Flashback Friday: The Locker Room by Amy Lane #Review #Giveaway

Author: Amy Lane
Book: The Locker Room
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: DWS Photography
Publication Date: April, 22, 2011
Length: 250 pages


Reviewed by Jenn


Synopsis

Xander Karcek has only wanted two things in his life: Christian Edwards and basketball—the man he loves and the game that let him escape a childhood he’d rather forget. His two obsessions have served him well. He and Chris beat the odds and stayed together through high school, college, and right on to the NBA.

But life under fame’s microscope isn’t easy, especially when two men are pretending to be frat-buddies so the world doesn’t know they’re the next best thing to married. Their relationship survives the sacrifices they make and the lies they tell to stay together, but when their secret is exposed, the fallout might destroy them when nothing else could.

Chris and basketball are the two things holding Xander together. Now the world is asking Xander to make a choice. Is there an option that includes a future with the man he loves?

Buy Links

Dreamspinner Press

Amazon

Review

When Meredith asked us about doing flashback reviews, I had a couple books pop into my head right away. The Locker Room by Amy Lane was one them. I first read this book in January of 2016, this book has never left me.

Xander Karcek loves and needs two things in life: basketball and Christian Edwards. Xan is 14 years old and he's starving, living  in poverty with a drug addicted mother. Basketball is all he has until he meets Chris. 

Christian Edwards is a boy who doesn't see that Xan's clothes are torn and don't fit his tall frame properly. He sees a new friend and claims him the first night they meet on a neighborhood basketball court. Chris takes Xan home for dinner and the two become inseparable from that night on. The bond they form goes beyond friendship, family and even love. The need they have for each other seems desperate and a little magical too.

Chris and Xan manage to do the impossible, they play ball from high school all the way to the NBA...together. The "happiness twins" are an unstoppable team on the courts and unbeknownst to the world, they're a team at home too. Xan needs Chris and basketball and has had both for years. As pressure from a new coach and teammates begins to be too much, choices have to be made. These choices come with painful, life changing consequences. Chris and basketball, can Xan really survive without both is the big question.

This book makes me ache, for these characters and for anyone having to hide who they are. I have never had to fear losing everything I have because of who I love, NO ONE should have to. I love this book for more than the love story, friendship and brotherhood of these two characters. I love it for the innocence of two men just wanting two things in life and the belief that they can have them. This is a 5 star book and one that requires tissues. 

This is such an amazing book, I'm so glad I read it again!

Giveaway

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