Guest Review: Straight From the Heart (Exception to the Rule, #3) by Kimberly Gardner

College student Kyle diStefano is having trouble paying his tuition. So when he hears about a job as team mascot with the accompanying full scholarship it seems like the perfect solution. Except he knows nothing about football. But why should that stop him?

Known as the Big Cock on Campus, Dave Masterson never lets his antics with the ladies interfere with his true love, playing NCAA football. But when his coach suggests the team do some off-season conditioning at the ballet barre, most of the guys scoff. Only Dave takes him seriously.

With Dave's knowledge of football and Kyle's knowledge of ballet, it seems each has exactly what the other needs, except they play for different teams. Or do they?

Kyle knows one sure path to heartbreak is falling for the straight jock who’s teaching him the rules of the game. Dave falling for another man is going to mean nothing but trouble. But neither man can seem to help himself.

When a public display of affection casts doubt on Dave’s NFL dream, he is forced to make a choice. Stay with the game plan or call an audible straight from the heart.

Reviewed by Samantha

It's a story we've all heard before. Gay boy falls for seemingly straight jock. In this story, Kyle, the new mascot ends up in a little deal with Dave Masterson, the schools quarterback. It's a simple exchange - if Dave teaches Kyle about football, Kyle will help him with ballet.

Of course nothing is really that simple, and the boys find themselves in somewhat of a friends with a little extra benefits arrangement, one that leaves some hearts broken in its wake.

The story in general was perfectly fine. There were some very cute parts, and the characters were overall endearing. I enjoyed getting to know Joes and Mark and seeing just a bit of their dynamic as well.

Still, this was just medium level okay. There was nothing that stood out about this story or that will stay with me in the days to come. I love sports in stories, and I love GFY, but there are so many that you really have to write something special to make an impact, and this simply wasn't that. If you're looking for something cute to pass the time, then this may be the book for you, but if you want a story with impact, I'd say to continue along elsewhere.

On the bright side, I found Kyle and Dave to be quite sizzling when they were together, but as a whole I felt like the heart of the story was lacking. The content was there, but something was missing.

For more information on Goodreads or Booklikes!