I've read quite a few sports romances and I can't say that this broke any new ground on that front but Hassell's writing is so good and the characters so vibrant you can't hep but be drawn in to Nash and Gavin's struggles and story.

My favorite thing is that both guys were so refreshingly honest -they didn't admit things to themselves at times but were always upfront with each other - even if it hurt to hear.

I did wish there was more to the ending - maybe an epilogue but I <3'd it.

Perfect for fans of Sarina Bowen's/Elle Kennedy's M/M sports series

This was a sweet enemies to lovers romance and I really enjoyed the banter between Noah and Gavin. Gavin is a grumpy football player who is on house arrest and Noah is hired as his assistant. The two can't stand each other but Gavin hires Noah because of his lack of care about him being a famous football player. Eventually, hate turns to like, which turns to lust and feelings both can't ignore.

This was a fun steamy read I would recommend for any sports, M/M, and romance lovers!

This book definitely shows how versatile Santino Hassell is an Author.


-He can do pnr with the brilliant Stygian,

-He can do real life,gritty stories with the Five Boroughs Series,

-He can do something a bit softer and very sexy with Illegal Contact.


Gavin is a NFL player,under house arrest for an altercation.He's definitely not into the celebrity lifestyle ....he's not into social media,
....he doesn't really care what opinions people have of him.
....he's grumpy,unapologetic and the last thing he wants is a P.A. invading his life.


Noah is a bit of a geek with a whole lot of sassiness.Fired from his previous job, for an indiscretion he's got no intention of repeating,he's back living with his father.Add into the mix he's got mounting debts,he needs a job .....and fast.He's got zero interest in football,in fact he's got no idea who Gavin is when he goes for the job interview.


So sparks definitely fly between these two.Gavin's not about to change his ways anytime soon and Noah certainly isn't going to put up with any crap from Gavin.The banter between them was just brilliant.There are more layers about these two men as the story unfolds.....

Gavin grew up in the system and wants to give something back to kids in a similar situation he was in growing up.And Noah is definitely not a push over and starts to get very protective over Gavin.

This is a slow burn but (sometimes ), and definitely here the sexual tension is just as hot as the actual act.This Author is a master at creating some of the most sexually compatible characters and Gavin and Noah are no exception.

This is set to be a fantastic series by one of my absolute favourite MM Authors...

Highly Recommended.

I was skeptical about enjoying a "football book", but great writing. Hassell knows how to build layered characters and relationships while still writing some steamy romance!

I wasn't meant to start Illegal Contact. Because it releases on August. But !!! I opened it and read a couple of chapters and it caught me. The story and interactions of Gavin and Noah made me so happy I couldn't stop reading, I actually finished it all in one go (I started it in the morning and finished it at 2am the same day).

You don't know how much I have been waiting for the "football m/m" Santino announced one day on Twitter. I am always down for some sports romances, not so lately because most of them are.... lit the same storyline. But Santino's is a welcoming story for me. Though Gavin and Noah are both white, the cast of characters are very diverse. Both best friends of Gavin are men of color and definitely we are getting a book for at least Simeon, the starting QB (hell yes SANTINO WROTE A STARTING QB A MAN OF COLOR). Santino even calls out how "football calendars" are all filled with white players when the majority of players in the league are black and non-black MOC.

I loved every second of this book. Gavin is a bisexual tight end of the New York Barons in house arrest because he commited an agression and is being punished. He hires an assistant, here enters Noah, and these two meet on the wrong foot. They dislike each other and are 24/7 always fighting and bantering but in between all of that they get to know each other and actually form a bond and an understanding and begin to like each other. It's so good to see this development, it's a slow burn romance to be honest. My heart gave out when they first kissed because Gavin has A SUPER CRUSH ON NOAH IT'S OBVIOUS MY BB BOY.

I just want to shout about my favorite parts (all the book tbh) with someone lmao.

FIRST THOUGHTS REVIEW:
My heart is SO full by this story. Let me tell ya'll something ... no one has EVER come close in my heart to Michael Rodriguez (if you don't know who that is, Imma need you to get out from under your rock and read the right books ;) ) but now Noah Monroe has been born.

It's with a full heart and ridiculous pleasure that I scoot Michael over and make room for Noah.

This is one Santino Hassell story ya'll are not gonna want to miss. #TRUST

Early copy provided by Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley for review

(I'll give you more details on this phenomenal feel good story a little later)

The story starts off with Gavin being under house arrest for getting into a physical altercation. He’s got a bad boy reputation- cocky, volatile, and unrepentant. During his house arrest, it’s decided he needs a personal assistant- someone to run his errands and keeps his affairs in order. His enthusiasm at having a stranger in his home is about as high as watching his team play without him- not much- that is until Noah walks in to interview for the job. Noah who’s not afraid to go toe to toe with Gavin.

Noah interviewed for the job for one reason only: money. Having recently lost his job, student loans and the added pressure of helping his dad get back on his feet forced him to take the position he’s dreading working. What ensues is a high level of UST, snark, romance, heartbreak, and a fabulous end.

My highlights:

-Gavin. Underneath the thorny exterior lay a man who was lonely and reading his evolving feelings for Noah gave me butterflies.

-Noah. Sassy, snarky, loyal Noah. He disliked Gavin from first sight but as the different layers of Gavin began to unfold Noah couldn’t help but fall.

-UST. This is probably one of the best slow burns I’ve read. It kept me engaged and on my toes. I was glued and dying for them to get together.

-The secondary cast of characters was all kinds of awesome even a particular man who made me see red. >> Joe >:(

-The dialogue. It was natural and funny. It flowed seamlessly.

-The climax/conflict. It broke my heart- because I’m sure it happens. It made me rage at the unfairness.

-The end. Sigh, talk about healing a girl’s heart and making it sing with joy. The end brought forth a smile and all kinds of mushy feelings.

I also want to give a special shout out to what I consider: The Best Last 30% of a Book. The last part of this book was jammed packed with all the feelings you want have when reading a romance novel. It was stupendous.

You guys, I can’t recommend this enough! Santino Hassell again has delivered complex, flawed characters that make us swoon. I just can’t get enough of his raw, edgy romance style. 5 Stars!

I really enjoy Santino Hassells writing style. He describes himself as gritty and I totally agree.

This is a sloooooooooooooooow burn. But I loved it. I love the flirting and obvious sexual tension between the two main characters. The snark that Adam throws at Gavin is amazing. With the slow burn and no insta-love or them immediately hopping into bed together, they were able to really develop a relationship and that was a great thing to see.

Adam's back story with his previous boss was a little unbelievable as I would think something so serious would be investigated and not totally blown off the way it was.

The resolution of the conflict wasn't surprising, but there really was no other way.

I look forward to the next book in the series- with hopefully more Adam and Gavin in it.

OMG, omg, omg, omg, omg!!!!

There is this elusive unicorn in the book world, a book that is perfectly balanced, emotionally grabbing, funny and flirty, with genuine and likable characters, AND it makes me want to read it again, and again, and again.

Illegal Contact (The Barons #1) by Santino Hassell was just that.

Heart-meltingly beautiful, utterly satisfying and total perfection.

Illegal Contact is a football M/M novel about a mean son of a bitch tight end Gavin Brawley and his PA.

Not only did the blurb check all my boxes it also promised an unique plot. A PA that would turn his boss's life upside-down. I love the strong willed and smart mouthed assistant that has no trouble standing up to the boss. A no-nonsense attitude, with a strong-willed personality does it for me every time. And that's exactly what Noah Monroe was.

And I LOVED him for it!!!

From the very first sentence I was enthralled by Gavin and Noah, and utterly invested in the plot. The back and forth, the sexual banter and flirting, the final culmination had me vibrating with excitement.

When everything works, when a balance has been struck between plot line and romantic tension, and when characters are so easy to fall in love with - I'm in book heaven.

Gavin was deliciously bad. He was the mean one on the field and off the field. He could have cared less about what anyone thought of him. All he lived for was football. Fans and media equally feared and love-hated him. They appreciated his raw talent and his dedication to the team but were also repulsed by his explosive rage and aggression and easily condemned him for it.

But that's exactly what I loved about Gavin's character. He had a personality that stood out from the crowd with a fuck-you attitude that has always been kryptonite for me.

And OMG Noah. My darling!!! He was the apple of my eye. He was a nerdy and hotter version of Clark Kent. A perfectionist and unwaveringly committed to Gavin. His loyalty, tenacity and devotion endeared him to me from the very first sentence. Noah took part of my heart and didn't give it back. I imagine that's how Gavin must have felt. :D

The combination of a nerdy Noah and an athletic power house like Gavin was unbelievably sexy, fascinating and riveting. I started this book and ended it without leaving my chair. It's very seldom that a book speaks so deeply to me, but I had an idea that it would. The first time I read an excerpt of Illegal Contact I knew I had to read this book. Because I fell hook, line and sinker.

I'm ecstatic that Illegal Contact was just the first book of a new series by Santino Hassell. And now I can't wait to read Simeon's story - he was a complete darling and a very naughty boy.


The review will go live one week before release day.

A Beauty and the Beast-style story with sweet, hot man love!

I absolutely loved ILLEGAL CONTACT! The characters are real, the story is heart-wrenching and brilliant and I just loved the hell out of it! Gavin and Noah had great chemistry right from the start. Complete opposites in character and demeanor and yet, they fit together beautifully.

I totally dig Mr. Hassell’s writing. It’s raw, unapologetic and all-consuming. ILLEGAL CONTACT is a perfect example of love in its purest form. It’s not always sunshines and rainbows. It’s hard work, and often times a battle. Fighting to love each other and to love yourself. And to be able to claim your happiness, despite society deeming it inappropriate or wrong.

I highly recommend ILLEGAL CONTACT to all readers in search of that elusive happily ever after. The journey is not always pretty, but the payoff is priceless.

***I voluntarily read a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All conclusions reached are my own***

I have always been a huge fan of Hassell's and while I enjoyed the book, I felt like they were pale imitations of David and Raymond.

I am a sucker for geeks, jocks and sports themed books, so I just knew this one was gonna be a big hit for me.....
I loved the story, the MC's and the sidecharacters !!

Gavin Brawley is a famous football player...a tight end to be precise. He is also snarky, growly and has some anger management issues. These issues are actually the reason for him being on house arrest with an ankle bracelet, for the next 6 months.

Since Gavin is not real good at taking care of himself and not able to go anywhere, he is forced to hire a PA.... He ends up hiring Noah...

Noah is a bit of a geek, he has lost his previous job, because his boss was an asshole and he is drowning in debt. He needs a job stat !

These two really don't get off on the right foot. Now Noah might not like the arrogant football player, but money is money and he is seriously lacking... So he can suck it up for the next 6 months.....he hopes.

Being cooped up together in Gavin's big mansion, these two slowly get to know each other and they realize, that first impressions aren't always right. They actually end up being friends...

Now Gavin has known Noah is gay from the beginning and he has even flirted with him, but Noah didn't take any of it seriously... He should have though, because Gavin is not as straight as Noah thought he was, and when the truth comes out...all bets are off !! These two really had it going on ;)

I loved that this book didn't have any insta-love. You could really see the two of them growing closer.... I also loved the last chapters. There isn't a huge HEA, nore like a HFN and a very realistic one. I loved it and I loved how these two suprised me near the ending.....especially Gavin.

I can't wait for the next book to get here. Highly recommended !!!

I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This review will be posted on DBO blog

I liked the storyline a lot, but I wish there was more character development or backstory. I just never felt like I knew who the main characters were. And the side characters seemed great, but there wasn't enough development there either. I would have liked to hear the whole story about what happened with the old boss instead of vague references.

I'm struggling to review this as I believe it's my favorite book of Santino's to date. My official review will post close to release date, but for now, the was supremely romantic, exceptionally written, and fantastically perfect. Aside from the fact that a suspension in the NFL for that behavior not being realistic, like at all, it is a perfect summer read.

This is something different that I read by Santino Hassell. I didn't realize he can do light hearted and fun romance. Illegal Contact is like any sport romance that I've come to expect with MM theme and a bit of employer/employee vibe. I miss the focus on sport though, but I can why is that because Gavin Brawley is in a half year long house arrest.

Gavin, an athlete infamous with his reputation as a hot head and social recluse. He loves his football but didn't bother with the fame and blitz. Growing up in the foster system, Gavin is a loner with only have his teammates as his family and with his latest debacle, he ended up stranded in his mansion without even his favorite thing in the world.

Noah is a do gooder with a big heart, wanting to save the world kind of person. But when it comes to relationship, Noah is in a serious funk and haven't recover from his last betrayal. The last thing he wants is to work for a self entitled rich jock and cater to his every whim, but being broke make him desperate enough to swallow his pride.

Right from their first meeting, Gavin and Noah didn't went off the right foot. Noah is not a football fan and didn't even know who the heck is Gavin Brawler and Gavin is incredulous with the man who live under a rock and call out on his bullshit. They just keep throwing insults and bullshit at each other at every turn, which make into an entertaining read.

Despite the romance didn't really took off until the second half of the book and even then things were pretty light hearted, nothing overly intense or angst ridden, but sprinkle with some good dose of jealousy. I enjoyed their banter, their daily interaction and how close they got as time went on.

Noah gets protective of Gavin after learning his past and the vulnerable side of the big man. But Noah knows better to get involve with another employer again. Gavin is a little dumb towards the end, but I can see why he thinks football is the most important thing in his life. The story ended with a nice HEA, but seeing that the entire story is told with Gavin being under house arrest, I did wonder how their relationship will progress after Gavin is back into the world. May Book 2 of the series will explain it to us.

4.5 Stars

I loved Noah and Gavin, their friends, the plot set up, the banter, pretty much everything...

Gavin Brawley's entire life is football. He's brutal on the field and known for his caustic personality. In short, he's an asshole.

** I wasn't charming or endearing like other pro football players who earned millions in endorsements. **

Gavin has some anger issues and, when he defends his best friend (and quarterback) Simeon from a blackmailing punk, he winds up on house arrest.

When Gavin's forced to hire a personal assistant he ends up choosing Noah Monroe, who's broke in a bad way, up to his eyeballs in student loan and credit card debt, and desperate for job. Even if that means working temporarily for someone who's as big a dick as Brawley.

But sometime between initially disliking each other and giving each other shit, they become friends, and then more. Noah becomes one of the people Gavin can really count on. Seeing how this relationship plays out is spellbinding.

** He loved my shows of force. Loved when I took him instead of having him. Each bruising grip and impatient shift a promise to fuck him within an inch of his life. **

The dual POV is terrific, and Santino is brilliant at fleshing out his characters, and not just the main characters, but all the secondary characters too. Gavin and Noah's relationship is complex, the story is pretty much no romance for the first half, followed by some delicious UST, and then the relationship hits around three-quarters through.

The pacing in this is brilliant. The story itself is gritty, realistic, sexy as all hell, and just about perfect.

** "You ruined me for anyone else." **

The only thing that marred the perfection, for me, was that the HFN / tentative HEA, which left me thirsty for more! I need it!

I can hardly wait for Simeon's story in Down By Contact!

~4.25~

Please note: gratuitous pictures of American football players will be included in this review. Because obvious reasons.

Gavin Brawley lives and breathes football. He's known for being lethal and fast, not for his winning personality. Gavin has anger-management problems. He grew up in the system and knows how to fend for himself. He lets few people in and has no fucks left to give.

The last thing Gavin needs is a personal assistant. But he's stuck in his empty mansion for six months with an ankle bracelet, and not the fashion kind. Gavin's under house arrest for punching a dude in the face after chasing him down in his car.

There's a story there, but the media doesn't care. Everyone wants to paint Gavin as the violent tight end with a "hardscrabble" past whose temper is more intense than his game.

Noah just needs the money. He lost his job for sleeping with the boss (there's a story there too) and is living with his dad, who's also recently unemployed. Noah doesn't like football. Or football players. But he'll put up with Gavin's crap for six months so he can pay down his mountain of debt.

"It wasn't fair for him to look this good and to have a dick that big. Life was ridiculous."

Except Noah gives as good as he gets. He calls Gavin on his bullshit and tries hard not to ogle the sexy tight end.

Gavin wants Noah, but he's a closeted, bisexual athlete; he's used to hiding his hookups, and Noah is off limits.

Santino Hassell can write the hell out of anything. This book is told in an alternating first-person POV, with each MC given a distinct voice. The dialogue is brilliant and quite humorous at times.

Illegal Contact isn't sweet or fluffy, not really, but it is SEXY and real and entirely engaging.

"I do love football, but I love you more. And your ass is less likely to decide I'm too old once I hit thirty-three."

The slow burn and UST slayed me. The guys don't get together until 70 percent, but there's definite attraction from the moment they meet. Gavin hires Noah because Noah doesn't care that Gavin's a famous athlete; he's not in awe of Gavin, and he's not easily cowed. He has no interest in football.

That changes once Noah gets to know the real Gavin, who's more lonely and vulnerable than he lets on, and meets Gavin's teammates and friends: Simeon (closeted and gay) and Marcus (straight but not narrow). It's different when you're cheering for real people.

Even though it takes a while for the men to hook up, the emotions run high. And once Gavin kisses Noah, it's all systems go. Damn but can Santino write a sex scene. SIZZLE, baby. Gavin is a MACHINE, and uptight, buttoned-up Noah is needy and wanton in bed. SO FUCKING HAWT, I can't even.

I loved how complex the MCs were. We really get to see what makes Gavin and Noah tick.

The secondary characters are also fully fleshed out. Gavin's manager doesn't like that Gavin is bi and tries to interfere with Gavin and Noah's relationship (Joe's a douche, but he has Gavin's back). Noah's friend Jasmine is funny and supportive. And Simeon and Marcus are just AWESOME (I hope Simeon's story is next!).

The ending is a tentative yet hopeful HEA. Not all problems are wrapped up in a neat little package, and I was okay with that. There's definitely some angst here, a separation, tears, and hurt feelings. But I didn't mind.

"Who's gonna put that smile on your face when you're not with me anymore?" . . . .

"Nobody," he whispered. "You ruined me for anyone else."

What I minded was Gavin hooking up with someone other than Noah halfway through the story. The scene is not on page, but Noah HEARS Gavin going at it and later sees Gavin kissing the other man in the kitchen. That's when Gavin's all, Surprise, I'm bi.

I almost DNF at that point. I was all kinds of ragey (see my status update below). In the end, I'm glad I stuck with it, although I don't think that scene was necessary, like at all (there's some spin-off drama with the hook-up, but this really could have been handled another way).

It's saying something that I'm rating Illegal Contact 4+ stars. I'm still giving Santino the major side eye, but I can't deny that I kind of loved the hell out of this story.

Maybe it was #ThatBrawleySmile.

This is everything a romance book should be. Sports romance is my crack, and I am SO glad to have this one be my first book by Santino Hassell. I love the men in this book hard. I was rooting for them, wanting to slap one of them sometimes, and yeah, I was crying at one point. It's so absolutely raw, real, and beautiful!

I'm a big fan of Santino Hassell, so I was very excited to read this one, and I was not disappointed. This is a quick, fun, sports romance, and the angst over being a gay professional athlete was not over the top. My only complaint was that I wanted the ending to be drawn out a little more because I wasn't ready for the story to be done. This new direction that Hassell is moving is great!

This is not my first time reading M/M romance but it is my first time reviewing it, and this book was a wonderful way to start! I really like that although one of the main characters is a football star this wasn’t a sports romance. Both characters were relatable and well built, to the point where I can see myself being friends with Noah in real life. I really enjoyed this book and watching as Gavin and Noah fell in love. I like seeing the softer side of “rough” characters and watching how exposing their sensitivities makes them grow. From page 2 I was cheering on this romance before just based on the contrasting personalities of Gavin and Noah. This book gave me everything I expected and more. It was a fun read that I finished in one sitting because I was so drawn in.