Faith in Fools

The Hollywoodland Series #2

by Jordyn Barnes

Steve's given up on love. Ethan's not sure it's worth the risk.

Steve Jensen doesn't believe in love-bouncing from warm body to warm body, bed to bed. His freefall descent into the playboy lifestyle leaves him alone and empty, but he just can't stop. To the outside world, Steve has it all-beautiful women, a flashy car, and his own celebrity gym. But if they look closer, they'll find a darkness slowly devouring the man he used to be. Dumped by his latest fling in front of everyone at a party in the Hollywood Hills, he starts looking for someone else who will end the night with him. The person he finds just might be the one who changes his life forever.
***
The ink has barely dried on Ethan LaVoie's new contract for the Pasadena Fighting Parrots-the only pro hockey team willing to sign him. After a traumatic on-ice injury, he's ready to prove he's still got what it takes. So, when the coach signs him up with a personal trainer to ensure he's back in peak form, he's all in. Coming from Salem, MA, Ethan isn't one to pass up a Halloween party, but finding someone who sets his heart on fire under the costumes and drinking is the last thing he expects to find there. His feelings could be the secret that ends his career, now he has to decide if he's ready to risk it all?

344 pages, Paperback

Published October 11, 2024

About the author

Jordyn Barnes is a graphic designer, nerd, goth, and soon, a published author. When she’s not writing or reading, she can be found rearranging her Bucky memorabilia, designing, or watching Marvel movies, true crime, or sports. She’s also a Disney nerd who relates most strongly with Madam Mim’s dislike of sunshine and envies her forest hag lifestyle.

Reviews

[Beth (bethsbookshelfx) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating : ☆☆☆☆

—————

𝘠𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦, 𝘚𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴.

—————

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 & 𝙄𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 :

- 𝙃𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙮 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙧 𝙭 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧
- 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩 𝙍𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥
- 𝙁𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨
- 𝙍𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙚𝙙 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙗𝙤𝙮
- 𝘼𝙜𝙚 𝙂𝙖𝙥 : 10 𝙔𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨
- 𝙁𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮
- 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙍𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 : 𝙋𝙧𝙤 𝙃𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙮
- 𝘿𝙪𝙖𝙡 𝙋𝙊𝙑
- 𝙉𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙨 : 𝙎𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙨

—————

I loved this book. I loved getting to know Ethan and Steve.

I love how they both made eachother see themselves how they deserved to be seen. Steve helped Ethan know that it’s okay to be who he is and Ethan helped Steve know he could let himself fall.

I love the found family aspect of these books. They all have unhealthy family relationships but they all love eachother so much that it doesn’t matter. It shows that blood doesn’t make a family, love does.

I’m excited for Chases story next!

[Carrie West · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this was adorably angsty. Steve and Ethan were relatable, which had me rooting for them to get all of the things they want in life. There was also a great amount of tension which kept me at the edge of my seat the whole time. Both were also so stupidly cute together. How they flirted with each other had me swooning throughout the book. Ugh. Loved it.

The game. Oh god. My heart just melted. 🥰🥰

[Nicole Ambrosio · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a beautiful, emotional, steamy MM romance of a whirlwind then I definitely recommend this story.

Ethan & Steve really just tugged at my heart strings from the moment I met them. I loved their journey to not only live and accept themselves and the beautiful representation of their traumas and overcoming them, but also their journey to find each other and really see the other how they truly were. I loved the found family as well, the layers of characters and stories that really connected them and helped them grow and be part of something bigger.

Ethan grew up in a home that wasn’t loving of him and who he was and he struggled to feel like he could truly loved for himself. He closes his walls off to avoid getting hurt.

Steve was always told he wasn’t good enough, a disappointment and that everything he did was a mistake. He was afraid that he would always mess up and was afraid to fall.

Together, they see the other and allow them to be flawed and vulnerable and themselves. They balance each other out and allow the other to be themselves, all while loving each other through the chaotic mess of their past traumas. Jordyn does such a beautiful job of writing characters that are so multi-layered and complex, but so well represented and beautifully themselves. They go on journeys and develop throughout the story in a way that’s so beautiful to witness.

Thank you so much to Jordyn & Insert Trope PR for the arc! I’ve absolutely loved being a part of this team and can’t wait for what’s next!!

[Stacey Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a steamy MM romance with excellent LGTBQIA+ and mental health rep, look no further than this book. Book two in Jordyn Barnes’ Hollywoodland series brings us Steve and Ethan’s story.

One thing I really love about Jordyn’s writing is her characters are complex, layered, flawed, and messy. They’re perfectly imperfect. This group of friends have survived some pretty serious trauma and abuse, but they all fight to come out the other side stronger. They’re the best kind of found family. They all support each other, but don’t coddle each other. They’re not afraid to say the hard things.

That holds true with Steve and Ethan as well. They get their happily ever after, but it’s real, and it’s messy, and it’s chaotic, and it’s hard fought for. Just like real life.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won an ARC of this book through LibraryThing and I was really excited about it. I received it after the release date (Oct. 11) but I wanted to get to it quickly. Overall the book was really complex and dealt with a lot of dark stuff and I did like it. My main issue with it was the pacing of the book, which led to a lot of telling without showing. Things happened too quickly and jumpily in the first quarter of the book and then during the rest, some missing scenes could have been important in the multiple time skips.

Barnes has created some truly complex characters, and I love them both. Seriously, Steve and Ethan are fantastically realistic and well-written. They’re both completely broken birds with daddy issues and a LOT of unresolved childhood trauma that causes them both a lot of problems forming adult relationships. When they’re together they do help each other most of the time and work really well together, except when their individual demons are causing them to individually self-sabotage. There’s a lot of that, that’s where the central drama in their relationship comes from.

The way the plot gets resolved is great, the issues don’t get swept under the rug. The boys get a happy ending but acknowledge that they’ve definitely both still got work to do. They choose to be messy together and help each other. This feels like the healthiest ending for these two chaos gremlins. I’ll read the others in the series that deal with hockey!

[Alicia M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

***ARC****

A huge thank you to Insert Trope Here PR and the author Jordyn Barnes and her team for selecting me for this ARC. And thank you for writing this amazing book. THANK YOU!!! ❤❤❤

4.5

*CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS*

Like Jamie and Lexi, Steve and Ethan were very much relatable. This is the thing with Jordyn's writing, she will ALWAYS write a book that reaches people who are going through everyday struggles and fears. She speaks on topics that are very much real life and I love and appreciate that.

Ethan and Steve. They were both amazing MMCs and I haven't read an MM romance in a minute so I was so happy to just jump right in. I love them so much and they deserve happiness. They deserve peace and they deserve those and all the greatest things in the world...without judgement.

Their character developments were so well written. We got to see why they were both so afraid of commitment and coming out. My heart broke for both of them because of everything they went through. The reason why Ethan wore that necklace and while their were others that suffered the same way in his family, that one is the one that broke my damn. She would've been happy that he found Steve for sure. She would've been over the moon. Both their family life was just not good. The only good person from both families was Steve's sister and she was so great, so brave. But the best thing for Steve and Ethan was that they both had thay FOUND. FAMILY. That friend group, no, that family is all that mattered. They put them in their place when needed and just there for them whenever they needed them.

Now to that romance aspect. I love them. I know I've said it before and I will be saying it again. There were times, though, when I wanted to slap a sense or two in probably both of them but mostly Steve. While I might love that they got their happily ever after, I think he should've groveled a bit more. That was my thinking while reading. Especially, especially near to the end with that last situation. But then I look at it deeper and I see it from Ethan's perspective and then I'm happy that he did this HUGE thing that proved that he was all in. I would still love to kick Steve's ass though. But I get it. They both had insecurities and they both lashed out because of it, ending it everytime it got difficult and saying things they both didn't mean. What got me changing my mind also about the groveling is Steve stepping up also and getting the help he needed. (I hope I'm not saying too much but yeah) Steve was so wrong for that but then you look back and see how they both were wrong and they both acknowledged it. They didn't have clear communication all the time BUT they did when it truly mattered. I love them so much and want to say more *screams* lol. The book was so goooood. So good.

Overall I rate this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5. They were so relatable man and jumping to conclusions can make you miss out and also get you in trouble. If you read this book at a surface level you'd probably not see why they ended up together, but if I've learn anything is that being in a relationship you have to learn to FORGIVE and alot was needed on both Steve and Ethan's side. I want more of them. I really do. Oh and I also love the fact that we got to see another side to both of them meaning Steve comes off as the top and Ethan as the bottom. Steve is always broody and dominant, doesn't show his feelings and Ethan is the almost shy but would show his feelings. But especially towards the end we got to see them switch roles and it was really good to see that. Also, they matched each others freaks and I just wanna say that Ethan isn't super shy and quiet but he kind of is so I go back to a saying that goes "it's always the quiet ones". That man is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥. Steve is very much there with his sexiness BUT ETHAN!!! GIMME GIMME. I can pretend to be a man. What does he want me to be lol?! His scenes where he is the dominant one was 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵.


I think alot of people could resonate to them because of how much ups and downs they went through because of fear. I could go on and on, probably saying the same thing in a million different ways lol but it's what I love most about this author, she writes relatable stuff and I'm here for it. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AS WELL AS THE ENTIRE SERIES; only two has been released so far BUT I know that this is going in the best direction. So make sure to add to your TBR if you haven't read it yet or haven't added it yet. You won't regret it. Trust me. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

And remember: You're NEVER alone, reach out if you need to talk to me or someone you trust. ❤️❤️❤️🌹🌹🌹

[Mars Rads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so I kind of really loved this book. For a minute there, I actually wondered if I had blacked out and written this myself. The playlist/song titles are straight from my personal playlist. Shipping Up to Boston is like my personal theme song (not really but I love that song). I love Boston (where both guys are from), hockey, and most of all Top Gun. I have even been party to a “You Lost That Loving Feeling” sing-along. I was actually singing it in my head reading that part. But of course, I didn’t write this because I never would have been able to write something so well written. I actually flew through this book in a day because I really didn’t want to put it down.

I love a LGBTQIA+ book that touches on the internalized homophobia and the fear of being rejected for who you are. I think so many queer people (myself included) deal with this so much. I really felt for Ethan because I have been there where I was worried about losing my job because of who I loved. I also really felt for Steve because I have been there with a parent that didn’t accept me for who I am. My favorite thing about Steve is his love for his sister. I loved Laurie and was so happy to see a trans character. My heart broke for her, especially since I have been there. It takes so much strength to be who you are when the people who are supposed to love you misgender and hate you.

The chemistry between Ethan and Steve was so amazing. The spicy scenes were *chef’s kiss*. It is not often you read romances where the NHL defense man (so a pretty big guy) gets thrown around like he weighs nothing. I adored that dynamic. Even though Ethan was big, Steve was bigger and more dominant. And yeah, of course I wanted to punch certain people in the face at times, but I also understand. I think if you are queer, if you have ever tried to hide who you are, if you have ever felt like the absolute biggest POS because you tried to hide the person you love, you can kind of understand.

I really didn’t expect to love this book as much as I did. I thought it would be a cute, MM, sports romance. But it was so much more. And it really hit me. Jordyn did such a fantastic job.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

I seriously can’t get enough of how Jordyn writes. This is my second book by her and yet again she killed it. I loved Ethan from the beginning, my heart aches for him with all the hurt, abuse and death he’s had to grieve throughout his life. And there’s A LOT. Steve took me a little longer but the way he changed and the way he was with Ethan was just beautiful, he finally opened his heart up to the possibility of love and you can tell he was his true swooning sweet self. I really hated the cheating 😭 but I knew what I was getting myself into with this book so I expected it lol it just made my heart break during that whole scene, like literally sick to my stomach cause I felt terrible lol. I do wish there was more groveling but the HEA was perfect. 😍 I will never get over how much the side characters are so important in the first 2 books with them being a group of a found family. I can’t wait for the rest of the series. I love the LGBTQIA and mental health representation, it was absolutely amazing. To think this was going to be a novella I’m so glad Jordyn decided to make it a novel because she did their story justice. The spice was so hot too. 🥵 10/10 recommend.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I’ve never read MM before so this was a whole new ball game for me. The spice was spice-ing and the trauma was trauma-ing. Check yourself before beginning this if either of those are not your thing. I don’t think I’ve hated a character as much as I have in this book. I wanted to punch him in the face. (For sake of spoilers I won’t tell you who, but you find out quickly). The only big thing I wasn’t fond of is the excessive use of nicknames. I said that about the first one too. This one at least has a more diverse range of them, nonetheless it drove me crazy towards the end when they start ramping up more. Overall though I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this and am excited for book 3.

Thank you Jordyn Barnes, Insert Trope Pr and booksirens for the ARC copy.

[Rachel b00ksrmagic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damn this was a spicy read! Not just the open door scenes, but the dialogue in and out of the bedroom! The two main characters were great and worked well together in an opposites attract kind of way. They both had a lot of family baggage to work through which caused a lot of stress and drama in their relationship. But you knew they were going to get through it. There was a great found family aspect, with friends who supported them. And of course, hockey. I know that’s a big draw! I did wish that some of the side plot with the one character’s family had been resolved on page. I wanted to see that drama unfold more. But I get that the focus was on the main relationship. Overall it was a very spicy hockey story that I know sports romance readers will love.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Marina Garnica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the story. A hockey player raised to be just that and having a late blooming. Lala is closeted because of the enviroment he lives in, but more because of the fears his own father put in his head. On the other hand we have Steve, someone who grew up protecting those who he cared about. His sister Lauri has transitioned and their father have disowned them. That made him mature way early in life and be prone to screw things up.

The combination of both personalities and backgrounds is as good as it can get, making this a very nice read to have

[Shan ♱ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a lot of fun reading this book, I just couldn’t wait to see what happened next!, just did not want to put the book down. It was so nice to read how Ethan and Steve helped each other through their struggles and the found family aspect in the book, I loved it! All the characters were always there for each other, which was so lovely to read. This is my first MM read and it did not disappoint!

This is my second ARC read from Jordyn, and I love her writing! I find her writing so catching, always wanting to see what she comes up with next and she had a way of getting me so attached to the characters she writes!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Clary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me go through every emotion under the sun. I haven't been this mad at a character in a while. Then Ethan had me in tears, literal tears. I had just done my makeup to go to work and I ended up with my non waterproof mascara running down my face. And finally it made me smile in the end. The story starts on the slower side but it picks up and takes you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Good read.

[Kaylila · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually 4.5 stars because I just absolutely adored these characters and found family! Jordyn does such a good job at making me feel like I’m right there in LA with the characters. I feel like I’m part of their found family. I loved the dynamic between Ethan and Steve! The banter and fun these two had together could be felt through the pages. Their communication could use some work but overall they got there in the end! I thought the struggles the characters went through felt real and the resolution to their struggles felt well thought out. I wish I could just read this story forever!

[EmyChispita · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and foremost, read your trigger warnings, and then let's get on the ice! Great story line, the world building is fire, hallelujah it's open door romance, and oh so spicy 🥵🥵🔥🔥like sizzling good 😸

The story of Steven & Ethan (MM romance) is worth every page, twist and turn, and plot twist I promise! Steamy spicy scenes left me needing a stiff cold drink ;)
This book is part of a series and I am bubbling over with excitement for the next stories to come! Jordyn, I love the world you created and made a forever customer out of me!!

[Margaret Bourque · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first MM romance and I was blown away. Jordyn Barnes wrote a beautiful story showing that love is love. I wanted to hate Steve, but couldn’t in the end. I kept cheering for Ethan from his efforts to make the team to eventually trusting there was love for him in this world. Each of them with all their imperfections, all their history and baggage deserved their happily ever after. Thank you for bringing g these characters to life.

[thisBandherbooks ✨☀️🌻Buffy🌻☀️✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the absolute honor of beta reading this!

It was nothing like I’ve read before. The pacing and flow was great. The characters were mostly likeable. Jury is still out on Steve. I giggled thru a lot of it or said awwww but mostly I wanted to jump in the book and yell at them! My full review will be on my Instagram close to book release date :)

[Tiffany (areyoutellingstories) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed getting to know Ethan and Steve. Despite, or because of, their previous traumas they are able to give each other the time and space they need to grow through their hang ups. The found family is this book is best set s of friends. I love how they can see and respect each other's differences and love each other through them.

[Nupur · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hot and sexy MM Sports Romance that worked wonderfully for me. Loved the writing and narratives. Dual POV made it understand each character deeply. This book not only shows the Romance but also the mental health and how each of them suffers and then comes out of it slowly. The intensity of the chemistry between both the MMC's was just beautiful. Loved it. Definitely recommended.

[Erika [The Smut Files] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book two of the Hollywoodland Series had a bit of a different vibe than the first book, and I wanted to strangle the characters. And hug them. Of course it all worked out in the end.

But that is kind of how these characters are. Definitely check the trigger warnings on this one, but I suggest checking it out!

[Natalie (Novels__&__Needles) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as an ARC.

🏒 Ice Hockey player x Personal Trainer
🏒 Closeted/Coming out story
🏒 Age gap
🏒 Secret relationship

Ok these two were cute. I feel for them both instantly and adored their story. Jordyn has this uncanny ability to lure you into a story from page one, and it was right on the money with FiF that’s for sure. I can’t wait to see what else is to come from this series.

[Kaysie Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved these 2 so much. 🥰 Jordyn Barnes is amazing at writing imperfect characters that find their missing piece. The character growth and development was great and I love their friend group. 😍 I can’t wait for more books from this series.

[Sara Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am so invested in all the characters. A beautiful love story with a touch of hockey, dealing with big topics with so much dignity, homophobia and transphobia but also the feelings internally that go with being trans or gay. Well done x

[Kiki ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Ethan worked a slight nerve I feel as if it grew to be both Steve and Ethan. But just like anything they grow on you!!

I loved the story! I was a little nervous!

[Rhianna Sales · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading Steve and Ethan's story as my first MM Romance read. I found the characters charming and relatable. The book was a page turner for me and I found myself laughing out loud often, but I also was moved to tears. I really liked that we got to see a glimpse of Lexi and Jamie and how their journey is progressing.

Jordyn knows how to write about heavy issues with care and it was no different in this book.

I thought the use of the "dicktionary" at the beginning of the book to provide the option skip past the open door scenes was a great inclusion for those who are new to MM Romance.

I can't wait to read Chase's story in the next instalment of the Hollywood Land Series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[lajoiearchives · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ethan’s a pro hockey player trying to heal after getting horrible injuries on the ice. He’s being benched until he can prove to his coach that he has what it takes to play. In comes the trainer who is very sexy, all muscles, and a huge playboy, Steve. Ethan is attracted at first glance but he’s in the closet and doesn’t want to be kicked off the team for being gay. Steve doesn’t give a shit about what anyone thinks and will fck anything that walks. The more they get to know each other, the more the romance grows. Can Ethan get over his dark past and be okay with who he truly is or will he ruin this all? Will Steve be able to settle down and stop ruining everything good in his life ?

This is my first gay romance and I loved it ! The sex scenes were so hot and I really enjoyed getting to read how they both changed for each other. Also something about two hot buff men is just right up my alley !!

My only peeve of this book is the overuse of pet names. Jordyn did this a lot in her other book, which wasn’t my fav either but I just kinda cringe and move on lol.

This book is for anyone who wants a good LGBTQ+ spicy romance.

Thank you @jordynbarnes for providing this ARC via booksirens in exchange of my honest review