I want to object, want to scream “NO!” and run home, but . . . potatoes.
I’m not sure this book could have been any more adorable if it tried. It was so sweet and full of warm, happy vibes. I was giddy throughout most of it! I know next to nothing about rugby, but that didn’t hinder my enjoyment of this story. It actually made me want to go and watch some matches now. I loved Owen and Mathias, and I love the little community we got to know in Owen’s small village. The Little Thatch and its patrons were as important to this story as Owen and Mathias were. They were very easy to fall in love with!
Potatoes and Owen Bosley blushing because of me are two extremely welcome bonuses I did not expect to happen today.
Mathias Jones’ rookie year was marred by an unfortunate play that ended up with him accidentally ending rugby legend Owen Bosley’s career. Several years later, Mathias is signed to the team Owen used to play for, despite the fans still holding a grudge over what happened to Owen. As if dealing with the fans’ ire wasn’t enough, Mathias quickly learns that the landlord for the cottage he’s renting is none other than Owen Bosley himself.
Mathias was, understandably, very skittish at the start of the book, but I loved seeing Owen’s friendly nature disarm him and draw him in. Owen just kept showing up and being kind, and Mathias couldn’t resist. The copious amount of potatoes on offer didn’t hurt either. It was adorable that Mathias would do basically anything if potatoes were involved. These two were so cute as they started to hang out and become friends. They both had crushes on each other even before they became neighbors, so the sexual tension was there from the start. And I loved seeing them start to give in to their crushes. There was one scene early on in their physical relationship that was probably the most innocent yet sexiest shower scene I’ve ever read. So good!
As I mentioned earlier, I also loved the whole community. The Sunday sevens crew, the pub quiz crew, the other Cents lads, Owen’s daughters, Lando – they were all such great characters, and it was so sweet seeing how much they loved and supported Owen and were willing to pitch in to help when he needed them most. And seeing Mathias find his place amongst this community warmed my heart. The author’s note said she wanted this book to be like a warm hug, and I think she more than accomplished that mission!
“I’m just checking the ETA of my potatoes.”
Fuck, why is that the most adorable sentence ever uttered?
The Book Boyfriend Addict 