REVIEW: 'The Next Competitor' by Keira Andrews
Title: The Next Competitor
Author: Keira Andrews
Published: December 6, 2016 - 2nd Edition
Publisher: Self-Published/KA Books
Genre: Erotic Romance; Contemporary Romance; New Adult
Length: 246 Pages
Tags: Gay; M/M; Coming Out; Athlete/Sport: Skating; First Time; Opposites Attract; Olympics
About The Next Competitor
If he risks his heart, can he keep his head in the game?
To win gold, figure skater Alex Grady must train harder than the competition morning, noon, and night. He's obsessed with mastering another quadruple jump, and due to the lack of filter between his mouth and brain, doesn't have a lot of friends. As for a boyfriend, forget it. So what if he's still a virgin at twenty? The Olympics are only every four years--everything else can wait. Relationships are messy and complicated anyway, and he has zero room in his life for romance.
So it's ridiculous when Alex finds himself checking out his boring new training mate Matt Savelli. Calm, collected "Captain Cardboard" is a nice guy, but even if Alex had time to date, Matt's so not his type. Yet beneath Matt's wholesome surface, there's a dirty, sexy man who awakens a desire Alex has never experienced and can't deny...
Note: This gay romance from Keira Andrews features opposites attracting, new adult angst, sexual discovery, and of course a happy ending.
First published in 2010. This new version has been extensively rewritten, updated, and expanded into a new adult romance with explicit on-page sex.
4 HEART READ
REVIEW:
The Next Competitor, by Keira Andrews, tells the story of dreaming for Olympic gold and ultimately finding love. It shares a journey of discovery and “growing up” which sparks a realization that just maybe there is more to life than an Olympic dream.
Alex Grady has trained all his life for the chance to win a gold medal in men’s singles figure skating. He’s put everything on hold solely focusing on this goal. True to figure skating stereotypes Alex is gay but doesn’t flaunt his sexuality, knowing the possible repercussions from his sponsors and supporters. However, he is completely out to a supportive and accepting group of family and friends.
He tends to come across as insulting and somewhat of a jerk, which is attributed to his lack of filter between his brain and mouth. His blatant honesty lands him in some interesting situations and dictates how others perceive him.
Matt Savelli is a Canadian pairs figure skater who encounters tragedy when his partner, Mylene, succumbs to a fall and is injured. Matt spends a considerable amount of time blaming himself for her accident even with the knowledge that sometimes in skating you just “catch and edge”.
He and his partner are extremely close but will never be more than the best of friends. Matt much rather prefers the guys and struggles with his sexuality, even if it is only from the perspective that his family will never accept it/him.
When Alex and Matt are paired they work extremely well together complimenting the other’s strengths and weaknesses.
Alex has a snarky and brash attitude while Matt is charming, sweet, and caring. Alex is innocent and inexperienced with relations, while Matt is an expert in comparison.
Most importantly these two share a strong connection and chemistry that is intense, heated, and beautiful to witness.
This story is intriguing even when the romance is removed and the focus is on the technical, political, and self-sacrifices that make up the world of an Olympic athlete. Andrews must have spent a significant amount of time researching, or is intimately familiar with, the world of figure skating as she expertly weaves this information into the plot with an informative flow.
The Next Competitor is a heartwarming journey where two men choose the path that is right for them. Their sacrifices are real, the relationships strong, and the individuals combine to build a vivid image of the Olympic athlete and those around them. It truly is a shame that the review platforms do not allow for half ratings as this definitely deserves a 4.5!
A copy of The Next Competitor was provided to Kimmers Erotic Book Banter, by IndiGo Marketing and Design, at no cost and with no expectations in return. We offer our fair and honest opinion on behalf of our readers.
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About the Author
If you enjoy reading steamy romances between two men who can’t live without each other, you’ve come to the right place.
After writing for years yet never really finding the right inspiration, Keira discovered her voice in gay romance, which has become a passion. She writes contemporary, historical, fantasy, and paranormal fiction and — although she loves delicious angst along the way — Keira firmly believes in happy endings. For as Oscar Wilde once said:
“The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means.”
For more titles from Keira visit her website.
