Frat Boy and Toppy (Theta Alpha Gamma, #1) in Riptide Publishing

Apr 09, 2013 Debra ~~ seriously slacking on her reviews ~~ rated it really liked it

Shelves: m-m, humorous, part-of-series-or-serial, college, bdsm

4.5 stars

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Mar 12, 2016 Molli B. rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: genre-m-m, part-of-a-series, length-novel, format-epub, genre-new-adult, 2016-shelved, 2016-read, genre-romance

This was fun! I've only read a couple Anne Tenino books, and I'd forgotten how much I enjoy her writing. The writing in this, as in the couple I've read, was polished and smooth and funny. The story was pretty simple—this book really wasn't trying to take itself too seriously or be anything more than a new adult college romp—but it got the job done and kept me entertained.

I liked both Sebastian and Brad, and the steam was steamy (although there was maybe just a tad too much of it, but I think th ...more

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Mar 24, 2012 Mariana rated it really liked it

This author is fast becoming a favorite! Love her writing, characters and stories. This book is so well written and funny! The coming out for Brad is touching and funny.

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Mar 12, 2012 Alex rated it really liked it

Shelves: queer, romance, humor, contemporary, riptide

Overall
I'm very hit or miss with comedic stories as my sense of humor doesn't align with others' humors in many ways. So while I probably missed a large chunk of what was meant to be comedy in this story, I also found there was plenty to laugh about too. In addition, while this is a fairly light story about a young man realizing and exploring his sexuality, it also mixes in some deeper elements without dwelling on them too much and losing the heart of the story. Sexy sexy-time, great characters, ...more

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Mar 25, 2012 Jody rated it really liked it

It takes a very talented writer to perfectly balance humor, sexiness, and sweetness all in one story but Anne Tenino does so nicely in her latest release Frat Boy and Toppy. As a reader who doesn't normally enjoy rom-com stories, Ms. Tenino totally won me over and I found myself complete drawn into the lives of these collegians and their teachers.

Brad has always tried to live up to the image of a playboy athlete since he doesn't want to disappointment those around him, but as he gets older he ca It takes a very talented writer to perfectly balance humor, sexiness, and sweetness all in one story but Anne Tenino does so nicely in her latest release Frat Boy and Toppy. As a reader who doesn't normally enjoy rom-com stories, Ms. Tenino totally won me over and I found myself complete drawn into the lives of these collegians and their teachers.

Brad has always tried to live up to the image of a playboy athlete since he doesn't want to disappointment those around him, but as he gets older he can't keep fighting his true desires any longer. Enter sexy and self-confident TA Sebastian who Brad can't keep his eyes off of and who becomes the catalyst for a major revelation and a new chapter in his life. Brad's extremely sweet with a nice bit of snarky thrown in to bring some wonderful humor to the story. He's struggled and been miserable for so long keeping up his facade and you could see how it weighed on him. He hated himself for using women and alcohol to ignore his real inclinations. As he started accepting the truth of himself and slowly let others know you could sense that weight lifting off him. He became even more light-hearted and more self-confident. Brad seemed so much younger at the start of his relationship with Sebastian but things felt more equal between them later on after he came out. He became a man at that point, not so obsessed over other's opinions.

Sebastian was a complicated character that had been hurt by love before and shied away from it now. He was sexy and caring and was the perfect person to be Brad's first since he understood the seriousness of what their being together would mean for Brad's life. But whereas I could see the evolution of Brad emotionally, I can't quite say the same for Sebastian. I never felt like we learned as much about Sebastian's life to fully become as connected to him. This story was definitely about Brad which left Sebastian on the back burner a bit.

To help Brad get through this most important time in his life, he was lucky to have a wonderful group of people around him. From his extremely supportive family (who frustrated him by their complete and easy acceptance of him) to his best friend Kyle (who had many humorous reactions to Brad's coming out) to his new roommate Collin (who's struggling with his own coming out), Brad couldn't have been luckier and it's a shame that in real life this large of a support group isn't always the case. These secondary characters were wonderful and lit up the page and I would especially love to see more of Collin as he deserves a happy ending of his own.

This was an engaging read with a deep depth of emotion liberally sprinkled with humor. From the witty dialogue to the smoldering sex scenes I was completely drawn in and hated to see it come to an end. This was my first time reading a book of Ms. Tenino's but it definitely won't be the last. ...more

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Aug 05, 2012 Evaine rated it liked it

Shelves: e-books

3.5 stars. This is a light, fun read, with endearing characters that will make you smile. Although I did find myself wanting to pinch both Brad and Sebastian in some of their more dim-witted moments. :) The thing is, Brad is young, he can be forgiven. Anne Tenino writes a perfect 21-year old young man coming to terms with his newly-realised sexuality. The way his thoughts jump around at times and the way they fixate on something so small and insignificant at others is bang on. My own son was 21 ...more

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May 02, 2012 Elisa Rolle rated it it was amazing

2012 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)

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Apr 20, 2012 Cecile rated it it was amazing

My only warning is that this is a m/m loving story. So, if this is not your cup of tea... You will not offend me. You can merely just drop by to say Hi! Thanks for coming over in advance!

Where do I start with this one... This is my first Anne Tenino story I have read and it won't be my last. She engaged me in the story from the first page to the last page... This story was such a treat. There was drama, there was lust going to go love, there was family support and there was friend support. The s My only warning is that this is a m/m loving story. So, if this is not your cup of tea... You will not offend me. You can merely just drop by to say Hi! Thanks for coming over in advance!

Where do I start with this one... This is my first Anne Tenino story I have read and it won't be my last. She engaged me in the story from the first page to the last page... This story was such a treat. There was drama, there was lust going to go love, there was family support and there was friend support. The story was sweet and even though I thought it was going to go bittersweet on me... The ending had me grinning from ear to ear!

Brad is a frat boy college guy. He is just a typical guy... He is on the football team, he belongs to a frat house, he has scored more off the field than on the field if you know what I mean... He is the jock of all jocks. But he is also confused as to what team he truly wants to play for. What I found delightful about Brad is that he does go to family - well his family actually comes to him - when it comes to the matter of his heart.

Another delight, not sure if I would say delight, but I found that I loved was that Brad did have a conscience. He did give to thought to his past flings. Especially when he truly "comes out."

Sebastian is my geeks geek! I love him. He is such a great character and such a tease. He is patient and understanding but he also knows that things don't always last forever. But I will have to say he does know what team he plays for... He loves guys. He has loved lots of guys. Always playing, never looking for anything series. Sebastian did not think he was capable of anything other than a few months of play. But when he finally figure out what love is... It might be too late.

This is a great tale of the actual "coming out" the gay closet. It is such a sweet, but heart tearing story. Brad is really confused and being stuck in a house full of straight guys is just another thing he has to deal with. Being told you are one thing your whole life, hinders who you truly are. But what I liked was Brad is at the age where the decisions are his to make, his life to control. It was kinda scary knowing that Brad wanted to come out because of where he was in life... In college, in a frat house. I mean, I can only imagine how hard it might be for some to just come out... but to come out in a frat house. It could have gotten very ugly.

But this story is truly a delightful tale of two people who discover love in a tight spot!

I hope you enjoy this story as much as I did! It truly is an awwweee kinda story! ...more

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Apr 23, 2016 Liz (Bugetta) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, contemporary-romance, m-m-romance, 1st-in-a-series, new-adult-and-college, part-of-a-series

4.5* Aww this was even better the second time around. I listened to the audio and the narrator was great! I forgot that it ended rather abruptly though so I must track down the novella that continues Brad and Sebastian's story. ...more

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Apr 08, 2012 Kris rated it liked it

A 3-2 read. This could easily change to a 3. Liked the fact that Brad was so vulnerable and struggling with the stereotypes of being a 'frat boy' and come of the characteristics of what he perceived as 'gay'. Convincing. ...more

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Nov 05, 2013 Jen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fv, m-m

Sebastian and Brad

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Dec 02, 2013 Liz (Bugetta) rated it really liked it

Shelves: contemporary-romance, m-m-romance, e-book, 1st-in-a-series, new-author

Cute m/m new adult romance. My first Anne Tenino book and it won't me my last. I like her light humorous writing style. Hate the title of the book but I'm glad I (finally) got over it and read it anyway. :-) ...more

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