Some things you can’t take back.
If you say those words, get caught glancing at his bulge, or share a heated kiss, it’s game over. The “no take backs” rule strikes, and there’s no way you can backtrack.
That’s the way it’s always been with me and Nate Griffin, my old best friend who thought he could change the rules.
It doesn’t matter that time and distance have pulled us apart. I’ve finally figured myself out and yanked my head out of my backside. Now, if only I can drag myself out of the closet and be the man I want to be for Nate…
But I’m a pro basketball player who has no desire to be a poster boy. Not only that, Nate and I don’t even live in the same country.
Nate, big-hearted guy he is, takes it all in his stride, and I can’t help but wonder if just maybe he’s too good for me. But hell if I can resist him.
It all boils down to: Do I want to take anything back when it comes to Nate Griffin?
Author: Becca Seymour
Book: No Take Backs
Release Date: November 10th, 2021
Series: Zone Defense Book 1
Genre: M/M Romance
Amazon – Kindle Unlimited
I’ve enjoyed this author’s books quite a bit, I love sports romance books, and I always love books based in Australia, so there was zero chance I was passing this one up. I wasn’t disappointed. It was all those things, and more.
This book was a friends to (sort of) enemies to friends to lovers book, only really showing about a year of their lives, but these two had known each other since they were 11. Ryan went to play basketball in the US, first at a Division 1 college, then on into the pros. Meanwhile, Nate stayed back in Australia, waited for Ryan, took care of Ryan’s family, ran his father’s store, but had that was just for him. Nate took care of everyone else, and never took care of himself.
When Ryan left, they drifted apart, not really becoming enemies, but not really friends any longer. Ryan’s sister ends up pregnant at 18, and Ryan finds out only from Instagram. (It’s hilarious how he thinks Nate is the father at first.) He then begins the slow process of coming back to his family and Nate.
I really liked this. It wasn’t instant. They didn’t just start talking and everything was okay in a chapter. Ryan had to earn the trust of the people he cared about again, as well he should. It took time, patience and a lot of honesty. Eventually, he came home, to fully win back his man, meet his niece, and reconnect with his family in person.
I enjoyed the realism of their relationship back to each other, from the small texts, to the video calls, and eventually getting visas for Nate to spend time with Ryan in the US as he played. Unfortunately, Ryan refused to come out of the closet. And while Nate didn’t expect him to, it takes a toll on any relationship. They dealt well with it as a couple, staying strong, and slowly Ryan came out just little more to those he cared about.
Great side characters, and if we don’t have X and Y for the next book, I may cry. 🙂 There is obviously a HUGE story there, and I, for one, want to know how it goes.
Definitely recommend if you like found family, re-found family, and a slow burn romance.
4 pieces of eye candy 