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Baum's Boxing #3
Fringe Contender
An alterate cover for this edition can be found at B07PR5YZ6V
Reeling from his divorce, Rhys Anderson is trying to find his footing again. Having just returned from a long trip, he finds the lives of the people he cares about most in total disarray. In the midst of trying to help his brother’s ex deal with a blackmailer, a man enters his office for a consultation and divulges a secret of his own—he, too, is being targeted by the blackmailer. When Rhys suggests that Trevor Greene go public, Trevor reveals a secret which would prevent him from coming forward, and he quickly leaves.
Not sure Rhys will ever see Trevor again, the mysterious man stays on his mind until one night he runs into him and sees just how badly the blackmail has devastated Trevor’s life. Rhys immediately steps in and insists he be allowed to help. He expects to get to the bottom of things. What he doesn’t expect is to find a reason to love again. If only things weren’t so complicated. Will Rhys and Trevor be able to find their way together, or will the danger Trevor’s in keep them apart?
Each book will contain an HEA with no cliffhangers.
Reeling from his divorce, Rhys Anderson is trying to find his footing again. Having just returned from a long trip, he finds the lives of the people he cares about most in total disarray. In the midst of trying to help his brother’s ex deal with a blackmailer, a man enters his office for a consultation and divulges a secret of his own—he, too, is being targeted by the blackmailer. When Rhys suggests that Trevor Greene go public, Trevor reveals a secret which would prevent him from coming forward, and he quickly leaves.
Not sure Rhys will ever see Trevor again, the mysterious man stays on his mind until one night he runs into him and sees just how badly the blackmail has devastated Trevor’s life. Rhys immediately steps in and insists he be allowed to help. He expects to get to the bottom of things. What he doesn’t expect is to find a reason to love again. If only things weren’t so complicated. Will Rhys and Trevor be able to find their way together, or will the danger Trevor’s in keep them apart?
Each book will contain an HEA with no cliffhangers.
271 pages, ebook
First published March 16, 2019
96 people are currently reading
301 people want to read
About the author
E.M. Lindsey
143 books1,379 followersE.M. Lindsey is the author of MM contemporary romance. She presently lives and works in the southeastern United States.
EM Lindsey also writes MM Paranormal Romance under the pseudonym Ariel Millar.
EM Lindsey also writes MM Paranormal Romance under the pseudonym Ariel Millar.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 30, 2019
3.75 Stars!
June 1, 2019
Hmmm I'm torn with my rating on this one. See, whilst I loved both Trevor and Rhys this book was just so. damn. slow and it really needn't have been. The author surprised me with Trevor's secret, I didn't see that one coming and I was all in! But somewhere in the slow meandering the story lost its impact and I was bored.
What I did love was, as already said, Trevor's secret. I loved patience that Rhys had with Trevor, what a hero - swoon! I love that characters from the first two books played a fairly large part in this one.
What I didn't like was that the whole suspense bit took up the entire book to the detriment of Rhys and Trevor's budding relationship. And when all was revealed it was rather meh and had me eye rolling ...... and don't even get me started on how rushed it all was.
As much as I thought I would 5 star the shit out of this book early on, it just didn't wow me like I'd hoped.
3.5 stars
What I did love was, as already said, Trevor's secret. I loved patience that Rhys had with Trevor, what a hero - swoon! I love that characters from the first two books played a fairly large part in this one.
What I didn't like was that the whole suspense bit took up the entire book to the detriment of Rhys and Trevor's budding relationship. And when all was revealed it was rather meh and had me eye rolling ...... and don't even get me started on how rushed it all was.
As much as I thought I would 5 star the shit out of this book early on, it just didn't wow me like I'd hoped.
3.5 stars
probably-not-but-freebie
March 18, 2019Freebie at the zon.com right now: https://smile.amazon.com/Fringe-Conte...
March 22, 2019
4 stars!
Ok, this was good but the ultimate villain was...a little weak in my opinion. Also, while it’s a standalone, the timeline actually runs concurrently with the previous books in the series so it makes more sense if you read the books in sequence.
I loved how Trevor and Rhys got thrown together and met and stuff. And I like how the Baum gym family accepted Trevor with open arms. I just...felt something missing in this book. I don’t know if it’s all the building of suspense only to finally land on a subpar villain (my opinion).
Either way, still a good series. Can’t wait for whatever comes next!
Ok, this was good but the ultimate villain was...a little weak in my opinion. Also, while it’s a standalone, the timeline actually runs concurrently with the previous books in the series so it makes more sense if you read the books in sequence.
I loved how Trevor and Rhys got thrown together and met and stuff. And I like how the Baum gym family accepted Trevor with open arms. I just...felt something missing in this book. I don’t know if it’s all the building of suspense only to finally land on a subpar villain (my opinion).
Either way, still a good series. Can’t wait for whatever comes next!
Want to read
March 30, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/20/2019)! 🎁
September 17, 2023
Amazing characters, kind of meh plot. I think maybe there was just too much heaviness - Rhys finds out his wife’s been cheating the whole time with his best friend, Trevor is a trans man being blackmailed because he took part in an IVF study (and the miscarried) through the university not entirely on the up and up.
The push/pull of their relationship was frustrating and emotional in a good way but the resolution of everything was just okay. I’d read a review saying the big reveal was disappointing so I was at least prepared for the villain’s motivation being “sometimes people suck” but it wasn’t particularly fun to read. Lindsey always writes beautifully vulnerable characters and found family so well and it’s clear that their writing has improved greatly between earlier works and now. Overall I’m glad to have read the series but I’d sooner recommend some of their later books than these.
The push/pull of their relationship was frustrating and emotional in a good way but the resolution of everything was just okay. I’d read a review saying the big reveal was disappointing so I was at least prepared for the villain’s motivation being “sometimes people suck” but it wasn’t particularly fun to read. Lindsey always writes beautifully vulnerable characters and found family so well and it’s clear that their writing has improved greatly between earlier works and now. Overall I’m glad to have read the series but I’d sooner recommend some of their later books than these.
March 20, 2019
Great story.
Less action than the first 2 books, I was a bit bored reading it. There is back and forth between the MC, but luckily it's not drown out.
Less action than the first 2 books, I was a bit bored reading it. There is back and forth between the MC, but luckily it's not drown out.
March 18, 2019
So good
E.M. Lindsey's series 'Baum's Boxing' is a series of mm romantic suspense with main characters who have physical differences that make their lives more difficult, and all the stories show not just their strengths but the complexities of the human condition.
Trevor is a trans man and I definitely learnt a lot that I didn't know about how it is to live in the world as a trans person. The authors forward was also lovely as she pointed out a few important details: foremost, that Trevor is not meant to be a character representative of all trans men, just an individual human with individual preferences for how they want to be treated.
As a straight cis woman I'm sure there are lots of things I miss through the lens of my particular privilege but reading a series like this hopefully helps me keep my heart and mind open and learning.
Lindsey is also an accomplished author, so that makes the series a great read.
Can't wait for Ivan to get his HEA.
E.M. Lindsey's series 'Baum's Boxing' is a series of mm romantic suspense with main characters who have physical differences that make their lives more difficult, and all the stories show not just their strengths but the complexities of the human condition.
Trevor is a trans man and I definitely learnt a lot that I didn't know about how it is to live in the world as a trans person. The authors forward was also lovely as she pointed out a few important details: foremost, that Trevor is not meant to be a character representative of all trans men, just an individual human with individual preferences for how they want to be treated.
As a straight cis woman I'm sure there are lots of things I miss through the lens of my particular privilege but reading a series like this hopefully helps me keep my heart and mind open and learning.
Lindsey is also an accomplished author, so that makes the series a great read.
Can't wait for Ivan to get his HEA.
May 22, 2019
#SpoilerWarrior
I liked this story. It made me sit and think about my life and what I snap think about other people. I feel like I learned something while reading it and that’s one of my favorite feelings.
The book wasn’t well edited though, and the amount of spelling errors became distracting. I also feel like the “villain” ended up being kind of...lame? The story of blackmail definitely took a backseat to the story of Trevor and Rhys and Trevor’s struggle to accept a relationship. There were really long periods of time where absolutely nothing happened in the way or blackmail. It doesn’t say it here, but in the last book it made it seem like Cole was gone for a w h i l e. All of that time with no development.
I’ve definitely loved the Baum’s world and if another book came out, is definitely still read it.
I liked this story. It made me sit and think about my life and what I snap think about other people. I feel like I learned something while reading it and that’s one of my favorite feelings.
The book wasn’t well edited though, and the amount of spelling errors became distracting. I also feel like the “villain” ended up being kind of...lame? The story of blackmail definitely took a backseat to the story of Trevor and Rhys and Trevor’s struggle to accept a relationship. There were really long periods of time where absolutely nothing happened in the way or blackmail. It doesn’t say it here, but in the last book it made it seem like Cole was gone for a w h i l e. All of that time with no development.
I’ve definitely loved the Baum’s world and if another book came out, is definitely still read it.
March 20, 2019
loved loved loved it
Can't wait for Evan's book
😍😍😍
Can't wait for Evan's book
😍😍😍
July 21, 2019
3.5
First, I have to give praise for the sheer amount of representation E.M Lindsey includes in her books; it's wonderfully refreshing to read romance novels where one or both of the love interests isn't a person with a privileged position in society.
Now, onto the review.
Trevor's secret caught me by surprise, I was not expecting it whatsoever but with the information given about him previously in the series, it made some things finally make sense. I liked seeing his relationship with Rhys develop, it was slower paced than the other two books in the series, but given subject matter, I can understand why things happened the way that they did.
I have to say though, it did get a little convoluted plot-wise and the timeline got a little murky in this one. It overlaps a bit with the rest of the series and whereas that wasn't a problem for me in the first two books, it made this one confusing. Ryan mentions in the second book that a month has passed between certain events and this book makes it seem as though it's only been a day or two and it had me scratching my head a bit but maybe I just missed something indicating the little time jump.
First, I have to give praise for the sheer amount of representation E.M Lindsey includes in her books; it's wonderfully refreshing to read romance novels where one or both of the love interests isn't a person with a privileged position in society.
Now, onto the review.
Trevor's secret caught me by surprise, I was not expecting it whatsoever but with the information given about him previously in the series, it made some things finally make sense. I liked seeing his relationship with Rhys develop, it was slower paced than the other two books in the series, but given subject matter, I can understand why things happened the way that they did.
I have to say though, it did get a little convoluted plot-wise and the timeline got a little murky in this one. It overlaps a bit with the rest of the series and whereas that wasn't a problem for me in the first two books, it made this one confusing. Ryan mentions in the second book that a month has passed between certain events and this book makes it seem as though it's only been a day or two and it had me scratching my head a bit but maybe I just missed something indicating the little time jump.
June 21, 2020
PLEASE READ MY RATING SYSTEM!!!
To my ratings:
A 3,5* is clicked with a 4* but in review marked as 3,5*:
5* - very very good and rare (it would be a Blow-Away-book like ‘Jesse's Smile’ or ‘Joey’ from Angelique Jurd, ‘Save the the kids’ series
from EM Leya, ‘Love’s Tethered Heart’ from C.L. Etta or ‘Liberty’ from Seth King),
it's like an A+
4* - very good and will be often reread and is a WOW-book with interesting plot and surprises (like most of Andrew Grey books and Davidson Kings 'Haven Hart'-series)
it's like an A
3,5* - a really good book, which will be reread a few times (most romances where you can enjoy for relaxing and during waiting times in
hospitals). I can recommend them definitively!
It's like an B+
3* - it could be more then a one-time-reader (2-3 times a year),
it's like a B
2* - it was ok to read, but it's more a one-time-reader (I wouldn't recommend it heartily, but it was ok)
It's like a C-, D
1* - sorry, but that isn't really a book for me (too many mistakes, not nice plot, illogical, so an absolute NO-GO). It's like failure in the
whole line, dismissed, repeat the class
To my ratings:
A 3,5* is clicked with a 4* but in review marked as 3,5*:
5* - very very good and rare (it would be a Blow-Away-book like ‘Jesse's Smile’ or ‘Joey’ from Angelique Jurd, ‘Save the the kids’ series
from EM Leya, ‘Love’s Tethered Heart’ from C.L. Etta or ‘Liberty’ from Seth King),
it's like an A+
4* - very good and will be often reread and is a WOW-book with interesting plot and surprises (like most of Andrew Grey books and Davidson Kings 'Haven Hart'-series)
it's like an A
3,5* - a really good book, which will be reread a few times (most romances where you can enjoy for relaxing and during waiting times in
hospitals). I can recommend them definitively!
It's like an B+
3* - it could be more then a one-time-reader (2-3 times a year),
it's like a B
2* - it was ok to read, but it's more a one-time-reader (I wouldn't recommend it heartily, but it was ok)
It's like a C-, D
1* - sorry, but that isn't really a book for me (too many mistakes, not nice plot, illogical, so an absolute NO-GO). It's like failure in the
whole line, dismissed, repeat the class
July 25, 2020
Fringe Contender
It’s disappointing that this was the last book in the series. Especially because the first 74% was the same stories as the first two books but told in these characters viewpoint. Not to discount these characters but I wanted more of their story and less of the others. This book mostly runs concurrent of the first two, not my favorite set up. I’d like to see more of all the other characters mentioned. I think the author did a great job with a trans character, and didn’t shy away from parts that others tend to in books. Well done!
It’s disappointing that this was the last book in the series. Especially because the first 74% was the same stories as the first two books but told in these characters viewpoint. Not to discount these characters but I wanted more of their story and less of the others. This book mostly runs concurrent of the first two, not my favorite set up. I’d like to see more of all the other characters mentioned. I think the author did a great job with a trans character, and didn’t shy away from parts that others tend to in books. Well done!
November 20, 2022
As Good as Book Two
E.M. Lindsey did it again! Baum's Boxing Book 3 is as good as Book 2! Full of suspense and intrigue. The story is well-thought through and the characters are well-developed. Although this can be read as a standalone, this story is more meaningful and is enhanced by reading the first 2 books. Except for a rare blip here and there, I love Ms. Lindsey's stories and writing style. I wholeheartedly recommend this book!
E.M. Lindsey did it again! Baum's Boxing Book 3 is as good as Book 2! Full of suspense and intrigue. The story is well-thought through and the characters are well-developed. Although this can be read as a standalone, this story is more meaningful and is enhanced by reading the first 2 books. Except for a rare blip here and there, I love Ms. Lindsey's stories and writing style. I wholeheartedly recommend this book!
May 26, 2025
Rare disappointment from Lindsey, the whole villain motivation just felt over the top soap opera-ish and ridiculous. Also weird time jumps without making it clear time had passed, and dropped storylines (like how it was so important for one main character to come out to his brother and it's brought up repeatedly how he needs to do it but he's worried how the brother will react....and then suddenly he's apparently been out for months now and we never once hear how brother took it).
March 25, 2019
Fringe Contender (Baum's Boxing Book 3)
OK, this was some convoluted story right here. Too complex to follow easily at times. But like the rest of the series, this book is, more than anything else, about people.
And they are all amazing, very interesting ppl who I'd love to know and have in my RL, that's for sure.
Bring the next one on!
I'll keep reading 📖
OK, this was some convoluted story right here. Too complex to follow easily at times. But like the rest of the series, this book is, more than anything else, about people.
And they are all amazing, very interesting ppl who I'd love to know and have in my RL, that's for sure.
Bring the next one on!
I'll keep reading 📖
June 1, 2019
Sweet story
Incredibly sweet and lovely story. A slower burn than the others in the series, but the suspense part is less violent, so it was a nice contrast. I enjoyed reading everything about Trevor and Rhys’ romance.
Incredibly sweet and lovely story. A slower burn than the others in the series, but the suspense part is less violent, so it was a nice contrast. I enjoyed reading everything about Trevor and Rhys’ romance.
November 5, 2019
Pretty Good
This book was pretty good. Not the action I was hoping for, but still pretty good.
I’m hoping there’s not book in this see to come. I need more Ivan and maybe even Evan.
This book was pretty good. Not the action I was hoping for, but still pretty good.
I’m hoping there’s not book in this see to come. I need more Ivan and maybe even Evan.
January 22, 2020
It was good
This one wasn’t my favorite. I do like how all three book are during the same time frame but half of the story isn’t just parts copied from the other books. I did notice that this book really needs someone to go through and edit it.
This one wasn’t my favorite. I do like how all three book are during the same time frame but half of the story isn’t just parts copied from the other books. I did notice that this book really needs someone to go through and edit it.
May 14, 2019
3.5 stars
June 1, 2019
Beautiful End
This was my favorite book of the series. I was totally engrossed in Rhys and Trevor's story. I am glad they got their happy ending.
This was my favorite book of the series. I was totally engrossed in Rhys and Trevor's story. I am glad they got their happy ending.
June 25, 2019
These two needed a swift kick, but I still loved them.
November 29, 2019
2.5 stars
May 19, 2020
A Good Story
I loved the characters, Rhys, and Trevor. They got so well as a couple. I enjoyed this story.It was well-written,and had a good storyline.
I loved the characters, Rhys, and Trevor. They got so well as a couple. I enjoyed this story.It was well-written,and had a good storyline.
October 16, 2020
First transgender romance... not bad.
August 18, 2023
Blackmail
Trevor is being blackmailed by someone. He goes to see Rhys for help and advice. They work together to find those involved and prosecute.
Trevor is being blackmailed by someone. He goes to see Rhys for help and advice. They work together to find those involved and prosecute.
September 1, 2019
It is a great book to read
Read
April 10, 2023FREE today (April 1, 2023) on Amazon.
August 13, 2023
Trevor and Rhys. Two men, each broken in their own way, yet remarkably being exactly what the other needs. ‘Fringe Contender’ is the final book in E.M. Lindsey’s ‘Baum’s Boxing’ series and it really blew me away. Ever since learning of Trevor in Noah’s story I have wanted to hear his tale and once I was introduced to Rhys, Ryan’s big brother, I had a suspicion that these two men might just be perfect for each other.
“Mostly because Trevor was a him, but no one knew it. He didn’t exactly have the language, at nine years old, to express how he really felt, why all of this was wrong. Why dresses and skirts and pretty baubles and violent beatings from an angry father, who just wanted his daughter to be more girly, wouldn’t change the fact that Trevor was…well… Trevor.”
Trevor is a transman who was lucky enough to be removed from his drug addicted parents’ home and placed with his paternal grandmother, a woman who listened to him and helped him get started on hormone therapy and was there when his name and gender were officially updated at eighteen. He has worked hard his whole life and is now a doctor of classical language and literature, but unfortunately there’s someone out there who wants to wreck Trevor’s entire life and reduce him to nothing. It begins with Charlie, the same a**hole who went after Noah in book one, but this mystery person continues on with their threats and abuse long after Charlie is arrested and imprisoned. I’m not going to go into detail regarding the whys and hows of Trevor’s blackmail and abuse. Just believe me when I say he made a mistake but I understood completely why he took the risk.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
“Mostly because Trevor was a him, but no one knew it. He didn’t exactly have the language, at nine years old, to express how he really felt, why all of this was wrong. Why dresses and skirts and pretty baubles and violent beatings from an angry father, who just wanted his daughter to be more girly, wouldn’t change the fact that Trevor was…well… Trevor.”
Trevor is a transman who was lucky enough to be removed from his drug addicted parents’ home and placed with his paternal grandmother, a woman who listened to him and helped him get started on hormone therapy and was there when his name and gender were officially updated at eighteen. He has worked hard his whole life and is now a doctor of classical language and literature, but unfortunately there’s someone out there who wants to wreck Trevor’s entire life and reduce him to nothing. It begins with Charlie, the same a**hole who went after Noah in book one, but this mystery person continues on with their threats and abuse long after Charlie is arrested and imprisoned. I’m not going to go into detail regarding the whys and hows of Trevor’s blackmail and abuse. Just believe me when I say he made a mistake but I understood completely why he took the risk.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews