Title: The Summer Games: Out of Bounds
Author: R.S. Grey
Release Date: Aug 1, 2016
I despise Erik Winter.
He’s arrogant and cruel—a man I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy—and by some twisted turn of fate, he’s my new Olympic gymnastics coach.
I’ve had to contend with gruff coaches in the past, but Erik is far worse. His stern demeanor complements a body built for intimidation, and his reprimands come from a mouth so cunning, I know it could strip me of my defenses—if I let it.
Though each of us would love to be rid of the other forever, we are bound to each other by need and necessity. I’m his rising star, his best shot at proving himself to his critics. And without a coach, I have zero chance of winning gold in Rio.
The easiest way forward would be to wave a white flag and make peace with the man I’ll be sharing close quarters with for the foreseeable future, but he is intent on war.
Fine. By. Me.
If he pushes me, I’ll push back harder. If he wants to test me, to play with my head, I’ll show him just how many boundaries I’m willing to cross. Because I know it’s not a choice between winning or warring—not if you can have them both. At the end of it all, I plan on leaving Rio with gold around my neck and his icy heart in the palm of my hand.
4 Stars
Review by Lisa Kane
Brie Watson lives for gymnastics. She's worked her behind off since she was a kid striving for Olympic Gold. And that medal is right in her grasp. Its a month before Rio and she just got word that the team's coach, Filip Winter is having health issues and his son Erik will be coaching the team. She's thrown for a loop. She has to come up with money for a flight from Austin, Texas to Seattle. Money for Brie has always been an issue. Her father skipped out long before Brie could ever have a relationship with him and so her mom has played both mom and dad for her. Her mom's a social worker, she works incredibly long hours for not so great money and they have struggled from day one but Brie's mom has done everything she could to make sure Brie could follow her dreams of being a gymnast. Maybe her outfits weren't the greatest and there's never been money for extras but her mom bargained her way into getting her coached by the best and trained at the finest gym. If Brie can bring home gold, she knows she can pay her mom back by getting endorsements and finally, all their hard work will pay off.
Gymnastics is the sport with a strong marriage between body and mind. Your body hesitates in fear and cries out in pain while your mind wills it to push beyond what should be possible. The only thing separating good gymnasts from great gymnasts is the ability to overcome that fear.
Brie had to take a cheaper flight into Seattle and so she sent an email to the new coach letting him know she would be arriving early. There was mix up and Erik had "company" when Brie got to his house. He felt uncomfortable having his one night stand on display. Brie was taken back by how good looking Erik was, but his asshole attitude shut down any wandering thoughts she might have had about him.
These two are like chalk and cheese. They press each other's buttons and they fight constantly. But I think the root of the problem is that they want each other. Really Badly.
"You aren't special, Brie, so stop acting like it." His words had the same effect as a knife to my heart.
But Eric has fought hard for his position as a coach for the Olympic team. He trained to compete in the men's Olympics but dropped out a month before the games. He disappeared, and came back after opening his own gym. He hasn't had a relationship with his own father ever since and no one knows why. This guy holds a lot inside himself.
Athletes work hard but play harder. Sooner or later all that sweat and adrenaline is going to come bubbling to the surface and one or the other of Erik or Brie is going to combust. Brie taunts Eric every chance she can get and he is at his breaking point.
My body pooled with warmth as his thumb dragged across my sole. Why. Why. Why. He was touching my foot! Last I checked, my vagina was somewhere between my hips and thighs.
There's one scene that takes place in a yoga studio and I have to say it was pretty unique for a RS Grey book. I've never known her to write a scene like this one and I had to go back and re read it a couple of times. One, because it was smoking hot and two because I couldn't believe it was in one of her books. That will show me for thinking I know all about her writing style!
A slow-spreading smirk overtook the right side of his mouth as he turned to assess me cooly. "I've fucked her before."
Ice filled my veins.
"How many times?"
But what happens after the games are over and both go back to their own lives in two separate states? Will they both cut and run? Go back to each of their isolated existences and their time together will just be time out of time. Summer gold will turn to dust once they return to their own lives
She wasn't going to do this. She didn't get to decide this was over because I hadn't thrown her over my shoulders and hauled her off into the sunset the night before. I deserved one night to gather my thoughts. I deserved more than a quick dismissal.
The Summer Games: Out of Bounds centers around athletes and their sport and their unwavering commitment to the game. There was a different kind of vibe from this one-it had a more adult feel, and was more serious than some of her other books. But just like the first one of the series, it was hot and funny and poignant and everything I've come to expect from Ms. Grey's books!
"I don't know what the future will hold for us, but I'm asking you to trust me, to trust that I won't take your love lightly. "
I am a lover of books, chocolate, reality TV, black labs, and cold weather. Seriously, if I had it my way, I would be curled up on the couch with all of those things... everyday.
I live in Texas where I spend my free time writing and reading. My favorite authors include Mindy Kaling & Jonathan Safran Foer. I'm a comedy geek and love all things "funny". Women like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Mindy Kaling are definitely the biggest inspirations for my writing, though I think my work tends to skew a bit smuttier than theirs.
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