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Chemistry #2
Biochemistry
Book Two
Sequel to Organic Chemistry
When his college biochemistry class turns out to be much more difficult than star quarterback Freddie Samuelson imagined, his lab partner, Kurt Maxwell, agrees to help. They’re very a rich kid athlete and a hardworking openly gay scholarship student. But Kurt slips past Freddie’s defenses, and little by little—despite Freddie ignoring his own sexuality in the past—Freddie realizes he wants to get to know Kurt, especially when Kurt helps him through more challenges than their science class. But it isn’t long before rumors begin to fly, and the obstacles Freddie will face may block him from both the future he planned on and the future he didn’t know he wanted.
Sequel to Organic Chemistry
When his college biochemistry class turns out to be much more difficult than star quarterback Freddie Samuelson imagined, his lab partner, Kurt Maxwell, agrees to help. They’re very a rich kid athlete and a hardworking openly gay scholarship student. But Kurt slips past Freddie’s defenses, and little by little—despite Freddie ignoring his own sexuality in the past—Freddie realizes he wants to get to know Kurt, especially when Kurt helps him through more challenges than their science class. But it isn’t long before rumors begin to fly, and the obstacles Freddie will face may block him from both the future he planned on and the future he didn’t know he wanted.
158 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 8, 2013
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278 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
October 22, 2013
3.5 stars
This second book in the Chemistry series can easily be read as a standalone although Coach Josh from Organic Chemistry has a large supporting role in this book. Biochemistry reads more like a new adult story as the MC's are both juniors at Dickinson college and face the typical closeted jock falls for out nerd romance issues.
I really liked Kurt in this book. Yes he is the stereotypical out college nerd in many aspects, but in no way is he a doormat. Although his first few interactions with football star Freddie were somewhat intimidating, Kurt refuses to play his games. Freddie's issues go a bit deeper than just what will the guys on the team think and, of course, that leads to a rocky road between the two men.
A quick read with just a bit of angst and sex. If you enjoy college jock/nerd romances, I recommend this one.
This second book in the Chemistry series can easily be read as a standalone although Coach Josh from Organic Chemistry has a large supporting role in this book. Biochemistry reads more like a new adult story as the MC's are both juniors at Dickinson college and face the typical closeted jock falls for out nerd romance issues.
I really liked Kurt in this book. Yes he is the stereotypical out college nerd in many aspects, but in no way is he a doormat. Although his first few interactions with football star Freddie were somewhat intimidating, Kurt refuses to play his games. Freddie's issues go a bit deeper than just what will the guys on the team think and, of course, that leads to a rocky road between the two men.
A quick read with just a bit of angst and sex. If you enjoy college jock/nerd romances, I recommend this one.
October 7, 2013
Please leave comments on Becky's 5 sweet pea and Recommended Book review of Biochemistry at http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index....
“Being gay has nothing to do with the way you play football. It just describes the gender of the person you’ll fall in love with.”
First of all, take a good look at the cover. See the glasses on that handsome football player? Those glasses play a major role in this book. Just sayin’.
Andrew Grey’s Biochemistry may be my favorite of all of his books. It has characters to love (a lot), a great story line that is one heck of a roller coaster ride, and lessons to learn without being beaten over the head with them.
Nerdy Kurt knows how to stand up for himself. He just isn’t big enough to always defend himself physically. Athletic Freddy isn’t looking for a boyfriend. He’s just trying to live down to his father’s expectations and get through college. Unfortunately, by his junior year he finds he can no longer skate through the easy courses and biochemistry is a complete mystery to him. His labmate Kurt is doing well but not in the mood to share much with Freddy due to the unfortunate way they met. However, Kurt is a good guy and offers to help Freddy if he’ll come to the library during the hours Kurt is working there. The help comes with strings attached: Freddy actually has to study and learn, not just copy Kurt’s work.
There are some secondary characters who are role models and friends, especially Freddy’s coach Josh. When the glasses enter the picture (see? I told you they were important) it’s Josh who helps Kurt make things happen.
Freddy blows (not in the good way) any potential relationship with Kurt up more than one time. I was surprised that Kurt kept coming back for more, and in fact, so was Kurt. This is a romance novel and love wins out. It’s a great story with a wonderful ending. You won’t’ be sorry you bought this one so be sure to put it on top of your TBR pile. And by the way, while this is #2 in the Chemistry series, it is a stand-alone novel. It is a pleasure to read Organic Chemistry, but not necessary for full enjoyment of Biochemistry.
“Being gay has nothing to do with the way you play football. It just describes the gender of the person you’ll fall in love with.”
First of all, take a good look at the cover. See the glasses on that handsome football player? Those glasses play a major role in this book. Just sayin’.
Andrew Grey’s Biochemistry may be my favorite of all of his books. It has characters to love (a lot), a great story line that is one heck of a roller coaster ride, and lessons to learn without being beaten over the head with them.
Nerdy Kurt knows how to stand up for himself. He just isn’t big enough to always defend himself physically. Athletic Freddy isn’t looking for a boyfriend. He’s just trying to live down to his father’s expectations and get through college. Unfortunately, by his junior year he finds he can no longer skate through the easy courses and biochemistry is a complete mystery to him. His labmate Kurt is doing well but not in the mood to share much with Freddy due to the unfortunate way they met. However, Kurt is a good guy and offers to help Freddy if he’ll come to the library during the hours Kurt is working there. The help comes with strings attached: Freddy actually has to study and learn, not just copy Kurt’s work.
There are some secondary characters who are role models and friends, especially Freddy’s coach Josh. When the glasses enter the picture (see? I told you they were important) it’s Josh who helps Kurt make things happen.
Freddy blows (not in the good way) any potential relationship with Kurt up more than one time. I was surprised that Kurt kept coming back for more, and in fact, so was Kurt. This is a romance novel and love wins out. It’s a great story with a wonderful ending. You won’t’ be sorry you bought this one so be sure to put it on top of your TBR pile. And by the way, while this is #2 in the Chemistry series, it is a stand-alone novel. It is a pleasure to read Organic Chemistry, but not necessary for full enjoyment of Biochemistry.
May 24, 2018
Audiobook reviewFirst days of school are the worst! Add in an entitled and obnoxious football jock, a twisted ankle and things does not look good for Kurt. When said jock also ends up as his lab partner for the semester Kurt is anything but happy. Especially since he's trying to make Kurt do his work for him.
At the surface Freddie is the epitome of an entitled jock, who never had to lift a finger in his life or put much effort into anything but football. So when he finds himself in biochemistry class, and way over his head he does what he normally do - tries to get someone else to do the work for him. Only this time that doesn't work out quite the way he expected.
Biochemistry didn't have quite the same feel to it. It was still about the nerd and the jock, but it lacked a bit if the sparkle I felt in the first book. It was an enemies to lovers story and a really good one at that. Kurt and Freddie fit well together, that is when Freddie let his guard down and we really got to know who he was, his wants, dreams and fears. And watching him grow as a person, take that chance with Kurt, falling for Kurt was beautiful.
Nick J. Russo did a great job narrating this book too. I love listening to his voice, his narrations. He has a genuine talent and his books never disapoint.
A copy of this book was generously provided in exchange for an honest review
October 21, 2013
3.5 stars
Full review can be found at On Top Down Under Book Reviews.
I really enjoyed Organic Chemistry so I was eager to jump into this one. While I was entertained by the story, at times I felt like I was reading a Young Adult novel. Take out a few of the sexual situations and it could have easily been reviewed at On Top Down Under's sister YA site, Greedy Bug Book Reviews. While Organic Chemistry focused on college instructors, Biochemistry is about two students, Freddie and Kurt.
This is a nice opposites attract story. A bit predictable, as Freddie is the typical jock afraid of coming out of the closet and Kurt is the nerd who has never seen the inside of one. Throw in a demanding father, a couple of homophobes and a bit more drama and eventually Freddie and Kurt become the couple they want to be.
Another nice read by Andrew Grey.
This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Full review can be found at On Top Down Under Book Reviews.
I really enjoyed Organic Chemistry so I was eager to jump into this one. While I was entertained by the story, at times I felt like I was reading a Young Adult novel. Take out a few of the sexual situations and it could have easily been reviewed at On Top Down Under's sister YA site, Greedy Bug Book Reviews. While Organic Chemistry focused on college instructors, Biochemistry is about two students, Freddie and Kurt.
This is a nice opposites attract story. A bit predictable, as Freddie is the typical jock afraid of coming out of the closet and Kurt is the nerd who has never seen the inside of one. Throw in a demanding father, a couple of homophobes and a bit more drama and eventually Freddie and Kurt become the couple they want to be.
Another nice read by Andrew Grey.
This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for a fair and honest review.
August 11, 2017
Sukaan kisah Josh-Brendon ^^
October 8, 2013
4.5 Stars
A "Live Your Life, Buy The Book" Review
Kurt just transferred to Dickinson college and he is so excited to be there. On his first day of class he practically gets plowed down by a big guy in a football jersey, of course instead of apologizing, the jerk yells to him “Watch where you’re walking, Short Stuff,” and what do you know big guy turns out to be in his biochemistry class and things do not go smoothly for these two.
Freddie is the star quarterback and he’s used to getting what he wants, but he might as well move along because Kurt’s not buying what he’s selling. If Freddie thinks Kurt is going to do his work for him he’s got another thing coming and Kurt tells him so. Freddie assumes that since their professor Dr. Marcus is dating his football coach (Guys from “Organic Chemistry”, Book 1 in the Chemistry Series) that he’d get special treatment, and when he realizes that’s not going to happen he panics and pretty much begs for Kurt’s help. Kurt won’t say no, he’ll help Freddie all he can. They agree to meet at the library where Kurt is working but when Freddie shows Kurt his work and Kurt doesn’t say anything right away, Freddie thinks the worst and runs out. But there’s a reason Kurt didn’t know what to say after looking at Freddie’s paper and I had a holy crap moment when it was revealed.
These two guys start spending a lot of time together and emotions start to leak in their friendship but when things start to heat up one of them has a hard time handling it and bolts leaving the other hurt. Freddie may be scared shitless but he truly likes Kurt and he wants to try to be together. It doesn’t take long for one of his roommates to go crazy over the revelation that Freddie likes guys and soon the shit hits the fan, and when the shit hit the fan, it hit hard… for Kurt. Freddie turned into the biggest jerk, he was more worried about his image and reputation than the fact that he hurt the other man. Or maybe not. What if he’s being that way for a reason? What if he had to do those things to protect the only person who’s ever had his heart?
What I like most about Kurt was that even though he was the small, short, and geeky guy he was actually the more stronger character in the book. Freddie may be the big football star but deep down he was sad and lonely and all he wanted was for his dad to be proud of him, to like him for more than just how good he was at football.
I really enjoyed reading Freddie and Kurt’s story. They had me cracking up with their nicknames for each other. Heck, even during writing this review, I wanted to call them Short Stuff and Ape Boy. It was also nice to see Coach Josh from book 1 have such a large roll to play in this book. Without his help, Freddie would have been lost. Actually, Freddie and Kurt had some pretty great friends and they made the story that much better. At the end you get to see how things were going with the guys and how things turned out with Freddie’s dad. Man, I hated that guy. Every time he called Freddie, I wanted to scream. I was a bit disappointed that we were not shown Freddie’s coming out to his father. I am pretty sure that would’ve been one helluva fight, especially when Freddie told him where he could shove it and I really wanted to see Freddie tell his dad to shove it.
Once again this author has given us a great story to read. I always enjoy his books, and I’m always surprised at how wonderful each story is. You’d think after reading as many of them from this author as I have that I wouldn’t be, but they keep getting better and better.
A "Live Your Life, Buy The Book" Review
Kurt just transferred to Dickinson college and he is so excited to be there. On his first day of class he practically gets plowed down by a big guy in a football jersey, of course instead of apologizing, the jerk yells to him “Watch where you’re walking, Short Stuff,” and what do you know big guy turns out to be in his biochemistry class and things do not go smoothly for these two.
Freddie is the star quarterback and he’s used to getting what he wants, but he might as well move along because Kurt’s not buying what he’s selling. If Freddie thinks Kurt is going to do his work for him he’s got another thing coming and Kurt tells him so. Freddie assumes that since their professor Dr. Marcus is dating his football coach (Guys from “Organic Chemistry”, Book 1 in the Chemistry Series) that he’d get special treatment, and when he realizes that’s not going to happen he panics and pretty much begs for Kurt’s help. Kurt won’t say no, he’ll help Freddie all he can. They agree to meet at the library where Kurt is working but when Freddie shows Kurt his work and Kurt doesn’t say anything right away, Freddie thinks the worst and runs out. But there’s a reason Kurt didn’t know what to say after looking at Freddie’s paper and I had a holy crap moment when it was revealed.
These two guys start spending a lot of time together and emotions start to leak in their friendship but when things start to heat up one of them has a hard time handling it and bolts leaving the other hurt. Freddie may be scared shitless but he truly likes Kurt and he wants to try to be together. It doesn’t take long for one of his roommates to go crazy over the revelation that Freddie likes guys and soon the shit hits the fan, and when the shit hit the fan, it hit hard… for Kurt. Freddie turned into the biggest jerk, he was more worried about his image and reputation than the fact that he hurt the other man. Or maybe not. What if he’s being that way for a reason? What if he had to do those things to protect the only person who’s ever had his heart?
What I like most about Kurt was that even though he was the small, short, and geeky guy he was actually the more stronger character in the book. Freddie may be the big football star but deep down he was sad and lonely and all he wanted was for his dad to be proud of him, to like him for more than just how good he was at football.
I really enjoyed reading Freddie and Kurt’s story. They had me cracking up with their nicknames for each other. Heck, even during writing this review, I wanted to call them Short Stuff and Ape Boy. It was also nice to see Coach Josh from book 1 have such a large roll to play in this book. Without his help, Freddie would have been lost. Actually, Freddie and Kurt had some pretty great friends and they made the story that much better. At the end you get to see how things were going with the guys and how things turned out with Freddie’s dad. Man, I hated that guy. Every time he called Freddie, I wanted to scream. I was a bit disappointed that we were not shown Freddie’s coming out to his father. I am pretty sure that would’ve been one helluva fight, especially when Freddie told him where he could shove it and I really wanted to see Freddie tell his dad to shove it.
Once again this author has given us a great story to read. I always enjoy his books, and I’m always surprised at how wonderful each story is. You’d think after reading as many of them from this author as I have that I wouldn’t be, but they keep getting better and better.
October 9, 2013
What happens when you mix a short, cute, scholarly type and the quarterback? Sparks, emotional and personal growth, and an HEA that will have you swooning.
Biochemistry is book #2 in the Chemistry novella series by Andrew Grey and I have to say, it’s a great ‘coming out’ / ‘coming of age’ story. So many I’ve read have left me feeling kinda flat and cold, but OMG I love Kurt! And watching as Freddy comes to terms with who he is, especially while under the microscope that is his life—he’s the star quarterback, after all—and dealing with his horrid father is both wonderful and heartbreaking at the same time.
Until recently I wasn’t over thrilled with reading novella length stories, but when they’re as deep and developed as Biochemistry, I’m totally won over. Oh, and yes, you get to see Josh and Brendon from book #1. I recommend this story for any that love HEAs, ‘coming out’ / ‘coming of age’ stories, or deep and passionate love, then this story is for you.
*Sex is not a focus, but when it’s had . . . it’s so powerful and sensual you want to reread that section before even finishing the book!
Biochemistry is book #2 in the Chemistry novella series by Andrew Grey and I have to say, it’s a great ‘coming out’ / ‘coming of age’ story. So many I’ve read have left me feeling kinda flat and cold, but OMG I love Kurt! And watching as Freddy comes to terms with who he is, especially while under the microscope that is his life—he’s the star quarterback, after all—and dealing with his horrid father is both wonderful and heartbreaking at the same time.
Until recently I wasn’t over thrilled with reading novella length stories, but when they’re as deep and developed as Biochemistry, I’m totally won over. Oh, and yes, you get to see Josh and Brendon from book #1. I recommend this story for any that love HEAs, ‘coming out’ / ‘coming of age’ stories, or deep and passionate love, then this story is for you.
*Sex is not a focus, but when it’s had . . . it’s so powerful and sensual you want to reread that section before even finishing the book!
June 13, 2016
I love stories where the clear underdog and smaller character is actually the stronger of the two main characters. Kurt is having a good year at college. He's doing well in his studies, has a great roommate, and has a group of great friends. All that changes when he bumps into Freddie, quarterback of the football team and uber jock. What then begins is a sparring match between "short stuff" and "ape boy" and it slowly grows to something neither of them expected. As fate would have it, they also sit next to each other in biochemistry and are made lab partners. An attraction starts to grow between the two of them but all isn't perfect. There's some fear, insecurity, and anger which makes the outcome all the more to look forward to. As with any series, I was happy to see appearances from Brandon and Josh from the first Chemistry book.
April 22, 2014
Cute story. Closeted jock harasses then becomes friends with smart guy. Then he freaks out, apologizes, freaks out again and well, you'll have to read it. Not as good as the first in the series IMO but still a fun read.
May 3, 2020
Oooooooo. I just love the first time trope mixed in with a college theme...ahhhh so much fun to read. Understatement of the Year by SB is still a fave!!
But back to the book..Freddie is a football jock who secretly likes guys. His family is rich but his dad is an asshole.
Kurt has a napoleon complex & won't take shit off anyone...
Loved every second of this !
But back to the book..Freddie is a football jock who secretly likes guys. His family is rich but his dad is an asshole.
Kurt has a napoleon complex & won't take shit off anyone...
Loved every second of this !
October 15, 2013
Just like with the first book, what made the story in this second volume special for me was the two main characters. Both go from thinking they know what life is about to learning that maybe there are a few surprises along the way. Freddie may look like the typical jock, with a rich father to boot, but he has hidden depths that come out when he meets Kurt and starts to see life, and himself, a little differently. Kurt is the clever geek-type, and on a scholarship, but he has a big heart and is very people oriented. He knows he's gay from the start, but he has no idea how to handle his attraction to supposedly-straight Freddie. Just as biochemistry, the class that brings Freddie and Kurt together, is about "the science of life", the developing relationship between Freddie and Kurt is about the building blocks of love.
Freddie knows one thing well, and that is playing football. His father expects him to play and succeed, never mind a college education, and Freddie ends up believing that is all he is good for. It takes Kurt questioning that "wisdom" and his encouragement for Freddie to actually do the classwork himself. Soon Freddie begins to figure out that not all is as his father says. Add to that his growing attraction to and curiosity about Kurt, and Freddie needs a thorough overhaul of both his self-image and his world view. Unfortunately, he can't fight his battles in private, since rumors soon fly, and he has to decide if he can be honest about who he is and if he is willing to accept a totally different future from what his father wants and he always thought he wanted too.
Kurt is on a scholarship, has just transferred to a tougher college with a better reputation, and intends to keep his head down, his work current, and his GPA up. He did not expect to meet a jock who is far more interesting than he should be, and when the man asks for help, Kurt decides to do his best – in order to make Freddie really learn something. When the attraction between them deepens and he finds out more about Freddie's background, Kurt has his doubts. Life, however, has its own agenda, and Kurt is too good a guy to just give up on Freddie.
If you like sweet romances with a definite touch of realism, if you enjoy reading about two men who both think they know what they want out of life, only to find out there's a different future out there for them if they're only willing to grasp it, and if you're looking for a read that contains deeply emotional revelations and some very hot exploratory physical activities, then you will probably like this book as much as I did.
Freddie knows one thing well, and that is playing football. His father expects him to play and succeed, never mind a college education, and Freddie ends up believing that is all he is good for. It takes Kurt questioning that "wisdom" and his encouragement for Freddie to actually do the classwork himself. Soon Freddie begins to figure out that not all is as his father says. Add to that his growing attraction to and curiosity about Kurt, and Freddie needs a thorough overhaul of both his self-image and his world view. Unfortunately, he can't fight his battles in private, since rumors soon fly, and he has to decide if he can be honest about who he is and if he is willing to accept a totally different future from what his father wants and he always thought he wanted too.
Kurt is on a scholarship, has just transferred to a tougher college with a better reputation, and intends to keep his head down, his work current, and his GPA up. He did not expect to meet a jock who is far more interesting than he should be, and when the man asks for help, Kurt decides to do his best – in order to make Freddie really learn something. When the attraction between them deepens and he finds out more about Freddie's background, Kurt has his doubts. Life, however, has its own agenda, and Kurt is too good a guy to just give up on Freddie.
If you like sweet romances with a definite touch of realism, if you enjoy reading about two men who both think they know what they want out of life, only to find out there's a different future out there for them if they're only willing to grasp it, and if you're looking for a read that contains deeply emotional revelations and some very hot exploratory physical activities, then you will probably like this book as much as I did.
July 20, 2015
Kurt Maxwell, nerdy, out & outspoken, scholarship student from a poor Pennsylvania family, transfers in his junior year to a more prestigious school and is determined to do well.
When he's teamed as a lab partner with Freddie Samuelson, the studly closeted/clueless quarterback, scion of a wealthy east coast family, who shares a name with several campus buildings, friction is inevitable, and in the case of m/m fiction some sweaty wish-fulfillment fantasies.
This is a fun, if periodically incredible, romp in the hay, centered on the modern college experience. Sure there are plot glitches - (What guy gets a drivers' license without ever getting his eyes checked?")
However, if you're in the mood for fantasy fulfillment and aren't too concerned with the elegance of the prose (or plot plausibility) then this may be the book for you.
As I was reading this I was reminded of the time I once helped an artist friend take an estate donation of "folk art" from the NY Met down to the Smithsonian. It was an astonishing mix of clever mixed with crude mixed with meaningful.
Somehow listening to this book reminds me of that collection. This will not be to everyone's taste but if you are the type that can see the art in it, it can be a lot of fun.
It should be noted that this is the second book in a series but can be read independently with no problem.
One purely personal sour note for me... Nick J. Russo, the narrator, in this book was tasked with recreating the voices of a number of gay men, some bone-headed jocks and even an assortment of women. His portrayal of the women and a few of the more effeminate men was border-line awkward for me as a listener.
Note: I was given a copy of this audiobook by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
When he's teamed as a lab partner with Freddie Samuelson, the studly closeted/clueless quarterback, scion of a wealthy east coast family, who shares a name with several campus buildings, friction is inevitable, and in the case of m/m fiction some sweaty wish-fulfillment fantasies.
This is a fun, if periodically incredible, romp in the hay, centered on the modern college experience. Sure there are plot glitches - (What guy gets a drivers' license without ever getting his eyes checked?")
However, if you're in the mood for fantasy fulfillment and aren't too concerned with the elegance of the prose (or plot plausibility) then this may be the book for you.
As I was reading this I was reminded of the time I once helped an artist friend take an estate donation of "folk art" from the NY Met down to the Smithsonian. It was an astonishing mix of clever mixed with crude mixed with meaningful.
Somehow listening to this book reminds me of that collection. This will not be to everyone's taste but if you are the type that can see the art in it, it can be a lot of fun.
It should be noted that this is the second book in a series but can be read independently with no problem.
One purely personal sour note for me... Nick J. Russo, the narrator, in this book was tasked with recreating the voices of a number of gay men, some bone-headed jocks and even an assortment of women. His portrayal of the women and a few of the more effeminate men was border-line awkward for me as a listener.
Note: I was given a copy of this audiobook by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
January 7, 2017
In book one, we met Josh and Brendan, a coach and a professor/genius who fall in love. Josh is here as the coach of Freddie, the star quarterback, and acts as a counselor for Freddie as he navigates his decision to come out.
Kurt is out and proud in his new college but he’s already been the victim of bullying so he’s a bit gun shy of jocks, especially closeted jocks. So when Freddie tries to strike up more than just a tutoring relationship – it’s understandable that Kurt is a bit reluctant to take a risk.
Freddie, on the other hand, is captivated by Kurt and thinks he might be the reason it’d be worth facing his family and friends with his new “truth”.
**
I loved book one so much! Brendan and Josh were really sweet and adorable and I was hoping for something like that here.
Instead we get Freddie who has trouble in school, has trouble making decisions and has self-esteem issues when it comes to his family. I’m not sure what he sees in Kurt or vice versa and it was hard rooting for them as a couple.
Kurt is a bit of a bossy bosserton who waffles and gives in pretty easily in the face of only a very minor bit of pushing on Freddie’s part. Besides his physical appeal I didn’t see what he saw in Freddie nor did Freddie give any good reasons for Kurt to trust him.
Freddie’s actions didn’t feel authentic and I wasn’t really feeling any chemistry between him and Kurt so this wasn’t a romance that let me believe they’d still be together in the long run.
3 of 5 stars
Audio
Nick J Russo is a great narrator and really seemed to hit Freddie’s football persona on the head! I LOVED Freddie’s roommate – the drawl Nick gives him is pretty funny and it actually added a bit of much needed color to this somewhat drab romance.
I definitely enjoyed listening to this more than reading it as Nick was able to draw me in to the characters with his well-done narration.
4.5 of 5 stars
Overall 3.75 of 5 stars
Kurt is out and proud in his new college but he’s already been the victim of bullying so he’s a bit gun shy of jocks, especially closeted jocks. So when Freddie tries to strike up more than just a tutoring relationship – it’s understandable that Kurt is a bit reluctant to take a risk.
Freddie, on the other hand, is captivated by Kurt and thinks he might be the reason it’d be worth facing his family and friends with his new “truth”.
**
I loved book one so much! Brendan and Josh were really sweet and adorable and I was hoping for something like that here.
Instead we get Freddie who has trouble in school, has trouble making decisions and has self-esteem issues when it comes to his family. I’m not sure what he sees in Kurt or vice versa and it was hard rooting for them as a couple.
Kurt is a bit of a bossy bosserton who waffles and gives in pretty easily in the face of only a very minor bit of pushing on Freddie’s part. Besides his physical appeal I didn’t see what he saw in Freddie nor did Freddie give any good reasons for Kurt to trust him.
Freddie’s actions didn’t feel authentic and I wasn’t really feeling any chemistry between him and Kurt so this wasn’t a romance that let me believe they’d still be together in the long run.
3 of 5 stars
Audio
Nick J Russo is a great narrator and really seemed to hit Freddie’s football persona on the head! I LOVED Freddie’s roommate – the drawl Nick gives him is pretty funny and it actually added a bit of much needed color to this somewhat drab romance.
I definitely enjoyed listening to this more than reading it as Nick was able to draw me in to the characters with his well-done narration.
4.5 of 5 stars
Overall 3.75 of 5 stars
June 7, 2017
I love the nerd/jock trope, so this book is right up my alley. Freddie, the star quarterback, has coasted through life and school relying on family money and his athletic ability to get him through. Kurt is a scholarship student who needs to work for what he has. They really couldn't be more different, but working as biochemistry lab partners changes things for both of them. The story didn't have much angst and everything was pretty straightforward, so those liking tension and conflict will be disappointed. But I like sweet stories and HEAs, so I enjoyed this story. I also loved seeing the characters from Organic Chemistry again.
Re-read 6/6/17: Low-angst story about a jock coming to grips with his sexuality and the guy who helps him see there's more to him than just sports.
Re-read 6/6/17: Low-angst story about a jock coming to grips with his sexuality and the guy who helps him see there's more to him than just sports.
October 31, 2013
4.5 stars
great story quit a bit better than the first one in this series imho
Loved the Chemistry between Kurt and Freddy and the way they got involved and together :)
Especially the oppostites attract is lovely and the different personalities and surprises of both of that .
Special remark to Carl and Brittany Awesome friends!!
The writing as Always is fabulous and such a treat like any book is from Mister Andrew Grey .Always a pleasure to see a new one a 100 % sure read for me !
great story quit a bit better than the first one in this series imho
Loved the Chemistry between Kurt and Freddy and the way they got involved and together :)
Especially the oppostites attract is lovely and the different personalities and surprises of both of that .
Special remark to Carl and Brittany Awesome friends!!
The writing as Always is fabulous and such a treat like any book is from Mister Andrew Grey .Always a pleasure to see a new one a 100 % sure read for me !
October 12, 2013
I found the book a bit dull and slow. .. nothing was unique abt the story or the characters. I felt like the characters fell a little flat. The two sex scenes were ok but far from thrilling.
I believe the first book in the series was better than this one.
There was nothing particularly bad just not that exciting overall. I Looked forward to this release for a month! oh well...
I believe the first book in the series was better than this one.
There was nothing particularly bad just not that exciting overall. I Looked forward to this release for a month! oh well...
May 12, 2014
3.5*
My life is difficult right now, so all I can read, if I am even able to read at all, are light and easy stories.
Andrew Grey is perfect for that kind of mood. This story is about the jock Freddie and his lab partner, the hard studying Karl.
The road to true love is bumpy but not rocky.
My life is difficult right now, so all I can read, if I am even able to read at all, are light and easy stories.
Andrew Grey is perfect for that kind of mood. This story is about the jock Freddie and his lab partner, the hard studying Karl.
The road to true love is bumpy but not rocky.
March 17, 2015
Sweet. A little predictable, but still enjoyable.
September 23, 2015
I thought it was ok. I didn't really feel like it had the heart of "Organic Chemistry"...but it was nice to read scenes with Josh again. I would have liked to have read more of Brendon.
August 17, 2017
Zur Rezension auf meinem Blog:
http://jennys-buecherkiste.blogspot.d...
Erster Satz:
„Ist es nicht ein bisschen früh, um zur Vorlesung zu gehen?“, fragte Peter gähnend und tappte, nur mit einem Handtuch um die schmalen Hüften, durch das Zimmer des Wohnheims.
(Seite 7)
Rezension:
Dieser erste Satz beschreibt im Grunde schon sinnbildlich den ganzen Kontext, in dem die Geschichte spielt. Kurt und Freddie sind Studenten an einer Universität, aber ich hatte das Gefühl, dass der Autor keine Ahnung vom Studentenleben hat, ganz zu schweigen von Wissen über Biochemie. Der gesamte Universitätskontext ist einfach nur unglaubwürdig. Alles wird übertrieben dargestellt. Beispielsweise muss Kurt schon am ersten Tag des neuen Semesters sechs Kapitel in einem Buch durcharbeiten, einen Laborbericht schreiben und zwei Vorlesungen für den nächsten Tag vorbereiten. Die Kapitel liest er natürlich alle ganz flott zwischen dem letzten Kurs und dem Abendessen. Grundsätzlich ist es natürlich möglich, dass er einfach nur ein extrem gewissenhafter Student (und ein enormer Streber) ist, allerdings betrifft das nicht nur ihn. Er trifft er sich nach dem Abendessen mit seinen Freunden, sie spielen eine Stunde Xbox und setzen sich dann alle nebeneinander und arbeiten konzentriert an ihren jeweiligen Studienaufgaben - am ersten Tag des Semesters! Diese Arbeitswütigkeit zieht sich durch das gesamte Buch. Hinzu kommen dann noch andere Ungereimtheiten, wie beispielsweise dass es im dritten Fachsemester eine Veranstaltung mit dem Titel „Einführung in die Biochemie“ gibt. Das ganze Setting ist dermaßen unrealistisch, dass ich ihm absolut nichts abgewinnen konnte.
Mit der eigentlichen Geschichte habe ich mich auch schwer getan, weil alles extrem schnell ging, insbesondere die Gefühle. Bei so wenigen Seiten war das zwar zu erwarten, aber ich hatte auf eine etwas weniger hektische und oberflächliche Geschichte gehofft. Das betrifft nicht nur die Instant-Liebe, sondern auch alle anderen Aspekte. Mehrfach wechselt die Stimmung innerhalb weniger Seiten von „Sprich nie wieder mit mir“ zu „Lass uns Sex haben“ und zurück. So schnell kam ich gar nicht hinterher. Besonders Kurt ist sehr wankelmütig. Immer, wenn er etwas beschließt, beispielsweise mit Freddie abzuschließen oder ihm nicht seine Notizen zu überlassen, ändert er wenige Seiten, manchmal sogar Absätze später seine Meinung. Peter beschreibt ihn einmal mit den Worten „Mein Gott, dir könnte man sogar Sand in der Wüste verkaufen.“ (Seite 20) und hat absolut recht damit.
Als ich das Buch gekauft habe, habe ich beschlossen, mit diesem zweiten Band der Reihe zu beginnen, weil mich der Klappentext mehr angesprochen hat als der des ersten Teils. Beim Lesen musste ich allerdings feststellen, dass ich Professor Marcus und Coach Josh, die Protagonisten aus dem ersten Band und hier nur Nebencharaktere, interessanter und sympathischer fand als Kurt und insbesondere Freddie. Der Sportaspekt, wegen dem ich mich eigentlich für diesen Teil entschieden habe, spielt außerdem gar keine Rolle. Freddie ist Quarterback, weshalb ihn alle toll finden, und es ist Football, weshalb er natürlich nicht schwul sein darf, aber mehr ist nicht wichtig. Spiele und Training werden übersprungen und ein Mannschaftsgefühl kommt auch nicht auf. In die Kategorie „Gay Romance mit Sportlern“ ist das Buch also nun wirklich nicht einzuordnen.
Fazit:
Das Buch hat mich wirklich enttäuscht. Ich hatte auf eine lockere, leichte Sportler-Romanze gehofft. Stattdessen ging alles so schnell und so oft hin und her, dass es hektisch, oberflächlich und uninteressant war. Freddies Sport spielt zudem eigentlich überhaupt keine Rolle. Außerdem konnte ich dem Universitätskontext absolut nichts abgewinnen, weil ich nicht das Gefühl hatte, dass der Autor Ahnung davon hat. Alles war übertrieben, unrealistisch und unglaubwürdig. Für Coach Josh als sympathischen Nebencharakter bekommt „Touchdown zum Glück“ insgesamt zwei Schreibfedern.
http://jennys-buecherkiste.blogspot.d...
Erster Satz:
„Ist es nicht ein bisschen früh, um zur Vorlesung zu gehen?“, fragte Peter gähnend und tappte, nur mit einem Handtuch um die schmalen Hüften, durch das Zimmer des Wohnheims.
(Seite 7)
Rezension:
Dieser erste Satz beschreibt im Grunde schon sinnbildlich den ganzen Kontext, in dem die Geschichte spielt. Kurt und Freddie sind Studenten an einer Universität, aber ich hatte das Gefühl, dass der Autor keine Ahnung vom Studentenleben hat, ganz zu schweigen von Wissen über Biochemie. Der gesamte Universitätskontext ist einfach nur unglaubwürdig. Alles wird übertrieben dargestellt. Beispielsweise muss Kurt schon am ersten Tag des neuen Semesters sechs Kapitel in einem Buch durcharbeiten, einen Laborbericht schreiben und zwei Vorlesungen für den nächsten Tag vorbereiten. Die Kapitel liest er natürlich alle ganz flott zwischen dem letzten Kurs und dem Abendessen. Grundsätzlich ist es natürlich möglich, dass er einfach nur ein extrem gewissenhafter Student (und ein enormer Streber) ist, allerdings betrifft das nicht nur ihn. Er trifft er sich nach dem Abendessen mit seinen Freunden, sie spielen eine Stunde Xbox und setzen sich dann alle nebeneinander und arbeiten konzentriert an ihren jeweiligen Studienaufgaben - am ersten Tag des Semesters! Diese Arbeitswütigkeit zieht sich durch das gesamte Buch. Hinzu kommen dann noch andere Ungereimtheiten, wie beispielsweise dass es im dritten Fachsemester eine Veranstaltung mit dem Titel „Einführung in die Biochemie“ gibt. Das ganze Setting ist dermaßen unrealistisch, dass ich ihm absolut nichts abgewinnen konnte.
Mit der eigentlichen Geschichte habe ich mich auch schwer getan, weil alles extrem schnell ging, insbesondere die Gefühle. Bei so wenigen Seiten war das zwar zu erwarten, aber ich hatte auf eine etwas weniger hektische und oberflächliche Geschichte gehofft. Das betrifft nicht nur die Instant-Liebe, sondern auch alle anderen Aspekte. Mehrfach wechselt die Stimmung innerhalb weniger Seiten von „Sprich nie wieder mit mir“ zu „Lass uns Sex haben“ und zurück. So schnell kam ich gar nicht hinterher. Besonders Kurt ist sehr wankelmütig. Immer, wenn er etwas beschließt, beispielsweise mit Freddie abzuschließen oder ihm nicht seine Notizen zu überlassen, ändert er wenige Seiten, manchmal sogar Absätze später seine Meinung. Peter beschreibt ihn einmal mit den Worten „Mein Gott, dir könnte man sogar Sand in der Wüste verkaufen.“ (Seite 20) und hat absolut recht damit.
Als ich das Buch gekauft habe, habe ich beschlossen, mit diesem zweiten Band der Reihe zu beginnen, weil mich der Klappentext mehr angesprochen hat als der des ersten Teils. Beim Lesen musste ich allerdings feststellen, dass ich Professor Marcus und Coach Josh, die Protagonisten aus dem ersten Band und hier nur Nebencharaktere, interessanter und sympathischer fand als Kurt und insbesondere Freddie. Der Sportaspekt, wegen dem ich mich eigentlich für diesen Teil entschieden habe, spielt außerdem gar keine Rolle. Freddie ist Quarterback, weshalb ihn alle toll finden, und es ist Football, weshalb er natürlich nicht schwul sein darf, aber mehr ist nicht wichtig. Spiele und Training werden übersprungen und ein Mannschaftsgefühl kommt auch nicht auf. In die Kategorie „Gay Romance mit Sportlern“ ist das Buch also nun wirklich nicht einzuordnen.
Fazit:
Das Buch hat mich wirklich enttäuscht. Ich hatte auf eine lockere, leichte Sportler-Romanze gehofft. Stattdessen ging alles so schnell und so oft hin und her, dass es hektisch, oberflächlich und uninteressant war. Freddies Sport spielt zudem eigentlich überhaupt keine Rolle. Außerdem konnte ich dem Universitätskontext absolut nichts abgewinnen, weil ich nicht das Gefühl hatte, dass der Autor Ahnung davon hat. Alles war übertrieben, unrealistisch und unglaubwürdig. Für Coach Josh als sympathischen Nebencharakter bekommt „Touchdown zum Glück“ insgesamt zwei Schreibfedern.
December 14, 2020
Normally I am not a fan of college age stories and main characters. It’s just not my thing. But I am a fan of Andrew Grey and as it turns out, this story. This was a really well written story on many levels. Both of the MCs were well developed and likable. This was one my favorites of the year. I really enjoyed it.
May 28, 2018
Good character development and an interesting story line. Some of it anticipated and some not. A good following tale for Organic Chemistry. Is there maybe a Physics or Mathematics book in the future?
June 5, 2018
3.5 stars
January 24, 2019
wieder einmal eine wundervolle und sehr schoen erzaehlte Geschichte
August 9, 2020
So much drama so much to feel..!
May 15, 2023
Short and sweet. Nothing to really make this one to remember. More a 2.5
August 14, 2020
4.5 Stars
Kurt just transferred to Dickinson college and he is so excited to be there. On his first day of class he practically gets plowed down by a big guy in a football jersey, of course instead of apologizing, the jerk yells to him “Watch where you’re walking, Short Stuff,” and what do you know big guy turns out to be in his biochemistry class and things do not go smoothly for these two.
Freddie is the star quarterback and he’s used to getting what he wants, but he might as well move along because Kurt’s not buying what he’s selling. If Freddie thinks Kurt is going to do his work for him he’s got another thing coming and Kurt tells him so. Freddie assumes that since their professor Dr. Marcus is dating his football coach (Guys from “Organic Chemistry”, Book 1 in the Chemistry Series) that he’d get special treatment, and when he realizes that’s not going to happen he panics and pretty much begs for Kurt’s help. Kurt won’t say no, he’ll help Freddie all he can. They agree to meet at the library where Kurt is working but when Freddie shows Kurt his work and Kurt doesn’t say anything right away, Freddie thinks the worst and runs out. But there’s a reason Kurt didn’t know what to say after looking at Freddie’s paper and I had a holy crap moment when it was revealed.
These two guys start spending a lot of time together and emotions start to leak in their friendship but when things start to heat up one of them has a hard time handling it and bolts leaving the other hurt. Freddie may be scared shitless but he truly likes Kurt and he wants to try to be together. It doesn’t take long for one of his roommates to go crazy over the revelation that Freddie likes guys and soon the shit hits the fan, and when the shit hit the fan, it hit hard… for Kurt. Freddie turned into the biggest jerk, he was more worried about his image and reputation than the fact that he hurt the other man. Or maybe not. What if he’s being that way for a reason? What if he had to do those things to protect the only person who’s ever had his heart?
What I like most about Kurt was that even though he was the small, short, and geeky guy he was actually the more stronger character in the book. Freddie may be the big football star but deep down he was sad and lonely and all he wanted was for his dad to be proud of him, to like him for more than just how good he was at football.
I really enjoyed reading Freddie and Kurt’s story. They had me cracking up with their nicknames for each other. Heck, even during writing this review, I wanted to call them Short Stuff and Ape Boy. It was also nice to see Coach Josh from book 1 have such a large roll to play in this book. Without his help, Freddie would have been lost. Actually, Freddie and Kurt had some pretty great friends and they made the story that much better. At the end you get to see how things were going with the guys and how things turned out with Freddie’s dad. Man, I hated that guy. Every time he called Freddie, I wanted to scream. I was a bit disappointed that we were not shown Freddie’s coming out to his father. I am pretty sure that would’ve been one helluva fight, especially when Freddie told him where he could shove it and I really wanted to see Freddie tell his dad to shove it.
Once again this author has given us a great story to read. I always enjoy his books, and I’m always surprised at how wonderful each story is. You’d think after reading as many of them from this author as I have that I wouldn’t be, but they keep getting better and better.
Kurt just transferred to Dickinson college and he is so excited to be there. On his first day of class he practically gets plowed down by a big guy in a football jersey, of course instead of apologizing, the jerk yells to him “Watch where you’re walking, Short Stuff,” and what do you know big guy turns out to be in his biochemistry class and things do not go smoothly for these two.
Freddie is the star quarterback and he’s used to getting what he wants, but he might as well move along because Kurt’s not buying what he’s selling. If Freddie thinks Kurt is going to do his work for him he’s got another thing coming and Kurt tells him so. Freddie assumes that since their professor Dr. Marcus is dating his football coach (Guys from “Organic Chemistry”, Book 1 in the Chemistry Series) that he’d get special treatment, and when he realizes that’s not going to happen he panics and pretty much begs for Kurt’s help. Kurt won’t say no, he’ll help Freddie all he can. They agree to meet at the library where Kurt is working but when Freddie shows Kurt his work and Kurt doesn’t say anything right away, Freddie thinks the worst and runs out. But there’s a reason Kurt didn’t know what to say after looking at Freddie’s paper and I had a holy crap moment when it was revealed.
These two guys start spending a lot of time together and emotions start to leak in their friendship but when things start to heat up one of them has a hard time handling it and bolts leaving the other hurt. Freddie may be scared shitless but he truly likes Kurt and he wants to try to be together. It doesn’t take long for one of his roommates to go crazy over the revelation that Freddie likes guys and soon the shit hits the fan, and when the shit hit the fan, it hit hard… for Kurt. Freddie turned into the biggest jerk, he was more worried about his image and reputation than the fact that he hurt the other man. Or maybe not. What if he’s being that way for a reason? What if he had to do those things to protect the only person who’s ever had his heart?
What I like most about Kurt was that even though he was the small, short, and geeky guy he was actually the more stronger character in the book. Freddie may be the big football star but deep down he was sad and lonely and all he wanted was for his dad to be proud of him, to like him for more than just how good he was at football.
I really enjoyed reading Freddie and Kurt’s story. They had me cracking up with their nicknames for each other. Heck, even during writing this review, I wanted to call them Short Stuff and Ape Boy. It was also nice to see Coach Josh from book 1 have such a large roll to play in this book. Without his help, Freddie would have been lost. Actually, Freddie and Kurt had some pretty great friends and they made the story that much better. At the end you get to see how things were going with the guys and how things turned out with Freddie’s dad. Man, I hated that guy. Every time he called Freddie, I wanted to scream. I was a bit disappointed that we were not shown Freddie’s coming out to his father. I am pretty sure that would’ve been one helluva fight, especially when Freddie told him where he could shove it and I really wanted to see Freddie tell his dad to shove it.
Once again this author has given us a great story to read. I always enjoy his books, and I’m always surprised at how wonderful each story is. You’d think after reading as many of them from this author as I have that I wouldn’t be, but they keep getting better and better.
October 17, 2013
Original Blog Spot: http://headouttheoven.blogspot.com/20...
I have to say that I totally enjoyed this! Even more than I did the first book of the series, Organic Chemistry (Chemistry #1). That first book blew me away in terms of its romance factor but got a tad disappointed because of its short length. Thankfully, Biochemistry is just the right length and it is just as romantic, more so even.
Before I get to the review proper, let me point out that the cover of this book is perfect for what we expected from this story. Yes, the jock has glasses and yes, the nerd is just as good looking. Those glasses play an important role in Freddie's emotional and intellectual growth.
Freddie is a jock. He looks it, he is physically the epitome of one, and he has long thought that as all jocks go, he is just as dumb. Kurt does not think so and found out why Freddie was not performing well in school. This should have been discovered earlier, but with sports as the main focus, no one really saw much beyond the quarterback skills of this young man. Not his family, not his coaches (including coach Josh) and definitely not his previous teachers.
Kurt's role is significant in so many ways. Not only does he solve the mystery of Freddie's dumb-jockness, but he also guarantees that Freddie will not come out of college as a wash-out jock but a man with a real future. A future outside of sports. Something that no one, not even Freddie, ever thought of.
We get to see Brendon and Josh once more from that first book, but it is really Josh who uses his personal experiences and role as assistant coach who gave Freddie the emotional boost he really needed outside that of Kurt. He was not getting it from his father, his mother was clueless, his brother and sister were out of the loop. His father placing emotional pressure and blackmail did not help matters and just succeeded in confusing Freddie all the more. It is important to mention his friends. One left, the rest said "so what?" and that is what is great about this story. Not too much angst, not too much drama. Just plain old romance between two men.
The story line is a really simple one: dumb jock gets tangled up and in love with a nerd. We see this type of plot popping up all over the place. What is the difference this story makes? I guess it is because it is an Andrew Grey book and what could have been a simple story became much more. This is neither simple nor straightforward. It is not a light read nor a heavy read.
Author Grey's Biochemistry successfully gets the readers entertained, it gets their hearts palpitating in a very good and romantic way, and it keeps us fans dreaming of men who may not all be sexy physically all the time, but always romantic. Oh, so romantic. This is what I call the perfect Goldilocks formula: it is just right!
I have to say that I totally enjoyed this! Even more than I did the first book of the series, Organic Chemistry (Chemistry #1). That first book blew me away in terms of its romance factor but got a tad disappointed because of its short length. Thankfully, Biochemistry is just the right length and it is just as romantic, more so even.
Before I get to the review proper, let me point out that the cover of this book is perfect for what we expected from this story. Yes, the jock has glasses and yes, the nerd is just as good looking. Those glasses play an important role in Freddie's emotional and intellectual growth.
Freddie is a jock. He looks it, he is physically the epitome of one, and he has long thought that as all jocks go, he is just as dumb. Kurt does not think so and found out why Freddie was not performing well in school. This should have been discovered earlier, but with sports as the main focus, no one really saw much beyond the quarterback skills of this young man. Not his family, not his coaches (including coach Josh) and definitely not his previous teachers.
Kurt's role is significant in so many ways. Not only does he solve the mystery of Freddie's dumb-jockness, but he also guarantees that Freddie will not come out of college as a wash-out jock but a man with a real future. A future outside of sports. Something that no one, not even Freddie, ever thought of.
We get to see Brendon and Josh once more from that first book, but it is really Josh who uses his personal experiences and role as assistant coach who gave Freddie the emotional boost he really needed outside that of Kurt. He was not getting it from his father, his mother was clueless, his brother and sister were out of the loop. His father placing emotional pressure and blackmail did not help matters and just succeeded in confusing Freddie all the more. It is important to mention his friends. One left, the rest said "so what?" and that is what is great about this story. Not too much angst, not too much drama. Just plain old romance between two men.
The story line is a really simple one: dumb jock gets tangled up and in love with a nerd. We see this type of plot popping up all over the place. What is the difference this story makes? I guess it is because it is an Andrew Grey book and what could have been a simple story became much more. This is neither simple nor straightforward. It is not a light read nor a heavy read.
Author Grey's Biochemistry successfully gets the readers entertained, it gets their hearts palpitating in a very good and romantic way, and it keeps us fans dreaming of men who may not all be sexy physically all the time, but always romantic. Oh, so romantic. This is what I call the perfect Goldilocks formula: it is just right!
October 19, 2013
I've read a few of Andrew Grey's books, and my biggest complaint is that the dialogue occasionally tends to be a little too "After School Special" for me. I get that he wants to write uplifting stories, but sometimes the characters sound less like actual people and more like inspirational posters featuring cats hanging off of trees or something. Nevertheless, the stories themselves are usually well thought out, quickly paced, and easy to burn through. Beach reading for any season, if you will, and this book is no exception.
An opposites attract story featuring a jock and a brain that breaks absolutely no new ground, 'Biochemistry' rated below average for me for the basic reason that the brain of the story- Kurt- was actually kind of a jerk to the jock- Freddie- when the topic of coming out was initially introduced. After the predictable meet (Freddie knocks Kurt down and calls him 'Short Stuff'; Kurt fights back with 'Ape Boy'), they find common ground in being study partners, and then Freddie actually comes to Kurt's rescue when some underclassmen are literally gay-bashing him. They get a little closer and Freddie actually gets up the nerve to kiss Kurt, but (surprise!) is scared to go any further. When Freddie finally gets the nerve to apologize and talk to Kurt about it, this is the exchange:
"I was confused. I know I shouldn't have run away and left you. That wasn't right, and neither was letting you think that kiss was some experiment. It wasn't. It was a real kiss, and my first one with a guy." Freddie swallowed around the lump in his throat. "I'm gay," he whispered.
Kurt turned to face him. "Do you want a medal?"
OUCH! Would it have killed Kurt to show the tiniest bit of compassion and support for what is arguably the hardest thing Freddie has ever admitted to another person? If I were Freddie, I would've cut my losses right then and found another brain to pick, as it were. For the rest of the book, that little dig kept rolling around in my mind and I saw Kurt as kind of d-bag, to be honest, and it was hard to imagine that he was Freddie's Prince Charming.
An opposites attract story featuring a jock and a brain that breaks absolutely no new ground, 'Biochemistry' rated below average for me for the basic reason that the brain of the story- Kurt- was actually kind of a jerk to the jock- Freddie- when the topic of coming out was initially introduced. After the predictable meet (Freddie knocks Kurt down and calls him 'Short Stuff'; Kurt fights back with 'Ape Boy'), they find common ground in being study partners, and then Freddie actually comes to Kurt's rescue when some underclassmen are literally gay-bashing him. They get a little closer and Freddie actually gets up the nerve to kiss Kurt, but (surprise!) is scared to go any further. When Freddie finally gets the nerve to apologize and talk to Kurt about it, this is the exchange:
"I was confused. I know I shouldn't have run away and left you. That wasn't right, and neither was letting you think that kiss was some experiment. It wasn't. It was a real kiss, and my first one with a guy." Freddie swallowed around the lump in his throat. "I'm gay," he whispered.
Kurt turned to face him. "Do you want a medal?"
OUCH! Would it have killed Kurt to show the tiniest bit of compassion and support for what is arguably the hardest thing Freddie has ever admitted to another person? If I were Freddie, I would've cut my losses right then and found another brain to pick, as it were. For the rest of the book, that little dig kept rolling around in my mind and I saw Kurt as kind of d-bag, to be honest, and it was hard to imagine that he was Freddie's Prince Charming.
December 4, 2013
To read my full review, please visit http://onsilverwingz.blogspot.com/201...
This is the second book in the Chemistry series, however, it can be read as a stand alone. For readers that have read Organic Chemistry, it'll be a pleasure to see Brendon and Josh again.
Kurt attends college through a scholarship sponsored by Freddie's father. Freddie, the star quarterback, needs some help from Kurt to pass his biochemistry class. When they realized they are falling for each other, they have to overcome negative opinions from their friends, the football team, and Freddie's father.
The build up of Freddie's and Kurt's romance is well written and filled with obstacles, mostly on Freddie's side. Freddie is unsure of his own sexual orientation and insecure in his identity as a football player and college student. He faces difficult decisions on how to come out to his family, his team, and the school. His father also gives him a lot of pressure (and threats) to be a football star, instead of succeeding academically. No one believes in him or encourages him to discover his potential beyond playing football until Kurt.
Kurt, on the other hand, is out and pride. The only struggles he deals with in the book are rejections from Freddie and the threat of Freddie's father revoking his scholarship. Kurt's troubles all stem from Freddie. When Freddie is still unsure of their relationship and wants to hide their relationship from the public, Kurt says no. Kurt is the stronger person and I think Freddie needs Kurt more than Kurt needs Freddie.
The only character that I was confused about is Freddie's father. He switched personalities too fast. The resolution to Freddie's family tensions comes too easily and too fast.
Overall, the story is very predictable. The theme is very similar to the first book, Organic Chemistry. I still enjoyed the story and reading about Freddie coming out of the closet, but I liked the first book better.
*review copy received in exchange for an honest review*
This is the second book in the Chemistry series, however, it can be read as a stand alone. For readers that have read Organic Chemistry, it'll be a pleasure to see Brendon and Josh again.
Kurt attends college through a scholarship sponsored by Freddie's father. Freddie, the star quarterback, needs some help from Kurt to pass his biochemistry class. When they realized they are falling for each other, they have to overcome negative opinions from their friends, the football team, and Freddie's father.
The build up of Freddie's and Kurt's romance is well written and filled with obstacles, mostly on Freddie's side. Freddie is unsure of his own sexual orientation and insecure in his identity as a football player and college student. He faces difficult decisions on how to come out to his family, his team, and the school. His father also gives him a lot of pressure (and threats) to be a football star, instead of succeeding academically. No one believes in him or encourages him to discover his potential beyond playing football until Kurt.
Kurt, on the other hand, is out and pride. The only struggles he deals with in the book are rejections from Freddie and the threat of Freddie's father revoking his scholarship. Kurt's troubles all stem from Freddie. When Freddie is still unsure of their relationship and wants to hide their relationship from the public, Kurt says no. Kurt is the stronger person and I think Freddie needs Kurt more than Kurt needs Freddie.
The only character that I was confused about is Freddie's father. He switched personalities too fast. The resolution to Freddie's family tensions comes too easily and too fast.
Overall, the story is very predictable. The theme is very similar to the first book, Organic Chemistry. I still enjoyed the story and reading about Freddie coming out of the closet, but I liked the first book better.
*review copy received in exchange for an honest review*
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