Chasing Chance and Catching Chance by M. E. Parker

Chasing Chance and Catching Chance are the first two books in a new series called Gilcrest University Guys.

Yeah, I appear to be in an M/M-phase right now. So, sue me.

They’re about Andy and Chance, two childhood friends, and their circuitous way to love.

Andy is smart, nerdy and a brilliant baker. He’s also openly gay.

Chance is the star quarterback, son of a pastor and Andy’s former best friend.

The two were inseparable from when they were kids, until the last summer of high school when Chance panics after giving in to their mutual attraction.

Several years later, in College, they reconnect and it’s downright sizzling. However, Chance is in the closet and is terrified of being outed. So how long can Andy stand to be Chance’s dirty little secret?

The first book is about Andy’s and Chance’s way back to each other. The second continues their story, portraying the struggle of being different from the norm, and the untenable situation of trying to fit in by denying who you are. It’s heartrending and utterly engaging. I laughed and I cried and I got all moody when I finished Catching Chance because I wanted more of them.

M/M romances are super hot. And the apparent stigma of being gay in America obviously adds that touch of drama needed for a great read. But since I’m quite far removed from the United States, I wonder if this is actually a thing, or if writers exaggerates the hazards and difficulties of being gay in that country. I’m quite aware of the abominable situation of queer people in less, shall we say, enlightened countries. But the United States shouldn’t belong to that category. Does such things as being disowned, beat up, or kicked out of the house, for being queer really occur that frequently?

Anyway. The story of Andy and Chance is beautiful with plenty of steamy, gymnastic moments for us who likes the male anatomy. It’s the perfect College romance read with just the right amount of conflict and heartache. You’ll get all the feels from these two books and I envy everyone who hasn’t read them yet because they’ll get the chance (!) to discover this amazing story. Also, the books are really funny with some truly great characters. I can’t wait to read the third installment about Cam, Andy’s hilarious room mate.

The hot jock and the (granted, equally hot) nerd is a combination I’ve come to realize that I truly enjoy. And I don’t think I’m the only one considering it seems to be a genre of it’s own. But I seriously hope Parker will come back to that combo in later Gilcrest University Guys books.