**4.25 STARS!

*cries indefinitely*

I absolutely love this amazing cast of characters that Santino Hassell has created for this series! From the very beginning with Illegal Contact, Hassell had a fan out of me. But we have moved on from nerdy Noah and brooding Gavin to these two enemies who want nothing more than to no longer hide their feelings from one another.

Simeon's story was one I was beyond ready for since the first book and let me just say, it did not disappoint. I loved learning more about Simeon, where he came from and also being able to see how sweet he was.
After a stint on the field with rival, Adrian, both football stars are made to spend a few months together and hopefully act like friends in front of the media. Was ensues instead is so much better than expected!

This story brings on the heart, the steamy scenes (oh my god, do we get a whole ton of that!), the laughs and the ultimate shit-eating grin for an ending we all root for!
DOWN BY CONTACT was way different that the first in its series, but Simeon and Adrian sure do hold their own. I just loved them so much!

If you're looking for a fast-paced enemies to lovers that'll have you craving such a sweet romance, then this book is for you!

In short, I loved this book and I recommend it to sports romance enthusiasts and enemies to lovers fans! I recommend both books in this series. Santino knows how to write a story with awesome dialogue, gritty experiences that feel real, relatable characters, and an HEA that is hard won and feels good.
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I was really into the enemies to lovers aspect of this story. Simeon and Adrian are not merely rivals from different football teams, they genuinely do not like each other. Adrian is openly hostile and Simeon always rises to the bait. Simeon is a different person around Adrian than he was around Noah and Gavin in Illegal Contact. I'm not sure what, there was just something different about him once we were inside of his head.
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A large part of the book is spent with the two of them flirting then acting on the tension with some ill-advised hate sex (in which I could have smacked Adrian for being a jerk and Simeon for not knowing better). They are forced to work together and, after a bit, seem to make the best of the situation.
In the last quarter of the book, we see some feelings that indicate the potential for a long-term romance, but that turnabout happens so fast! I could have used more time with them in a friendlier zone that didn't revolve around their sexual attraction. Then again, once Adrian was in he was all. the. way. in. While Simeon was a little slower to join the "catching feelings" party.
Somewhere along the way, Adrian sucked me in. He ended up being the character I fell in love with. When I started this book I was sure I would love Simeon, and while I liked both of them, it took me longer to warm up to Simeon that I thought it would. It also took me longer to become invested in these two as a couple that I thought I would. (I am comparing this to how quickly I was on board and jonesing for some Noah and Gavin love.)
All in all, this was a quick and enjoyable read. I'm glad that there will be more Barons books (I think this was slated to be a two book series and was picked up for a couple more?). Anyway, I look forward to more and to checking in with these guys a little down the road.
This can be read as a stand-alone, but I recommend reading Illegal Contact first because...it is romantic and where you first meet Simeon and why the heck not?

Down by Contact is book number two in The Barons series and I absolutely LOVED this. This is so much fun and is a fantastic snippy enemies-to-lovers story. Simeon and Adrián do not get along. At all. They've taken to press interviews and social media to attack each other and both of their PR managers have had it.

Simeon and Adrián are forced to work together with children as part of their six game suspension, and reading all of their scenes together is a delight. The background between their disdain for one another is that Simeon used to be on Adrián's team, the Predators. Well, he wasn't really being utilized on the team and the brutal culture at the Predators was toxic. Simeon's only closest friend, or the closest thing to a friend, was Adrián. When Simeon leapt at the chance to sign and play for the Barons? Well, that only sparked the beginning of a long, drawn-out rivalry.

As much as I loved Noah and Gavin in Illegal Contact, I think I love Simeon and Adrián more? I love a good enemies-to-lovers romance and this absolutely delivers. Simeon is a cinnamon roll and is just the sweetest. But Adrián bring out his competitive side. Adrián throws shade and homophobic messages about Simeon out on Twitter and snide remarks to the press, and Simeon can't stand for it. Adrián isn't an easy character to love at first, but the more we see Adrián and what his story is, I just start to love him more and more. Simeon and Adrián are also subtle snarky characters? Is that ever a thing? I just find their quips utterly hilarious.

These two are intense. They turn everything into a competition. EVERYTHING. Even sex. The romance is a slow burn, but it sure burns hot whenever these two are left in a room together.

I think it's really interesting in this book to see Noah and Gavin from an outsider's perspective. We know Gavin is a grumpy, kind soul, but just how much of a grump is he when we're not reading from his and Noah's POV? VERY. Gavin gives off the overprotective brother vibe and he does not hesitate to let Adrián know where he stands on their relationship. I think it's sweet.

Santino Hassell knows how to write really raw characters who are all relatable in some way, no matter their profession or social status. And that's what we see here with Simeon and Adrián's struggles in their daily lives. Rich NFL players seem like the least relatable thing ever, but somehow, Santino makes it work and Simeon and Adrián are just right up there as my favorite couple with Caleb and Oli from First and First (I think I may have a thing for rich, squishy characters? IDK <3).

Simeon is gay and it's no secret. We see Adrián slowly coming to terms with his bisexuality in this book. So, there's never really a moment where Adrián's story feels like a GFY, and this book Adrián does eventually say that he's bisexual.

I'm so happy that we're getting two more books in The Barons series, because I'm not ready to let go of this series and the players just yet!

***Thanks to Berkley Publishing for providing me an ARC on NetGalley***

Simeon and Adrián are rivals. They used to be on the same team and were friendly, but not anymore. After Simeon went to another football team, Adrián couldn’t stop the destructive and dangerous smack talk. Adrián was always a little fixated on Simeon, but he was raised in an environment where it never occurred to him he could be attracted to another man and Simeon pushes every single button he has, including the one that leads Adrián to attack Simeon on the field.

Adrián is kind of a mess on the personal side. He does his job on the field, but he’s full of rage, especially when Simeon is in his line of fire. Since he couldn’t put a name to his feelings, he attacked Simeon every which way he could, which is how they find themselves suspended and working together. Although they are forced to work together and there is a strong enemies vibe going here, it’s tempered by their internal narrative that they find each other attractive, which leads to a game of who can make the other the most uncomfortable sexually and it escalates quickly.

Simeon was introduced in the first book in this series, Illegal Contact, and while he had a bit of a presence there, you could start here if you wanted to. Simeon was not quite the same character for me that we met in the first book. While everyone has several sides to them, we saw Simeon with his closest friends in a relaxed environment and he gave a certain impression. The Simeon here is resigned to being treated terribly by men.

A good portion of the book is Simeon taking whatever part of Adrián he can get and Adrián treating Simeon badly. It works in the sense of Adrián coming to terms with his attraction to Simeon, but Adrián treats him badly throughout most of the book. Adrián comes around through a grand gesture and extenuating circumstances, which is perhaps a too common storyline and I wasn’t sure it was enough to make me believe these two had a real future.

There was one aspect of the book that really kept me from becoming immersed into it and that was the dialect. I have read all of Hassell’s books and his strong dialogue is one of the biggest draws for me and this aspect threw me for more than one reason. Simeon is from New Orleans (Cajun country as it’s stated) and Adrián is from Florida, yet they both sounded like all of Hassell’s other New York characters. Sure, if you move to a place you will pick up some of the dialect, but there was no trace of where they were from, yet that was part of their story and this aspect pulled me out of the book consistently.

I had mixed feelings on this book. I have enjoyed Hassell’s style and characters throughout the many books I have read by him. I liked the football world here, but this book was more about their time off the field and this book didn’t quite captivate me as much as the author’s other work. If you do enjoy Hassell’s writing, it’s certainly hard to stay away from a new release, so give this one a try for yourself.

Down by Contact is a m/m football based romance with heroes Simeon Boudreaux and Adrián Bravo who now play for opposing teams. This book is filled with banter, sexual tension and what becomes a deep friendship.

Simeon the New York Barons’ golden-armed quarterback finds himself in some trouble after a pre-season game run-in with Adrián from his former team the New Jersey Predators.

This trouble puts these two in close contact as they serve out community service for transgressions on the field.

The dynamic between Simeon and Adrián is layered, deeply compelling and one that heats up over time. I adored how it tied back to the time they spent together prior on the same team and how at the same time you felt the bond deepening between them.

The heat which begins as a game and ties back to an incident in book 1 was really hot, really well done and laced with emotion. The scenes get hotter and Adrián’s struggle even more tangible—you see Adrián has never been attracted to a man before. Bearing witness to him experiencing his feelings and processing how he treated Simeon in the past and why kept me glued to my kindle.

The use of both men’s families added to this story and I loved, LOVED the Thanksgiving scene!

In the end, the happy these two build had me believing both were in it for the long haul!

Simeon Boudreaux is not apologizing. He was forced to reveal his sexuality to the world (and the NFL) after a small indiscretion was caught on a cellphone and uploaded for the world to dissect.

Even though he has his own support system with his fellow Barons, there are still those who are less than accepting. And Adrián Bravo is at the very top of that list.

“The worst part of this bullshit with you is that back when I was with the Predators, I really fucking liked you, man.” Simeon released a harsh laugh. “There’s so many jokers on your team. Show-offs, braggy mofos, dudes who are more worried about fucking every night than putting in the work to win. DUIs, violence against spouses or even the press, all kinds of arrests for pitiful shit . . . and none of them gave a damn. It was disappointing, because I’d sworn all that was media spin.”
“Some of it is.”
“Nah. You’re lying to yourself, but I get it.” Simeon pressed harder. The imprints of his fingers would be on my skin later. I knew it. “But anyways, out of everything, you were the best part of being there. You were funny, didn’t treat me like a scrub just because I was new, and didn’t laugh during training when I said I’d be happy to even make third string. I liked you, man.”
Liked me how? Cringing, I tried to back off so he wasn’t touching me, but the desk had me caged in.
“But now I see that you’re just like them.”

Adrián could never quite reconcile all of the reasons why he was so obsessed with the Barons Quarterback. He only knew that Simeon’s smile challenged everything he ever thought he knew about himself.

When his misguided attention results in a suspension for both of them, they are forced to spend two whole months together coaching youth football in an effort to clean up their damaged reputations. But spending time in close contact with Simeon makes him feel reckless. Reckless with his career and reckless with his heart. And if they aren’t careful, they could lose everything – including each other.

“He looked down at our entangled fingers and half smiled. It didn’t seem boyish as much as tense. We were both on edge, but the sense of impending doom was hitting us for vastly different reasons. I’d wanted him to know how it felt to be alone in the harsh world of professional sports, but the acceptance of his queerness was blighting the customary Bravo shine. I couldn’t help wondering: is not being straight really this much of a death sentence in his mind?”

Down by Contact is another shooting star by Santino Hassell! I was already a fan after reading Illegal Contact but this installment only raised that bar to dizzying heights.

His characters continue to develop in complex ways while his storylines remain both hard-hitting and relevant. The love scenes are searing and the tension is electric but at the very heart is love that refuses to be denied.

It’s a real world take on modern romance that breaks through all of the boundaries and that just makes it all the more extraordinary…

The second story in Santino Hassell's sexy contemporary football series The Barons gives us the story of two rivals, on the field and off, who discover they have something more in common than just their love of the game.

Simeon Boudreaux is a charming, likable, New Orleans born and raised quarterback for the New York Barons. He's also gay and out of the closet after a kinky bathroom encounter ended up on social media, an event that caused his best friend Gavin to leap to his defense and get himself suspended (see Illegal Contact for his story). At one time he was picked up by the New Jersey Predators but never made it on the field though he made friends with some of the guys including Adrian Bravo. But when he left the team, the friendships he had dissolved, and Adrian has taken to making comments on twitter that border on homophobic. Their rivalry becomes so heated that an on field fight leaves them both suspended for six games of the upcoming season.

Adrian and Simeon's agents have arranged for the two men to rehabilitate their public image and 'make nice' by spending their two months off the field running a football camp for teens at a drop-in center. The youth involved have about as much interest in football as Adrian and Simeon have in working together, but they've no choice but to make it work. Along the way, Adrian and Simeon develop a grudging appreciation for each other and a rekindling of their one time friendship - and something more, when Adrian starts to come to grips with his complicated feelings for Simeon. He's always thought of himself as straight, but around Simeon those lines get crossed. It's a game at first, to see how far they can push their sexual boundaries but it doesn't stay that way for long. When things start to get serious, will Adrian be willing to admit publicly what Simeon has suspected all along?

I am really enjoying this series! It's got such an authenticate feel to it, with the city of New York and the football field getting equal time as the backdrop to the romance between these two big, burly men. It raises the critical issue of homophobia in professional sports, with Simeon able to explain to Adrian exactly how his comments come across and how they affect him, once they are able to sit down for a genuine heart to heart. Their banter is brash and masculine, a combination of dick jokes and sexual prowess remarks which sets them up for the inevitable pushing of boundaries. Of course the sex scenes are lusty and dirty, as expected, but they also have some sharp edges to them as Adrian at first rejects what he's started to feel for Simeon. It takes some time for him to come to grips with being bisexual, and the implications that revelation could have on his career.

Working with the kids at the center is a learning experience for them both. While Simeon came from a more disadvantaged background than Adrian, they still benefit from being with kids who may not have wanted to play football but who are in need of guidance. All the secondary characters in this story add to its realism and make for some interesting scenes. Once their 'detention' is over, Simeon and Adrian have to figure out how to move forward and there are some intense, dramatic scenes on the way to their well deserved happy ending. Down by Contact is an authentic, thoughtful, sexy football romance.

This review has been posted at Bingeworthy Books (formerly Straight Shootin' Book Reviews' and feedback updated with the link. It has been posted at goodreads and will be posted at sale sites during release week.

Down by Contact is insanely addictive! Like the first Barons book, Illegal Contact, Simeon and Adrián’s story is so compelling that you’ll want to be sure you have plenty of time to devour it in one sitting. Santino Hassell’s writing has power and passion and his characters are so vibrant that there’s no way this story won’t stick with you.

I dare readers not to fall in love with Simeon from the start. He’s so charming that he lights up the page and it’s easy to see why almost every one he meets is instantly at ease with him. In the previous Barons book, Illegal Contact, Simeon came out as gay in solidarity with his best friend and teammate, Gavin. Coming out hasn’t harmed Simeon’s reputation in any visible way, but the invasiveness of the media and the online taunting from his former teammate now rival, Adrián, is wearing on even the generally positive Simeon. Simeon isn’t perfect, but he’s a pretty perfect hero. He’s kind, generous, and has a spine of steel. He doesn’t let anyone walk over him, but he’s also willing to forgive. I absolutely loved him and couldn’t wait for him to fall for someone who’s his match.

While Simeon made me swoon, Adrián isn’t immediately endearing. And though it might sound weird to say it, I enjoyed the fact that Adrián is deeply flawed at the start, because he grew into a hero worth rooting for. Adrián is aggressive and doesn’t think before he speaks, throwing out comments he doesn’t even realize are homophobic and deeply hurtful. He also carries deep resentment toward Simeon for leaving the Predators to play for the Barons. Part of Adrián’s animosity also stems from the fact that he’s bisexual and doesn’t realize it. I really liked that Simeon was able to open Adrián’s eyes about his behavior. Adrián isn’t a bad person, which is why his change over the course of the story is organic. It was great to see him realize just what he had been saying and the impact it had. He not only starts to think before he speaks, but becomes a better, more aware person, one who is happier and more at peace with himself.

Adrián and Simeon may hate each other at the start of Down by Contact, but the former friends turned enemies have one hell of a love story. When the tension simmering between them explodes into a fistfight on the field, they’re both suspended and forced to teach teenagers how to play football. Having to put the kids first means they have to put aside their animosity, which of course leads to the barriers between them coming down. It’s clear from the start that these two have incredible chemistry and I couldn’t wait for Adrián to realize that his feelings for Simeon run far deeper than he ever could have imagined. The sexual tension between them is incredible, and when it boils over Down by Contact gets insanely hot. In bed and out, Adrián and Simeon make a fantastic couple. That doesn’t mean the road to happily ever after is an easy one. Adrián not only has to come to terms with the fact that he’s bisexual, he and Simeon have to make hard decisions about their burgeoning relationship that could impact the careers they love (and those are only the non-spoiler obstacles). Mr. Hassell makes every bump in the road worth it, because the ending of the story left me grinning.

Down by Contact is the second book in Mr. Hassell’s Barons series, but it can easily be read as a standalone (though you’d be missing out on a great story if you skip Illegal Contact). I absolutely loved Simeon and Adrián’s romance. It’s sexy and sweet, but also interesting and layered. I cannot wait to re-read it!

An enemies to lovers story between rival football players? SIGN ME UP!

After some persistent persuasion, I picked up the first story in the Barons series (Illegal Contact) so I didn’t go into Down by Contact completely blind. In my opinion, you can read Down by Contact as a standalone, but you will also want to read everything that Santino Hassell ever writes if you haven’t already.

Down by Contact is the story of Simeon, who we met in Illegal Contact, and Adrian, who plays for the Baron’s nasty rival. Forced to spend time together, these two must put negative feelings aside for a good cause.
I won’t go much into the storyline, but I will tell you why you should pick up this book. Santino Hassell writes for the character, not the story. He puts you deep into the heads of Simeon and Adrian and makes you feel their feelings, struggle with their struggles, and become overwhelmed with their passion and pain. You will get a raw and honest perspective into situations you may have never encountered, and you will come out loving Simeon and Adrian for who they are and what they overcome.

I could not put this book down. This is one of those situations where I have no shame in begging for more. Santino Hassell is quickly becoming a one-click author for me.

Down by Contact was a great enemies-to-lovers/gay-for-you story. It is second in Santino Hassell's The Barons series, but reads as a complete standalone.

Simeon and Adrián are former teammates turned opponents. As a newly out gay man, Simeon sees adversity everywhere, especially in football, but Adrián doesn't let up. When they find themselves fined and working community service together, there's a great build up of friendship and love with some angst thrown into the mix.

I really enjoyed the banter by our two heroes. Simeon doesn't take any of Adrián's crap and vice versa. Down by Contact was a fun read that I definitely recommend!

Simeon and Adrián two BIG ego motherfuckers. Both with mouths you really want to punch instead of kiss.
They are enemies and I just love a good enemy to friend story.
Gosh it was fun as hell to see them struggle with each other ánd with the world outside their teams. Spotlights on their head all the time. Their sarcasm toward each other and life did things to my stomach. You could feel the hurt in it.

After a fight they have to take a step back and instead of training and playing they have to work together at the Brooklyn community center.

There are so many lines which make me crack up...just to damn witty.
"The last time I saw a man turn that red, he’d come hands-free after letting me play with his prostate for an hour."
or
"Historically, I’d been able to win over people who wanted to hate me."
or
"they think two faggots can’t be buds without occasionally clicking together like Legos.”
Absolute sublime way to get an impression how these guys think and express themselves !

The sexual tension is heavy... ghad...if you don't get horny watching them.. really well put down!
Everything Adrián says or does Simeon experience it as an attack. Adrián is confused how to express without Simeon get hurt...he fails... Until he doesn't anymore....!

A lot of prejudice, arguments, big mouths over-screaming their own thoughts... a lot of denial and stuff away feelings... hard to watch. All the pain... All the hits they have to take.
Emotions running high and believe me there are a lot!
Then there is the moment of truth...

Excellent dynamic and explosive written story. It's sharp, gritty and mature but always here and there a soft touch. Good developed story and strong personalities. I loved it how, even with the teams and the mission to educate the children, it was their bubble and that was just a wonderful place to be.

Down by Contact is the first book that I've read by Santino Hassell, but it definitely won't be my last. Hassell's highly readable writing style and realistic characters made this is a great read that I flew through.

Down by Contact is an m/m, enemies-to-lovers story. New York Barons quarterback Simeon Boudreaux is a fan favorite who recently came out as gay. His former teammate and current rival, New Jersey Predators linebacker Adrián Bravo, continually finds ways to heckle Simeon, both online and in the news. Although he has no evidence of it, Adrián is convinced that Simeon compromised the Predators' playbook when Simeon left for the Barons.

Things come to a head on the field when Adrián and Simeon end up in a fight, resulting in both of them being suspended for six games. On top of this, they must perform service working with kids at a local community center. At first, it's clear that the two can't stand each other, but they both soon realize that they have to work together in order to get through their mutual suspension. As they get to know each other beyond social media trash talk, they realize how much they actually like each other...and how attracted they are to each other, beyond friendship.

For Simeon, he's in his comfort zone since he's out and proud. But for Adrián, his sexual attraction to Simeon is a scary revelation. He's only ever been with women and never considered the idea that he could be bi. As he explores his newfound relationship with Simeon, Adrián must reconcile his own identity with the persona that the media has built surrounding him. Adrián's attraction to Simeon started out as a private game, but what happens when their community service is over and they each go back to their regular lives?

I pretty much loved everything about Down by Contact. Simeon is the sweet mama's boy who's also a fierce warrior on the field. Adrián is the cocky smartass who's broadsided when he has to come to terms with his sexuality and intense feelings for Simeon. Their dialogue and banter flow naturally, which is one of the main reasons why I flew through this book. Add to this a diverse cast of supporting characters—in addition to the main characters, who are both people of color—and I was a happy camper.

There are obstacles that Adrián and Simeon must face, namely how to handle their newfound relationship, especially being on rival teams with the media spotlight on them. There's also the family aspect surrounding Adrián's father and his judgmental attitude. But the story concludes in a satisfying way that feels realistic and hopeful.

Down by Contact is book #2 in The Barons series, but can easily be read as a standalone. I've always heard great things about Santino Hassell's books, and now I know why. I look forward to reading more from him in the future.

Adrian and Simeon were once both Predators and had developed a good friendship when Simeon was traded to the Barons. Let's just say that Adrian is not a man .... comfortable ... with exploring his feelings, and it was easier to be upset with Simeon and just plain damn mad at him for supposedly giving the Predators playbook to the Barons, rather than wondering why he was so upset and butt-hurt that their friendship ended.

Fast forward four years and Adrian and Simeon get into a yellow-flags-flying-everywhere on-field fight resulting in a six-game suspension for each and a joint project working with a Brooklyn community center's youth football league.

I have to say at first I wasn't terrible fond of either man. Adrian somehow feels the old Bravo dimples and a half-hearted "My bad" makes up for his rampant homophobic comments. I do cut him some slack, though, as he is completely gobsmacked by his slow realization of the strong attraction he feels for Simeon and the shattering of his "straight guy" mindset.

In Illegal Contact, the first book in the Barons series, Simeon comes off as a pretty nice guy, charming and affable, although initially unwilling to step up and explain his part in Gavin Brawley's suspension. But here, Simeon delights in playing a game of "gay chicken" in order to mess with Adrian's unexamined heterosexuality, and he comes off as a real jerk. There is a lot of anger mixed in with Simeon's attraction, i.e. "Bitterness surged up from my gut with enough force to choke me. I didn't let it. Instead, I smiled and focused every once of my queer resentment on Adrian."

At times, the pace of the story felt slow to me, especially when working with the kids at the community center. Granted they are very secondary characters, but none of the kids' personalities really came to life for me.

But enough of the niggles ... what really worked for me in this story was the sizzling hot sexual chemistry between Adrian and Simeon and how they each FINALLY work through their issues. It takes Adrian a while to own his feelings, but once he's there? Our boy is definitely committed.

Down by Contact didn't have the same emotional intensity that Illegal Contact had for me, and I give it 3.75 stars, rounded up to 4 stars. I'm awaiting the next book in the series (which I'm assuming will be about Rocky) and I'm looking forward to how Santino is going to differentiate between two similar-sounding plots.

I was pretty uncomfortable with how their relationship started. As it progressed and they got more serious, attitudes changed and I was much more involved and I enjoyed the book and story a lot more

I loved Simeon Boudreaux's book even more than Brawley's! Simeon and Adrian used to be buds on the same team until Simeon went to a competitor's team. Adrian has all sorts of issues coming to term with his sexuality and his confusing feelings for Simeon. I loved how they slowly went from grudging acceptance of each other to more and when the truth comes to light from Adrian...I was CHEERING! Why does it have to be so painful to be honest with yourself and to others? I just found this story to be emotionally uplifting in the end and can't wait to read more about these guys. Great sports series with characters you really develop feelings for.w coming soon!

Biracial Cajun quarterback Simeon Boudreaux was forced to sexually out himself to prevent a blackmail scheme in the first book in Hassell's BARONS pro football series. Ever since, former teammate and now rival Latino Adrián Bravo has been sending shade and innuendo Simon's way. During a preseason game, the two get into a fight, resulting in a joint suspension and a joint assignment to spend their suspension time together doing community service. Despite Simeon's agents warning to "kill the jokes entirely. Especially if they relate to my client's sexuality. I'm not sure if you understand, Adrián, but what you're doing is both discrimination and sexual harassment" (Kindle Loc 2190), Adrián continues to aggressively tease Simeon, which Simeon begins to recognize is because heterosexual Adrián might be a bit more bisexual than he thought. Always a risk-taker, Simeon decides to seduce Adrián, who proves not at all unwilling—at least while the sex is happening. Simeon's friends aren't all that happy about this latest development, not understanding how their friend could fall for someone who insulted him and continually made homophobic jokes.

Simeon and Adrián have their ups and downs, but A adjusts pretty easily to his new bisexuality, even if he's not ready to go public with it. But being in the publicity limelight might take that decision out of his hands...

Not as deep or as moving as the stories in Hassell's 5 Boroughs series, but the terrific writing, strong characterizations, diverse characters, and ease with which issues of homophobia in sports are threaded into the narrative make for a sports romance that rises above most in the subgenre.

OMG! Give me all the Hassell created football players! Give me all the Hassell books period!

Back for season two and I am deeper in love with The Barons. These boys are adorably complicated and full of male drama that is addicting. Simeon and Adrian are an enemies to lovers romance that recreates the feeling of a touchdown in the forth quarter with seconds to go. The confusion of emotions, and sexual tension have this duo pushed to their limits. Forced into community service, they both exhibit growth and compassion for one another. Their true colors show as they work with troubled youth and find that stepping back every once in a while allows that growth to shine.

Santino Hassell excels as an author. This series has heart and heat. The book far surpasses a male/male romance and became a story of two people in love that anyone can relate to. I can’t say it enough, this is a must read series. I will always hold a special place for Gavin and Noah, but Simeon and Adrian pull a close second.

4.5

First 5 star favorite of the year!

This book!

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Two hot-as-sin football players from two rival teams fall in lust and then love with each other in the second installment of Santino Hassell's Barons series. I just can't say enough about how awesome this series has been for me. I really enjoyed the first book, Illegal Contact, so my expectations were pretty high. Fortunately for me, Santino Hassell delivered a heartfelt, emotionally charged love story between Simeon Boudreaux and Adrián Bravo.

I had my reservations going into this book. The Predators were set up as the Barons' rivals since the first book. In fact, one of the inciting incident in that book involved Simeon. And let me just say that the Predators aren't exactly a cuddly team. They're clearly set up as antagonists, and Adrián being a predator made me wary especially since he's done some things that really made me mad. So yes, even though I love some enemies-to-lovers stories, I was worried, Adrián won't be redeemed.

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Santino Hassell not only redeemed him, he managed to endear Adrián to me. I was falling in love with Adrián at them time as Simeon. He was, for all his bravado at the beginning, showed real vulnerability. He went above and beyond in proving himself worthy of Simeon's love.

And Simeon of course was just as endearing and vulnerable as Adrián. I've loved his character since Illegal Contact and I don't think it was possible to love him even more but in this book, I did. He was the same confident guy in Illegal Contact but Down by Contact showed a different side to him. His love for his mother and football and his friendship with Marcus and Gavin are some of the most beautiful elements in this book. Their banter and the way they were there for Simeon was my favorite thing.

But what really makes this book special was the romance between Simeon and Adrián. It was sweet and hot and so swoony. Their banter was hilarious and that grand gesture towards the end made me go...

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If you're going to pick up one MM book this month, choose Down by Contact. And while this can be read as a standalone, I really, really would recommend reading Illegal Contact first. There are so many gems about Simeon there. Plus, you get to meet Gavin and Noah as well.

Seriously, you guys need to get on this series NOW!

ARC provided by the publisher

3.5 stars

Down by Contact by Santino Hassell is the second book in his Barons series, but have no fear. If you haven’t read the first book and want to jump in here, you’ll be able to do so with no problem. But you may want to set some time aside. Trust me - once you’re done, you’ll want to go back and read Illegal Contact.

I was nervous, you guys. 33% into this book, and I wasn’t sure how to feel about it. It was middle of the road, and when you’re used to an author pushing the envelope, mediocre just doesn’t cut it. But I’m glad to say that once 50% hit, we were off. Simeon and Adrián had serious chemistry, and I loved watching them fight it. Even better was watching them not fight it. I thought it was interesting that the underlying factor for Adrián’s hostility was, essentially, Simeon leaving him behind; more interesting was that Adrián never took the time to analyze it. There is a lot of hostility between these two men, and it leads to a lot of heat, on the field and off. But when things get too heated on the field, Simeon and Adrián find themselves not only in hot water, but doing community service together. I really enjoyed this aspect of the story. It made you realize how good these men were, and it highlighted how they communicated very differently. I like the idea that they were out there trying to make a difference in a community that needed help, even if they were forced into it. It might have been begrudgingly at first, but it was clear they came to enjoy what they were doing. I also liked that this wasn’t necessarily chemistry realized on both sides; it took time for them to realize there might be more to their adversity than dislike. I wouldn’t call it a slow burn story, but it definitely wasn’t insta-love. And the sex scenes in this book - WOW. That’s when the book really turned around for me. It was so hot, and once it started, no matter what else was going on, it never let up.

I did have a few issues with this book. (Highlight for spoilers.) Simeon was justifiably angry with Adrián’s homophobia, but I’m not a huge fan of the whole ‘I’ll show him by seducing him’ storyline. Two wrongs don’t make a right, and Simeon’s motivations just didn’t endear him to me and made me feel like the Simeon I’d come to adore in Illegal Contact wasn’t necessarily this Simeon. Also, there were two instances when Adrián was shown to be pretty freaking stupid, and I didn’t find that indicative of his character at all. The first was not realizing that what how he was treating Simeon was sexual harassment. I’m assuming the NFL has trainings just like any other organization, so for Adrián to plead ignorance didn’t wash. It would have been more believable if he had known it and was even more of a jerk that we’d originally thought. There’s no doubt in my mind the author could have written his redemption even with that. Also, there was an incident with one of the teens at the community center. I won’t go into details, but for Adrián to just be so dismissive about it didn’t feel real. The last issue I had was that it was hard for me to determine whose perspective I was reading from. I had to keep going back to see, because the way Adrián and Simeon spoke was very similar. Had this book been written in first person, it could have eliminated my confusion.

This book was hot as hell, and it gave us glimpses of the characters we fell in love with in Illegal Contact. It also brought us Rocky, who is a thousand times the jerk early DbC Adrián ever thought of being, and I can’t imagine he can be redeemed. But I thought that with Caleb from the Five Boroughs series, and he’s now my favorite Hassell character. That alone has me rabid for the next Barons book! Despite my issues, I enjoyed Down by Contact. It addressed serious issues like bullying and helping those who are less fortunate than you, and it was done wonderfully. Overall, I thought this book was an enjoyable read, and if you’re a fan of enemies to lovers, you’re going to love this one!

4 Stars - 3 Flames

Yep, Santino's done it again. Here's to another successful book added to an already stellar series.

Simeon is the one who made that sex tape in the first book of this series. He's the one who didn't really care if people knew about him, but wasn't about to come clean either. That is until he had to in the first book. Now? Now it seems like everyone knows he's gay and he still doesn't care. Well, except that now the one male athlete that he's been eyeing forever is starting to make comments that he just won't let go. And now he's suspended because he couldn't keep it off the field.

Adrian is the good looking tight end that all the ladies drool over. He's also the former teammate of Simeon and can't stand the guy ever since he left his team and joined the enemy. And now that Simeon's out of the closet? He's making inappropriate comments to reporters and took it too far on the field.

Since these two can't control themselves on the field, the NFL has them suspended and working together with youth, teaching them football. Things obviously don't start off so well. But we're soon reading between the lines and feelings start to blur between straight and bi. Emotions run high and coming to terms with ones self becomes the goal.

At first I wasn't sure about how I'd respond to a closet bi story. But this was done really well, while keeping interested in the underlining issues that many face in their personal lives. I know that this is a work of fiction, but it was very realistically done. Well done.


reviewed by Christina