Book 807: Stupid Love (Five Foxes #1) – S.J. Carter

I’m not 100% sure why I said yes to this when it came through Gay Romance Reviews.* I think it was because of the enemies to lovers storyline/trope, but who knows really? It also could’ve been because of the cover model, he looks vaguely familiar, or it could’ve been the academic setting. Really there’s no telling with me.

This was my first time reading something by Carter and it wasn’t too bad. I’m always hesitant trying a new self-published author. You never really know what you’re going to get when it comes to editing and proofreading. Thankfully, for the most part, there weren’t any issues that stood out for me. A couple of minor errors here and there but not so egregious to make me highlight them and share them so we’ll call it a win.

Stupid Love is the story of Riley, an English teacher who gave up his chances at a career on Broadway to return home to small town Illinois to help care for his best friend, and Colton, former closeted football and baseball player who takes a coaching job at their alma mater because it’s better than working for his dad. What Riley doesn’t know is that Colton was deeply in the closet and had the biggest crush on him in high school.

That touch was all it took. Colton leaned forward and kissed Riley, and Riley kissed him back. This was the kiss he’d been waiting for. Ever since sophomore year and now, thirteen years later, he wanted this kiss. (Chapter 11)

There was a rape in the past content warning on the ARC email and it said it was the past, but there are definitely a couple of scenes that really get close to re-enacting it so definitely keep that in mind. I also saw that there were a couple of people were not on board with the role Colton played in the entire situation, even though we learn later that he and his family were basically being blackmailed into having to play a part in all of it.

There were definitely some super hokey scenes/moments and if there would’ve been maybe one more I would’ve probably not been happy. I mean I like a balance of hokey and good sex scenes, but you have to actually reach a balance. Here are two of them:

Then they both fell to the bed like sand and lay against one another, spent and unable to move as the sensation of everything that happened between them washed over the both of them like ocean waves. The space above them winking like stars. (Chapter 13)

They’d eaten, but Riley was hungry now for something entirely different. An appetite for something that threatened to consume him if he didn’t do something about it soon. (Chapter 22)

Both of these have additional issues. In the first one Carter lost the metaphor switching from the beach to the stars, or there’s a line missing and in the second one again there feels like there’s a line missing between the two sentences connecting them together.

I felt that Carter did a great job of writing the teen characters. Mia and Oscar were perfect. Both of their journeys just made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. I was so worried about Oscar and relieved when all was revealed and he got his happy for now and Mia got two unexpected dads, just yes! And then Coach Sievers’ response to Colton coming out very publicly at the festival was well written and again goes to the whole idea that if you know someone (hopefully) you’ll be more accepting).

‘I got a granddaughter who just came out to her mom, and I guess I didn’t really understand it before. Funny how all that works. That’s my grandbaby, and I never realized until right now I was saying not nice things about her too.’ Sievers paced a little. He turned and stared off toward the road and cars passing by. Colton wasn’t sure how to take it, what he was supposed to do. ‘It took a lot for her to do that, especially at her age. She’s fourteen.’ Sievers wiped at his mouth again, and Colton hoped he wasn’t going to start tearing up and crying or something weird like that. He wasn’t sure he’d know how to handle it if he did.  ‘And I want to do right by her. You helped me get there today, so I gotta give you some serious props for that.’ (Chapter 28)

I also really liked this scene because Carter did a great job of writing the macho posturing of both Colton and Sievers and I 100% got it. The whole ‘I hope he doesn’t cry or want a hug’ awkwardness, just made me laugh and smile.

The biggest complaint I have by far is a common one, but one I haven’t seen for a few books. Carter wrote two allegedly verse characters and yet they never swapped roles in the sex scenes. Given there were only two explicit ones and one that sort of faded to curtains, it’s not that surprising but it did annoy me because she could’ve at least alluded to them switching off page or something. If you’re going to talk the talk, then you damn well better walk the walk and or acknowledge that they did switch it up at some point (and yes even if it’s just an “I’m sore and can’t sit” throwaway reference).

Recommendation: This was a decent middle of the pack MM romance novel. I liked the protagonists and probably liked some of the minor characters a bit more than them so that’s always a plus. I wasn’t happy Carter talked the talk but didn’t walk the walk on her characters being verse and the rape scene that happens off page definitely gets very close to on page at some points.

*I received a copy of Stupid Love via Gay Romance Reviews in return for my honest opinion. No goods or money were exchanged.

Opening Line: “A man kept turning Riley’s way and smiling.”

Closing Line: “And then he turned back to Colton and smiled. He loved that.” (Whited out to avoid spoilers, highlight to read.)

Additional Quote from Stupid Love
“‘What would your sponsor say?’ Riley took a drink of his own vodka tonic and ignored the voice in his head whispering hypocrite.
But Glen only shrugged and slurped out the last of his drink from the bottom of his glass. ‘Not much, actually. I’m in NA, not AA.’
Did it really matter? Narcotics or alcohol, substance addiction included all substances, didn’t it? But Riley sighed. Whatever. He didn’t want to fight.” (Chapter 1)