The No Strings Theory

College Boys of New Haven #4

by Hayden Hall

Dallas: Kai's nothing like I expected. The scrawny kid I once knew is gone, replaced by a nerdy, curious young man who crawls deep under my skin. The moment he enters my life, he disrupts everything. I shouldn't want my best friend's little brother. But I've never been great at resisting temptation. What starts as messing around in secret, soon becomes a lot more serious. I'm gambling my friendship and risking more than I should. But I'm falling, and I'm falling hard. Kai: I've had a crush on Dallas since I was old enough to crush. He's my oldest fantasy; he's also an obnoxious, insufferable, smug jock with the stupidest adorable dimples and a gorgeous . . . Uh . . . Where was I? Oh right, he never noticed me except when I was the punchline of his jokes. He's also the very definition of a guy I shouldn't want. But Dallas and I have an agreement: no strings attached. That way, we get to have fun and nobody needs to know. No harm done, right? Now I'm falling for him faster and harder than ever despite knowing what's at stake. The only way this ends is with a lost friendship and a broken heart. It's too late anyway. I'm in free fall already. Contains mature themes.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, College, Audiobook, LGBT, Queer, Contemporary

235 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2021

About the author

Gay. Sweet. Steamy.

Hayden Hall writes MM romance novels. He is a boyfriend, a globetrotter, and an avid romance reader.

Hayden's mission is to author a catalog of captivating and steamy MM romance novels which gather a devoted community around the Happily Ever Afters.

His stories are sweet with just the right amount of naughty.

You can get in touch with Hayden on Facebook or through his website at haydenhallwrites.com

Reviews

[Cat the bookworm (semi hiatus ish) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I completely agree with Florence’s review: it would have been a sweet college romance with two likable characters. If not for the sideplot.

It’s the story of Kai, who’s been in love with his older brother's best friend, Dallas, for years, only he’d heard Dallas talking about him like he’s a child ( which he probably was at that time). Now he’s 19 and a freshman at the same college Dallas attends, and not only that - Kai ends up being Dallas' roommate in the same frat house.

Again, the things that happen between them don’t really come as a surprise, and I liked them both and their relationship buildup. What I seriously didn’t like was the side plot: until Kai, Dallas wasn’t one for relationships, and one of the previous hookups went wrong, his previous partner publishing nudes of Dallas on Twitter. Apart from the fact that you never ever should send nudes to some potential one-night-stand, I absolutely hated the way revenge porn was handled in this book: Dallas shrugs it off with a laugh (even though he’s not as nonchalant as he pretends to be), and his friends don’t really care enough to support or help him. And when others stare at him or even make fun of him at the gym, he flees and still doesn’t hold the revenge-porn-guy accountable. Like… seriously, WFT??? I get that the way he’s dealing with it is supposed to give him some character depth, but I’m not a fan AT ALL of how it was handled here.

What made me stick through was the narration by Cooper North, who brought both Kati and Dallas to life in my mind.

If not for the side plot, I would have rated it with 4 stars. As it is, I’ll go with 2.5 stars, rounded up because of the narration.

[Gustaf · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm sad to say that this is my least favorite in the series. While I've enjoyed every other book in it so far this one dragged and dragged.
Don't get me started on the revenge porn plot. The way the author handled it was not okay in any way.

[Florence . · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review to come soon.

I found the couple very sweet and I really liked them together but there was a side plot about one of the main character’s ex who posted revenge porn of him online and the book acted like it was a totally normal thing to do and our main character even apologized to the guy who posted the revenge porn. That side plot just really overshadowed my enjoyment of the romance, sadly, because I really liked them together.

I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest review.

[Bookreader87(Amanda) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.25 stars

Dallas is the best friend of Kai's older brother. Kai grew up having a crush on Dallas. He never believed anything would come from it. When Kai goes to college that changes. The two of them start a physical relationship that transforms to more.

I wanted to like it because it has a trope I love but it just didn't work for me. The epilogue leaves a lot to be desired.

[Ronie Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know. Not going to get any science experiments or away challenges in math or trivia. Just relationship building. A how to starter kit of you will

[HarriReadsRoMMance · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really feel it needs to be said – Revenge p0rn is NEVER okay!! The side character who’s guilty of it never gets any consequences, and MC1 whose photos are shared on social media apologizes to him! I like the brother’s best friend/roommates dynamic and the s3x was hot but the entire side plot of the revenge p0rn left a bad taste in my mouth as it’s a very serious issue in today’s world and not a single character checks in on MC1. His frat brothers just make fun of his shared photos and MC2 uses them as j3rk off material and that's how they end up sleeping together that first time. Not cool. Such a shame on an otherwise pretty awesome series that I highly enjoyed.

[Heather MMRomanceReviewed · Rating 5 out of 5]

The No Strings Theory was a new adult trip...the nerdy, sweet guy who's been crushing on his brother's best friend for years, the object of his affection is an outwardly confident, inwardly uncertain older guy... and they become Frat Brothers and more importantly, roommates!

To read my complete review please visit:
http://www.mmromancereviewed.com/2021...

I received an ARC to facilitate my review

[Andreas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably the most steamy book in the series, but also the most touchy-feely one. It's also a litte bit of a chamber play, mostly just between Dallas and Kai with hardly anyone else involved, and most of it actually happening in just always the same room. Not my favorite type of story to be honest, but I still liked it.

[Jacqueleen the Reading Queen♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is my favorite Hayden Hall book yet. It was sweet and sexy and full of steam. I loved both Dallas and Kai equally.

Dallas, whom rarely let himself be vulnerable, was such a pleasant surprise. He was so cute behind his mask of smiles and jokes. I loved how he always checked in with Kai. He was always making sure he was okay. The man was a caretaker masquerading as a playboy.

Kai was just so innocent, yet not as the same time. He was a virgin when he finally hooked up with Dallas, but the man was down for plenty of steamy stuff. He worked so hard to control his emotions when it came to falling for Dallas. Obviously that failed spectacularly or we wouldn't have the HEA we did.

I really enjoyed how everything played out in the end, including when it came time to break it to Jordan, Kai's super overprotective brother. Actually I think that might have been one of my favorite parts of the book. I really do have a soft spot for the hookup artist who finally falls in love trope and recommend this one for fans of the same.

[Jacquie Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh this was so good. I loved all the bickering Dallas and Kai did. There was a real love/hate thing going on and it was fun. Kai was very aware of what Dallas was and had realistic expectations about where they were going.
I'd have liked Ellis to suffer some consequences for his actions, that but wasn't cool.
Although Dallas was the king of the hump and dump, I actually really liked him.
Plenty of steam and a very sweet ending

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 stars for a solid and sweet story about the super gorgeous jock and the nerdy little brother of his best friend.

I really liked thus version of the story but around 70 percent it kind of dragged a bit and I was waiting for something to happen.

All in all it was a good read with solid characters and a well built relationship development.
Really liked it ... would have been 4 stars without the dragging

An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review

[Maggie May · Rating 2 out of 5]

Way too much boring setup that made both guys seem like assholes so by the time anything happened I couldn’t want it for them.

[Candice · Rating 1 out of 5]

This one's my fault; I didn't realize that it was part of a series that I hadn't really liked. The writing is weird, and the handling of the leaked nudes was AWFUL. Everyone seemed to think it was ok for a one night stand to put up Dallas's naked selfies ON TWITTER because he (Dallas) wanted to keep it to a one night stand only. In fact, Dallas actually went and apologized to the guy who posted the revenge porn!?!!

[Abigail Beckwith · Rating 5 out of 5]

old post reposted


I've been meaning to start Hayden Hall's The College Boys of New Haven series for a while now. I finally did, and forth book is titled "The No Strings Theory."
["I keep falling for Dallas, and it's not just gravity's fault.

Dallas
Kai’s nothing like I expected.

The scrawny kid I once knew is gone, replaced by a nerdy, curious young man who crawls deep under my skin. The moment he enters my life, he disrupts everything.

I don’t do attachments. I don’t do dates.

There are so many other college guys to keep me distracted.

Yet I can’t get him out of my head.

I shouldn’t want my best friend’s little brother. But I’ve never been great at resisting temptation.

What starts as messing around in secret, soon becomes a lot more serious. I’m gambling my friendship and risking more than I should. But I’m falling, and I’m falling hard.

Kai
I’ve had a crush on Dallas since I was old enough to crush. He’s my oldest fantasy; my only fantasy. He’s also an obnoxious, insufferable, smug jock with the stupidest adorable dimples and a gorgeous… Uh… Where was I?

Oh right, he never noticed me except when I was the punchline of his jokes.

He’s also the very definition of a guy I shouldn’t want. Just ask my big brother; he warned me time and time again not to look up to Dallas. He’d lose his mind if he only knew the things Dallas and I did when the lights were out.

But Dallas and I have an agreement: no strings attached. That way, we get to have fun and nobody needs to know. I get to live out my fantasies, to get them out of my system. No harm done, right?

Yeah. I was dumb enough to think my crush on him wouldn’t come back to life. It’s not gravity that’s pulling me in. Now I’m falling for him faster and harder than ever despite knowing what’s at stake.

The only way this ends is with a lost friendship and a broken heart.
It’s too late anyway. I’m in free fall already."]

SOOOOO freaking good!!! Honestly! This book was fucking fantastic!

They fought hard and played harder. ;)

They cared for each other and wanted the other to be happy and could tell when the other was lying when no one else could. They made promises to themselves about the other and broke them very quickly. Kai knew he was in love for a while, but it kinda hit Dallas like a fucking truck (though he was showing signs of it, he didn't realize it until well...the metaphorical truck).

I would definitely recommend this one!

#theroommateproblem #thenerdjockconundrum #thethreeheartsequation #thetwostarscollision #thenostringstheory #thegeekyjockparadox #haydenhall #collegeboysofnewhaven #collegeboysofnewhavenseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to quit half way through. This writing is so weird.

First, why was it brand new info that Dallas was in this frat? Kai’s brother knew Dallas was in the frat, and Kai was super interested in joining, how would that have not come up in conversation between the brother and Dallas or the brother and Kai?

I also found the inn thing weird. He went to college and wasn’t sure if he would get into a frat, so he rented a room at an inn? It’s just an odd choice. Don’t people usually have rooming situations figured out prior to classes starting?

Also, every time Dallas wants to avoid people he “turns his internet off.” I’m sorry, what????? What does that even mean? Most normal humans turn their ringer off, or put their phone on dnd. “I turned my internet off” is another super weird choice.

Weirdness in writing style aside, I just could not get into it. The whole thing of Kai wanting this guy forever but then giving him an attitude and acting like he hates Dallas was just putting a damper on the spice for me. Like why are you acting put out by his presence? I guess it was going for the “I want him, but I hate that I want him” trope, but it just wasn’t working for me.

Oh and the revenge porn thing… again just an odd choice that didn’t fit. The beginning of the book really put an emphasis on how supportive the brothers were and how they were a different kind of frat. So his brothers sitting around giggling at his pictures being on twitter really didn’t make sense.

[Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, a story that had my attention from the very beginning. I’ve loved every story in this series. The characters are just so lovable. This author makes the characters so real. The descriptions and development brings emotion to the lives of these characters. Kai is lucky to have a big brother to look after him. Jordan has taken it upon himself to be responsible to the point of over protective of Kai. Kai isn’t as sure he needs all this protection. Kai is headed to freedom and college. He is very unexperienced but lucky….big brother Jordan is waiting in the background to help and take care of him.
Dallas, Jordan’s bff since forever, just happens to be a member of the frat house Kai wants to join. Even though Dallas is the bff he is also pretty much the popular guy for one night stands, parties and the full college experience. Dallas is suppose to keep an eye on Kai and does he. But is Dallas the guy to be the adopted big brother. Dallas is a person so different than his outward appearance. I enjoyed reading about his awakening to a different experience. I also enjoyed the coolness of Kai interacting with Dallas and gaining experience. This author cannot write these stories fast enough. The story flow is constant. Again, the characters are lovable. There are touches of surprise. And the ending makes me happy.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The latest in Hayden Hall’s College Boys of New Haven series is a wonderful “Best Friends Brother” Story. In The No Strings Theory, the author brings us Dallas, who finds himself strangely attracted to Kai, the younger brother of his best friend when they are surprisingly thrown together during Kai’s freshman year in college. Kai has long suffered a huge crush on Dallas growing up, but always felt that Dallas would never think of him in a romantic way. Kai wants to use college to experience new things and follow the path he has set for himself. Dallas, with all of his charm, actually has a horrible self-image issue and can’t believe that he is worthy of love or could sustain a relationship. As they spend more time together, Kai gets glimpses of who Dallas really is, not the happy to lucky jock he always assumed he knew. Although sweet, I was surprised by the more emotional aspects of this story but really enjoyed the relationship the author portrayed. Be ready for a surprise at the end! Another great addition to the series.

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just can't get enough of this series and Hayden has knocked it out of the park again with this one. Just when I didn't think I could find another couple I loved better than Liam and Miles, Dallas and Kai walk into my life and I don't want to let them go. This book was so irresistibly charming, heart warming, playful, incredibly sexy, and so much, much more. 

Dallas and Kai are the epitome of the forbidden love trope with Dallas being Jordan's BFF and Kai being Jordan's younger brother. While Kai has crushed on Dallas since he was young, it took some time for Dallas to take notice, but once he did, that soft flutter in my belly didn't stop until well after I finished the book. 

Page after page, you could just feel these two falling in love, and while they were risking a lot, sometimes it's worth it to jump in with both feet first. Sometimes the thing you didn't know you wanted and needed, may have been right in front of you all along. 

This book gets 10 stars, because 5 isn't even close to being enough to what this deserves. 

[LJ Henley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have really become a big fan of Hayden Hall and his cast of characters in each of his books. The No Strings Theory has Kai and Dallas as the main men and boy do they heat up the pages once they get over Dallas being a man whore and Kai being seen as the skinny, nerdy younger brother of Dallas' best friend. Kai is accepted into the same fraternity as Dallas, becomes his roommate and is then Dallas' little brother in the fraternity. As they become friends, Dallas can't help noticing how cute, nice and smart Kai is and Kai can't seem to move past his boyhood crush he had on the handsome hunk.

Kai ends up asking Dallas' help in learning how to have sex and to lose his V card. Dallas can't believe his luck but hesitates to jeopardize his friendship with Kia's brother.

I enjoyed this college friends to lovers story and look forward to many more by Haden! Enjoy!

I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to get an advanced reader copy of The No Strings Theory. This has one of my very favorite tropes in it-best friend’s brother. Hayden always gives us a beautiful story with a lot of emotion and fun, but this one has been my favorite yet. Kai and Dallas are a perfect match, and the fun plot twist at the end made me literally laugh out loud. The sweetness, the fire and the fun between these two will make it to where you don’t want to put it down. I read this in one sitting and didn’t want it to end. I loved how Hayden showed two adults who have been around each other their whole lives really didn’t know each other, and then the time they took to get to know each other. You will swoon over the moment Dallas takes Kai to his favorite place. If you love high heat, witty banter, low angst, college boys, nerd/jock and/or brother’s best friend, this is the one to pick up!

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to run from one determined best friend's little brother. Kai has been crushing on his big brother, Jordan's friend, Dallas ever since he knew what crushes were. Jordan and Dallas, made vows about each other's little brothers. Dallas, had good intentions to ignore/avod Kai, but he was too big a temptation. He planned on keeping their trysts on the down low and keep things light, until life wasn't as superficial as he expected. He normally has a good defense mechanism to deal with life, but Kai digs hard to get under his defenses. Kai and Dallas get to know each other better at school and learn a few things about each other. How hard does Dallas try to fight his feelings? How determined is Kai? Good story flow. The story runs like a good tap dancing bit. Nicely done! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[readingromancehea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kai has been in love with his brother Jordans best friend Dallas since he knew what love was. His dream died when he heard Jordan and Dallas agreeing to never date family. Kai is joined a fraternity and Jordan tells him that it's also Dallas fraternity. How is Kai going to handle being so close to Dallas?

It broke my heart when Kai heard Jordan and Dallas talking about not dating family. The hotel part was funny. Listening to Dallas tell his last fling that he doesn't want to see him was hurtful. When Dallas told Kai he had bad news I was so upset but then he told Kai good news. When the pictures of Dallas came out I was shocked. I hated that Kai didn't tell Dallas a very important thing about himself. Jordan is an over protective but good brother. The end was hysterical.

This is a very cute story. A sweet story but very spicy.

[E.Muddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dallas and Kai are my new favourite couple in the College Boys of New Haven series. I adored their relationship! Their bickering is downright cute, always putting a smile on my face. Kai is sweet, inexperienced and eager, crushing on his protective older brother’s best friend for as long as he can remember. And since Dallas is known for his hookup ways, neither guy lets himself believe that they want more than a no strings relationship. But Dallas is more than the smug, confident jock he appears to be, and I enjoyed watching him slowly come to realise that he is, in fact, worthy of love. The times he was vulnerable and opened up to Kai were surprisingly emotional and heartfelt in this otherwise fun and sweet nerd/jock romance.

[Amy Dahmen]

I loved the story of Kai the geeky little brother of Jordan who has a crush on big brother's bff Dallas. Eventually Kai grows up and rushes a fraternity. Turns out to be Dallas' fraternity. From there they end up as brothers and roomies. Eventually they begin a casual hookup. Watching this casual grow into more is a lot of fun. Overall I really enjoyed this story and watching these two who are in a forbidden romance find more. This book had plenty of steam a super fun story line. This book is a home run. Overall I can't recommend this book enough for a super good read that hit it out of the park. I'm finding everything by this author to be a must read and highly recommend this one. I received an arc in exchange for my honest review.

[Shweta · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.25 stars. Cute bickering, fluff that will make you blush and a really sweet college romance
Kai and Dallas are the cutest pair ever. Kai's had always harboured a crush on Dallas (his brother's bestie) but due to Dallas' constant teasing and taunting, decides to keep it hidden forever.
What starts out as watching out for his bestie's younger brother, showing a new brother in the community/roommate around turns into something more in Dallas' case.
Their bickering is adorable to read and so is the way Dallas flirts.
As usual, Author Hall brings the best of his sweet and steamy charm. In fact, the romance was so sweet as well as sizzling it left my reader's heart, warm.
Searching for a feel-good, flirt and the fluff romance, look no further!

[Mary Vitrano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the author, and this is my honest review.
Kai and Dallas are fabulous. They're meant for each other, their chemistry is perfect. You totally could relate to their story.
It's fascinating how Hayden gives us the key to enter in Dallas' mind. It broke my heart how fragile he is and how he tries to hid it with lots of jokes and teasing. I wanted to hug him thoroughout the book.
The sexy scenes were sweet, hot, streamy but never too much. They made me feel excited and romantically involved at the same time.
I couldn't put it down this book, I read it in one shot!
It's part of a serie but it can be read as a standalone.
Absolutely worth the reading!!

[Jeanette Buck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hayden brings us back to New Haven college and this was probably my favorite in the series. I love brother's best friend stories and this was full of humour, hot chemistry and a sweet story. Kai has always had a crush on Dallas but they have always had a love/hate relationship. When Kai starts college he ends up being a roommate with Dallas and they start getting to know each. They also act on their chemistry which was initially to help Kai experiment more but the end up falling for each other. I really enjoyed reading this story and well done on Hayden for writing another great story.

[Christie Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved this series and author from the start, all of his characters are so fun, sensitive, sexy and emotional vested. They are refreshing and a page turner from start to finish. They make you laugh, cry and root for the inevitable. Dallas and Kai's story does just that, gives you the inevitable and shows you how this adorable union shouldn't have been together with the best friend rule playing a huge factor, but when the universe starts to line it up the inevitable happens. Sometimes our secret crushes make for the best relationships. Absolutely loved The No Strings Theory.

[Jamey A Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great book. Very entertaining. Steamy and sexy. Kai has had a crush on his brother's best friend Dallas from am earlier age. Dallas is an arrogant, one night stand kind of guy. Kai pledges a fraternity and who should be a member but Dallas. It gets better as Kai and Dallas not only room together but Dallas becomes a big brother to Kai. Feelings begin to develop between the two when they start sharing a room. They eventually end up in a no strings relationship. Will it remain no strings? Couldn't put it down. I highly recommend.

[buppyspek · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

My biggest criticism here is that one of the main characters, Dallas, is the victim of revenge porn at one point in the story, and there are zero consequences for the person who did that to him. In fact, eventually, Dallas goes and apologizes to him! Even though he really did nothing wrong. They met through a hookup app, hooked up, then Dallas said he didn't want to see him again. He doesn't deserve to have his dick pics leaked all over the internet for that. And his frat brothers should have had his back about it instead of cracking jokes.