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Between The Ropes #1
Showing Him the Ropes
When a Gruff Veteran Meets an Irrepressible Rookie, Who Will Come Out on Top?
Chance “The Chancellor” Gerhardt – multi-time champion and respected veteran of the locker room – worries he’s entering the twilight of his professional wrestling career. All he wants is one more shot at a championship title run. Instead, his boss saddles him with mentoring a hot, young rookie, Devin Jacobs.
Devin has admired The Chancellor for years, and he’s thrilled to work up close and personal with the steely eyed older wrestler. But while Devin learns from his mentor, he can’t resist admiring the man’s deliciously burly physique.
Trapped together in the intimacy of late-night road trips and shared hotel rooms, longing glances lead to whispered confessions of desire. Devin would love to bring a little warmth and sexiness to his hero’s cold and solitary life. Unfortunately, Chance refuses the rookie’s flirting. After years in the business, he knows their careers will be ruined if their relationship is discovered by the fans. But Devin won’t let that fear stop him from going after everything he wants – championship gold and the man he desires.
Can Devin find a way to prove to Chance that they can have it all? Or will their shot at love be defeated 1-2-3?
Tags: Contemporary, Sports Romance, Age Gap, Mentor/Mentee, HFN
Christa Tomlinson is a lifelong fan of professional wrestling. When she’s not writing, Christa can be found watching her favorite classic matches or traveling to live wrestling events.
Chance “The Chancellor” Gerhardt – multi-time champion and respected veteran of the locker room – worries he’s entering the twilight of his professional wrestling career. All he wants is one more shot at a championship title run. Instead, his boss saddles him with mentoring a hot, young rookie, Devin Jacobs.
Devin has admired The Chancellor for years, and he’s thrilled to work up close and personal with the steely eyed older wrestler. But while Devin learns from his mentor, he can’t resist admiring the man’s deliciously burly physique.
Trapped together in the intimacy of late-night road trips and shared hotel rooms, longing glances lead to whispered confessions of desire. Devin would love to bring a little warmth and sexiness to his hero’s cold and solitary life. Unfortunately, Chance refuses the rookie’s flirting. After years in the business, he knows their careers will be ruined if their relationship is discovered by the fans. But Devin won’t let that fear stop him from going after everything he wants – championship gold and the man he desires.
Can Devin find a way to prove to Chance that they can have it all? Or will their shot at love be defeated 1-2-3?
Tags: Contemporary, Sports Romance, Age Gap, Mentor/Mentee, HFN
Christa Tomlinson is a lifelong fan of professional wrestling. When she’s not writing, Christa can be found watching her favorite classic matches or traveling to live wrestling events.
178 pages, Paperback
First published August 16, 2016
39 people are currently reading
683 people want to read
About the author
Christa Tomlinson
33 books446 followersChrista Tomlinson is a pop culture loving, anime watching, nerdy fangirl who loves to read and write romance. She creates stories that are emotional and lovely with intimacy that is integral to the characters’ romantic arc.
Christa grew up reading romance giants Johanna Lindsey, Julie Garwood, and Virgina Henley - thanks to her older sister who gave her her first romance novel many years before she should have been reading such saucy content. Christa's first attempt at writing her own romance novel was in middle school - a historical that will never see the light of day. Since that first attempt, Christa has written many spicy fanfictions of her favorite characters and romances featuring her own hot and sexy heroes. Her first self-published romance, The Sergeant, was an Amazon best seller in Gay Romance for seven weeks in a row.
After many years in the sunny warmth of Houston, Texas, Christa has returned home to St. Louis, Missouri. She is a former high school social studies teacher and retired roller derby player. Don't ask her if romance requires an HEA or she'll use her roller derby skills to hip check you.
Christa grew up reading romance giants Johanna Lindsey, Julie Garwood, and Virgina Henley - thanks to her older sister who gave her her first romance novel many years before she should have been reading such saucy content. Christa's first attempt at writing her own romance novel was in middle school - a historical that will never see the light of day. Since that first attempt, Christa has written many spicy fanfictions of her favorite characters and romances featuring her own hot and sexy heroes. Her first self-published romance, The Sergeant, was an Amazon best seller in Gay Romance for seven weeks in a row.
After many years in the sunny warmth of Houston, Texas, Christa has returned home to St. Louis, Missouri. She is a former high school social studies teacher and retired roller derby player. Don't ask her if romance requires an HEA or she'll use her roller derby skills to hip check you.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
August 5, 2016
*3.5 stars*
I like Christa Tomlinson's books because they 're relationship and character driven, and the chemistry between the MCs is crazy hot. Unfortunately, I didn't love "Showing Him The Ropes" as much as I loved her other work. That said, I did enjoy it a lot, it kept me engaged, and I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.
I don't like wrestling, which is practically a non-existent sport in my country. However, I found the details about it interesting enough, and although it's very central to the plot and there is a lot of information, I didn't feel it took over. If wrestling is your thing, though, this book is for you. The author seems to know the stuff.
Long story short, Devin is the new talent that just signed with the Frontier Professional Wrestling. Chance, aka "Chancellor" is the veteran wrestler assigned to be his mentor. But Devin wants more from Chance, and he isn't too shy too ask.
What I liked:
~I loved that the younger man was doing the chase here. Devin wanted Chance, and he was relentless
~There is a lot of slow burn.
~The chemistry is there, and the sex is crazy hot.
~GINGER MC!
What didn't work:
~Although I like a little back and fourth, this was just too much.At some point, Devin just stopped pursuing Chance, and became a doormat. No matter how many times Chance rejected him or shut him out after sex, he just went back for more. Again and again and again. I lost count of how many times this happened. I just wanted him to say no for once! Or just stop chasing after Chance. That would be great too!
~I understood Chance's reasons for not coming out or not wanting to get involved with someone from the team. But it didn't resonate with me how easily and fast this got resolved. He put Devin through a world of hurt for the most part of the book for this reason, and it only takes a brief scene for him to overcome his inhibitions?
If you 're a fan of this author, you should check this out. I didn't love it, but like I said, I liked it and I'm definitely going to read the next one. Tre's story, hopefully?
I like Christa Tomlinson's books because they 're relationship and character driven, and the chemistry between the MCs is crazy hot. Unfortunately, I didn't love "Showing Him The Ropes" as much as I loved her other work. That said, I did enjoy it a lot, it kept me engaged, and I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.
I don't like wrestling, which is practically a non-existent sport in my country. However, I found the details about it interesting enough, and although it's very central to the plot and there is a lot of information, I didn't feel it took over. If wrestling is your thing, though, this book is for you. The author seems to know the stuff.
Long story short, Devin is the new talent that just signed with the Frontier Professional Wrestling. Chance, aka "Chancellor" is the veteran wrestler assigned to be his mentor. But Devin wants more from Chance, and he isn't too shy too ask.
What I liked:
~I loved that the younger man was doing the chase here. Devin wanted Chance, and he was relentless
~There is a lot of slow burn.
~The chemistry is there, and the sex is crazy hot.
~GINGER MC!
What didn't work:
~Although I like a little back and fourth, this was just too much.At some point, Devin just stopped pursuing Chance, and became a doormat. No matter how many times Chance rejected him or shut him out after sex, he just went back for more. Again and again and again. I lost count of how many times this happened. I just wanted him to say no for once! Or just stop chasing after Chance. That would be great too!
~I understood Chance's reasons for not coming out or not wanting to get involved with someone from the team. But it didn't resonate with me how easily and fast this got resolved. He put Devin through a world of hurt for the most part of the book for this reason, and it only takes a brief scene for him to overcome his inhibitions?
If you 're a fan of this author, you should check this out. I didn't love it, but like I said, I liked it and I'm definitely going to read the next one. Tre's story, hopefully?
August 3, 2016
4.5 'slow down' stars
This is quite a refreshing read because it centered on professional wrestling. Put two males wrestler together and is going to be some really hot grappling.
Chance aka Chancellor, 38, had been in the industry for more than a decade. He was burnt out and feeling rather lonely, due to his unsupportive parent and lack of social life. He had a serious and stoic no-nonsense persona and was respected by his peers. When he was task to look after a rookie, he was feeling less than welcoming because he rather be alone than have a travel buddy.
Devin, 26, is the rookie for the company who was excited for being in the big league. He is ambitious and motivated to work hard for his family. While Chance is all hard edges, Devin is sunshine and smiley faces. Sometimes he is even a little bratty just to annoy Chance.
Devin is a big fan of Chance since he was a kid and his hero worship had transform into a hopeful crush on his mentor. He don't even mind giving out some hint that he was definitely interested to start something between them. However, the ever serious Chance is adamant to rebuff any flirtation and not engage in anything personal with a co-worker. He is not even out from the closet yet.
Devin is relentless, it didn't take long for him to finally wear Chance down to give him a chance. I enjoyed the little bit of angst before they both finally decided to pursue the attraction between them. From then onward, their relationship is just swoon-worthy, full of warmth and tenderness. Who knew such gruff men who pummel each other for a living can be so sweet and adorable together. And the part that I find the hottest is not even the actual sex scene, it was the scene whereby Devin tried to touch Chance for the first time. It was pure eroticism that had my toes curling.
In a world whereby testosterone is in overload, will Chance and Devin ever stood a chance if they want to have a career within?
I used to be quite a fan of pro-wrestling. I still remember watching WWF on TV with my grandpa when I was in elementary. He will be cussing at the TV, sometimes boo-ing or cheering. I swore that they were fighting for real. Only when I reached senior high did I realized that I've been duped. So reading about this book really brought back some fond memories. I love reading about the behind the scenes action that took place in this book. Learning the lingo and their management. Is quite fascinating and eye opening at the same time.
The tone of the book is more sedate, just like Chance's personality. I'm hooked with the writing style right from the beginning. Despite the plot pacing veered towards a slower pace, I'm not bothered at all. The author has a way of building her character that make me love them right from the start.
Overall, I love this story and definitely became a total fan of this author. I might even start watching wrestling again. I can't wait for the next installment of this series. Give me more sexy wrestlers.
This is quite a refreshing read because it centered on professional wrestling. Put two males wrestler together and is going to be some really hot grappling.
Chance aka Chancellor, 38, had been in the industry for more than a decade. He was burnt out and feeling rather lonely, due to his unsupportive parent and lack of social life. He had a serious and stoic no-nonsense persona and was respected by his peers. When he was task to look after a rookie, he was feeling less than welcoming because he rather be alone than have a travel buddy.
Devin, 26, is the rookie for the company who was excited for being in the big league. He is ambitious and motivated to work hard for his family. While Chance is all hard edges, Devin is sunshine and smiley faces. Sometimes he is even a little bratty just to annoy Chance.
Devin is a big fan of Chance since he was a kid and his hero worship had transform into a hopeful crush on his mentor. He don't even mind giving out some hint that he was definitely interested to start something between them. However, the ever serious Chance is adamant to rebuff any flirtation and not engage in anything personal with a co-worker. He is not even out from the closet yet.
Devin is relentless, it didn't take long for him to finally wear Chance down to give him a chance. I enjoyed the little bit of angst before they both finally decided to pursue the attraction between them. From then onward, their relationship is just swoon-worthy, full of warmth and tenderness. Who knew such gruff men who pummel each other for a living can be so sweet and adorable together. And the part that I find the hottest is not even the actual sex scene, it was the scene whereby Devin tried to touch Chance for the first time. It was pure eroticism that had my toes curling.
In a world whereby testosterone is in overload, will Chance and Devin ever stood a chance if they want to have a career within?
I used to be quite a fan of pro-wrestling. I still remember watching WWF on TV with my grandpa when I was in elementary. He will be cussing at the TV, sometimes boo-ing or cheering. I swore that they were fighting for real. Only when I reached senior high did I realized that I've been duped. So reading about this book really brought back some fond memories. I love reading about the behind the scenes action that took place in this book. Learning the lingo and their management. Is quite fascinating and eye opening at the same time.
The tone of the book is more sedate, just like Chance's personality. I'm hooked with the writing style right from the beginning. Despite the plot pacing veered towards a slower pace, I'm not bothered at all. The author has a way of building her character that make me love them right from the start.
Overall, I love this story and definitely became a total fan of this author. I might even start watching wrestling again. I can't wait for the next installment of this series. Give me more sexy wrestlers.
August 15, 2016
This was my first professional wrestling novel and, unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be a repeat customer.
Devin is a rookie and assigned to be mentor by the Chancellor, a 38 year-old wrestler with an impressive career. They go on the road together from show to show and room together. The attraction is immediate on both sides but Chancellor is reluctant to pursue it, mainly for professional reasons. Don’t mess with someone on your roster and all that.
Things I liked:
The wrestling: I had no idea how it all works and I was quite interested to learn about the shows, the fact that there were storylines between wrestlers, and all that goes into it. Like I said, I am a newbie to this so I appreciated getting to know more without suffering from info dump. The author managed to introduce the world of professional wrestling without preaching about it.
The slow-burn: Devin and Chance take their time to become closer. Devin is a natural tease, someone I pictured being all sassy with a toothy grin. He is passionate about wrestling, ambitious, but also awe-struck by Chance, since Devin has been idolising him for years. Chance is more gruff and distant but warms up to Devin’s ginger ways. When they started exploring their attraction, things went kaboom. They really wanted each other and their sex scenes testified to that.
Now for my niggles:
The who-dunnit: Not exactly a mystery, but there was suspected foul play in the inner workings of the company. I didn’t guess it right, which is a bonus, but this whole part of the plot did not manage to keep me interested. It was like an after-thought, something to revisit every now and again, but without making me care about it.
The pace: Like I said, I enjoyed the slow-burn. But, I also became quite bored reading about Chance’s mercurial attitude. He was hot and cold half the time –getting with Devin and then regretting it a few hours later. The inner monologues of “Gee, I shouldn’t want him, I shouldn’t get involved” were not really developed or deep, just a mantra that was repeated every time Chance decided to put space between them.
Character development: I didn’t see much of that, I’m afraid. There is some talk of their respective backgrounds, on a very superficial, demographic level, but other than their stance on professional issues and what they feel about each other, I didn’t feel like I got to know the characters very well. I also realise that their lifestyle wasn’t conducive to a lot of scenes outside of the travelling and the actual wrestling, but I started craving a bit of normalcy. I just wanted them to do something other than go to the bar after a match. I wanted them to exist outside of the confines of their job and their colleagues. But that didn’t happen so I was left a bit disappointed and fed up with all the wrestling-related stuff.
The sex scenes: This is me probably being super picky, but after a few years of MM reading, I have certain tastes and I think they got in the way of my enjoyment. There was steam and the scenes were quite explicit, but the narrative, hardly-any-dialogue style isn’t my cuppa and it makes me bored. Dirty talk would have been nice but even without that, I feel more in the present with the characters when they talk to each other. Long-winded descriptions of how they-re doing it doesn’t quite cut it –with the exception of a very hawt spanking scene. That was a good one!
Final thoughts: I think sports fans will like this. It’s a not a bad book at all and it certainly makes for an interesting read. It just didn’t surpass the “meh, it’s okay” level for me. For you, it might.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. See this review on Gay Book Reviews.
Devin is a rookie and assigned to be mentor by the Chancellor, a 38 year-old wrestler with an impressive career. They go on the road together from show to show and room together. The attraction is immediate on both sides but Chancellor is reluctant to pursue it, mainly for professional reasons. Don’t mess with someone on your roster and all that.
Things I liked:
The wrestling: I had no idea how it all works and I was quite interested to learn about the shows, the fact that there were storylines between wrestlers, and all that goes into it. Like I said, I am a newbie to this so I appreciated getting to know more without suffering from info dump. The author managed to introduce the world of professional wrestling without preaching about it.
The slow-burn: Devin and Chance take their time to become closer. Devin is a natural tease, someone I pictured being all sassy with a toothy grin. He is passionate about wrestling, ambitious, but also awe-struck by Chance, since Devin has been idolising him for years. Chance is more gruff and distant but warms up to Devin’s ginger ways. When they started exploring their attraction, things went kaboom. They really wanted each other and their sex scenes testified to that.
Now for my niggles:
The who-dunnit: Not exactly a mystery, but there was suspected foul play in the inner workings of the company. I didn’t guess it right, which is a bonus, but this whole part of the plot did not manage to keep me interested. It was like an after-thought, something to revisit every now and again, but without making me care about it.
The pace: Like I said, I enjoyed the slow-burn. But, I also became quite bored reading about Chance’s mercurial attitude. He was hot and cold half the time –getting with Devin and then regretting it a few hours later. The inner monologues of “Gee, I shouldn’t want him, I shouldn’t get involved” were not really developed or deep, just a mantra that was repeated every time Chance decided to put space between them.
Character development: I didn’t see much of that, I’m afraid. There is some talk of their respective backgrounds, on a very superficial, demographic level, but other than their stance on professional issues and what they feel about each other, I didn’t feel like I got to know the characters very well. I also realise that their lifestyle wasn’t conducive to a lot of scenes outside of the travelling and the actual wrestling, but I started craving a bit of normalcy. I just wanted them to do something other than go to the bar after a match. I wanted them to exist outside of the confines of their job and their colleagues. But that didn’t happen so I was left a bit disappointed and fed up with all the wrestling-related stuff.
The sex scenes: This is me probably being super picky, but after a few years of MM reading, I have certain tastes and I think they got in the way of my enjoyment. There was steam and the scenes were quite explicit, but the narrative, hardly-any-dialogue style isn’t my cuppa and it makes me bored. Dirty talk would have been nice but even without that, I feel more in the present with the characters when they talk to each other. Long-winded descriptions of how they-re doing it doesn’t quite cut it –with the exception of a very hawt spanking scene. That was a good one!
Final thoughts: I think sports fans will like this. It’s a not a bad book at all and it certainly makes for an interesting read. It just didn’t surpass the “meh, it’s okay” level for me. For you, it might.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. See this review on Gay Book Reviews.
August 8, 2016
I really, really loved this book. For full disclosure, I love professional wrestling. I watched it when I was in high school (my fav was Shawn Michaels) and my 12 year old son is a huge fan now. We went to a WWE Monday Night Raw a few months ago and I loved getting a little peek at the behind the scenes. Another plus was that one of the MCs was from St. Louis. Who can resist a shout out to Imo's pizza!?!?
This book was really well written and I enjoyed the development of The Chancellor and Devin's relationship. I felt that their chemistry was there from day one and it was hot! I even shed a few tears at the end.
I will definitely be looking for the next book in the series. I'm hoping for Tre and Brandon!
**An ARC was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review**
This book was really well written and I enjoyed the development of The Chancellor and Devin's relationship. I felt that their chemistry was there from day one and it was hot! I even shed a few tears at the end.
I will definitely be looking for the next book in the series. I'm hoping for Tre and Brandon!
**An ARC was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review**
August 3, 2016
"You’ve convinced yourself you’ve got a crush on your teacher, when really you’re using me as a crutch.”
This is a really good book by author Christa Tomlinson which I have read and enjoyed in the past - however this book isn't her normal BDSM despite a very fun spanking and a sassy bottom. This story takes us deep into the world of professional wrestling, and if you have ever watched those sexy men bouncing around in the ring, with hardly any clothes on...well, it wasn't hard to imagine these characters in my head, let's just say that shall we.
The MC are Chance “The Chancellor” Gerhardt, veteran wrestler for Frontier Professional Wrestling - he has seen it all and then some. The only thing he had never experienced is the joy of love, but he doesn't see that changing with his hectic lifestyle. Meet, Devin Jacobs - rookie wrestler, just signed on by FPW and one of The Chancellor's biggest fans, so when he finds out that his idol is going to be his mentor he is over joyed..not to mention he has had a huge crush on the man since he knew what hormones were...so yeah, he is living the dream. When he figures out The Chancellor is gay, his dream turns into a nightmare as he longs for someone he can't have -- The Chancellor doesn't mix business with pleasure.
"What I meant to say is you’re too obtuse to see that I want you, plain and simple. Doesn’t have anything to do with me becoming attached to you because you’re showing me the ropes.”“Want me for what?” His smile turned teasing. “You know, for a little mat wrestling. In private. Without the ring gear. Or the ring.”
Don't worry ....Devin is persistent.
“You were the kid who flirted with your teachers to get what you wanted, weren’t you?”“Yep.”“Did it work?”“Yep. Is it working now?”
As these two men travel the country wrestling for top spot, fighting their feelings, and hiding their sexuality from other wrestlers. There are dangerous moves, parties, lots of Hotel rooms, and friends who see more than they are supposed to. The angst in the book reaches an all time high. Until that one moment, where The Chancellor gives in...
So cue Bodies by Drowning Pool --> https://youtu.be/HORkT4a2MhQ
And get Pumped up as you watch these two men wrestle it out both in and out of the ring!
Cannot wait for the next book!!
5 Stars!!!
❥❥**´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•`*ARC provided by Author in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Jaime from Alpha Book Club
This is a really good book by author Christa Tomlinson which I have read and enjoyed in the past - however this book isn't her normal BDSM despite a very fun spanking and a sassy bottom. This story takes us deep into the world of professional wrestling, and if you have ever watched those sexy men bouncing around in the ring, with hardly any clothes on...well, it wasn't hard to imagine these characters in my head, let's just say that shall we.
The MC are Chance “The Chancellor” Gerhardt, veteran wrestler for Frontier Professional Wrestling - he has seen it all and then some. The only thing he had never experienced is the joy of love, but he doesn't see that changing with his hectic lifestyle. Meet, Devin Jacobs - rookie wrestler, just signed on by FPW and one of The Chancellor's biggest fans, so when he finds out that his idol is going to be his mentor he is over joyed..not to mention he has had a huge crush on the man since he knew what hormones were...so yeah, he is living the dream. When he figures out The Chancellor is gay, his dream turns into a nightmare as he longs for someone he can't have -- The Chancellor doesn't mix business with pleasure.
"What I meant to say is you’re too obtuse to see that I want you, plain and simple. Doesn’t have anything to do with me becoming attached to you because you’re showing me the ropes.”“Want me for what?” His smile turned teasing. “You know, for a little mat wrestling. In private. Without the ring gear. Or the ring.”
Don't worry ....Devin is persistent.
“You were the kid who flirted with your teachers to get what you wanted, weren’t you?”“Yep.”“Did it work?”“Yep. Is it working now?”
As these two men travel the country wrestling for top spot, fighting their feelings, and hiding their sexuality from other wrestlers. There are dangerous moves, parties, lots of Hotel rooms, and friends who see more than they are supposed to. The angst in the book reaches an all time high. Until that one moment, where The Chancellor gives in...
So cue Bodies by Drowning Pool --> https://youtu.be/HORkT4a2MhQ
And get Pumped up as you watch these two men wrestle it out both in and out of the ring!
Cannot wait for the next book!!
5 Stars!!!
❥❥**´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•`*ARC provided by Author in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Jaime from Alpha Book Club
Read
April 23, 2018I think it is fair to say that professional wrestling romance is not going to be my new genre. I'm never big on sports romance, possibly because I just don't like the whole idea of these in-groups with special social rules to which everyone must conform, particularly if they're full of hazing and Men doing Masculine Man Things. This may be why I'm not a fan of army romance either.
From a total know-nothing perspective it seemed to me the book treated wrestling with a very good balance between love of and enjoyment of the sport, appreciation for the skills, and awareness of the potential for a toxic or abusive atmosphere to arise. I am still entirely resistant to the appeal of this sport/performance, but I think I understand slightly more why other people like it, and the detail certainly came across as convincing and naturally worked in.
Romance wise, it was very sex heavy with a May/December fresh faced rookie/grizzled veteran vibe. The relationship was basically Chance's slow progression to coming out and accepting his feelings; I'd have liked a bit more up/down. Basically, not for me but purely as a matter of my reading preferences; would probably be a huge win if you want a veteran/rookie bonkfest or a full on sportsmance. I love the way the cover goes with the cheesy wrestling vibe.
From a total know-nothing perspective it seemed to me the book treated wrestling with a very good balance between love of and enjoyment of the sport, appreciation for the skills, and awareness of the potential for a toxic or abusive atmosphere to arise. I am still entirely resistant to the appeal of this sport/performance, but I think I understand slightly more why other people like it, and the detail certainly came across as convincing and naturally worked in.
Romance wise, it was very sex heavy with a May/December fresh faced rookie/grizzled veteran vibe. The relationship was basically Chance's slow progression to coming out and accepting his feelings; I'd have liked a bit more up/down. Basically, not for me but purely as a matter of my reading preferences; would probably be a huge win if you want a veteran/rookie bonkfest or a full on sportsmance. I love the way the cover goes with the cheesy wrestling vibe.
December 7, 2016
Having never read an MM romance featuring wrestling, I was happy to jump on this. It was different … Good different. Man, it was hot!
There was Chance, 38, who had been wrestling for at least a decade, and he was lonely. And then there was Devin, 26, and new to the industry. Excited and bratty.
Having been a fan of Chance since forever, Devin, was only too pleased to be mentored by Chance but the more time they spent together, his hero-worship developed into something more. Much more. But Chance remained distant initially. Yet the more he resisted, the more Devin pushed and pushed and pushed. He pushed and teased Chance until he finally wore him down.
Then the two of them come together and the chemistry is great, the slow burn …. Wow. I loved it. A beautiful love story. As usual, Miss Tomlinson’s work is outstanding. This woman can write!!!
Recommended!!
**Free copy of book provided by author for honest review through MMRG's Don't Buy Me Love program*.
There was Chance, 38, who had been wrestling for at least a decade, and he was lonely. And then there was Devin, 26, and new to the industry. Excited and bratty.
Having been a fan of Chance since forever, Devin, was only too pleased to be mentored by Chance but the more time they spent together, his hero-worship developed into something more. Much more. But Chance remained distant initially. Yet the more he resisted, the more Devin pushed and pushed and pushed. He pushed and teased Chance until he finally wore him down.
Then the two of them come together and the chemistry is great, the slow burn …. Wow. I loved it. A beautiful love story. As usual, Miss Tomlinson’s work is outstanding. This woman can write!!!
Recommended!!
**Free copy of book provided by author for honest review through MMRG's Don't Buy Me Love program*.
August 16, 2016
3.5 stars – It’s obvious from the start of Showing Him the Ropes that its author, Christa Tomlinson, must be a big fan of professional wrestling and that she’s not one of those deluded people who believe it’s real (*grin*). For a subject that is often heavy with on-screen dramatics, I was interested to get a peek behind the curtain, perhaps read things that fit a fantasy or two along the way, and get a story that translated some of the dramatics into the romance too. The first two happened, and though the romance was worth the read, it was largely easy on the drama.
Devin Jacobs is excited to be the newest addition to the roster of Frontier Pro Wrestling. And his excitement is not only because it’s his chance to make a name for himself in the field but also because he’ll get to meet and work with the man who was his favorite wrestler growing up, Chance “The Chancellor” Gerhardt. Chance has been with FPW from its infancy, and he’s done it all in the ring. He’s feeling the need for a new challenge, but when his boss asks him to mentor the new rookie, it’s not the sort of challenge he wanted, especially since it becomes obvious rather quickly that Devin’s admiration is for more than just Chance’s wrestling prowess. And Devin’s tempting him in a way that no other co-worker has before, which is not a good thing for a man determined to keep his personal life separate from the hypermasculine world of professional wrestling.
This is my first exposure to Christa Tomlinson, and for the most part, I’m pleased with what I read. The plot is fairly straightforward and touches on many of the themes I guessed it might prior to reading the book. The writing style is generally smooth and doesn’t suffer from problems with knowing whose point of view is being referenced at any time, perhaps because Chance and Devin have a very different feel from one another that comes through in the reading. Because of all this, it’s a comfortably fast read. I must admit, though, that I was surprised with how little angst and drama there was in the story line. The author introduces a plethora of things for the characters to be worried about affecting them both individually and together, but these potential landmines are mostly resolved relatively quickly and painlessly. Note I said “most,” but even so, I personally would have liked to see at least one or more of the other problems become more a bigger point of tension for the plot.
As far as the romance itself is concerned, they make an interesting pairing because they are opposites in many ways. Chance is a good bit older and certainly more experienced professionally, but he’s also very set in his ways, particularly when it comes to mixing business with pleasure. Physically, he’s a big bear of a man with dark hair and the typical tanned complexion you picture when you think TV-professional wrestler. Devin, by contrast, is pale with coppery red hair, lean and muscular, and energetic. While they both know what they want professionally, Devin’s inexperience is readily apparent. These contrasts make the pairing work very well. In the first portion of the book, Chance’s hesitancy to do anything about his desire for Devin created a good bit of sexual tension between the two. And the rest plays out pretty much as I expected it would.
One of the results of having the dramatic issues play rather quick and limited roles in the book is that there is a lot of time for wrestling scenes and sex scenes. I’m not an avid viewer of professional wrestling, but I’ve watched enough to be able to follow the mental show the author creates during these scenes. As far as the other, the sex scenes started out pretty hot. But like the dramatic issues, most of the sex scenes were rather quick, so that before things could get truly scorching, it was done and on to the next chapter. Unfortunately, perhaps because of their quickness and frequency, they started to feel a little repetitive after a while. I truly think the author missed a chance to make something memorable in failing to find a way to include a scene that incorporated the wrestling into a sex scene. Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to keep that fantasy in my head a while longer.
I would be remiss if I failed to comment on the fact that this novel could have benefited from being longer. And it’s not just because I would have liked to see some of the dramatic issues better developed or to have the sex scenes be more detailed, rather, it’s because some of the issued weren’t concluded satisfactorily in my opinion—of course, I won’t mention what these are in order to avoid spoilers. Also, while I’m not a stickler for an epilogue within a romance, along with the seemingly ubiquitous proposal or wedding to signal the happily ever after, I did get the impression that the novel was missing something, like it felt a little unfinished when I got to the end. It does feel like the author set things up for a book between another pair of the characters, though, so maybe I’ll get that completion in another book.
Overall, I enjoyed Showing Him the Ropes. I don’t think it’s necessary to be a fan of professional wrestling in order to appreciate the story, though it certainly wouldn’t hurt. So I can easily recommend this one for people who prefer their romances low on the angst and high on the sex. I look forward to checking out more of Christa Tomlinson’s work.
The author generously provided me a complimentary copy of Showing Him the Ropes in exchange for this fair and honest review.
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Devin Jacobs is excited to be the newest addition to the roster of Frontier Pro Wrestling. And his excitement is not only because it’s his chance to make a name for himself in the field but also because he’ll get to meet and work with the man who was his favorite wrestler growing up, Chance “The Chancellor” Gerhardt. Chance has been with FPW from its infancy, and he’s done it all in the ring. He’s feeling the need for a new challenge, but when his boss asks him to mentor the new rookie, it’s not the sort of challenge he wanted, especially since it becomes obvious rather quickly that Devin’s admiration is for more than just Chance’s wrestling prowess. And Devin’s tempting him in a way that no other co-worker has before, which is not a good thing for a man determined to keep his personal life separate from the hypermasculine world of professional wrestling.
This is my first exposure to Christa Tomlinson, and for the most part, I’m pleased with what I read. The plot is fairly straightforward and touches on many of the themes I guessed it might prior to reading the book. The writing style is generally smooth and doesn’t suffer from problems with knowing whose point of view is being referenced at any time, perhaps because Chance and Devin have a very different feel from one another that comes through in the reading. Because of all this, it’s a comfortably fast read. I must admit, though, that I was surprised with how little angst and drama there was in the story line. The author introduces a plethora of things for the characters to be worried about affecting them both individually and together, but these potential landmines are mostly resolved relatively quickly and painlessly. Note I said “most,” but even so, I personally would have liked to see at least one or more of the other problems become more a bigger point of tension for the plot.
As far as the romance itself is concerned, they make an interesting pairing because they are opposites in many ways. Chance is a good bit older and certainly more experienced professionally, but he’s also very set in his ways, particularly when it comes to mixing business with pleasure. Physically, he’s a big bear of a man with dark hair and the typical tanned complexion you picture when you think TV-professional wrestler. Devin, by contrast, is pale with coppery red hair, lean and muscular, and energetic. While they both know what they want professionally, Devin’s inexperience is readily apparent. These contrasts make the pairing work very well. In the first portion of the book, Chance’s hesitancy to do anything about his desire for Devin created a good bit of sexual tension between the two. And the rest plays out pretty much as I expected it would.
One of the results of having the dramatic issues play rather quick and limited roles in the book is that there is a lot of time for wrestling scenes and sex scenes. I’m not an avid viewer of professional wrestling, but I’ve watched enough to be able to follow the mental show the author creates during these scenes. As far as the other, the sex scenes started out pretty hot. But like the dramatic issues, most of the sex scenes were rather quick, so that before things could get truly scorching, it was done and on to the next chapter. Unfortunately, perhaps because of their quickness and frequency, they started to feel a little repetitive after a while. I truly think the author missed a chance to make something memorable in failing to find a way to include a scene that incorporated the wrestling into a sex scene. Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to keep that fantasy in my head a while longer.
I would be remiss if I failed to comment on the fact that this novel could have benefited from being longer. And it’s not just because I would have liked to see some of the dramatic issues better developed or to have the sex scenes be more detailed, rather, it’s because some of the issued weren’t concluded satisfactorily in my opinion—of course, I won’t mention what these are in order to avoid spoilers. Also, while I’m not a stickler for an epilogue within a romance, along with the seemingly ubiquitous proposal or wedding to signal the happily ever after, I did get the impression that the novel was missing something, like it felt a little unfinished when I got to the end. It does feel like the author set things up for a book between another pair of the characters, though, so maybe I’ll get that completion in another book.
Overall, I enjoyed Showing Him the Ropes. I don’t think it’s necessary to be a fan of professional wrestling in order to appreciate the story, though it certainly wouldn’t hurt. So I can easily recommend this one for people who prefer their romances low on the angst and high on the sex. I look forward to checking out more of Christa Tomlinson’s work.
The author generously provided me a complimentary copy of Showing Him the Ropes in exchange for this fair and honest review.
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August 19, 2016
Showing Him the Ropes was sexy, sweaty, and freaking hilarious! Initially, this book was on my "maybe" list, but oh am I so happy I decided to read it!
Chance "The Chancellor" Gerhardt has been in the pro wrestling game a long time. His veteran status has earned him a lot of respect both in and out of the ring, but his tenure with Frontier Pro Wrestling certainly doesn't help him pull any strings when his boss attempts to use his knowledge of the field to his benefit. Devin Jacobs is young talent in the wrestling world, and while he may not exactly be new to the game, he's new to FPW and pro-wrestling. Against his better interests, Chance gets roped into babysitting the (undeniably attractive) rookie and "showing him the ropes" so to speak, until he's ready for his television debut.
Chapter one and Christa's already throwing down! This book was a complete joyride. I can't say enough how much I loved it. The Chancellor was sultry and sexy with a dash of a**hole that made him easy to love and also be frustrated with throughout the entire book.
And ahhh, Devin, the red-headed, cheeky little brat. I have a special place in my heart for characters like Devin. He was the complete opposite of Chance: Loud - In both presence and sound. He was stubborn and stood up to Chance when anyone else would have backed down. With a dork streak a mile wide
and absolutely no fear or shame over who he was, Devin was a strong character, and one that I thoroughly enjoyed reading about.
It was so easy to fall in love with these MC's (even without the fantastic plot), but I cannot count the number of times on my fingers that I wanted to smack some sense into the "all knowing" Chancellor. He pushed and pushed and pushed Devin away to the point that I actually thought the kid was going to take the hint and give up on him. Too bad Devin's a snarky little thing that doesn't take s**t from anybody.
The push and pull between these characters practically turned the pages for me! Their banter was beyond entertaining and when Chance finally stopped fighting him...
This one was a little bit of a slow build (or at least it felt that way) but it was completely worth the wait. Christa completely met and surpassed all of my expectations going into this book and I won't hesitate to pick up the second in the series when it's released.
Reviewed by Jordan at Alpha Book Club.
Disclaimer: This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own and not influenced by the author or the publisher in any way.
Chance "The Chancellor" Gerhardt has been in the pro wrestling game a long time. His veteran status has earned him a lot of respect both in and out of the ring, but his tenure with Frontier Pro Wrestling certainly doesn't help him pull any strings when his boss attempts to use his knowledge of the field to his benefit. Devin Jacobs is young talent in the wrestling world, and while he may not exactly be new to the game, he's new to FPW and pro-wrestling. Against his better interests, Chance gets roped into babysitting the (undeniably attractive) rookie and "showing him the ropes" so to speak, until he's ready for his television debut.
"I know I can trust you to keep him straight."
Chapter one and Christa's already throwing down! This book was a complete joyride. I can't say enough how much I loved it. The Chancellor was sultry and sexy with a dash of a**hole that made him easy to love and also be frustrated with throughout the entire book.
And ahhh, Devin, the red-headed, cheeky little brat. I have a special place in my heart for characters like Devin. He was the complete opposite of Chance: Loud - In both presence and sound. He was stubborn and stood up to Chance when anyone else would have backed down. With a dork streak a mile wide
Devin stood there stunned before a slow smile spread across his face. "Senpai noticed me," he whispered.
and absolutely no fear or shame over who he was, Devin was a strong character, and one that I thoroughly enjoyed reading about.
It was so easy to fall in love with these MC's (even without the fantastic plot), but I cannot count the number of times on my fingers that I wanted to smack some sense into the "all knowing" Chancellor. He pushed and pushed and pushed Devin away to the point that I actually thought the kid was going to take the hint and give up on him. Too bad Devin's a snarky little thing that doesn't take s**t from anybody.
Other than airbrushing it on my tights, I don't know how else I can make it obvious I'm into you.
The push and pull between these characters practically turned the pages for me! Their banter was beyond entertaining and when Chance finally stopped fighting him...
"Don't look at me like that."
"Like what?"
"Like..." he trailed off, obviously not sure what to say. Devin decided to help him out. "Like I want to lick the sweat off your chest before I let you f**k me?"
This one was a little bit of a slow build (or at least it felt that way) but it was completely worth the wait. Christa completely met and surpassed all of my expectations going into this book and I won't hesitate to pick up the second in the series when it's released.
Reviewed by Jordan at Alpha Book Club.
Disclaimer: This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own and not influenced by the author or the publisher in any way.
December 3, 2016
Free copy of book provided by author for honest review through MMRG's Don't Buy Me Love program
This turned out to be a really good love story. The MCs, Chance and Devin, have great chemistry and the author does a fantastic job of drawing out their attraction (no insta love here). Obviously they're going to get together, but Devin's persistence gradually ropes Chance in and when they get together, yeah it's perfect.
There was way more info on professional wrestling than I needed personally, but I certainly learned a whole lot about it from this book. The author is very knowledgeable about this sport and weaves it into the story line in a very clever way.
There were a few twists and turns I didn't expect which made it fun, and I really enjoyed the author's writing style. It was a pretty fast paced book and a good read.
This turned out to be a really good love story. The MCs, Chance and Devin, have great chemistry and the author does a fantastic job of drawing out their attraction (no insta love here). Obviously they're going to get together, but Devin's persistence gradually ropes Chance in and when they get together, yeah it's perfect.
There was way more info on professional wrestling than I needed personally, but I certainly learned a whole lot about it from this book. The author is very knowledgeable about this sport and weaves it into the story line in a very clever way.
There were a few twists and turns I didn't expect which made it fun, and I really enjoyed the author's writing style. It was a pretty fast paced book and a good read.
April 23, 2018
It took almost half the book for me to truly get into it but I was determined to get through it because I felt it had potential and it turned out I was right. It picked up once Chance stopped giving Devin the cold shoulder and the hot and cold act, I’m glad Ben who was a homophobe and bully got what he had coming. 😊 Overall good decent read.
September 16, 2017
3.5*
I don't know the first thing about pro wrestling, it's not something I've ever really watched or followed much, but overall have to say I really enjoyed this romance.
Chance, The Chancellor, has been top of the game for ten years when rookie Devin crashes into his life and gives him something else but wrestling.
A few people know he's gay, but he's never played with someone on the same roster who he works with. Devin keeps pushing his buttons and they end up in bed together.
I loved the dynamic between these two. Devin was from the next generation, he's 12 years younger than Chance, and he's quite prepared to fight to get the guy he's crushed on for years. Chance is finding the pace of top pro wrestling is now getting to him but he can't th I'll no of a life without it.
Surprisingly there's little angst and only a couple of homophobic comments from another old time pro as it becomes more obvious the two are together. I'm not sure if that would be realistic but I'd like to hope so.
There's some conflict caused within the roster over whether Devin's benefiting from sleeping with Chance but it's in keeping with the narrative that it plays out in the cast it does.
There's a lovely final chapter to bring their very strong HFN/HEA but i would have liked an epilogue perhaps a couple of years down the libe just to catch up.
I don't know the first thing about pro wrestling, it's not something I've ever really watched or followed much, but overall have to say I really enjoyed this romance.
Chance, The Chancellor, has been top of the game for ten years when rookie Devin crashes into his life and gives him something else but wrestling.
A few people know he's gay, but he's never played with someone on the same roster who he works with. Devin keeps pushing his buttons and they end up in bed together.
I loved the dynamic between these two. Devin was from the next generation, he's 12 years younger than Chance, and he's quite prepared to fight to get the guy he's crushed on for years. Chance is finding the pace of top pro wrestling is now getting to him but he can't th I'll no of a life without it.
Surprisingly there's little angst and only a couple of homophobic comments from another old time pro as it becomes more obvious the two are together. I'm not sure if that would be realistic but I'd like to hope so.
There's some conflict caused within the roster over whether Devin's benefiting from sleeping with Chance but it's in keeping with the narrative that it plays out in the cast it does.
There's a lovely final chapter to bring their very strong HFN/HEA but i would have liked an epilogue perhaps a couple of years down the libe just to catch up.
December 8, 2016
“Should I tear out a piece of paper from my kitten notebook, write Do you want to go steady? on it and pass it to you in the locker room?”
A few chapters in the book I thought that I couldn’t like this story, I felt that there wasn’t anything beyond physical attraction between David and Chance, no chemistry. What was missing for me was intimate moments for the main character where they would have the chance to be alone and get to know each other, truly communicate and form an emotional connection.
Unfortunately, in the beginning i wasn’t getting that, the few times that they did spend alone one of them would just fantasize about the other’s body which would end up with David always trying to flirt and Chance always shutting him down. The rest of the time was spent with them working with the wrestling team and I do have to say that all those scenes with them practicing or having a match didn’t hold much appeal to me.
What bothered me the most though, was Chance behavior towards David.
The only thing that kept me interested in this story was David’s outgoing and flirty character, the way he always pursuit Chance and I guess the way he had a positive effect on his character because the first time they had sex might not had any effect on Chance but we do see him change after that. It wasn’t long before I saw the chemistry I was craving from the beginning and I was so happy to see them finally open to each other and connect. What amazed me the most though was the fact that Chance finally stood up for himself and his relationship with David, even the wrestling matches started to draw my attention and by the end I was truly invested in them and I could definitely see the passion the author had for wrestling.
*3.5 Stars*
I voluntarily reviewed the free copy that I received.
August 10, 2016
In the interests of full disclosure, I won a copy through a contest from the author.
This was a pleasant surprise from Christa Tomlinson both as the start of a new series and a different style of romance than I've seen from her before. It's a behind the scenes look at the world of professional wrestling, through the eyes of our couple, Devlin and Chance. Chance is a veteran in the ring and is assigned as mentor to Devlin, the new rookie at FPW, the company they work for. Chance, 38 years old, is very reserved and private, is in the closet and initially resents having a travel partner. Devlin is 26 and has had a crush on Chance since he was much younger. He is also gay and before long, realizes he has a chance... with Chance! It's slow burn and UST for a little while. Several opportunities to get him to succumb to Devin's advances are either shut down by Chance or interrupted at the worst times! Chance gets very cold and even cruel a few times, but eventually they start a secret affair.
The story follows them and several other wrestlers as they meet in the ring. The wrestling lingo isn't too overdone and there's a glossary to help. I never did understand or remember what some terms meant, but it didn't really matter in understanding the story. There's conflicts in the story and confrontations that seem certain to derail the relationship building between Chance and Devlin. My one complaint and loss of a star was because they too often fizzled out into nothing that contributed to plot. There was one point that was emphasized in the story and remained unresolved, so it may be part of the story arc for the next books. However, it made for a rather sweet, slow build romance and love story. There's plenty of pretty hot sex, though kind of vanilla for the most part. There's some coming out, some professional friction and both connecting more with their teammates as friends. Our guys are presented as more adult-acting characters, since they do learn to talk with each other and discuss issues and there's no insta-love going on. Very refreshing! I really enjoyed it and I look forward to the next in the series.
This was a pleasant surprise from Christa Tomlinson both as the start of a new series and a different style of romance than I've seen from her before. It's a behind the scenes look at the world of professional wrestling, through the eyes of our couple, Devlin and Chance. Chance is a veteran in the ring and is assigned as mentor to Devlin, the new rookie at FPW, the company they work for. Chance, 38 years old, is very reserved and private, is in the closet and initially resents having a travel partner. Devlin is 26 and has had a crush on Chance since he was much younger. He is also gay and before long, realizes he has a chance... with Chance! It's slow burn and UST for a little while. Several opportunities to get him to succumb to Devin's advances are either shut down by Chance or interrupted at the worst times! Chance gets very cold and even cruel a few times, but eventually they start a secret affair.
The story follows them and several other wrestlers as they meet in the ring. The wrestling lingo isn't too overdone and there's a glossary to help. I never did understand or remember what some terms meant, but it didn't really matter in understanding the story. There's conflicts in the story and confrontations that seem certain to derail the relationship building between Chance and Devlin. My one complaint and loss of a star was because they too often fizzled out into nothing that contributed to plot. There was one point that was emphasized in the story and remained unresolved, so it may be part of the story arc for the next books. However, it made for a rather sweet, slow build romance and love story. There's plenty of pretty hot sex, though kind of vanilla for the most part. There's some coming out, some professional friction and both connecting more with their teammates as friends. Our guys are presented as more adult-acting characters, since they do learn to talk with each other and discuss issues and there's no insta-love going on. Very refreshing! I really enjoyed it and I look forward to the next in the series.
April 4, 2017
I generally enjoy a burly, strong, stoic hero and not only did I find one here, it’s in context of a closeted pro-wrestler who is finally about to find love.
Chance is has built his life around his career in the ring. He doesn’t have the time or inclination to find a relationship –and rarely even picks up a one-night stand on the road. Coming out could be disastrous for his reputation and it’s never been worth the risk. Until Devin enters the picture.
Devin is a young upstart wrestler who has been assigned Chance as a mentor. The gorgeous redhead wastes no time letting Chance know he’s been a fan his whole life –and that he’s interested in more than just training with the older man. Chance resists at first. He’s worried that Devin thinks to use him to help his career. He’s worried that the rookie might want more than he can give. And, of course, he’s worried about what would happen if anyone learned the truth.
As a result, a lot of good stuff is happening here. On top of this 6-foot-5 older, gruff, mountain of a hero (who I loved) — we’ve also got a forbidden romance (which I also love) and gobs of fantastic sexual tension. Love. Love. Love.
Getting peek inside the inner workings of the wrestling biz is cool. There are a handful of secondary characters with just enough page time to let me envision them with their own stories in the future. But our two heroes are what make this story sing. I really like that despite Chance’s reticence, he doesn’t push back on Devin to the point where I felt like he was a jerk. He stood up when it counted and I believed not only in the physical attraction between these two (which was uber-hot, BTW) but their emotional connection as well.
This felt a little longer than a novella, but on the short side for a full length book, but it felt just the right length to tell the story. I will admit I was expecting just one more splash of conflict at the end. But overall, I found this book to be both engaging and satisfying. This is my first from Christa Tomlinson, but I would read her again.
Rating: B
*ARC provided by blog tour
Chance is has built his life around his career in the ring. He doesn’t have the time or inclination to find a relationship –and rarely even picks up a one-night stand on the road. Coming out could be disastrous for his reputation and it’s never been worth the risk. Until Devin enters the picture.
Devin is a young upstart wrestler who has been assigned Chance as a mentor. The gorgeous redhead wastes no time letting Chance know he’s been a fan his whole life –and that he’s interested in more than just training with the older man. Chance resists at first. He’s worried that Devin thinks to use him to help his career. He’s worried that the rookie might want more than he can give. And, of course, he’s worried about what would happen if anyone learned the truth.
As a result, a lot of good stuff is happening here. On top of this 6-foot-5 older, gruff, mountain of a hero (who I loved) — we’ve also got a forbidden romance (which I also love) and gobs of fantastic sexual tension. Love. Love. Love.
Getting peek inside the inner workings of the wrestling biz is cool. There are a handful of secondary characters with just enough page time to let me envision them with their own stories in the future. But our two heroes are what make this story sing. I really like that despite Chance’s reticence, he doesn’t push back on Devin to the point where I felt like he was a jerk. He stood up when it counted and I believed not only in the physical attraction between these two (which was uber-hot, BTW) but their emotional connection as well.
This felt a little longer than a novella, but on the short side for a full length book, but it felt just the right length to tell the story. I will admit I was expecting just one more splash of conflict at the end. But overall, I found this book to be both engaging and satisfying. This is my first from Christa Tomlinson, but I would read her again.
Rating: B
*ARC provided by blog tour
November 22, 2016
I was given a copy of this book free by the author in exchange for an unbiased review.
Way back in the late eighties and early nineties I loved to watch the WWF on the TV. I sat patiently waiting for the music of my favorite wrestlers to start and for them to run down the runway to the ring. I believed it all. No way was it fixed and planned ahead, it was a very long time before I actually believed it.
Reading this book took me back to that time. It was so like I imagined the heights of the WWF to be.
Chance is asked to look after a newbie, Devin and show him the ropes. Devin makes it plain that he likes Chance but Chance tries to keep it professional.
I liked this story. It wasn't insta love but then neither was it a slow burn. The love story was paced at just the right level. I got engrossed with the story and can't wait to see what happens next.
I am hoping that book 2 might be Tre and Brandon's story.
Way back in the late eighties and early nineties I loved to watch the WWF on the TV. I sat patiently waiting for the music of my favorite wrestlers to start and for them to run down the runway to the ring. I believed it all. No way was it fixed and planned ahead, it was a very long time before I actually believed it.
Reading this book took me back to that time. It was so like I imagined the heights of the WWF to be.
Chance is asked to look after a newbie, Devin and show him the ropes. Devin makes it plain that he likes Chance but Chance tries to keep it professional.
I liked this story. It wasn't insta love but then neither was it a slow burn. The love story was paced at just the right level. I got engrossed with the story and can't wait to see what happens next.
I am hoping that book 2 might be Tre and Brandon's story.
April 25, 2018
This was a lovely story. It may sound a bit strange to say that about a story set in the pro wrestling world because the sport is anything but lovely. It is grueling as pro sports always is, with hard-set rules and no rest for the wicked. And yet I stay will my statement. I have read many sports novels but never one about pro wrestling. It is not really my sport, but this author managed to sway me. It gave me really good insight into what happens in the ring and backstage. Very interesting to read.
Amidst all those muscled and heavy-built men, Devin and Chance find each other. Chance is a veteran in the sports, 38 years old, and having won everything there is to win. 26-year-old Devin is the rookie on the tour, and he is matched with his crush Chance to be mentored by him, to show him the ropes. His hero-worship soon turns into a full-on attraction. Chance is not so sure. Well, he is, but he is afraid of the possible repercussions for his career, being outed. He is not really playing hard to get, but he tries to keep his distance, but Devin keeps wrestling under his skin and into his heart. The gruff, harsh-looking Chancellor has no chance against the sunny, happy-go-lucky Devin. Chance might be showing Devin the ropes in the ring, but it is Devin who shows the older man how much brighter your life will be when you open your heart.
I loved Devin and Chance. They are good together. Their chemistry is palpable, but also their sweetness together. They have each other’s back. I mean big-time when some not so nice bystanders get into their faces in a nasty way. And there is lovely for you.
I also liked the secondary characters who are interesting in their own rights, and I feel some new stories looming. At least, I hope so because I would love to read more about Tré and Brandon for instance.
Amidst all those muscled and heavy-built men, Devin and Chance find each other. Chance is a veteran in the sports, 38 years old, and having won everything there is to win. 26-year-old Devin is the rookie on the tour, and he is matched with his crush Chance to be mentored by him, to show him the ropes. His hero-worship soon turns into a full-on attraction. Chance is not so sure. Well, he is, but he is afraid of the possible repercussions for his career, being outed. He is not really playing hard to get, but he tries to keep his distance, but Devin keeps wrestling under his skin and into his heart. The gruff, harsh-looking Chancellor has no chance against the sunny, happy-go-lucky Devin. Chance might be showing Devin the ropes in the ring, but it is Devin who shows the older man how much brighter your life will be when you open your heart.
I loved Devin and Chance. They are good together. Their chemistry is palpable, but also their sweetness together. They have each other’s back. I mean big-time when some not so nice bystanders get into their faces in a nasty way. And there is lovely for you.
I also liked the secondary characters who are interesting in their own rights, and I feel some new stories looming. At least, I hope so because I would love to read more about Tré and Brandon for instance.
August 19, 2016
***A copy of this book was provided by the publisher/author in exchange for an honest and fair review***
He's known to the fans as “The Chancellor” and they love to hate him. As one of the most veteran wrestlers with Frontier Professional Wrestling, he's a leader and someone his colleagues look up to in and out of the ring. He’s getting tired though, after a decade being the "Chancellor" and the toll it's taken on his body, he's starting to think of the future. When his boss Alex announces Chance will be mentoring FPW’s newest rookie face, he's not happy. Chance enjoys his solitude whenever he can get it, not to mention he's likes to keep his personal life private.
Devin Jacobs is finally seeing his dream come to fruition. He's just been signed by Frontier Professional Wrestling and the man he's been paired up with as a mentor is none other than The Chancellor, the man he's crushed on for years. Chance is all about teaching the rookie what he needs to know but Devin wants more. Unfortunately, the Chancellor doesn't get involved with others on the roster and he's definitely not looking to start a relationship with anyone even if he's attracted to Devin. But between the constant traveling, nights in hotels and working together, Devin starts to realize Chance is having as hard of a time fighting their attraction as Devin is.
I really loved this story and truth be told, while I'm forced to watch wrestling because of my husband, I'm not really a fan. What I am a fan of, though, is two great men who are meant for each other and that ignore what might be easier, what's expected of them, all in the name of love. And come on, let's not ignore the fact that these two men sound pretty yummy together *winks*.
In all seriousness, though, both characters brought depth to this story and made it less about professional wrestlers and more about two athletes at very different points in their careers. Chance is the experience and the wisdom, while Devin is the energy and fire. They need each other for many reasons, in and out of the bedroom. Devin needs help to truly establish himself in the ring, to know how to perform in this league of talent and experience. Most of all Devin needs the chance to prove what he can do and who he can be and Chance is the man to do that.
Chance needs someone to come home to. He needs a person who will support him, trust him and give him a place to be himself. With Devin he's not The Chancellor, he's just Chance and he has nothing to prove. For a man who's used to being there for everyone else, it's time for him to find someone who will be there for him.
The moments of their matches were very good, easy to see in my head. I also loved the intimate moments between the MCs. I'm hoping to see more from these two and possibly Tre and Brandon (just putting that out there). The story is very well written and wonderfully entertaining. I definitely recommend it.
4.5 Stars!
He's known to the fans as “The Chancellor” and they love to hate him. As one of the most veteran wrestlers with Frontier Professional Wrestling, he's a leader and someone his colleagues look up to in and out of the ring. He’s getting tired though, after a decade being the "Chancellor" and the toll it's taken on his body, he's starting to think of the future. When his boss Alex announces Chance will be mentoring FPW’s newest rookie face, he's not happy. Chance enjoys his solitude whenever he can get it, not to mention he's likes to keep his personal life private.
Devin Jacobs is finally seeing his dream come to fruition. He's just been signed by Frontier Professional Wrestling and the man he's been paired up with as a mentor is none other than The Chancellor, the man he's crushed on for years. Chance is all about teaching the rookie what he needs to know but Devin wants more. Unfortunately, the Chancellor doesn't get involved with others on the roster and he's definitely not looking to start a relationship with anyone even if he's attracted to Devin. But between the constant traveling, nights in hotels and working together, Devin starts to realize Chance is having as hard of a time fighting their attraction as Devin is.
I really loved this story and truth be told, while I'm forced to watch wrestling because of my husband, I'm not really a fan. What I am a fan of, though, is two great men who are meant for each other and that ignore what might be easier, what's expected of them, all in the name of love. And come on, let's not ignore the fact that these two men sound pretty yummy together *winks*.
In all seriousness, though, both characters brought depth to this story and made it less about professional wrestlers and more about two athletes at very different points in their careers. Chance is the experience and the wisdom, while Devin is the energy and fire. They need each other for many reasons, in and out of the bedroom. Devin needs help to truly establish himself in the ring, to know how to perform in this league of talent and experience. Most of all Devin needs the chance to prove what he can do and who he can be and Chance is the man to do that.
Chance needs someone to come home to. He needs a person who will support him, trust him and give him a place to be himself. With Devin he's not The Chancellor, he's just Chance and he has nothing to prove. For a man who's used to being there for everyone else, it's time for him to find someone who will be there for him.
The moments of their matches were very good, easy to see in my head. I also loved the intimate moments between the MCs. I'm hoping to see more from these two and possibly Tre and Brandon (just putting that out there). The story is very well written and wonderfully entertaining. I definitely recommend it.
4.5 Stars!
April 15, 2018
Omg I absolutely LOVED this.
I've been meaning to read a romance set in the world of wrestling for a while now, so when I saw Showing Him the Ropes on sale I picked it up immediately. And I am SO glad I did!
I adored the characters, especially Devin. He's the rookie wrestler who newly joins Frontier Professional Wrestling, where Chance has been working for 13 years. Chance isn't thrilled when his boss asks him to show Devin the ropes, but soon realized he doesn't mind travelling and rooming with Devin as much as he feared.
They are both great personalities that felt real to me, and Devin in particular was fun to read about. A lot of storylines involving an experienced/veteran-meets-newly-joined/rookie-dynamic
make me uncomfortable because situations where the rookie fucks up in embarassing or humiliating ways are standart - Showing Him the Ropes simply foregoes that, fortunately.
Sure, Devin makes mistakes, has to learn a lot of Chance has much to teach him, but it never degenerated into uncomfortable scenes.
Which isn't to say I didn't have to put the book down a few times and take a deeeeeep breath before I could read on. The wrestling matches were stressful to read at times because they were extremely exciting! I was just always on edge because I was fearing for something to go wrong, but luckily the book is rather nice to its characters in that regard.
There wasn't a part I didn't enjoy about the book: the romance was well made, the characters were great as individual personalities and had a good dynamic, I liked the background characters and their stories as well as the various subplots about parents, coming out, rivalries, and the little bits of mystery/whodunnit ( ).
Sports romances sometimes get a bit ....eh for me with the "locker room"/dudebro atmosphere, if you know what I mean, and I was really happy when here the air between the wrestlers was for the most part friendly and familial, making it feel welcoming and comfortable both for Devin as the new guy and for me as the reader rooting for him.
Regarding the wrestling: I have little to no knowledge about the sport and I have never actually watched a match. I only saw the glossary explaining wrestling terminology after I finished the book, and while reading that before would have been helpful I was never too lost and always had an idea of what was going on. It was exciting and interesting to read, it really felt like the author knows what she is writing about and had lots of fun with it.
I've been meaning to read a romance set in the world of wrestling for a while now, so when I saw Showing Him the Ropes on sale I picked it up immediately. And I am SO glad I did!
I adored the characters, especially Devin. He's the rookie wrestler who newly joins Frontier Professional Wrestling, where Chance has been working for 13 years. Chance isn't thrilled when his boss asks him to show Devin the ropes, but soon realized he doesn't mind travelling and rooming with Devin as much as he feared.
They are both great personalities that felt real to me, and Devin in particular was fun to read about. A lot of storylines involving an experienced/veteran-meets-newly-joined/rookie-dynamic
make me uncomfortable because situations where the rookie fucks up in embarassing or humiliating ways are standart - Showing Him the Ropes simply foregoes that, fortunately.
Sure, Devin makes mistakes, has to learn a lot of Chance has much to teach him, but it never degenerated into uncomfortable scenes.
Which isn't to say I didn't have to put the book down a few times and take a deeeeeep breath before I could read on. The wrestling matches were stressful to read at times because they were extremely exciting! I was just always on edge because I was fearing for something to go wrong, but luckily the book is rather nice to its characters in that regard.
There wasn't a part I didn't enjoy about the book: the romance was well made, the characters were great as individual personalities and had a good dynamic, I liked the background characters and their stories as well as the various subplots about parents, coming out, rivalries, and the little bits of mystery/whodunnit ( ).
Sports romances sometimes get a bit ....eh for me with the "locker room"/dudebro atmosphere, if you know what I mean, and I was really happy when here the air between the wrestlers was for the most part friendly and familial, making it feel welcoming and comfortable both for Devin as the new guy and for me as the reader rooting for him.
Regarding the wrestling: I have little to no knowledge about the sport and I have never actually watched a match. I only saw the glossary explaining wrestling terminology after I finished the book, and while reading that before would have been helpful I was never too lost and always had an idea of what was going on. It was exciting and interesting to read, it really felt like the author knows what she is writing about and had lots of fun with it.
December 9, 2016
I was given a free copy of this book by the author through the Don’t Buy My Love free for review program by the MM Romance Group on Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
I grew up watching the WWF so I’m very familiar with the concept of the storylines that go with wrestling. That was one of the things I found very interesting about this story. I enjoyed seeing the inner workings of the wrestling association and how they worked. It’s been a very long time since I’ve watched wrestling, but it was still fun to read about it, and it seems the author did her research. It was also a bit refreshing to get a story about wrestlers. I absolutely love hockey and soccer and the football stories are great too, but the sports genre is flooded with them. It was really nice to get a sports story that was something other than the usual.
Although Chancellor, also known as Chance, and Devin, are interested in each other from the start, they take a little while to act on it so it’s a bit of a slow burn. Chance is the older guy who, for many reasons, doesn’t want to start anything with Devin. After a while he stops fighting it. Devin doesn’t make it easy for him to resist either with all of his flirting. Once things do start between them, the chemistry is smoking hot! The story line with the wrestling company they work for is interesting as well as the other characters. I absolutely enjoyed this story, the chemistry between Chance and Devin, and the overall story. It would seem that two of the minor characters may be set up for a sequel and I certainly hope so. I definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys the sports genre.
I grew up watching the WWF so I’m very familiar with the concept of the storylines that go with wrestling. That was one of the things I found very interesting about this story. I enjoyed seeing the inner workings of the wrestling association and how they worked. It’s been a very long time since I’ve watched wrestling, but it was still fun to read about it, and it seems the author did her research. It was also a bit refreshing to get a story about wrestlers. I absolutely love hockey and soccer and the football stories are great too, but the sports genre is flooded with them. It was really nice to get a sports story that was something other than the usual.
Although Chancellor, also known as Chance, and Devin, are interested in each other from the start, they take a little while to act on it so it’s a bit of a slow burn. Chance is the older guy who, for many reasons, doesn’t want to start anything with Devin. After a while he stops fighting it. Devin doesn’t make it easy for him to resist either with all of his flirting. Once things do start between them, the chemistry is smoking hot! The story line with the wrestling company they work for is interesting as well as the other characters. I absolutely enjoyed this story, the chemistry between Chance and Devin, and the overall story. It would seem that two of the minor characters may be set up for a sequel and I certainly hope so. I definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys the sports genre.
August 31, 2016
4.5 Stars
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book. Wrestling isn’t something I gravitate toward and I went into this a bit nervous. I am so SO SO glad I went for it. Showing Him the Ropes is so much more than JUST a book about wrestling. As a matter fact it made me appreciate these guys and girls who go out there to entertain people. It’s not easy on them at all. They work harder than a lot of athletes.
So we have the whole wrestling thing happening. Chance, The Chancellor, is asked by his boss to show the new comer Devin the ropes. Chance isn’t for it. He is a loner. Doesn’t hang with the guys, likes to travel alone, and just wants to do what he loves. But he agrees and his life forever changes.
Devin is like a firecracker. With his red hair, young body and heart, and constant smile and bright personality. It is only a matter of time before he thaws The Chancellors cold heart!
I really enjoyed watching them form a relationship. Chance fought it HARD he was very set in his ways and to see Devin break the armor was so much fun.
This was a book that not only held my attention the entire time but balanced out the emotion along with the story as well. Great ensemble characters that are quite vital to this book and I think books to come. Christa Tomlinson is quite a talented writer and I look forward to more of these boys!
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book. Wrestling isn’t something I gravitate toward and I went into this a bit nervous. I am so SO SO glad I went for it. Showing Him the Ropes is so much more than JUST a book about wrestling. As a matter fact it made me appreciate these guys and girls who go out there to entertain people. It’s not easy on them at all. They work harder than a lot of athletes.
So we have the whole wrestling thing happening. Chance, The Chancellor, is asked by his boss to show the new comer Devin the ropes. Chance isn’t for it. He is a loner. Doesn’t hang with the guys, likes to travel alone, and just wants to do what he loves. But he agrees and his life forever changes.
Devin is like a firecracker. With his red hair, young body and heart, and constant smile and bright personality. It is only a matter of time before he thaws The Chancellors cold heart!
I really enjoyed watching them form a relationship. Chance fought it HARD he was very set in his ways and to see Devin break the armor was so much fun.
This was a book that not only held my attention the entire time but balanced out the emotion along with the story as well. Great ensemble characters that are quite vital to this book and I think books to come. Christa Tomlinson is quite a talented writer and I look forward to more of these boys!
April 14, 2018
HOLY SMOKES Y'ALL! I read this in one sitting and then started the next book in the series. That's how much I loved this.
So let me say this, you don't have to be a avid wrestler fan to understand what's going on. Tomlinson uses the terminology but does so in a way that you understand as your reading. If you don't, she added a handy little glossary in the beginning. I scanned it before reading but it wasn't necessary.
The story weaved around Chance and Devin was intriguing. Not only did you get insider knowledge of what happens back stage, but you got to see the ins and out of the their work and how much of a family these men are to each other.
Chance, The Chancellor, has been part of the wrestling world for a good many of years. He's gone through being the rookie, the good guy, the bad guy, won titles and lost them to younger wrestlers. When he gets tasked with teaching Devin the ropes, making sure he doesn't end up going down the path of drugs and booze, he never expected to be so attracted to Devin or have that attraction be returned.
Chance fights it from the beginning. He has never been involved with someone he works with and he's not going to start now. Especially with a rookie he's supposed to be mentoring. But Devin makes it difficult to resist. There's something about the red-head that keeps Chance looking. He flirts with Chance often and only backs off when Chance makes it clear that this can't happen.
Temptation becomes too much and once he has a taste of Devin, no matter how hard he fights, he can't stop coming back for more. Now I don't really go too into detail with sex scenes. It's difficult for me to write them so when I come across some amazing scenes, I have to share. Everything felt natural. The progression from the initial flirting, to the kisses, to the touches and the actual sex scenes flowed together seamlessly. I have some serious jealousy for Tomlinson's ability to write these scenes.
Even the arguments that happened between the pair feel real. Chance feeling like he's taking advantage of Devin, or having people think Devin is working his way up the ladder through sleeping with the veterans of the sport. It wasn't all roses for the pair and that just made their story even better.
I'm going to go read the next book in the Champions of Desire series, In His Corner!
So let me say this, you don't have to be a avid wrestler fan to understand what's going on. Tomlinson uses the terminology but does so in a way that you understand as your reading. If you don't, she added a handy little glossary in the beginning. I scanned it before reading but it wasn't necessary.
The story weaved around Chance and Devin was intriguing. Not only did you get insider knowledge of what happens back stage, but you got to see the ins and out of the their work and how much of a family these men are to each other.
Chance, The Chancellor, has been part of the wrestling world for a good many of years. He's gone through being the rookie, the good guy, the bad guy, won titles and lost them to younger wrestlers. When he gets tasked with teaching Devin the ropes, making sure he doesn't end up going down the path of drugs and booze, he never expected to be so attracted to Devin or have that attraction be returned.
Chance fights it from the beginning. He has never been involved with someone he works with and he's not going to start now. Especially with a rookie he's supposed to be mentoring. But Devin makes it difficult to resist. There's something about the red-head that keeps Chance looking. He flirts with Chance often and only backs off when Chance makes it clear that this can't happen.
Temptation becomes too much and once he has a taste of Devin, no matter how hard he fights, he can't stop coming back for more. Now I don't really go too into detail with sex scenes. It's difficult for me to write them so when I come across some amazing scenes, I have to share. Everything felt natural. The progression from the initial flirting, to the kisses, to the touches and the actual sex scenes flowed together seamlessly. I have some serious jealousy for Tomlinson's ability to write these scenes.
Even the arguments that happened between the pair feel real. Chance feeling like he's taking advantage of Devin, or having people think Devin is working his way up the ladder through sleeping with the veterans of the sport. It wasn't all roses for the pair and that just made their story even better.
I'm going to go read the next book in the Champions of Desire series, In His Corner!
April 30, 2018
I picked up this book because I really wanted to read the second in the series, In His Corner, but didn't want to miss out on any potential backstory. And I'm so glad I didn't skip this book!
There were lots of things I loved about Chance and Devin's story. The author is clearly very knowledgeable about professional wrestling and I learned a lot about the sport reading this. The romance was really well written, starting off slow and a bit reluctant on Chance's part, but once things got going, it heated up quickly. However, I think my absolute favorite part was simply Devin. He's so energetic and passionate, he knows what he wants and he goes for it. At the same time, he's laid back and casual yet ambitious and focused. I thought he was a very well written character.
If I had to pick a complaint, I didn't like the way Chance spoke to Devin many times throughout the book. His words and actions came from a place of fear and trepidation and I understood that, but my absolute love of Devin made me want to punch Chance in the face a few times and tell Devin he deserved better. However, by the end, they've both opened up to each other and others and stopped hiding their feelings. I completely believed in their HEA.
I briefly mentioned earlier the author's clear knowledge of wrestling. I'll admit, I was a bit hesitant to start a series about this sport. The only thing I really knew about wrestling is what I remember from being a kid in the 90's when my brother was obsessed with WWE. I thought it was ludicrous and completely not for me. That stigma has kind of stuck with me over the past 20+ years and I didn't have the highest opinion of it as a sport. However, this book (and the very helpful wiki I found for definitions) educated me a lot and showed me how I had been wrong about wrestling. It's entertainment, no different than other forms of fictionalized entertainment, but also a legit sport that is brutal on the athletes. I'm not going to run out tomorrow and watch wrestling matches or anything (still not really my thing) but I understand and appreciate it in a new way. So, thanks for opening my eyes!
All in all, I really enjoyed this story and can't wait to continue the series, and look forward to some cameos from these guys in future books!
There were lots of things I loved about Chance and Devin's story. The author is clearly very knowledgeable about professional wrestling and I learned a lot about the sport reading this. The romance was really well written, starting off slow and a bit reluctant on Chance's part, but once things got going, it heated up quickly. However, I think my absolute favorite part was simply Devin. He's so energetic and passionate, he knows what he wants and he goes for it. At the same time, he's laid back and casual yet ambitious and focused. I thought he was a very well written character.
If I had to pick a complaint, I didn't like the way Chance spoke to Devin many times throughout the book. His words and actions came from a place of fear and trepidation and I understood that, but my absolute love of Devin made me want to punch Chance in the face a few times and tell Devin he deserved better. However, by the end, they've both opened up to each other and others and stopped hiding their feelings. I completely believed in their HEA.
I briefly mentioned earlier the author's clear knowledge of wrestling. I'll admit, I was a bit hesitant to start a series about this sport. The only thing I really knew about wrestling is what I remember from being a kid in the 90's when my brother was obsessed with WWE. I thought it was ludicrous and completely not for me. That stigma has kind of stuck with me over the past 20+ years and I didn't have the highest opinion of it as a sport. However, this book (and the very helpful wiki I found for definitions) educated me a lot and showed me how I had been wrong about wrestling. It's entertainment, no different than other forms of fictionalized entertainment, but also a legit sport that is brutal on the athletes. I'm not going to run out tomorrow and watch wrestling matches or anything (still not really my thing) but I understand and appreciate it in a new way. So, thanks for opening my eyes!
All in all, I really enjoyed this story and can't wait to continue the series, and look forward to some cameos from these guys in future books!
March 12, 2018
So, I'm not one for writing a lot of reviews. Mostly I just use the star rating and keep going through, reading more and more. I think that's because I'm never entirely sure what to say in this, especially if I think the writer is reading this and thinks I sound like a goof if I say things like 'Oh, this was so good' or 'I really enjoyed this' (yes, I am just this paranoid).
But, I'm trying to step out of my comfort zone a bit and write a little bit on why I like books, especially if it's a book I really like. I probably won't go back through all the books I've read and do this, but, in the future, I'm going to try to be more proactive.
Now, to the book. I think I'm starting to enjoy the concept of the younger person chasing the older one because the last two books I've read--this included--seem to have that going for them and....yeah, I find it kind of hot. And, this book....I really felt like the younger guy had a Chance at getting what he wanted. Get it? Chance? Because....never mind.
Anywho....I'm a longtime fan of professional wrestling, but, I've never once read a novel set in this world. And, I'm thrilled to have read this one, to have gotten a chance to read one where it shows a relationship developing in this setting. Clearly the writer is a big fan of wrestling, as well, and I think she did a good job of not just writing a love story, but of setting the scene of what goes on in the world of professional wrestling. It didn't feel like it was too much about the wrestling, but, since the characters were a newcomer and a veteran, I think she did a good job of showing how things went from both perspectives.
So, aside from the setting, the chemistry between these two was just electric. The only thing I didn't really like is sometimes Devin seemed a bit like a doormat, that he'd come running whenever given the slightest glimmer of hope from Chance. Now, I understand that, when you're really interested in someone and they start wanting you, well....yeah, of course you're going to be thrilled. But, a couple points (don't want to spoil) it just seemed like maybe Devin should've stood up for himself a little bit more.
But, overall, I'd highly recommend this book, especially if you're a fan of wrestling and romance. I mean, it's a relationship in the wrestling world. What could possibly go wrong?
But, I'm trying to step out of my comfort zone a bit and write a little bit on why I like books, especially if it's a book I really like. I probably won't go back through all the books I've read and do this, but, in the future, I'm going to try to be more proactive.
Now, to the book. I think I'm starting to enjoy the concept of the younger person chasing the older one because the last two books I've read--this included--seem to have that going for them and....yeah, I find it kind of hot. And, this book....I really felt like the younger guy had a Chance at getting what he wanted. Get it? Chance? Because....never mind.
Anywho....I'm a longtime fan of professional wrestling, but, I've never once read a novel set in this world. And, I'm thrilled to have read this one, to have gotten a chance to read one where it shows a relationship developing in this setting. Clearly the writer is a big fan of wrestling, as well, and I think she did a good job of not just writing a love story, but of setting the scene of what goes on in the world of professional wrestling. It didn't feel like it was too much about the wrestling, but, since the characters were a newcomer and a veteran, I think she did a good job of showing how things went from both perspectives.
So, aside from the setting, the chemistry between these two was just electric. The only thing I didn't really like is sometimes Devin seemed a bit like a doormat, that he'd come running whenever given the slightest glimmer of hope from Chance. Now, I understand that, when you're really interested in someone and they start wanting you, well....yeah, of course you're going to be thrilled. But, a couple points (don't want to spoil) it just seemed like maybe Devin should've stood up for himself a little bit more.
But, overall, I'd highly recommend this book, especially if you're a fan of wrestling and romance. I mean, it's a relationship in the wrestling world. What could possibly go wrong?
September 17, 2023
I really like this book a lot despite not being a wrestling fan, like at all. The evolution of their relationship seemed believable and hesitancy and concerns were all legitimate. This author does seem to like a hard won HEA so these 2 had a few obstacles to overcome, but I felt like some of the obstacles were not followed through on. For example, Chance struggled with his parents approval but since he never received it, I feel like we didn’t need it in the story except to give us a tiny bit more heartache for the already emotionally guarded character. There were also some jerky co-workers that didn’t really get their comeuppance so I was a little annoyed about that as well; especially those who had snotty things to say about the rookie Devin getting favors because he’s with the vet Chance. My favorite part was that their love overshadowed everything else and they both realized it was too important to hide it from everyone.🥰😍
This author has been a little hit or miss for me, personally. I LOVE LOVE LOVED the Sergeant series🥰😍 but wasn’t super crazy about the Arch City Guardians.
I was sooo excited to read the next book in this Behind the Ropes series since I adore the friends to lovers (possibly gay for you?) troupe. Unfortunately my LEAST favorite troupes include misunderstanding / miscommunication AND the breakup / time apart / separation troupe. From several reviews, it sounds like the the next book is heavy with these two issues which super bums me out. I mean these 2 guys are as close as a married couple and spend every minute together. I feel like there could have been better, more believable obstacles, such as being co-workers, being newbie gay, or even some external drama like homophobia (ugh I’m not a fan- but since they are in such an alpha-male sport, it would make sense…). I’m sad not to read their story but I’m going to have to pass.
Hopefully the author comes out with more books like Sergeant series🥰
This author has been a little hit or miss for me, personally. I LOVE LOVE LOVED the Sergeant series🥰😍 but wasn’t super crazy about the Arch City Guardians.
I was sooo excited to read the next book in this Behind the Ropes series since I adore the friends to lovers (possibly gay for you?) troupe. Unfortunately my LEAST favorite troupes include misunderstanding / miscommunication AND the breakup / time apart / separation troupe. From several reviews, it sounds like the the next book is heavy with these two issues which super bums me out. I mean these 2 guys are as close as a married couple and spend every minute together. I feel like there could have been better, more believable obstacles, such as being co-workers, being newbie gay, or even some external drama like homophobia (ugh I’m not a fan- but since they are in such an alpha-male sport, it would make sense…). I’m sad not to read their story but I’m going to have to pass.
Hopefully the author comes out with more books like Sergeant series🥰
April 12, 2018
I am so glad to have discovered Christa Tomlinson.
I am hooked from the very beginning.
And I cannot wait to see what happens else happens in this series.
Picture the WWE wrestlers and their matches. That is the equivalent to the world that Christa has created in this series. I am not a wrestling fan myself, but I am more than familiar with the WWE as my husband and son love it. But, even if I could not easily imagine this world, I would have still loved this book.
Showing Him the Ropes in Book 1 in Christa's new Champions of Desire series.
What do we get in this book? Well, besides hot wrestlers and some hot sex, that is.
Chance is a veteran of the wrestling world.
Devin is a newbie.
Devin had watched Chance's career over the years and is a huge fan of his and his body.
When Chance get stuck mentoring the new kid, he is NOT happy about it.
He might find Devin attractive, but he certainly prefers to be on his own and not stuck with anyone. Shared hotel room were not something that Chance was looking forward to experiencing anymore.
But with the shared rooms, they get to know each other better and their mutual attraction is destined to make itself known.
But Chance certainly is not willing to risk the problems that come along with being in a relationship with a fellow wrestler.
Too bad that Devon doesn't care about that.
This is a swoon-worthy story of two completely opposite personalities.
Maybe the fact that they are gruff versus sunshine is what makes their tender moments that much sweeter.
All in all, I have found a great new series to read and a new author to continue to watch.
I am hooked from the very beginning.
And I cannot wait to see what happens else happens in this series.
Picture the WWE wrestlers and their matches. That is the equivalent to the world that Christa has created in this series. I am not a wrestling fan myself, but I am more than familiar with the WWE as my husband and son love it. But, even if I could not easily imagine this world, I would have still loved this book.
Showing Him the Ropes in Book 1 in Christa's new Champions of Desire series.
What do we get in this book? Well, besides hot wrestlers and some hot sex, that is.
Chance is a veteran of the wrestling world.
Devin is a newbie.
Devin had watched Chance's career over the years and is a huge fan of his and his body.
When Chance get stuck mentoring the new kid, he is NOT happy about it.
He might find Devin attractive, but he certainly prefers to be on his own and not stuck with anyone. Shared hotel room were not something that Chance was looking forward to experiencing anymore.
But with the shared rooms, they get to know each other better and their mutual attraction is destined to make itself known.
But Chance certainly is not willing to risk the problems that come along with being in a relationship with a fellow wrestler.
Too bad that Devon doesn't care about that.
This is a swoon-worthy story of two completely opposite personalities.
Maybe the fact that they are gruff versus sunshine is what makes their tender moments that much sweeter.
All in all, I have found a great new series to read and a new author to continue to watch.
April 15, 2018
Another great story by Christa Tomlinson!! Loved it!
I went about this a bit backwards, reading the second book (In His Corner) in this series first and then going back to read Showing Him the Ropes.
It was a lot of fun to reconnect with the secondary characters from the other book and to see Devin and Chance interact with the other wrestlers, especially Tré and Brandon from In His Corner.
Devin and Chance are definitely a case of opposites attract. The young rookie with the open personality and the veteran wrestler with the slightly less easy-going attitude...
Chance is not looking for love, nor is he in any rush to come out to his fellow pro-wrestlers, or the world for that matter. But Devin gets under his skin and makes him reconsider.
Chance is so determined not to fall for Devin and to keep him at arm's length emotionally. Let's scratch our itch and be done... But of course, it's not that simple!
Devin and Chance have amazing chemistry together. And I loved the way they fell in love. It wasn't easy, it wasn't instant. Mistakes are made, but they fight for each other and their HEA is very well deserved.
Devin is a wonderful, endearing MC and you can't help but feel for him, especially those moments when Chance pushes him away.
I love how Devin and Chance grow as characters, both on a personal level and in their professional lives, navigating the many intrigues in the wrestling world.
The author did a great job in writing such wonderful, three dimensional characters, not to mention the interesting secondary characters that leave the reader wanting more!
I went about this a bit backwards, reading the second book (In His Corner) in this series first and then going back to read Showing Him the Ropes.
It was a lot of fun to reconnect with the secondary characters from the other book and to see Devin and Chance interact with the other wrestlers, especially Tré and Brandon from In His Corner.
Devin and Chance are definitely a case of opposites attract. The young rookie with the open personality and the veteran wrestler with the slightly less easy-going attitude...
Chance is not looking for love, nor is he in any rush to come out to his fellow pro-wrestlers, or the world for that matter. But Devin gets under his skin and makes him reconsider.
Chance is so determined not to fall for Devin and to keep him at arm's length emotionally. Let's scratch our itch and be done... But of course, it's not that simple!
Devin and Chance have amazing chemistry together. And I loved the way they fell in love. It wasn't easy, it wasn't instant. Mistakes are made, but they fight for each other and their HEA is very well deserved.
Devin is a wonderful, endearing MC and you can't help but feel for him, especially those moments when Chance pushes him away.
I love how Devin and Chance grow as characters, both on a personal level and in their professional lives, navigating the many intrigues in the wrestling world.
The author did a great job in writing such wonderful, three dimensional characters, not to mention the interesting secondary characters that leave the reader wanting more!
April 22, 2018
So I haven't ever watched wrestling and it's not something I'm interested in.
However, I really enjoyed this book! It is set in the world of wrestling but there's a lot more to it than that. The relationship really brings out the emotions between the MC's but also with the group of people involved with the wrestling promo group they are in.
Chance "The Chancellor" is the pro, having been on the circuit for a few years and Devin is the new talent on the team and Chance is put in charge of showing him the ropes, being his mentor and keeping an eye on him after the shows too. Spending so much time together leads to an understanding of each other and learning new things about themselves at the same time.
It's a great thing to read when you can see something blossoming between two characters, something sweet and hot at the same time. Along with that you have the working relationship which includes so testy characters bringing tension but also happy times.
I've learnt new things about the world of wrestling, Christa helpfully putting in a glossary of terms that are used in the book at the front, and I enjoyed learning it whilst reading about Chance and Devin. There are some tough moments for the two but the lightheartedness also brings a smile to the face. There may have also possibly been a tear at the end but I can neither confirm nor deny that :-)
I'd recommend this book, even if you're not a fan of wrestling. A lot of focus is the MC's and the wrestling is just the job and world that brings them together.
I received an ARC of this and am happily giving a review.
However, I really enjoyed this book! It is set in the world of wrestling but there's a lot more to it than that. The relationship really brings out the emotions between the MC's but also with the group of people involved with the wrestling promo group they are in.
Chance "The Chancellor" is the pro, having been on the circuit for a few years and Devin is the new talent on the team and Chance is put in charge of showing him the ropes, being his mentor and keeping an eye on him after the shows too. Spending so much time together leads to an understanding of each other and learning new things about themselves at the same time.
It's a great thing to read when you can see something blossoming between two characters, something sweet and hot at the same time. Along with that you have the working relationship which includes so testy characters bringing tension but also happy times.
I've learnt new things about the world of wrestling, Christa helpfully putting in a glossary of terms that are used in the book at the front, and I enjoyed learning it whilst reading about Chance and Devin. There are some tough moments for the two but the lightheartedness also brings a smile to the face. There may have also possibly been a tear at the end but I can neither confirm nor deny that :-)
I'd recommend this book, even if you're not a fan of wrestling. A lot of focus is the MC's and the wrestling is just the job and world that brings them together.
I received an ARC of this and am happily giving a review.
April 13, 2018
I know nothing about wrestling at all so I didn’t know if I’d be a bit lost reading this book but I really enjoyed it.
There is a glossary at the start with some common terms for us wrestling newbies and as quite a few of the scenes are set in the ring it really helped. The wrestling world was definitely part of the storyline but it didn’t overshadow the relationship developing between the two MCs. It was natural that it was intertwined into the story as wrestling is so much part of their lives, the constant travelling and physical requirements of it.
Chance is only 12 years older than Devin but due to his jaded nature he seems so much older. I loved seeing Devin gradually peel away Chance’s emotional armour and infuse some of his joy into Chance. I really liked getting to know both the MC’s they were great characters who like all human beings had some flaws and some good points.
Chance is Devin’s mentor in the world of wrestling but they are equals out of it so Devin was a more than equal partner as they worked out their relationship.
An enjoyable read that has me looking forward to the next book in this series.
There is a glossary at the start with some common terms for us wrestling newbies and as quite a few of the scenes are set in the ring it really helped. The wrestling world was definitely part of the storyline but it didn’t overshadow the relationship developing between the two MCs. It was natural that it was intertwined into the story as wrestling is so much part of their lives, the constant travelling and physical requirements of it.
Chance is only 12 years older than Devin but due to his jaded nature he seems so much older. I loved seeing Devin gradually peel away Chance’s emotional armour and infuse some of his joy into Chance. I really liked getting to know both the MC’s they were great characters who like all human beings had some flaws and some good points.
Chance is Devin’s mentor in the world of wrestling but they are equals out of it so Devin was a more than equal partner as they worked out their relationship.
An enjoyable read that has me looking forward to the next book in this series.
July 26, 2018
3 star rating!
Although I did enjoy the book quite much, I was confused with some of the background of the character's actions. There were times I understood them and other times where I didn't. Especially Chance. He was the big question mark in the whole story.
First of all I love to read a book with athletes, no matter what the sport is. And when an author explains this and that, that make the story more powerful for me, more believable that the author knows what she/he's writing about.
There was a lot of chemistry, some back and forth which I don't mind but at the second half of the story Chance started to irritate me. Because I couldn't understand him fully and that made me feel sorry for Devin, who was so stubborn to make Chance really see him.
I have to admit I am not fond of the age gap in general but I don't mind it since a book is well written. And this was. The slow burn, one of my favorite, was great. The characters were interesting. What I didn't like was the resolve. After all those back and forths, it was kind of quick which made the book a little unbelievable for me.
But, thumbs up, great job!
Although I did enjoy the book quite much, I was confused with some of the background of the character's actions. There were times I understood them and other times where I didn't. Especially Chance. He was the big question mark in the whole story.
First of all I love to read a book with athletes, no matter what the sport is. And when an author explains this and that, that make the story more powerful for me, more believable that the author knows what she/he's writing about.
There was a lot of chemistry, some back and forth which I don't mind but at the second half of the story Chance started to irritate me. Because I couldn't understand him fully and that made me feel sorry for Devin, who was so stubborn to make Chance really see him.
I have to admit I am not fond of the age gap in general but I don't mind it since a book is well written. And this was. The slow burn, one of my favorite, was great. The characters were interesting. What I didn't like was the resolve. After all those back and forths, it was kind of quick which made the book a little unbelievable for me.
But, thumbs up, great job!
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