Three years ago, Chet Sloan left a promising job as Offensive Line Coach at the University of Arizona in an effort to put distance between himself and an Incoming Freshman. Bobby Ray Sikes first came to Chet’s attention as a high school sophomore when he took his small Arkansas town’s football team to a state championship. For two years Chet watched Bobby Ray Sikes play, knowing the boy was meant for greatness. When he recognized his feelings had grown from adoration to something more, Chet ran. In an effort to save his career and Bobby Ray Sikes’s chance to one day go professional, Chet took a job at North Central Idaho University.
For three years, Bobby Ray Sikes played for a team he hated. Not only was he expected to act like the rest of the guys on the team, but the one man he’d agreed to play for had left him high and dry. After reading an article on BK House, a privately funded all-gay dormitory, in OUT magazine, he decides to do the unthinkable and transfer colleges his senior year.
Most coaches would be thrilled to learn a two time All American was transferring in to play ball for their team, but Chet’s feelings for Bobby Ray Sikes haven’t changed. Will he be forced to run again or can he coach the man he loves?
I enjoyed this one quite a bit. It was great to see the Campus Cravings series continue on with new characters.
I liked both Chet and Bobby. They both wanted and loved each other ever since Chet recruited Bobby at Bobby's previous school. Of course, they were both attracted to each other so much back then, they couldn't resist the desire they had. Unfortunately, Chet couldn't exactly come to terms with his desire for the younger man and left Bobby before anything monumental could happen between them. This book picks up a couple of years after Chet leaves Bobby so we experience the reconciliation between the two. I really did like it, especially since I've always been a fan of teacher (although Chet is only a coach) and student books.
This is a quick read that appealed to be quite a bit. However, I didn't feel the connection between the two characters. Partly because neither one of them know anything about each other besides a few surface details. They've both been in love for years but they soon realize they don't really know one another at all. I think that was my only problem with the book. Because they didn't really know each other, I couldn't grasp the connection they should have had.
All in all, I think anyone who's read and liked the previous books in the series will like this one as well. Recommended.
I have to say it was a great read; I love Carol Lynne's books. This one made me remember other characters from the former books in this series. It was like catching up with old friends. I would of enjoyed reading more about all the others, but it was great to see there could be more to come.
This book is about Chet Sloan, football coach, and Bobby Ray, incoming football player in his senior year. There is not just history between the two men but feelings for each other. If you loved the other stories in this series you will enjoy this one.
2.5* Yes, stupid me this was my first Campus book, but nevertheless I figured if it's at least a little bit like Cattle Valley it won't be that big a deal. With regard to the series - no, it wasn't. I didn't feel like missing out on previous story lines. With regard to the story itself - well, it was rather impossible to follow the reasoning of the MCs. I don't want to go into details, as then this review would perhaps be longer than the book. To keep it short, I had the feeling the MCs decided to do one thing and then they did the complete opposite at the end. How they came to the change of view - well, this reader couldn't follow. Nevertheless I finished reading, although this will remain my only Campus book.
This series is more interesting (to me) than the CV series. Don't get me wrong, this author is a talented writer, but the stories just don't have enough angst for my tastes. Things come together a bit too easy for me to get overly involved and invested in the characters. There is conflict, but after the initial fight between characters, the 'LOVE' word comes out pretty quick. Still, the love stories are good for easy reading.
Bobby fell for his coach or would have been his coach three years earlier but Chet left so he wouldn't be tempted. Now it's Bobby's senior year and he's coming for Chet. He wants to be with him because he's not found anyone one like him or that few moments they shared.
Chet isn't wanting that at first but a friend of his gives him a talk and he lets Bobby in. They still have things to deal with though. The biggest is that Bobby might not be like his mom was though Chet's scared of that. There also the fact that Bobby's dealing with an injury.
I enjoyed this book. I only got little annoyed at Chet pushing Bobby play and not wanting to out him if he went pro. Thought those were Bobby's choices to make not Chet's.
Maintaining a May/December relationship is often fraught with challenges, but for football coach Chet Sloan in 'Incoming Freshman' by Carol Lynne, it's even more difficult. Bobby Ray Sikes, the object of his desire, happens to be a young man he's supposed to be mentoring, not lusting after. To make matters worse, Bobby Ray's family admires and trusts him which only exacerbates his feelings of guilt and betrayal. When Chet realizes that his admiration for Bobby Ray has turned into feelings of love and lust, he is overwhelmed by the inappropriateness of the situation and rather than facing his fears, runs away from them, causing a plethora of tangled emotions for both him and Bobby Ray.
I wasn't sure that I liked Chet at first because of the emotional destruction his avoidance caused, but when I started to think about it, there truly was no easy answer for his situation and in his ass backwards manner, he tried to do what he thought was best for Bobby Ray. Unfortunately, a lot of this pain and confusion could have been avoided if he'd just been honest with himself and Bobby Ray about his feelings; I also realize that's something easier said than done. As the story progressed I began to realize that he really does feel love and not only lust for Bobby. They truly are soul mates. When they finally do come together, they love each other with such a great deal of passion that I couldn't resist cheering for them. I have to give Chet credit. Even though he doesn't always succeed, Chet tries hard to respect Bobby Ray's feelings and be open with him.
Bobby Ray has become one of my favorite Carol Lynne characters. I adore him. He suffers a lot because of his feelings for Chet, yet he's strong. When he sets his mind on something and knows he's doing what's right for him, nothing can change it. He's quite admirable in his sense of fairness and knowing what's right and wrong. In many ways, he knows himself far better than Chet who is ten years older and supposedly wiser. He knows he's in love with Chet and is able to stand up to him and fight for what he believes in. Bobby Ray is able to present a solid argument for why they should be together and convinces Chet that it's what's best for them, regardless of age or status. He's also brave enough to call Chet on it when he reneges on their agreement. I love the way Bobby Ray treats people. He's so fair and honest with them. He sees into a person's heart and instinctively knows what to say and do.
I enjoyed 'Incoming Freshman'. There are not only a lot of sexy men and hot, passionate encounters in the story, but there are also several life lessons. Such as the importance of learning to communicate effectively, to be true to yourself, to believe in your dreams, and regardless of adversity, love will find a way. I'd definitely recommend this story, not only to other Carol Lynne fans, but to anyone who enjoys a passionate love story which ends happily.
NOTE: This book was provided by Total-E-Bound for the purpose of a review on Queer Magazine Online
It has been quite a while since I read a 'Campus Cravings' book, and it was almost like coming home when I started this one. Many of the previous books' characters are back, but the focus is on Chet, a football coach, and Bobby, the student who scared Chet into running away three years ago. Of course, it's more complicated than that, but the basic problem is that Chet (as the much older man) is scared to admit he has feelings for someone who isn't just much younger, but whom he is supposed to coach as well.
Bobby is determined to make things or with the man he fell in love with when he was eighteen and still in high school. Chet was supposed to coach him in college - but when Bobby arrived, Chet had vanished. Of course this hurt Bobby deeply, all the more because his father died two years later and Bobby could have really done with some support. Not having any friends at a college he only went to so he could be with Chet was hard. Now he's figured out a way to transfer to Chet's current college in Idaho, and he is determined to make it work. "Minor" complications like an injury he hides so he can still get his scholarship only make his task more difficult.
Chet is an interesting man. Yes, he has all the hangups about being so much older than Bobby, but on top of that his mother was much younger than his father and left them when Chet was a young kid - because she had "changed her mind" and wasn't ready to settle down. It's still not a really good reason for Chet to ignore his own feelings, but fear like that will make people do strange things. Now that Bobby has made his intentions more than clear, Chet has to face the truth. Coaching someone and being his boyfriend at the same time isn't easy, so Chet has his work cut out for him.
If you like May/December romances, if a conflict between job and personal responsibilities sounds interesting, and if you're looking for a read in the best tradition of the 'Campus Cravings' series, then you will probably like this novella.
NOTE: This book was provided by Total-E-Bound for the purpose of a review.
I was thrilled to learn Ms. Lynn had decided to resume the Campus Cravings series, and this newest release is a worthy addition to the family of books.
I liked Chet before. He's a good guy. Kind, responsible and caring and his inability to express his feeling to the much younger Bobby aren't unexpected. He's the kind of man who doesn't take advantage of others and the differences in their ages makes him feel like some kind of perv. Ms. Lynne did a nice job getting his over these feelings, letting Bobby convince him of the seriousness of his own emotions. They get well. Yes, they have some trouble due to their coach/player positions but their love or one another trumps it all.
I loved seeing many of the characters from the previous set of books, and how Bobby interacted with them. They played important, if small roles, and if expect to see more of them in the future. Then there was Dane, Bobby's new roomie. This shy guy is interesting and I want to know more about him and the older professor he's crazy about. I hope Ms. Lynne concentrates on them in a future release.
Overall, the is good beginning to what I hope will be another long run of books. Can you say another ten or maybe even twenty. Hint. Hint, Ms. Lynne.
This book was pretty good. It featured Coach Chet Sloan, the man who took over from Coach Justin after Justin's illness. Bobby Ray Sikes is a gifted running back and Chet recruited him to play for the team he was coaching in AZ. When Bobby Ray gets to AZ, however, Chet runs away and takes the job as assistant coach at NICU because he's afraid of his attraction to Bobby. I feel that this theme is pretty much the theme of 75% of the books in this series. Older MC is scared of a relationship with other MC and runs and younger MC must try to seduce him (which takes all of about 2 paragraphs). So this book was okay, but the series is getting a little formulaic and I wish that it had ended with book #12, which so far is the best in the series in my opinion.
For a book that almost wasn't written, this is great.
New head football coach Chet Sloan is finally forced to face the man he walked away from years ago, Bobby Ray Sikes, who has decided to transfer to NCIU to play under Coach Sloan.
There is a history between them and even though there is 14 years difference separating them, Bobby hopes to prove to Chet that he's grown up and can handle a relationship.
Chet fights it tooth and nail because he feels like he let the boy down before he left but he ends up falling right back to where he was with Bobby.
Then we find out the Bobby is healing from a partial tear in his ACL... this throws a ratchet into the whole story and the decisions that are made based on it. I really enjoyed the story and can't wait for the next book!
2.5 - this is the least favorite of mine in the series. It is a personal thing about how fast this book went, Chet (he has always rubbed me the wrong way) and just how things happened in this book. It felt like this was a bridge book to introduce new characters - which is great - don't get me wrong. I do enjoy this series and hope that it continues.
This book is part of a series from Carol. Fortunately I don't think you need to have read the previous books to really get into the story.
Characters are well written. Plot flows. A beautifully constructed story as always. I suspect that this might be the start of some more stories for the Campus Cravings series. (I hope anyway!)
Мне просто не понравился Бобби как человек. Не нравится как он обманул всех несмотря на свои добрые намерения, вся эта ложь ему просто сошла с рук, а ведь столько народу на него надеялось - фанаты, Джастин, Чет, школа. Надо было изначально вести себя честно, а не искать отговорки, обманывая всех, включая любимого человека и подводя его карьеру.
I enjoyed this series and was happy to get to revisit it with a new addition. I had a few niggles, such as Bobby's dad being called Martin, Earl, and Bob. I guess that was an editing issue. Despite the inconsistency, it was a quick, sweet read. I look forward to more in the series.
A fun read. I enjoyed seeing some of the old crowd again. The plot wasn't real original. It fit with the overall series. I thought the relationship between Chet and Bobby Ray went pretty smoothly with all of the obstructions they had to overcome.
I'm so glad that everything worked out okay and Bobby and Chet could finally tell each other how much they loved one another and be together. I truly fell in love with Dane also and just wanted to wrap my arms around him and hug him!
I'm so happy to read more in the Campus Cravings series and meet some new guys at BK House! This is still my favorite series from her, and I really enjoyed this one.