Push and Pull is the second book in the ‘Midwest Series’. It stars ex-hockey player, Brent Cameron, and Lowell Prescott, who’s out and proud. The story is told in third person from both Brent and Lowell’s povs.



I read this book right after I read the first one. It could be read as a standalone, but I think it’s better read with the first book. The story starts with a chapter from the previous book, only seen through Brent’s pov instead of Nathan and Caleb’s. It’s pretty much word for word, but gives Brent’s emotions and how pissed he is at Nathan for backing out of going with Brent on their planned summer road trip. Instead, Lowell is going in his place and Brent is not happy. I didn’t care for the rehash of a whole chapter of the previous book. It was like the long chapter flashbacks of high school the author used in the first book. I can understand it was probably done to help orient the reader into who the characters were and how the road trip started, but if the books are read in a row, it wasn’t fun to read.

I read an ARC so I understand about word errors. But there were some issues that weren’t due to grammar. Inconsistencies that didn’t make sense, like how did Lowell know Brent’s shoe size to buy the boots when Brent hadn’t tried on any boots? There was another one regarding Lowell’s flight to Chicago which he planned on one page, but the next page it surprised Lowell that he accidentally booked a flight to Chicago when he wanted Kalamazoo. There’s another confusing moment about the sleeping bags. Did they each have one or did they sleep with blankets? Because the scene ended with what sounded like blankets, but started with sleeping bags. If I read an ARC, but it was a republished story, then these inconsistencies should have been found and fixed/clarified.

There weren’t as many flashbacks as there was in the first book, which was much better. However, there was a tremendous amount of monologue and dialogue. Brent and Lowell talked about their thoughts and their feelings to each other and themselves. I can understand Lowell being introspective to a point, because he’s studying psychology. But Brent? He’s in his early twenties. How many sports minded guys who’ve been in the closet are going to be that introspective? The majority of guys like that will talk about sports, video games, work, sex or try to one up each other with their jokes. The depth to which Lowell and Brent analyzed each other and their feelings and thoughts was really unrealistic. There was so much of it; it made the story too long for me. I think the story could have been shortened by at least fifty pages. This author likes to go into detail and sometimes the detail is too much.

I was looking forward to this book because I liked Brent and Lowell when they were in the first story. For that reason I enjoyed this book more than the first one. The author did a great job of keeping Brent and Lowell consistent throughout the plot and the character growth was somewhat realistic, except for the excessive talking and introspection. A lot of that was Brent willing to come out and experience life as he really was, a gay man. Lowell was a bit harder to pin down. His problem was he needed to learn to trust that all men weren’t as bad as his last disastrous relationship, and Brent was the perfect guy for him. Brent was caring, giving and willing to keep an open mind, even though the two men got off on the wrong foot at the beginning. Lowell learned to compromise because Brent did. They worked out their difficulties and got their HEA. Caleb and Nathan show up again in this story as do a couple other characters that are in the next book. Micah, the baseball player in the hospital is also unrealistic with his apology. He apologizes and goes into a long litany of his faults. There’s no way a guy like him would apologize like that. He’d double down or just say ‘sorry’ in a quiet voice. Again, for me, an unbelievable character.

I enjoyed Push and Pull more than I did the first one. That was mostly due to the characters, Brent and Lowell. I liked the idea of them on a road trip as they got to know each other. However, there was too much monologue and dialogue about their thoughts and feelings that it was unrealistic. Especially since young closeted men in their twenties and into the sports culture aren’t going to be that introspective. It was more how women would talk and analyze their feelings with each other. Finally, it feels like the book could have been shortened by at least fifty pages. Other than that, I enjoyed this story and will read future books in this series.

I give Push and Pull, 4 Stars. ( )

I really enjoyed Bully & Exit and part of that enjoyment was the excellent secondary characters in Brent and Lowell. And although they had few on page scenes between them in the first book, those interactions were sufficient to have me keenly anticipating this book. Their book.

And this book really is a joy. I loved Brent, the recently out hockey player, and his journey to acceptance of his sexuality and what being out meant for him. Lowell, well occasionally I felt like slapping him upside the head, but he’s unashamedly flamboyant and true to himself, and you can’t help but like him even when he’s being a bit of a dick. Because ultimately, he’s just protecting his heart. And Brent chipping his way through that protective layer provides a lovely, funny, sometimes infuriating story.

There’s a road trip and Pride, camping and posh hotels, hand holding and steamy sex. We get to check in with Nathan and Caleb, and get a brief glimpse of a possible relationship for Micah. That’s an angry, bitter story in the making but one I’d be interested to read if the author can find redemption for Micah.

Highly recommended.
( )

I really enjoyed Bully & Exit and part of that enjoyment was the excellent secondary characters in Brent and Lowell. And although they had few on page scenes between them in the first book, those interactions were sufficient to have me keenly anticipating this book. Their book.

And this book really is a joy. I loved Brent, the recently out hockey player, and his journey to acceptance of his sexuality and what being out meant for him. Lowell, well occasionally I felt like slapping him upside the head, but he’s unashamedly flamboyant and true to himself, and you can’t help but like him even when he’s being a bit of a dick. Because ultimately, he’s just protecting his heart. And Brent chipping his way through that protective layer provides a lovely, funny, sometimes infuriating story.

There’s a road trip and Pride, camping and posh hotels, hand holding and steamy sex. We get to check in with Nathan and Caleb, and get a brief glimpse of a possible relationship for Micah. That’s an angry, bitter story in the making but one I’d be interested to read if the author can find redemption for Micah.

Highly recommended.
( )