even freaked out a bit, but it all made sense because he was 31 and had never felt attracted to someone of his own gender.
Aiden, Riley's brother and Landry's best friend, was a meddling brother and he was difficult to like. The fact he refused to acknowledge Riley's success and talent made me dislike him throughout the book. He had his reasons, but for a while I just wanted to hit him hard on the head.
I've enjoyed this book so much, it's sweet and romantic. The MCs are perfect, the football part of it was great and not too much. And the secondary characters, those teammates, were just funny, accepting and I can't wait to read about their stories.
January 5, 2025
I liked it. Then again, I know I like how Beth writes and her sports romances, even if I don't care for sports in real life. Landry and Riley made for a very cute couple
Read
October 15, 2023DNF@45%
Just not holding my interest.
Just not holding my interest.
October 28, 2023
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓 𝒃𝒚 𝑩𝒆𝒕𝒉 𝑩𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒏
It definitely wasn't just a silly schoolboy crush anymore. This was full-blown like bordering on obsession.
x ᴍᴍ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ
x ɴꜰʟ ꜱᴛᴀʀ
x ʙʀᴏᴛʜᴇʀꜱ ʙᴇꜱᴛ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ
x ʟᴏᴡ ᴀɴɢꜱᴛ
x ɢᴀʏ ᴀᴡᴀᴋᴇɴɪɴɢ
x ʜᴇᴀ
Rating: 5/5 ⭐
Steam: 3/5 🔥
𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘
Wow what an amazing read this was!! I'm not normally a fan of third person POV but this was so well done! This was a sweet low angst read that satisfied my sports craving perfectly, balancing sports and romance in the best possible way. Riley and Landry are the cutest couple, Riley being Landry's best friend's younger brother who has crushed on Landry forever, and Landry seeing Riley in a completely new light. The chemistry is fire, although it is a slowburn it simmers all passionate goodness! The storyline was also well thought out, it was my most enjoyable football book to date!
It definitely wasn't just a silly schoolboy crush anymore. This was full-blown like bordering on obsession.
x ᴍᴍ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ
x ɴꜰʟ ꜱᴛᴀʀ
x ʙʀᴏᴛʜᴇʀꜱ ʙᴇꜱᴛ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ
x ʟᴏᴡ ᴀɴɢꜱᴛ
x ɢᴀʏ ᴀᴡᴀᴋᴇɴɪɴɢ
x ʜᴇᴀ
Rating: 5/5 ⭐
Steam: 3/5 🔥
𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘
Wow what an amazing read this was!! I'm not normally a fan of third person POV but this was so well done! This was a sweet low angst read that satisfied my sports craving perfectly, balancing sports and romance in the best possible way. Riley and Landry are the cutest couple, Riley being Landry's best friend's younger brother who has crushed on Landry forever, and Landry seeing Riley in a completely new light. The chemistry is fire, although it is a slowburn it simmers all passionate goodness! The storyline was also well thought out, it was my most enjoyable football book to date!
October 28, 2025
5 stars for the narration, 3.5 for the story.
I liked, but didn’t love this first book in Beth Bolden’s Charleston Condors series; it’s essentially a best-friend’s-little-brother / bi-awakening romance between two NFL players who end up playing on the same team and it has some interesting plot points, but it’s way too long for the amount of story it contains, and what seemed as though it was going to be the major conflict in the story is resolved too easily.
Riley Flynn has always lived in the shadow of his older brother, Aidan, star quarterback for the Toronto Thunder. A talented football player himself, Riley has struggled to gain recognition because he’s not built like a ‘typical QB’, but what he lacks in height he more than makes up for with persistence and skill, and he’s determined to make it despite his brother’s constantly telling he’s wasting his time and he should come work for him instead. Riley’s hard work and determination pays off when the new management at the Charleston Condors – which is in a rebuilding phase following a massive scandal and after sacking most of the former management and players – decides to take a risk on him and signs him to be their starting QB. This is the chance he’s been waiting for and he’s going to give it his all.
Landry Banks, Aidan’s best friend, has recently signed with the Charleston Condors. He had a few options when his current contract ended and he feels like being part of the Condors rebuild will provide the kind of challenge he needs at this stage in his career. A few weeks before his move, he and Aidan go to see Riley play in an XFL game and Landry is very impressed with what he sees – he had no idea Riley was so good and believes he’s got what it takes to make it to the NFL. When he and Aidan go to see Riley after the game, Landry is thrown by the fact that twenty-four-year-old Riley – whom he hasn’t seen for several years - is all grown up and is, well, seriously hot. Which isn’t something he’d normally notice, being as he’s straight. Isn’t he?
Riley had a massive crush on Landry when he was younger but knew it couldn’t go anywhere because Landry wasn’t into guys. Being back around him brings that crush roaring back to life – even though he know it’s hopeless because Landry is still straight… although the way he’s started to look at Riley is certainly enough to make Riley start to wonder if maybe Landry isn’t as straight as he’s always thought.
As they settle into a rhythm on the field, chemistry fizzes and attraction blooms off of it and soon develops into something real and lasting; Riley and Landry are good to and for each other, and I was pleased that Landry doesn’t have a big bi-freak-out (his brothers, who appear in the Miami Piranhas series, are both queer so it’s not as though he’s unfamiliar with the idea of sexuality being on a spectrum) and that he takes a bit of time to think things through. BUT pretty much the entire first part of the book is him wringing his hands over not realising before now that he’s probably queer, too, and then getting jealous when Riley gets friendly with another player; it was repetitive and honestly, I got a bit bored.
Things pick up a bit in the second half with the introduction of the plotline that sets up the couple for book two, and I really liked the way we see Riley leading the team and coming into his own, the development of his relationship with Landry and his growing realisation that he’s going to have to confront Aidan at some point and tell him where to get off. This does happen (finally) near the end, and while I appreciated the mature approach taken it feels like it’s resolved too easily. This audiobook is almost fourteen hours long, and for something that is set up as a major point of conflict to be dealt with so quickly when it’s been humming along in the background for all that time was a bit anticlimactic. (That said, it probably needed to happen that way so that Aidan doesn’t come off as such an arsehole in his book, Perfect Storm, which has just been released.)
Darcy Stark delivers another expressive, well-paced performance, with a good variety of character voices and clear differentiation between them. He conveys the connection between Landry and Riley very well, and I particularly liked his portrayal of brash, larger-than-life Carter, whose book is a bit further along in the series. Despite my criticisms of The Star, I’ll probably continue with the Charleston Condors in audio as I’m sufficiently intrigued by the set up for the next book and I liked the secondary characters and the team dynamic the author has created in this one. I just feel the story needed some serious pruning to tighten it up a bit; I’d listen to Darcy Stark read the phone book, but there just isn’t enough plot here to justify the fourteen hour running time.
I liked, but didn’t love this first book in Beth Bolden’s Charleston Condors series; it’s essentially a best-friend’s-little-brother / bi-awakening romance between two NFL players who end up playing on the same team and it has some interesting plot points, but it’s way too long for the amount of story it contains, and what seemed as though it was going to be the major conflict in the story is resolved too easily.
Riley Flynn has always lived in the shadow of his older brother, Aidan, star quarterback for the Toronto Thunder. A talented football player himself, Riley has struggled to gain recognition because he’s not built like a ‘typical QB’, but what he lacks in height he more than makes up for with persistence and skill, and he’s determined to make it despite his brother’s constantly telling he’s wasting his time and he should come work for him instead. Riley’s hard work and determination pays off when the new management at the Charleston Condors – which is in a rebuilding phase following a massive scandal and after sacking most of the former management and players – decides to take a risk on him and signs him to be their starting QB. This is the chance he’s been waiting for and he’s going to give it his all.
Landry Banks, Aidan’s best friend, has recently signed with the Charleston Condors. He had a few options when his current contract ended and he feels like being part of the Condors rebuild will provide the kind of challenge he needs at this stage in his career. A few weeks before his move, he and Aidan go to see Riley play in an XFL game and Landry is very impressed with what he sees – he had no idea Riley was so good and believes he’s got what it takes to make it to the NFL. When he and Aidan go to see Riley after the game, Landry is thrown by the fact that twenty-four-year-old Riley – whom he hasn’t seen for several years - is all grown up and is, well, seriously hot. Which isn’t something he’d normally notice, being as he’s straight. Isn’t he?
Riley had a massive crush on Landry when he was younger but knew it couldn’t go anywhere because Landry wasn’t into guys. Being back around him brings that crush roaring back to life – even though he know it’s hopeless because Landry is still straight… although the way he’s started to look at Riley is certainly enough to make Riley start to wonder if maybe Landry isn’t as straight as he’s always thought.
As they settle into a rhythm on the field, chemistry fizzes and attraction blooms off of it and soon develops into something real and lasting; Riley and Landry are good to and for each other, and I was pleased that Landry doesn’t have a big bi-freak-out (his brothers, who appear in the Miami Piranhas series, are both queer so it’s not as though he’s unfamiliar with the idea of sexuality being on a spectrum) and that he takes a bit of time to think things through. BUT pretty much the entire first part of the book is him wringing his hands over not realising before now that he’s probably queer, too, and then getting jealous when Riley gets friendly with another player; it was repetitive and honestly, I got a bit bored.
Things pick up a bit in the second half with the introduction of the plotline that sets up the couple for book two, and I really liked the way we see Riley leading the team and coming into his own, the development of his relationship with Landry and his growing realisation that he’s going to have to confront Aidan at some point and tell him where to get off. This does happen (finally) near the end, and while I appreciated the mature approach taken it feels like it’s resolved too easily. This audiobook is almost fourteen hours long, and for something that is set up as a major point of conflict to be dealt with so quickly when it’s been humming along in the background for all that time was a bit anticlimactic. (That said, it probably needed to happen that way so that Aidan doesn’t come off as such an arsehole in his book, Perfect Storm, which has just been released.)
Darcy Stark delivers another expressive, well-paced performance, with a good variety of character voices and clear differentiation between them. He conveys the connection between Landry and Riley very well, and I particularly liked his portrayal of brash, larger-than-life Carter, whose book is a bit further along in the series. Despite my criticisms of The Star, I’ll probably continue with the Charleston Condors in audio as I’m sufficiently intrigued by the set up for the next book and I liked the secondary characters and the team dynamic the author has created in this one. I just feel the story needed some serious pruning to tighten it up a bit; I’d listen to Darcy Stark read the phone book, but there just isn’t enough plot here to justify the fourteen hour running time.
June 6, 2023
4 Stars
I absolutely loved Landry and Riley. They were both sweet and fit together well. I loved that Landry didn’t let his attraction to Riley, his first to a man, bother him. He went with the flow, which was refreshing.
Riley and Landry had great chemistry and they were hot together, but I felt, and this is just my opinion, the sex scenes were a bit rushed. I wish they’d been drawn out a bit more.
I loved the premise of their story, best friend's brother, and while I did enjoy the story, it dragged at times.
I loved getting to know the members of the Condors, especially Carter, but a good bit of the story felt like it was just a set-up for future books in the series. Now that we’ve met most of the team, I’m hoping the next book will focus more heavily on the main characters and I really hope the story continues through the current season.
While a bit slow at times, this was still an enjoyable and recommendable read!
* Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. *
I absolutely loved Landry and Riley. They were both sweet and fit together well. I loved that Landry didn’t let his attraction to Riley, his first to a man, bother him. He went with the flow, which was refreshing.
Riley and Landry had great chemistry and they were hot together, but I felt, and this is just my opinion, the sex scenes were a bit rushed. I wish they’d been drawn out a bit more.
I loved the premise of their story, best friend's brother, and while I did enjoy the story, it dragged at times.
I loved getting to know the members of the Condors, especially Carter, but a good bit of the story felt like it was just a set-up for future books in the series. Now that we’ve met most of the team, I’m hoping the next book will focus more heavily on the main characters and I really hope the story continues through the current season.
While a bit slow at times, this was still an enjoyable and recommendable read!
* Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. *
June 10, 2023
Landry & Riley were so fun! This had a slowburn vibe (despite only being a week) as L came in terms with his sexuality (just why he realized so late) & thinking whether the other person likes them back. The feelings were already high before they even began sexy times! Landry the accomplished tight end, Riley the new starting quarterback, both in a new team. I love me a vers couple 🥰.
Aiden was annoying but I'm glad he came through at end (He reminded me of my own dad, man), I loved the teammates & the bit of suspense with Rex. Looking forward to Beck, Carter & especially Deacon's stories!
I skimmed a 1-2 chapters as I'd been checking out if this one was worth it...but then I kept reading lol.
Story ratings:
POV: 3rd person, DUAL POV
1) The Characters & world: 4.7/5
2) The feels: 🙃😃🤩😝☺️🤫😲😟😍🥰
3) Story flow & enjoyment: 5/5
4) Conflicts & twists: 4.3/5
5) Relationship: 5/5
6) Sexy/Steamy scenes: 3/5
7) Levels: Lowish Angst (mostly outside), so Cute, low Dark
8) Writing style & grammar: 4.6/5
Aiden was annoying but I'm glad he came through at end (He reminded me of my own dad, man), I loved the teammates & the bit of suspense with Rex. Looking forward to Beck, Carter & especially Deacon's stories!
I skimmed a 1-2 chapters as I'd been checking out if this one was worth it...but then I kept reading lol.
Story ratings:
POV: 3rd person, DUAL POV
1) The Characters & world: 4.7/5
2) The feels: 🙃😃🤩😝☺️🤫😲😟😍🥰
3) Story flow & enjoyment: 5/5
4) Conflicts & twists: 4.3/5
5) Relationship: 5/5
6) Sexy/Steamy scenes: 3/5
7) Levels: Lowish Angst (mostly outside), so Cute, low Dark
8) Writing style & grammar: 4.6/5
June 12, 2023
Wow! What a start of a new series, of a new team!
Landry and Riley know each other since almost ever. Landry is Riley’s older brother best friend. And Riley has a major crush on Landry since he was 14 and when he was chosen to play on the same team as Landry, he jumps with both feet, even with his older brother keeping saying he’s not enough of a player to play in the NFL.
Landry agrees with Riley being his temporary roommate until he sees Riley after several years. Landry is straight but he can’t take his eyes from Riley.
The rest you must read the book because it’s so good.
Highly recommended
Landry and Riley know each other since almost ever. Landry is Riley’s older brother best friend. And Riley has a major crush on Landry since he was 14 and when he was chosen to play on the same team as Landry, he jumps with both feet, even with his older brother keeping saying he’s not enough of a player to play in the NFL.
Landry agrees with Riley being his temporary roommate until he sees Riley after several years. Landry is straight but he can’t take his eyes from Riley.
The rest you must read the book because it’s so good.
Highly recommended
dnf
September 11, 2025dnf@58% I can't handle the way this narrator says cock. You're saying it weird.
November 8, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up from me. Bisexual awakening, best friend's younger brother so slight age gap, and it would appear a team with quite a few queer players. Lots of hints about what went down with the previous coaching regime and some of the players...but no real clues given in the storyline. If we're talking about a crazy coach and some of the players bullying others, both verbally and physically, nasty mind games and actual violence, then I have to say that Tal Bauer's The Rest of the Story has already gone down that route.
The Game, Micah and Beck's story, is next up.
The Game, Micah and Beck's story, is next up.
March 13, 2024
1.5 stars. This wasn’t bad but it wasn’t good either. I found myself just ready to be done reading it - I skimmed the last 3 chapters which I haven’t done in a while. I simply did not care about these characters. We have a long time crush and a bi awakening and there isn’t a single ounce of tension or drama. The only even hint of angst is Riley (our hot quarterback) has an older brother who is a bit of a dick and even that gets cleared up nice and easy. There’s no intrigue here, no reason to bother reading this book. Okay this got harsh at the end, oops.
Read
March 7, 2024Read in August, then realised I was reading the stories out of order. I went right back to the start with The Rainbow Clause, then LA Riptide, Kitchen Gods (inc spin-offs), Food Truck Warriors and Miami Piranhas, before deciding to roll with it and re-read the Condors ahead of the third book release.
October 7, 2023
the cover is gross but i really enjoyed this
June 12, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
What a great start to a new series by Beth Bolden! Landry is a pro-footballer who recently signed with the Condors. Due to a preseason injury of the starting quarterback, Riley gets signed to the Condors as QB1. Riley is the younger brother of Landry’s best friend, Aiden (also an NFL quarterback), so Riley finds himself living with his childhood (and adulthood) crush, Landry. Landry, who has two queer brothers, is instantly attracted to Riley and so, their love story begins.
Tropes:
🏈Best friend’s little brother
🏈Bisexual awakening
🏈Roommates-to-lovers
🏈Unconditional support
🏈Brotherly/familial love
🏈Found family
Likes:
❤️I loved and appreciated how Landry didn’t freak out when he found himself attracted to Riley, the first time he was attracted to a man, and could potentially consider himself “Riley-s3xual”. Labels aren’t always necessary.
❤️I love a good best friend’s sibling romance, and this one had extra tension between Riley-Aiden and Landry-Aiden.
❤️Beth really set up the series with this one, and you can easily guess and get interested in the plots for other couples. I’m really intrigued by the next story, and I really hope we see Mr. G get his happily ever after!
❤️Carter was the star secondary character. He definitely made me laugh-out-loud a few times throughout.
Mehs:
💫There was a LOT of football in this book, it could get pretty descriptive, and I admit to skimming some of those scenes.
💫The backstory to the Condors. There are glimpses into what happened, mentions of starting fresh with a new owner and cleaning house, but not really the impetus of all of it. I’m hoping it’ll get explained more throughout the series (Mr. G.??) but I really wanted more details. Definitely a way to keep the reader coming back. Also, I haven’t read the connected series yet (Riptide or Piranhas), so maybe more was explained there…will definitely be adding those to my TBR.
Great start to a new series that I will definitely be reading more of!
What a great start to a new series by Beth Bolden! Landry is a pro-footballer who recently signed with the Condors. Due to a preseason injury of the starting quarterback, Riley gets signed to the Condors as QB1. Riley is the younger brother of Landry’s best friend, Aiden (also an NFL quarterback), so Riley finds himself living with his childhood (and adulthood) crush, Landry. Landry, who has two queer brothers, is instantly attracted to Riley and so, their love story begins.
Tropes:
🏈Best friend’s little brother
🏈Bisexual awakening
🏈Roommates-to-lovers
🏈Unconditional support
🏈Brotherly/familial love
🏈Found family
Likes:
❤️I loved and appreciated how Landry didn’t freak out when he found himself attracted to Riley, the first time he was attracted to a man, and could potentially consider himself “Riley-s3xual”. Labels aren’t always necessary.
❤️I love a good best friend’s sibling romance, and this one had extra tension between Riley-Aiden and Landry-Aiden.
❤️Beth really set up the series with this one, and you can easily guess and get interested in the plots for other couples. I’m really intrigued by the next story, and I really hope we see Mr. G get his happily ever after!
❤️Carter was the star secondary character. He definitely made me laugh-out-loud a few times throughout.
Mehs:
💫There was a LOT of football in this book, it could get pretty descriptive, and I admit to skimming some of those scenes.
💫The backstory to the Condors. There are glimpses into what happened, mentions of starting fresh with a new owner and cleaning house, but not really the impetus of all of it. I’m hoping it’ll get explained more throughout the series (Mr. G.??) but I really wanted more details. Definitely a way to keep the reader coming back. Also, I haven’t read the connected series yet (Riptide or Piranhas), so maybe more was explained there…will definitely be adding those to my TBR.
Great start to a new series that I will definitely be reading more of!
June 19, 2023
I loved that book, not always a big fan of age gap and best friend’s brother but here it works so well !!!
The dynamic of the book is really good, all the characters are loveable and I’m excited to read about all the others !!
Riley and Landry were just made for each other, their connection and the sweetness between them, it was just all the right amount. I love how Landry was on Riley’s side acknowledging the wrongdoing of his own best friend.
Family is never easy, and seeing how Adrian was with his brother was heartbreaking and it was even worse when you can understand that in a way he’s just afraid and want to protect his brother but doesn’t do it the right way - I hope he will have his book, I’m curious to go deeper within this egocentric character.
I would recommend this book, and I’m super curious about Landry’s brothers so I have some reading to do and have to dig in the Piranhas series, also to have the first glimpse on Micah. Also, while reading I saw a familiar name 🤦♀️ well yes I read the first two books of The Riptide, so I have to read the 3rd book that I missed.
The dynamic of the book is really good, all the characters are loveable and I’m excited to read about all the others !!
Riley and Landry were just made for each other, their connection and the sweetness between them, it was just all the right amount. I love how Landry was on Riley’s side acknowledging the wrongdoing of his own best friend.
Family is never easy, and seeing how Adrian was with his brother was heartbreaking and it was even worse when you can understand that in a way he’s just afraid and want to protect his brother but doesn’t do it the right way - I hope he will have his book, I’m curious to go deeper within this egocentric character.
I would recommend this book, and I’m super curious about Landry’s brothers so I have some reading to do and have to dig in the Piranhas series, also to have the first glimpse on Micah. Also, while reading I saw a familiar name 🤦♀️ well yes I read the first two books of The Riptide, so I have to read the 3rd book that I missed.
May 29, 2023
The first thing to note is that although this new series is closely related to The Piranhas it feels like a totally new series in its own right. This story is based on Landry and Riley. Best friend's brother, who thought he was straight. Landry is a cool, level headed character; he has gay brothers so we don't have the usual negativity. He is confused, but only because he hasn't felt like this before about a man. Riley is out and has had a crush on his brother's best friend for a long time. This story is the start of a series, so it is a bit slow as we get our bearings on the new characters. The interaction between the two MC's is flirty quite early on and they almost declare their love before the intimate scenes get going. They were really sweet together and the intimacy wasn't especially steamy, just truly intimate together that felt special. This is a low angst story and I feel we have been gently eased into a new series with an easy going love story. I loved the secondary characters and a few potential stories are being hinted about, which all provides a little bit of tension. This was a great series starter, I feel I am starting to know the team. I know Beck's story is next, which no doubt will be a lot more Volatile but it's Deacon's story that I really can't wait for.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 4, 2023
5 stars
Meet me halfway, Landry. Please. I’m not alone here. I know I’m not.
Is it really any surprise that I gave this book five stars? I'm a sucker for pretty much anything that Beth Bolden writes. It isn't often that I read a book and think, 'There isn't anything I'd change about this', but this was one of those books.
It didn't hurt that this book also featured some of my absolute favourite tropes: sports romance (between teammates at that), best friend's brother, forbidden romance, forced proximity/roommates, friends to lovers, and a solid slow burn that left us aching for one of our characters to finally make a move! (For context, I'm talking like the 40% mark.)
Super happy with the beginning of this new series, and I'm already so excited for any future books that are coming. I'm keen for Beck and Micah, Mr. G (OMG so excited for his story), even Carter! All our boys deserve their HEA and I hope we get to see them all happen in this series.
Meet me halfway, Landry. Please. I’m not alone here. I know I’m not.
Is it really any surprise that I gave this book five stars? I'm a sucker for pretty much anything that Beth Bolden writes. It isn't often that I read a book and think, 'There isn't anything I'd change about this', but this was one of those books.
It didn't hurt that this book also featured some of my absolute favourite tropes: sports romance (between teammates at that), best friend's brother, forbidden romance, forced proximity/roommates, friends to lovers, and a solid slow burn that left us aching for one of our characters to finally make a move! (For context, I'm talking like the 40% mark.)
Super happy with the beginning of this new series, and I'm already so excited for any future books that are coming. I'm keen for Beck and Micah, Mr. G (OMG so excited for his story), even Carter! All our boys deserve their HEA and I hope we get to see them all happen in this series.
July 23, 2024
3.5
I loved this!!!! Brothers bestfriend is one of my favorites and I loved watching their journey. I love that while there was a freak out moment it didn’t last long. But I love that there was a freak out moment. I get it. Finding something out about one’s self. Who wouldn’t freak out. So I’m glad that was written in. I loved watching them fall in love. The writing was great, the smexy was nice and I love the side characters. I will ask for some diversity. This is football, there is diversity here so let’s read about it.
I loved this!!!! Brothers bestfriend is one of my favorites and I loved watching their journey. I love that while there was a freak out moment it didn’t last long. But I love that there was a freak out moment. I get it. Finding something out about one’s self. Who wouldn’t freak out. So I’m glad that was written in. I loved watching them fall in love. The writing was great, the smexy was nice and I love the side characters. I will ask for some diversity. This is football, there is diversity here so let’s read about it.
June 8, 2023
4 stars rounded up to 5 because of much I freaking enjoyed this experience and adored these characters and all the potential for the upcoming books and all the interesting side characters!! Anddd even better is that most of them have connected books in connected series so I’m gonna jump right in and discovered some of these characters, brothers, friends and rival teams 👀
November 18, 2025
DNF 9%
I have this in an upcoming book box, so I thought I’d give it a try, but I’m just not jiving with the writing. I don’t like the overbearing older brother nor the insta-gay-for-you-vibes that are being questioned at every turn. Plus, this book is 400+ pages. I’m not interested enough in any of the characters at this point to commit to that.
I have this in an upcoming book box, so I thought I’d give it a try, but I’m just not jiving with the writing. I don’t like the overbearing older brother nor the insta-gay-for-you-vibes that are being questioned at every turn. Plus, this book is 400+ pages. I’m not interested enough in any of the characters at this point to commit to that.
October 8, 2023
This was so so cute!!!
October 12, 2025
Rating is for audiobook
Read
August 1, 2023I was actually dreading reading this one. I picked it for a scavenger hunt category. I’m usually iffy on sports themed books. I really have to be in the right frame of mind to read them. I’m glad I picked this one. I really liked Landry and Riley and how their relationship developed. This is a newish to me author, I’ve only read a Christmas book by her. I really enjoyed the writing style. I did feel like the story was a bit on the longish side for the type of story it was.
October 6, 2025
I liked it quite a lot until they got together and then it fizzled out a bit. I think it was a bit insta for me in some places even if it was also a slow burn, go figure. In the end it was a good read, as always, from this author.
September 7, 2023
3.5 Stars. Started off well but felt long winded.
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