Rush by Nyrae Dawn Published by Hachette Book Group
Published on May 6, 2014
Genres: Contemporary Romance, M/M, New Adult
Pages: 256
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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This new adult, male/male romance will capture the audience who fell in love with Nyrae Dawn's Games Trilogy.
For the love of the game.
Brandon Chase has always defined himself by one thing: football. Tough and athletic, he is a great college player who enjoys the hard hits and the sweaty grind of the gridiron. But when Brandon is injured, only one person can help him get back on track-a forbidden love he's desperately tried to put behind him.
Alec Andrews has never quite forgiven Brandon for walking away when their friendship turned into something more. But he can't deny help to one of his closest friends. As the two spend the long, hot summer working together, their old attraction comes flooding back.
Now as Alec thinks about coming out to his conservative family and Brandon considers revealing he's a gay football player, the two men must be strong to fight for a love that could be the greatest rush of their lives.
I am a big fan of Charade by Nyrae Dawn, it became an instant favorite of mine, so when I found out she was writing an M/M romance, I was seriously excited!
Rush is Brandon and Alec’s story. They met when they were teenagers, spending several summers together and maintaining a friendship from a distance. Neither has come out and after years of keeping their feelings (and kissing) a secret, Brandon decides to end all contact with Alec and focus on his football career.
I slide my hand down to the back of his neck, fisting it there, and wonder what the fuck is so wrong with feeling like this. With holding him like this and having someone who knows you in ways you’re too afraid to admit to yourself.
Brandon loves football, it’s his dream to make it to the NFL and that’s where he’s heading if all things go according to plan. Even though that’s what he wants, it is also keeping him from being who he really is so he resents it at the same time. When he gets into a bad accident, Alec is there for him even after a year and a half of not talking.
“When they fixed my heart, I wish they would have fixed me. Made it so I wasn’t so weak.”
The two can’t fight the connection and pull they have toward one another so they decide not to. They are going to enjoy the time they have over the summer and Alec is going to help Brandon get back in shape before he has to return to school for football season.
“I’ve always loved him, but that doesn’t change how things are. We’re just gonna chill. We both want to spend these last few weeks together and then we’re going to end it for good.”
Brandon and Alec continue to struggle hiding their relationship from everyone, especially Alec’s prejudice dad. It takes a toll on them both, the constant hiding and covering for each other. It’s emotionally draining and puts a strain on their relationship when one is ready to come out and the other isn’t.
“All I can think about is how real this all is now… and how much losing it is going to hurt.”
I really liked Alec, he’s much more open from the beginning about his feelings. It took me longer, but I did eventually like Brandon a lot too and it was good to see how much he grows throughout the story. I rooting for these two the whole time and I loved how they were learning things as they went, but together – both in and out of the bedroom.
“This is all that matters, okay? Fuck the world. We don’t need anyone else. Just this right here. Just us.”
“Just us,” I repeat. Hoping like hell it’ll continue to be enough.
This book is a pretty quick read, it’s mostly sweet but does have the tougher parts with the constant struggle both guys are dealing with. Even though I enjoyed it for the most part, I can’t say I was blown away. A lot of the story seemed repetitive and I think I just wanted more from it. The conversations seemed kind of generic and although I felt for the characters, I was really wishing for a bit more depth.
I would recommend this for M/M newbies (which I am). It’s definitely new adult and there’s a big theme about finding and loving yourself, which I appreciated. The characters in this book are introduced in Four Summers, but I didn’t read that prior to reading Rush and was just fine, but it might give a little more insight to the characters.
“Nothing I’ve ever had feels as right as you.”
Pre-order and get Rush immediately when it goes live on May 6th!
About Nyrae Dawn
Writing has always been Nyrae Dawn’s passion. There have been times in her life where she wasn’t able to chase that dream the way she desired, but she always found her way back to telling stories.
One of her loves has always been writing about teens. There’s something so fresh and fun about the age that she loves exploring. Her husband says it’s because she doesn’t want to grow up. She doesn’t think that’s such a bad thing and luckily for her, he doesn’t either.
Nyrae gravitates toward character-driven stories. She loves going on emotional journeys with characters whether it be reading or writing. And yes, she’s a total romantic at heart and proud.
Nyrae resides in sunny Southern California with her husband (who still makes her swoon) and her two awesome kids.
When she’s not with her family, you can be pretty sure you’ll find her with a book in her hand or her laptop and an open document in front of her.
She writes for Entangled Publishing, Grand Central Publishing and is self-published.
Nyrae is represented by Jane Dystel of Dystel and Goderich Literary Management.
Nyrae Dawn also writes adult romance under the name Kelley Vitollo.
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