Sweet Young Thang (Theta Alpha Gamma, #3) in Riptide Publishing

Aug 30, 2013 Adara rated it really liked it

This was a lovely story about growing up and becoming one's own person instead of bowing to the pressures of expectation. Collin has basically let his uncle rule his life because his uncle took his family in when his father died. He never thought to question his uncle's motives until recently. Slowly over the course of the book, Collin comes to see that his uncle is mostly out for himself and his own interests instead of looking out for Collin. Collin's been ignoring his own feelings regarding h This was a lovely story about growing up and becoming one's own person instead of bowing to the pressures of expectation. Collin has basically let his uncle rule his life because his uncle took his family in when his father died. He never thought to question his uncle's motives until recently. Slowly over the course of the book, Collin comes to see that his uncle is mostly out for himself and his own interests instead of looking out for Collin. Collin's been ignoring his own feelings regarding his uncle, though his sense of obligation makes him dread their interactions. And he doesn't know how badly it will go if he comes out, so he stays in the closet.

And then he meets Eric, a paramedic with the local fire department who also happens to be an alumnus of Collin's fraternity, TAG. After meeting Collin, Eric seeks him out thinking that it could be more than just a night of passion. And they do hit it off, so well it scares Collin, who's never been in love before and has no idea what that means. Eric, being 15 years older, knows what he wants, but doesn't want to scare off Collin with how strongly he feels.

And then there are fraternity matters which get in the way. Among them, the Alumni Association (of which Collin's uncle is currently president) is threatening to cut off support to the fraternity because of a bomb threat which is believed to be in retaliation to the new membership policy openly inviting GBQ members. (The number of times the phone interupted things actually started to get sort of tiresome.)

Lots of sex(ual situations) in this one. It felt fairly balanced, though I thought a couple could have been more fade to black. (It started to feel like too many toward the end, at least to me.) All in all, no real complaints though.

In the end, everything fit together, and Collin knew where he stood on everything. I was very pleased with the outcome and enjoyed the story very much.

For what it's worth, this one will overlap just a touch with the next story in the TAG series, but not enough that you should feel required to read this one before reading the next (if you only want to follow Frat Boy and Toppy's direct story). However, this story will show you a touch of the aftermath (which I don't know yet if the next story will cover, or how it will be the same or different). So, you may or may not benefit from reading this after the next book if you're following that story. Just a thought. ...more

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Jul 22, 2013 Rachel Emily rated it it was amazing

Shelves: may-december-age-gap-m-m, contemporary-m-m, cops-fire-law-etc-m-m, romance-m-m, desert-island-keepers, high-school-or-college-m-m, coming-out-m-m

I love, love, loved this! One of my favorites this year, for sure! I just adored Collin and Eric together, they were absolutely adorable. And so, so hot together...loved the photography and intimacy in later scenes. I know it was fast paced, but it felt natural to me, I didn't mind the quickness of it all.

I also loved the TAG boys, with their concern over their sensitivity training and their coming out scene with Colin. Too funny! And I also liked that this was longer than the previous books and ...more

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Jul 24, 2013 Josephine Myles rated it it was amazing

Shelves: m-m, romance, contemporary, 2013-reads

Cute, fun and sexy--everything I've learnt to expect from Anne! I have to admit it had been a while since I'd read Frat Boy and Toppy, and had forgotten who some of the minor characters were. Still, it was no hardship to refresh my memory of that one. Collin and Eric make a great couple and I'm glad to find a bear hero in a gay romance. There aren't enough of them! ...more

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May 18, 2013 Leanne rated it it was ok

Shelves: slow-burn, mm, light-romance, age-difference, meh

Instantly forgettable. The characters had little depth or substance and chemistry was nowhere to be found. This might have worked better as a novella or short.

I reckon this series has reached its sell-by-date. Time to graduate, boys!