Review: Frat Boy and Toppy by Anne Tenino

Posted September 29, 2012 by Sophia Rose in Reviews / 2 Comments

Tags: Anne Tenino, Contemporary Romance, Frat Boy and Toppy, M/M Contemporary Romance, Theta Alpha Gamma

Frat Boy and Toppy

by Anne Tenino

Series: Theta Alpha Gamma #1
Genres: Contemporary Romance, M/M Romance
Published by Riptide
Released on March 24, 2012
Pages: 198
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley

Sometimes a book gives you more than you anticipate going into it. In this case, I was delightfully surprised by the voice of the story and by some of the characters’ quirky thoughts. When I say voice, I’m referring to the fact that I did not feel doubt that I was inside the head of a male college-age guy who was having a sexuality crisis and a grad student who arrogantly thought he was a suave put-together kind of guy- not really, but that’s what he thought. Both perspectives were refreshingly amusing to me because I remember that jittery age of emerging adulthood when you’re just trying to find your niche in so many ways.

Brad is an upperclassmen attending a smaller private college on sports and frat scholarship package. He hides everything about himself behind a persona that he and others have built up for him. He’s the poster boy for jock frat man with the girl and guy worship to prove it. It really is all a front and it was fun finding out about the real Brad.

So one day when he catches himself checking out male tail in the shower, it sort of freaks him out and causes him to start re-evaluating everything. He realizes that girls haven’t done it for him ever- he’s just using them for fronts- and he has a huge crush on the openly gay TA in his history class who has never noticed him. Brad’s new sexuality causes him no end of difficulty between a spurned ex, a curious roommate, his frat bros betting on why he hasn’t gotten any some-some lately and his embarrassing method of grabbing Sebastian’s notice (forced to beg for sisterly advice after that fiasco).

When Brad finally gets his chance with Sebastian, the story does take a slightly more serious turn, but even then it was fun when both their families get involved (the sisters were so amusing) along with their respective roommates who all had opinions about matters which gives the feeling of good conspiracy and camaraderie. Much of the story is from Brad’s perspective, but when Sebastian enters the picture his perspective was included too.

A truly delightful read that I recommend to those who can appreciate a ‘coming out’ story in the world of a small college backdrop.

Review Copy Supplied by Net Galley

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Sophia Rose

I was born and raised near Sacramento, CA. I have read since I was four years old and developed tastes that run the gamut of literature. I went away to college and have a degree in education, a certificate in family history research, and a certificate in social work. I worked for a non-profit agency with low income families for 20 years which included being responsible for the children’s library and promoting/teaching adult literacy. I have lived in Southeast Michigan for the last 18 years and I am currently a book addicted homemaker with a cat and husband who keep me grounded. Recently, I made it a challenge to review each book that I have read as a favor to author friends who said reviews are important. I have done reviews for Good Reads, Amazon, eBay, and Smashwords, but mostly at Goodreads and Amazon.