Mirrigold: Mutterings & Musings

Defending the House by V.L. Locey

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a super sweet, no drama, sports romance which was a breeze to read and just a whole load of fun.

Although at times there were moments which felt a bit PSA about how people should behave and treat others, it never reached preachy levels and the bullying secondary story featuring Criswell’s younger brother Benji was handled well.

Speaking of Criswell, this series has had me chuckling to myself so far with some of the names of the protagonists, although it makes a change from Tom, Dick or Aaron I guess 😁

Carson, captain of the Gladiators, is a super sweet guy, although I have to say he didn’t read like he was a 30-year-old, but I guess he’d had a fairly normal upbringing, lived in his own home and had a decent job, so maybe that was why.

Criswell felt more like his age, he’s a bit younger but has had the responsibility for his brother since their father died in a drunken car accident not long after he’d turned 18. Life’s been a struggle but he doesn’t let it get him down. His sunny exterior matches his personality perfectly.

Theirs is an instant attraction with a very funny meet/cute but the relationship takes time to develop through casual dating and then into love.

All in all this really was just a smashing low angst, medium steamy romance which I thoroughly enjoyed. I’m looking forward to the next one in the series too, featuring the new gay pastor and one of Carson’s ice hockey colleagues.

#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review

View all my Goodreads reviews