SWIMMING AGAINST THE TIDE by Ryan Taylor & Joshua Harwood
Synopsis
Zach
I wanted what I thought was the ideal college experience—an excellent school and a great fraternity. Since I was a legacy, it was Zeta from the get-go. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy it. In fact, I had so much fun I didn’t pay enough attention to one very important thing—the culture. The very conservative, closed-minded culture. The culture that welcomed no one who wasn’t a carbon copy of everyone else. The culture where a gay man has only one option: live in the closet and survive on occasional anonymous hookups.
I made it work until I saw a gorgeous guy jump into the bushes one night after a party. I went after him, and my life was never the same.
Connor
After my best friend ditched me at a frat party, I had nothing to do but drink away the time and wait for my own Prince Frat Bro to rescue me. Yeah, right. I was pretty sure I was the only gay guy there, and I finally gave up and left. Then, the night took an interesting turn on my walk home.
I guess you can’t find love when you beat around the bushes.
Swimming Against the Tide is a romance between two very different young men: a closeted frat bro sophomore and an out-and-proud freshman. Neither can resist the connection made at the most awkward, incredibly sweet, and impossible-to-forget meet-cute ever. How can they get what they want without being swept away by the tide?
This gay college romance features themes of Greek life, a secret relationship, undeniable chemistry, and steamy moments full of delightfully dirty talk. There are also tough decisions, coming out, and a HEA that will pull at your heartstrings every time you read it.
Genre: M/M College Romance Novella
Trope: Friends with benefits, secret relationship, HEA
Cover Design: Kate Farlow @ Y’all That Graphic
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Purchase Link
~ Amazon Universal ~
Review
This novella tells a sweet, low angst story between Connor and Zach, but also tells Zach’s emotional struggle with being true to himself or staying in the homophobic frat house he joined and having to hide for the rest of his time at college.
I really liked both MCs a great deal and I enjoyed their instant connection and hoped that Zach would be strong enough to leave the frat house and pursue a relationship out in the open with Connor. I thought Connor was understanding about Zach’s situation, but he knew he didn’t want to be in a long-term relationship that would involve him not being able to be with his boyfriend in public.
Most of the guys in the frat came across as ass****s and I struggle to understand the mentality behind their behaviours. I was glad that Zach found his inner strength to be true to himself before it became an even more toxic environment for him to live in.
Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card
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About the Authors
Ryan Taylor met his husband and co-author, Joshua Harwood, in law school. They live in a suburb of Washington, DC, and share their home with a big, cuddly German shepherd. Ryan and Josh love to travel. In addition, Ryan also enjoys swimming, and Josh likes to putter in the garden whenever he can. They began writing to celebrate the romance they were so lucky to find with each other, and the sharing soon developed into a passion for telling stories about love between out and proud men.
Connect with Ryan and Joshua
Facebook Group / Facebook Page
Ryan Taylor’s Amazon Profile / Joshua Harwood’s Amazon Profile
Ryan Taylor’s BookBub Profile / Joshua Harwood’s BookBub Profile
Ryan Taylor’s Goodreads Profile / Joshua Harwood’s Goodreads Profile
Claire's Reads and Reviews 