: A "slow burn" friends-to-lovers progression where Luke undergoes a profound internal shift, realizing his deep attraction to Landon.
| Character | Age | Role | Personality | |-----------|-----|------|--------------| | | Early 40s | Accountant, widower | Quiet, closed-off, grieving, loyal, repressed | | Landon Shea | Early 40s | Small business owner (graphic design/printing) | Outgoing, chatty, affectionate, lonely despite his charm | | Emmet Ransom | 17 | Luke’s son, football player | Mature, protective of his dad, good student | | Colt Shea | 17 | Landon’s son, football player | Spirited, funny, loves his dad openly | you and me tal bauer
The pacing of the novel is relentless. Bauer creates a "pressure cooker" environment where romantic moments feel stolen and therefore more precious. This pacing reinforces the theme that time is a luxury these characters do not possess, making their choice to prioritize love a revolutionary act. : A "slow burn" friends-to-lovers progression where Luke
| Title | Author | Why similar | |-------|--------|--------------| | Role Model | Rachel Reid | Hockey, grumpy/sunshine, mental health | | For the Fans | Nyla K | Stepbrothers, bi awakening, emotional | | Him | Elle Kennedy & Sarina Bowen | Hockey, best friends to lovers | | The Quarterback | Tal Bauer | Same author, college football, single dad | | Unwritten Rules | K.D. Casey | Baseball, closeted athlete | This pacing reinforces the theme that time is
by Tal Bauer is a contemporary M/M romance novel that diverges from the author's typical high-stakes romantic suspense to deliver a grounded, emotionally resonant exploration of fatherhood, grief, and self-discovery. Released in March 2022, the novel has been widely praised by readers on platforms like Goodreads for its sensitive portrayal of a "bisexual awakening" in midlife and its dual focus on romantic and paternal love. Narrative Premise and Structure
No cheating, no non-con, no major character death (past wife’s death is before story).
