So, this is my first book by this author. His Five Boroughs series comes highly recommended by a very reliable source but my review schedule has been packed and my life a bit hectic so I haven’t read them yet. After reading this, I’m not sure what I was waiting for! And honestly, those covers… all of them!

This book is probably not a 5 star read to some people and I get that but it is for me partially because I’m a true sucker for a sports romance. I’ve been on a mediocre book streak and I needed a really good read. This book was just perfect for me at the right time – fantastic, entertaining writing; exceptional characters and a good story. I think one of my favorite things about it is the way it ended.

I’m not going to lie…Gavin wasn’t exactly likable at the beginning of the book. A horrible childhood led to his lack of trust in people that drove the self-preservation behavior. It took Noah a hot minute to get past that façade but underneath his tough exterior and sharp tongue Gavin has a sweet, romantic heart. He’s never really learned how to interact with people. He’s never learned how to take care of himself. He’s never had someone love him and take care of him just because of him and not who he is and what he can do for them. He just wants to play football and not deal with all the crap that comes with it. Enter Noah…who also has a sarcastic wit; take no BS attitude and cutting vocabulary. He is the perfect person to handle Gavin. I loved their banter. Their sexual tension was OFF.THE.CHARTS. But more than that, in each other they found friendship and true, bone deep love. I’m not sure which I them I like more. While I can’t resist a romantic football player, I’m a sucker for the Clark Kent nerdy bada$$. I really hope we get to see them more throughout the series.

Fair warning - I did get teary toward the end of the book. And I still don’t like Joe even though he seems to care about Gavin in a weird sort of way. Mel, the publicist is awesome. Marcus is fantastic. The jury is still out on Simeon for me…he’s a little over the top but I’m guessing that’s for show and we’ll find out why in his book.

Obviously, this is a must read and I’m heading to Amazon now to get started on the Five Boroughs series while I wait for book 2 in this series!

I found Santino Hassell as a writer through the Cyberlove series he co-writes with Megan Erickson, and while I have gone on to buy the Five Boroughs books, I've yet to dive into a book written solely by this author. Like I expected, though, he didn't disappoint. Santino Hassell brings an authentic and realistic voice to the MM romance world, and I devoured Noah and Gavin's story, not just because of the romance but also because of the personal journey of these characters.

These two together are great. The bantering, the sexual tension, and the aggression between them sets up an epic build to an eventual emotional and sexual release. This rising action has more purpose then to build of the physical aspect of their relationship; it is also serves to expose what motivates and drives these characters. Readers get to see what is behind Gavin's surliness, and they get to witness what holds Noah back. Readers also get to see what truly caring for others looks like not only with Gavin and Noah but also their friends. The logic and maturity they show when facing their future is one that is heartbreaking and sad (it will make readers want to scream over how ugly the world is), but once again exemplifies how much these two care for one another. The people these two evolve into as a result of their time together just serves to exemplify how love and companionship makes a person better, more complete and more fulfilled in his/ her life.

One of the reasons I am an avid Santino Hassell fan is the voice her delivers with each story. The dialect he uses for the characters rings with realism, the integration of current trends and allusions to current events connects readers to the characters and worlds he creates, and his books bring to light real issues that plague the LGQBT community. He doesn't shy away from the ugly or the hurtful, but his books also show incredibly strong characters with the fortitude to face the ugly for the person he/she loves. There is no truer example of this than Illegal Contact. The added celebrity of Gavin only serves to magnify the issue since the public feels the need to weigh in on his life and choices. Even with the realistic aspect of his stories, I have always found that his endings not only give the characters an HEA they deserve, but it leaves readers with a hope for the future, for a better day where we can all be supportive and accepting of each other and focus on the aspects of a person that actually matter.

I'm in love with this new series from Santino Hassell. The entire cast of characters are fantastic, and Gavin and Noah (especially Gavin) stole my heart! I cannot wait to come back to this new world he has created.

ILLEGAL CONTACT is the first installment in Santino Hassell’s contemporary, adult THE BARONS erotic, M/M romance series focusing on the professional football players of the New York Barons. This is Barons’ tight end Gavin Brawley, and his personal assistant Noah Monroe’s story line.

NOTE: ILLEGAL CONTACT is a M/M romance story line with sexually graphic language, text and situations that may not be suitable for all readers.

Told from dual first person points of view (Gavin and Noah) ILLEGAL CONTACT follows the building but forbidden relationship between the New York Barons’ tight end Gavin Brawley, and his new PA Noah Monroe. With a six month suspension and house arrest on the horizon bad boy Gavin Brawley finds himself struggling to keep up in both his personal and private life. A reputation as a jerk with a temper Gavin’s circle of friends is small, and the only people he considers family are the team members he has left behind. Enter recent college grad Noah Monroe, Gavin’s new PA, and a man who struggles to keep secret his attraction to his boss. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Gavin and Noah, and Noah’s battle to make life easier for the man that calls to his heart.

Gavin Brawley is a bisexual male who has yet to come out to the public or his team. When a recent video of our hero brawling went viral Gavin found himself facing jail time or house arrest but Gavin keeps more than his own sexuality a secret and refuses to reveal his reasons for losing his temper. Temper aside, Gavin’s reputation as a hot head both on and off the field is well known to the public but if his sexuality is revealed Gavin knows his professional career could come to a screeching halt. Gavin’s entire life revolves around the sport of professional football, and in this, Gavin’s sexuality could be a detriment to both his future and his career. Noah Monroe is in debt, and with his father’s recent lay off Noah is desperate to find any job that will put food on the table, and pay down his student debt. Working for Gavin Brawley finds Noah on the outside looking in with no concept of who or what is Gavin Brawley, and to add to the already tempestuous relationship, Noah’s history with powerful men is darkened by betrayal in the past.

The relationship between Noah and Gavin is one of immediate attraction but Noah struggles with Gavin’s attitude and emotional outbursts, as well as Gavin’s inability to see beyond his current problems. Gavin tries desperately to hide his attraction to Noah but fails miserably in spite of the possibility of future betrayal and blackmail. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense. The sexual chemistry was palpable but saying that I did have an issue with the lack of condom usage in this M/M romance story line. Fiction and the possibility of no unwanted pregnancies aside, I do believe that romance authors, including those who write M/M story lines, have an obligation to present safe (safer) $ex scenarios. There was no mention of STD or AIDs testing, or clean blood work-this was very disheartening under the circumstances especially when one of the leading characters was sexually active with another partner on more than one occasion.

We are introduced to several of Gavin’s teammates including quarterback Simeon Boudreaux and running back Marcus Hendricks, Gavin’s agent Mel Hawkins, publicist Joe Carmichael, and Noah’s best friend Jasmine. Simeon’s story line is next in Down by Contact-January 2018.

ILLEGAL CONTACT is a heartwarming, optimistic and encouraging story line. The premise is engaging and inspiring; the characters are charismatic and energetic: the romance is passionate and provocative. ILLEGAL CONTACT is a fantastic start to a new series.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

THE READING CAFÉ: http://www.thereadingcafe.com/illegal-contact-the-barons-1-by-santino-hassell-review-and-excerpt/


GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2085623967


AMAZON.COM: https://www.amazon.com/review/R2I64M6T9JQGZZ/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B06W2P5N55


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When Santino Hassell announced he was doing a football romance, I couldn’t wait to get my hands all over it. I’m a giant sports romance fan, and a huge fan of Hassell, so I figured it was gonna kick ass. Verdict: It totally does. There’s action, snark, beautiful football players, a sexy PA, great romance, and, of course, tons of heat. Illegal Contact is one of my fave reads of 2017, so far. I basically read it in two sittings; it was impossible to put down. The premise, the characters, the story—every element is a total win.

As I said, I’m a lover of sports romances, but this one had a unique premise. The fact that one of the MCs is suspended and on house arrest for the entire book might make one wonder how Hassell was going to get the sports in there… Don’t worry. It’s in there. Illegal Contact is packed with plenty of testosterone. There are tons of football references, which I loved, since training camp just started, and I’m a huge football fan—Go Hawks!—lots of gym time, and an unforgettable and amazing scrimmage scene. We also get lots of time with Gavin’s teammates and best friends, Simeon Boudreaux and Marcus Hendricks, who are both fabulous. And, Gavin’s character is so well developed and well written that at the end of the day, I really did feel like I’d been in the head of an NFL athlete.

Gavin Brawley—how awesome is that name?—is SO fantastic. I loved him from the moment I met him, and more and more as the story went on. As the starting tight end for the New York Barons, Gavin’s is pretty much a household name. Unfortunately, though, it’s not really because he’s a fan favorite. People have unfairly labeled Brawley as an asshole, mainly because he doesn’t like talking to the press or ‘playing the game’ that other popular athletes play. He loves playing football, with every fiber of his being. The game he doesn’t want to play is all the bullshit his agent and manager want him to do to improve his image. Gavin could give a fuck about his image. At least, that was the case before Noah Monroe came into his life.

Desperate for a job, but unable to find a social work position, Noah applies for the job as Gavin Brawley’s personal assistant. It’s not what he went to school for, and definitely not something he would have typically chosen, but he has a mountain of debt, and his dad needs his help, so he sucks it up and takes the position. Noah is also amazing, you guys. And, he’s SO good for Gavin. They may dislike each other for the first month or so, and maybe Noah wasn’t excited about the gig, but the fact is, he’s very good at the job. When the sparks start to fly between the two of them, Noah has to decide if he can trust his own judgement, as this is not the first time he’s gotten involved with someone at work.

I love, love, love these guys together. The tension is fabulous. And, when they finally break down and go for it…. Oh. My. God. They’re on fire. But, it’s not just that their sexual chemistry is off the charts…they’re also just so much fun together. The snark and attitude early on, and the fact that they’re both completely unapologetic about who they are. Like all of Santino Hassell’s characters, they are so real and relatable. Noah shows Gavin the fiery Queens boy beneath the Clark Kent exterior, and Gavin shows Noah his vulnerability and his capability for caring. And, no one can resist #DatBrawleySmile.

Do not miss this book, guys. The writing is so fantastic and engaging. It’s everything you would hope for and more. I’m still a 5B girl, I don’t know what it will take to unseat Sutphin Boulevard as my all-time fave, but Illegal Contact is definitely some of Santino Hassell’s best work. Go grab this one! It should absolutely be on your steamy summer reads list.

There was none of the “new author to me” jitters when it came to diving into this one. When a book comes highly recommended by the ladies at Berkley, and one of your favourite authors, (Sarina Bowen) the only dutiful fangirl thing to do is to dive on in.

Illegal Contact is the first standalone novel in the sports romance Barons series, and the first step to what I’m sure will be an unhealthy addiction to the author, Santino Hassell. Seriously, where have you been all my life? There was none of the getting to know you process that happens with a “new to me author”, from the first page the writing was familiar, fun and engaging yet still managed to be fresh and exciting.

I had a wonderful time drooling over the blond bombshell that is Gavin Brawley. He’s the incredibly talented but unapproachable tight end of the New York Barons. His give no f*cks attitude on and off the field have made him a target for the press and there’s no shortage of column inches documenting his misdemeanours.

His latest PR disaster earns him a team suspension and a stint under house arrest. If my gorgeous grump wasn’t grumpy enough, having to hire an assistant to take care of things he will be unable to leaves a bitter taste in his mouth.

The man for the job is financially hard up Noah Monroe. His nerdy exterior might be give of major Clark Kent vibes, but Noah gives as good as he gets when on the receiving end of one of Gavin’s tongue lashings. Their working relationship is tension fraught, but Gavin enjoys being challenged by Noah more than he would care to admit.

The sexual tension with these two was out of this world, and I absolutely loved the dynamic and progression of their relationship. Illegal Contact was the total package and with secondary characters that also stole the show, the Baron’s series promises to be a game changer.

Sometimes you need a book as an escape, for me this was so the case when I opened Illegal Contact. I was sitting in an ER with a long wait ahead of me, and I was so very thankful for the kindle app on my phone as I opened this book in an attempt to make the time more manageable.

This book helped save my sanity, while surrounded by the hustle and bustle and often haunting scenes in an ER, I lived with Gavin and Noah.

Illegal Contact has the reader learning that professional football player Gavin Brawley has been suspended for conduct off the field. I will fast forward a bit and WOW, just WOW, what Gavin was protecting, why he attacked someone off the field truly made this story powerful and spoke volumes to the Gavin beneath the media hype.

OK back to the story, as Gavin is under house arrest and through a series of events he ends up with Noah Monroe as his personal assistant.

Yes, this leads to hours spent together. I think what I loved most was the friendship that developed. The reader is allowed to see Noah fiercely protective of Gavin, Gavin getting jealous of Noah’s other interest and in the end these two learning to compliment each other.

Gavin comes out of his shell both personally and in the eyes of the media as Noah opens the tough exterior that a rough life has caused him to form around himself. And I will add when these two do connect it is hot! But it is also heat laced with emotions and it is so clear this is so very different especially for Gavin.

Gavin has two good friends on the Barons and these men made for some great banter.

How Gavin and Noah finally manage to reconcile their feelings with the complications of working together and more importantly with Gavin being a professional athlete, well... read the book, it is a journey worth experiencing.

I am very much looking forward to Down by Contact (The Barons #2) by Santino Hassell coming in January 2018, yes I wish it was sooner because I am so excited to get inside the head of Simeon Boudreaux, the Barons’ golden-quarterback who was so much a part of this story (nope still not getting any more info - read the book!)

I do have to say I wish this book had an epilogue… I guess I need to be thankful it is part of series and hope, HOPE we get a glimpse at Gavin and Noah further down the line.

This was my first book by Mr. Hassell and I was impressed, it certainly won’t be my last!

Title: Illegal Contact
Author: Santino Hassell
Series: The Barons
Publisher: InterMix
Reviewer: Mollien
Release Date: August 15, 2017
Genre(s): Sport Male/Male Romance
Page Count: 250 pages
Heat Level: 3 flames out of 5
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Blurb:


The rules of the game don’t apply off the field in this first Barons novel.

New York Barons tight end Gavin Brawley is suspended from the team and on house arrest after a video of him brawling goes viral. Gavin already has a reputation as a jerk with a temper on and off the field—which doesn’t help him once he finds himself on the wrong side of the law. And while he’s been successful professionally, he’s never been lucky when it comes to love.

Noah Monroe is a recent college grad looking for a job—any job—to pay off his mounting student debt. Working as Gavin’s personal assistant/babysitter seems like easy money. But Noah isn’t prepared for the electrifying tension between him and the football player. He’s not sure if he’d rather argue with Gavin or tackle him to the floor. But both men know the score, and neither is sure what will happen once Gavin's timeout is over…







Review:
This is the first book of The Barons series. I have read many of Santino Hassell’s works. I love reading his raw, emotional gay romances. Illegal Contact has to be my favorite. I loved the strong, protective Gavin and I loved watching the relationship between him and Noah grow and develop. This series, as well as this book, is about a relatively new franchise football team, The Barons located in New York. Gavin is an intense man on and off the field. He has a reputation for being menacing. In a fit of protective rage, he runs a man off the road, drags him from his car and hits him until he is able to delete incriminating video off of the man’s cell phone. This leads to him getting a suspension for the season of football and six months of house arrest. In need to hire a personal assistant to run his everyday life, Gavin hires Noah. Noah is a gay man who wants to work with at-risk LGBTQ people. Unfortunately, he had a problem at his last job leaving him insecure and a little broken. Noah knows very little about football and finds Gavin to be rude and impossible to deal with, but the money is too good to pass up especially with his mountain of student loan debt and his father being out of work. The chemistry between Gavin and Noah starts off on a very bad foot. As the story unfolds their relationship takes an interesting turn when Noah begins to see the beautiful man behind the beast of the Barons’ football team. This book moves along quickly. It is a story that I could not put down until the end. Now I am disappointed that I have to wait for the next book in this series. The ending left me wanting more of this couple and their friends. As the story progresses we learn about these characters. Their portrayal is real and deep. Loved this story and I can’t wait for book two Down by Contact.
PLOT: 5 Stars
CHEMISTRY: 5 Stars
PACING: 5 Stars
ENDING: 5 Stars
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 5 Stars



Review Copy of Illegal Contact provided by the InterMix I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. Reviewed by Mollien from Alpha Book Club

5 out of 5 stars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

O! M! G! This book was rockstar quality! Maybe it was about a pro athlete and his unwanted PA, but it hit me like a rock concert! Hard and fast and full-on! Gavin Brawley stole my heart from the first time I met him and Noah was undeniably cute. I liked that it wasn't insta-love and that they came together more naturally. There were so many points that I absolutely loved, but the scrimmage and ending were definitely my favs. I can't wait to read more about the Barons because this book really woke up some deep feelings and made me want to crawl through my Kindle and hug all of the guys! <3

This is a fantastic sports romance by Santino Hassell. This somehow also the first football romance book I've read. As much as I've loved the author's other books, I was also a bit hesitant to start this one. I haven't had much luck when it comes to soccer romances because the inaccuracies about the sport in the books completely throw him out of the story, but thankfully, that's not the case here. I think with Illegal Contact, this is much more a character story than one that revolves around football, so that certainly helps.

Illegal Contact is about NFL, New York Barons tight end, Gavin Brawley. He's been put under house arrest and suspended from the team for a video that's been caught of him yanking a guy out of his car and slugging him. Now, Gavin lives in a huge house, alone, and can't go out to do simple stuff, like buying food.

We soon learn that Gavin isn't an awful person, he just doesn't care what anyone thinks of him. He's had a rough childhood and is past caring what the press think of him and his past when he plays awesome out on the field. He doesn't play into the media's games and so he's the one who gets all the bad press. What the press doesn't know is that for his friends, Gavin is 100% loyal and dependable to his friends. And that's really all he cares about, no matter what his image is to the public. However, that really hasn't worked out in his favor. Now, he needs an assistant, and if his manager has anything to say on the matter, a spy to keep Gavin out of trouble.

This is where we meet Noah Monroe. Noah is out of a job at doing something he loves, like working at a LGBT youth center, and now he's scrambling to find any job in order to keep paying rent living in NYC and something temporary while he buys time to look more for something along his career path. Noah doesn't care about football, so he doesn't give the greatest first impression upon meeting Gavin, but that's what sets him apart. When it might be a better idea to hire someone who doesn't care, than to hire someone who's a total fanboy.

This is an enemies-to-lovers story, and gives some Beauty and the Beast vibes? I think it's the house arrest part and Gavin's grumpy attitude, to be honest. I love that Noah doesn't take Gavin's shit and talks back every opportunity he gets. I also love that Gavin is actually a big softie who would do everything for his friends. Gavin is bi, and while his manager would love for him to only like women, it doesn't work that ways, and Gavin is super attractive to Clark Kent-lookalike Noah. I was hesitant about this turning into a relationship while Gavin was, technically, Noah's employer, but I'm glad how this relationship developed and worked out in the end.

This is a slow burn romance. And the sexual tension is hot. This book has relatively low angst compared to other books I've read, but there's still some in this book between Gavin and Noah.

Gavin's friend's Simeon and Marcus are awesome and sweet. And I can't wait to read Simeon's story in Down by Contact!!

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

When a fight caught-on-tape lands Gavin Brawley--the notoriously hotheaded tight end for The New York Barons--on house arrest the last thing he wants to deal with is a new personal assistant. Noah Monroe is a freshly unemployed social worker who could care less about Gavin and just wants to do the job and start paying his student loans. But will Noah worm his way into Gavin's heart and bring out #DatBrawleySmile ?

This book was great, I’m just really into the way Santino Hassell writes romance. He slowly builds sexual tension and pairs it with cutting banter. Noah, being a self proclaimed "poor kid from Queens" goes toe to toe with Gavin's surliness. I was just waiting for a Slap Slap Kiss--although it ends up being more of a You Are Better Than You Think You Are.

Hassell is also writing some of the most authentic portrayals of millennials I've read in romance. The pop culture references, language and world views feel modern and authentic. Like the way Noah and Gavin talk about the toxic and often problematic culture of professional football. While Gavin loves football and knows it saved his life he’s also realizes if word got out he was bisexual and had a boyfriend his career could be over.

Authentic, heartwarming and fun Hassell’s debut football series is a touch down !

Holy Guacamole! When I say I love M/M reads, this is exactly the kind of read I'm talking about! I could not put this book down, so I didn't even try! Sorry life but you gotta wait till I'm done with my new obsession Gavin and Noah.


Gavin plays football, that's his life, nothing else matters. So when he's suspended for the season and is on house arrest because he can't control his temper he needs someone to help him out, enter Noah. Noah is in need of a job badly, so he goes on an interview to be a personal assistant, Gavin's personal assistant.

First off can I just say that I love the fact that Noah isn't a football fanatic. He's just normal guy trying to get his amounting debt under control just like the rest of us. I love that he put Gavin in his place when he was questioned about it too! Not everyone is a football fan and that's totally okay, Gavin! The back and forth with these two was the best tension EVER! Sometimes it was too much for me and I just wanted them to get together quickly and put me out of my misery. In the end I'm glad that the story progressed the way it did because I feel like they got to truly know each other along the way. Gavin discovered how trustworthy Noah is and Noah found out how passionate Gavin is, which helped turn their little arguments into the best banter.

"I shuddered. He felt it and smiled as I released a husky groan. And that was fine."

I absolutely loved the differences in these two men, from their physical characteristics to their personalities, I just feel like they compliment each other perfectly. At first I thought Gavin was being insufferable just because, but then I realized that he's never had anyone's unconditional love and attention, that's all he wants and it completely warmed my cold black heart.

Illegal Contact has so much heart! It's so raw and full of utter devotion! It's exactly what I want in a love story and more, just more. This is my first Santino Hassell read and I've been hooked with Gavin and Noah, and the rest of the gang. I feel like I'm starving for more! I need more of this Barrons crew as soon as possible so I hope Hassell is writing.

It is no secret that I’m a big fan of Santino Hassell’s writing, so to say I was exciteed for this book to come out is an understatement. I mean, Santino and sports, just orgasmic. When I first cracked this book open, it did everything I was expecting it to do. Draw me in with the banter and animosity of two characters that are complete opposites and don’t have much qualms with showing their dislike about certain things to each other. I was immediately hooked by Gavin and Noah. Hooked!

ILLEGAL CONTACT is a whole lot of fun and you can’t help but read it from cover to cover in one go. I didn’t want to put this down because I loved the characters so much and I loved all their interactions whether they were of the sexy variety or when they were going at each other’s throats instead. There’s a lot of sass and attitude and I absolutely love that.

I also liked that with such a simple setup as two characters basically stuck living together for a period of time, Mr. Hassell gave us two very complex characters that had a lot of personal isssues to work through individually and it wasn’t all about simply the romance. Gavin and his background as a foster kid and how he deals with it was probably one of the things that made me connect with this grumpy hero the most. And let me just state that I love grumpy heroes so Gavin was the star of this show for me, as much as I loved Noah as well. There was something beautiful about seeing someone who has lived guarding himself so much finally opening up and being vulnerable that I couldn’t look away from.

Will I go as far as saying this is my favorite book I’ve read by him? Yes and no. Yes because it is my fave solo work by Santino Hassell as all around book. But no because I think it was missing some of the trademark grittiness I’ve come to expect from him. That’s always what keeps me coming back. I was still happy to see that he could write something that felt completely different and that fit in well with the theme of a fun sports romance, but I definitely wanted to see some of that grittiness his other books have. Maybe in the next one? Because I’m anxious to get that one in my greedy paws as soon as possible.

So just add me to the list...

What list you may wonder why the list of people who loved this book of course...yeah, that list.

First off let me just say I'm not much of a fan of football, sorry I am Canadian the hockey arena is more than likely where you'll find me if sports are involved, but for me, when it comes to books it's the story that matters and the subject doesn't always have to be a favorite topic of mine. Santino Hassell is one of those authors whose name on the cover takes precedence over what the story is about...in other words a good book, is a good book, is a good book and I've learned that there are certain authors who I can rely on to deliver a good book no matter what they're writing about. Santino Hassell's name is on that list for me.

ICoS was my first reading experience with this author and he and Ais totally blew me out of the water with that series. So much so that after reading it I was compelled to buy the Director's Cut copies for Evanfall. I own the e-book copy or I own the book I don't make it a habit to own both and if you know me than you know that doing so speaks to how incredibly much I enjoyed them. Next I discovered the awesomeness that is his 'Five Boroughs' series and enjoyed these as audiobooks and now this author has again shown his diversity with 'Illegal Contact' the first book in his latest series 'The Barons' again...mind blown! I have yet to enjoy his paranormal story 'Stygian' and his other new series 'The Community' but trust me, I have them all waiting for me on my e-reader...it will happen.

Gavin Brawley has it all the successful football career, the money, the huge house that you can get lost in, fame, success...so it begs the question 'Why is someone with all this so unhappy?'

Noah Monroe is a college grad, he's buried in debt, lives with his dad who is jobless after being on the wrong side of his employer's latest downsizing efforts and yet, in many ways he's happier than Gavin and would be even happier if he could just find a job that allowed him to earn enough money to pay his bills.

Thankfully Gavin's misfortune is about to become Noah's golden opportunity. When the successful football player ends up under house arrest and needing a Personal Assistant.

This one's a slow burn to be sure. There may be a bit of lust at first sight but Gavin and Noah have more of an oil and water mix going on at the beginning. Watching these two maneuver their way around each other as they slowly work their way past the barriers each of them have built is more than a little entertaining.

As Gavin and Noah spend time together Noah begins to see past the gruff and rude exterior that Gavin has put up to the man...the man that no one but Gavin's friends and teammates, Simeon and Marcus, ever see and even they don't get to see the person that Noah ultimately uncovers.

Noah’s lips stretched into a smile, and his eyes twinkled behind his glasses. “I feel like four and a half
months ago those words would never have come out of your mouth.”

“Heh. Maybe. Four and a half months ago I didn’t see a need to not drive people away.”

So much of Gavin and Noah's story feels real, like maybe we could have read this in the tabloids. There's a lot of unvarnished truth in the story we're being given and much of it is a sad commentary on how we...and by we, I mean society in general, view celebrities. Whether they're actors, singers or sports figures...if they're in the limelight we tend to feel that their private lives are meant for public viewing and this is the issue that drives Gavin's actions both at the beginning of the book and at the end and how Gavin deals with the circumstances during both events shows his growth as an individual and how much Noah has influenced his life, which for me was definitely in a positive way.

The secondary characters in this story as always were given enough depth and dimension to make them feel real...some of them were totally likable, such as Jasmine. Noah's best friend who calls him on his BS and isn't afraid to keep it real as well as Simeon and Marcus who do the same for Gavin. There was also Gavin's agent Mel, a tough, no non-sense businesswoman but then there was Joe Carmichael, Gavin's manager who was admittedly not very likable but he truly cared about Gavin and had his best interest at heart...likable but not. But when it came to secondary characters my personal favorite was Case the guy from the autoshop who befriended Noah. I totally want a story for him...please? There must be a quarterback or a linebacker somewhere in need of an awesome, sexy and genuinely nice guy to work on his care and maybe him? Just offering that one up for the powers that be to consider.

As for the sexy times in this one...well all I'm going to say is 'good things come to he or she who waits and this pair are so worth the wait...Gavin and Noah are seriously hot...I'm pretty sure that some circuits got scorched in my Kobo, but hey, don't take my word for it. There are lots of other awesome reviews you can read or better yet just read the book.

I am not sure how he does it, but I think Santino Hassell can write just about anything. Illegal Contact is a sports romance, but it is so much more than that. It is a story about learning yourself and letting go and trust.
It is also a forced proximity and a romancing the boss (although in a non-traditional boss/assistant setting) book. Yes!

Gavin Brawley is the starting tight end for the Barons...well, he was until he was put under house arrest. Now he is stuck in his empty mansion in the middle of nowhere with nothing but himself for company. And he is pretty useless at that.
Noah Monroe needs a job. He is recently unemployed and so his father. If he doesn't figure something out soon, his already pathetic living situation is going to crumble into nothing.
When they meet there is so much animosity and it is awesome. Gavin is a closeted bisexual, while Noah is out and thinks Gavin is straight. Gavin's world revolves around football while Noah has no interest in sports.

"But this guy?" I held up Noah's picture. "He hates football."
"Whaaat?" Marcus waved his hand. "Pssh, fuck all that."

Despite that, there is the best sexual tension in this book. And it is sloooooow burn. The two of them work out their working relationship with Gavin as boss and Noah as the personal assistant throughout most of the book. They get to know each other, learn each other's quirks and become friendly. During this process, we get to go on the journey with them, experiencing things along the way. We are also introduced to a couple of great supporting characters.
Gavin and Noah do not hook up until the last third of the book or so. But, that is okay because when they hook up it is hot AF. Who the heck writes sex scenes like that? They burn up the pages.

I really liked Gavin as the story progressed. He starts to let his guard down with Noah and in the process shows a vulnerable and sweet side to himself. And he isn't afraid to let that side show.
He is also just cute as heck.

"Also known as me showing off for my crush like a varsity player on the high school's field."

Noah becomes more self-assured. And he doesn't let Gavin get away with any shit. I loved that he wants to take care of his dad. It is such an endearing trait in a person. He is snarky and forth coming.
He sure knew how to sock a guy right in the nuts with a bag of feels.

Another thing I enjoyed is the lack of drama between the MCs. Of course, there is conflict and there is drama, but they communicate really well with each other as the story progresses.

"Fuck," I whispered. "This hurts."
He nodded, burying his face in the crook of my neck, and held me...

I have one warning - there is somewhat on page sexy times between Gavin and another person. I am not a fan of this in my romances. I don't mind it before the MCs have met, but I hate it after that. I wasn't sure I could get past that, but I did and my overall enjoyment of the story was only slightly affected by it. By the time October rolled around I was over it and when Thanksgiving arrives, my feel-o-meter was through the roof.
The other thing is I wish there were an epilogue. You know me, I love my epilogues. There is no doubt in my mind that these two will make it and we do get a planned out and discussed HEA. The ending is sweet and loving, so I am not complaining. I am just greedy and always want more.
That being said, bring on some Simeon!! OMG, and Case, please. I could just lick a boy who reads on his break.
Also, if you are interested, go check out my Illegal Contact themed nails on instagram.
A Polished Reader - book related nails

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars

This light and fluffy sports romance reveals a whole new side of Santino Hassell. There isn’t a hint of hipster, a touch of horror, or a whiff of urban fantasy in this relatively simple story about a football player and his blue collar personal assistant.

This is the first traditional, formulaic romance I’ve read by this author. The story itself isn’t terribly fresh or original. A sports hero meets an impoverished nobody and falls in love. As in almost every m/m sports romance, Gavin is closeted and risks losing his career if his secret is revealed.

However, while this is predictable and the tropes are a little tired, the story is saved by Hassell’s wonderfully drawn characters. The clash between Gavin’s privileged celebrity life and Noah’s basic struggles to pay the rent after college makes for great drama and fabulous banter.

Both of these two are more complicated than they first seem. Gavin is a closeted diva with a bad attitude and a huge chip on his shoulder. Noah has just as much of a chip on his shoulder but he needs the job as Gavin’s assistant desperately enough to put up with Gavin’s ridiculous demands. I loved watching Noah slowly worm his way into Gavin’s life as he earns his trust and ultimately, his affection. As Noah’s confidence grows, so does his personality and his attitude. Noah and Gavin are entertaining together and their chemistry is very hot.

This is the first book in a new series and we are introduced to a quirky and engaging cast of characters that I can’t wait to see in future books.


Rachael – ☆☆☆☆☆
I have to say that I absolutely loved these two men. They were very different, yet alike in the most interesting ways.

Gavin is a 'jerk' or that's what everyone thinks of him as, but he really is this tender hearted, amazing friend who does things for people without wanting or needing anything in return, just because it is the right thing.

Noah is hilarious to follow as he goes from this stumbling and lost man to his fully sassy and funny normal self. The two of them are just... hilarious. It was a wildly amusing story.

Hassell has this crazy ability to make his characters so realistic with flaws that normal people have and struggle to deal with. The tension between the men was intense while their banter helped keep it from becoming too much.

I loved the secondary characters as well. It was great to see these other players help get Noah into the sport that is so important to Gavin while Noah shows Gavin there is so much more to life. I can't wait to see where this series goes.


Angie – ☆☆☆☆☆
I am not a big fan of books with sports in them but this one hit the mark for me. I loved Gavin and Noah. When football was being talked about I would skim the book, the story to me was more about Gavin, Noah, and Gavin's teammates. I enjoyed the secondary characters and can't wait to read their books in the series. I read this book in one sitting and I hated to see it come to an end. I will have to admit the line that sticks out the most to me was when Gavin asked Noah if he could just stick in the tip... I don't know why that line stuck with me but it did. LOL.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆
The main character in this book, Gavin, identifies as bisexual but he never interacts with any females other than his agent. When he has a booty call, it's with a guy.

Gavin is the reigning bad boy of the NFL, having been suspended for a year by the league because of a road rage incident which also left him on house arrest for six months. Needing a personal assistant, he reluctantly hires someone. Noah is that someone.

Noah didn’t want this job, didn’t want to be a “nanny” to a celebrity but with his student loans coming due any day now, he doesn't have much of a choice.

The issues that have faced Gavin from childhood are many, but we never see any of them resolved or him interacting with many people outside his core group of friends.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the first book in a new series, and I will definitely be looking out for the next one. I love the way that the Baron world is introduced and how we get to know the setting for the story and the team very naturally all through the book. Much better than a surfeit of information in a block.

A sports romance, but with a good twist and two intriguing lead characters. Gavin's past makes an interesting focus when he and Noah first get to know each other, but best of all is Noah's lack of fandom – it is a fun way of getting the information to be revealed. Backed up with some solid support in Simeon, Marcus, Joe, Mel, and Jessica – who will, I'm sure, feature in future books – we get a really well-rounded story.

Thank you, Mr. Hassell, and please release book two soon!

*Thank you to the NetGalley and InterMix publishing for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I tend to find sports romance novels to be one and the same. Hot sports athlete who is jaded. But in comes this girl/guy who changes everything. Boom it's love.

There are quite a few variations of this trope and I'm not saying I don't enjoy it. I do. It clearly works and sells because people keep coming back for more. I haven't read a ton of sports romance novels, so all these thoughts come from my limited knowledge of what I have read.

But Illegal Contact absolutely BLEW ME AWAY. It was everything I needed in the sports romance genre. It was a fresh spin and it seriously so so good.

Our main character, Gavin Brawley is a seriously angry football player who is on house arrest for six months when a video of him in a brawl goes viral. He is forced to hire a personal assistant to run his errands, get his groceries, ect. He had a tough upbringing and football was the only thing that kept him grounded.

Enter Noah Monroe and his Clark Kent glasses. He's a recent college grad with crazy amounts of debt and in desperate need for a job. He was recently fired from his job for having an affair with his boss. He is an openly gay man and dreams of working in an organization that helps LGBTQIA+ teens. Instead, due to his crippling debt, he is forced to take the job of Gavin's personal assistant for the next 6 months.

The two of these guys get off to a rough start. For starters Gavin is always moody and angry and Noah is stubborn and is not afraid to stand up to Gavin. Slowly the two of them form a middle ground but the attraction is hard to ignore and things spiral out of control.

I loved the both of these characters! I just want to hug Gavin and tell him that everything was going to be okay. He had a tough upbringing and being bisexual football player isn't accepted which is why he hides that part of himself until he meets that person that makes me questions everything.

Noah was such a badass (and an asshole at times too but a lovable one). He was not afraid of who he was and was definitely not afraid to call Gavin out on his crap. He kept Gavin in check and the two of them form and honest and real friendship.

This story was seriously funny and filled with so many adorable moments between these two goofs. The side characters were amazing as well! All of these characters had chemistry and you could definitely tell that they cared about one another. I never wanted the story to end. It was a slow burn but it was worth the wait. I cannot recommend this book enough.

This was my first introduction to Santino Hassell and I will definitely be reading more of his work. Down by Contact is the second book in the Baron series which follows Gavin's best friend and NFL star Simeon Boudreaux and I can't wait to read it!

Do yourself a favor and pick this book up!

Places to buy:

Amazon
Barnes and Noble

"He was so addictive. Like candy. Or drugs. One taste of him had me fiending and my heart beating out of my chest."

OH YES!!! I loved this fun and spicy slow-burn sports romance!! 'Illegal Contact' has the perfect mix of romance and heat. Any sports-romance lover will adore this story!!

Football superstar Gavin Brawley of the New York Barons has major anger issues. A tough guy who grew up in the foster system, he is caught on video assaulting a man and as a result, is put on six months of house arrest. What is was really doing was protecting his friend but Gavin will take his punishment even though it means he is suspending from playing football, the only thing that saved him from a life of total despair.

Most fans think Gavin is a total asshole. And he does little to nothing to dispel the public's opinion of him. In reality, he is a deeply closeted bisexual who has just a few close friends in his inner circle. He trusts no one outside his tight-knit circle. But because Gavin is a prisoner in his own home (a stunning mansion in the Hamptons), he is forced by his long-time manager to hire a PA to shop for him, cook his meals and run his errands. But Gavin is dead-set against this idea because he really doesn't like most people and he just wants to be left alone.

"I was a multimillionaire and a famous athlete, and yet people still treated me like a dirt-poor street kid from Newark. Some things never changed."

Noah Monroe is in desperate need of a job. His last one ended badly and his father was just laid off. His student loans are looming over his head. He knows absolutely zero about football but that adds to his charm. And so he has no idea who Gavin Brawley is either. He is completely clueless but must find a job as soon as possible. He is out of options and will take any job, even if it is way outside his chosen field of social work.

"Was that the celebrity I’d be servicing? Bad choice of words. Was that the celebrity I’d be . . . personally assisting? I wasn’t too clear on what this job would even entail. I’d just been told to send my résumé and cover letter to Joe’s receptionist."

Of course Noah and Gavin cannot stand each other at first! Gavin is a total jerk to Noah.

“The man I hired has worked for movie stars, Gavin. He understands discretion.”

“I don’t give a shit if he understands quantum physics. He’s more likely to land on the moon than set foot in this ridiculous mansion.”

I adore an enemies-to-lovers story. Gavin and Noah could not be more different. Gavin tries to shut Noah out of his life but he has to admit, Noah begins to do an amazing job as his PA. Noah begins to answer the huge amount of fan mail that has been accumulating and starts a social media presence for Gavin. So the fans actually begin to like Gavin Brawley. Gavin is wildly attracted to Noah but as a closeted bisexual, he feels that coming out would ruin his football career. Santino Hassell does a fantastic job of building their relationship from intense dislike, to friendship, to sweet, sweet romance. I could not put this story down! The sex scenes are CRAZY hot. Even when Noah and Gavin were breaking my heart, I just knew these two had to have a HEA. And boy, did they ever.

I finished with my hands in his hair and our lips crushed together. It was an orgasm worthy of Olympic medals, but what really stopped my heart was the sound of my name in his lust-soaked voice. We were both in trouble.

When Gavin finally begins to trust Noah, it is a beautiful thing. The banter, the sexy flirting, the touches of humor - it all worked for me. There is a second book planned in this series for Gavin's friend and teammate Simeon and let me just say that it sounds all kinds of awesome. I already miss these guys!!

Gavin cocked a brow. “If you think I’m going to try to spare your delicate baby eyes, I suggest you readjust your expectations. FYI—after showering, I air dry.”

Double review - 4 and 4.5 stars:

Ami’s Review: Confession: I know that Santino Hassell is popular among the population of MM readers. But, aside from a couple of titles, I haven’t read most of his work. I keep wanting to, but never felt the push — and I DNF’ed that first book of his Cyberlove series with Megan Erickson because it wasn’t my cup of tea. Having said that, I was really curious with this one because it seems to have a “lighter” side of romance compared to his Five Burroughs or paranormal series.

Well, I’m glad that I made that decision. I practically devoured Illegal Contact in (almost) one-sitting — I have to sleep, okay! — it was definitely a book that kept me engaged throughout. Enemies-to-lovers is a tricky trope for me because I need to be convinced that two people that started with animosities can fall in love.

And I thought Hassell delivered! There were enough gritty, butt-heading moments, with both Gavin and Noah delivered their piece of minds to the other, but still showed the process of evolving respect and mutual romantic feelings. It wasn’t instant love for these two and I loved that it took time before Gavin and Noah tackled the sex part of their relationship.

I admit that the personal development seemed to be more apparent for Gavin though. Gavin started this book a bit rougher, with anger issues, and definitely didn’t want to make things easy for Noah. As the story goes, I could see how Noah seemed to soften him. I saw Gavin’s kindness and caring for others … even if I never doubted his loyalty, considering the reason why Gavin was under how house arrest in the first place.

I had more trouble to see Noah’s though … because I couldn’t really see him differently from the Noah being introduced in the beginning of the book … except that maybe he started to pay attention to football *laugh*.

Nonetheless, I though both characters were written well. I also loved the secondary characters, most notably Gavin’s friends Simeon and Marcus. I would love to have more pages just to ensure the happily-ever-after part but maybe I can get more update about them in Simeon’s book. So yes, sign me up for this series, please.

Overall Impression: I really liked it

Jen’s Review: What happens when the star football player is forced into seclusion and taking on a PA with no interest in football to handle his life and everything that he can no longer do outside of his home? A combustible enemies to lovers story!

Gavin is the star who is known as the bad boy on the team. He is gruff and uncaring on the outside, but he is extremely loyal to his best friends and teammates, Simeon and Marcus. He has had a rough life, but football saved him in more ways than one. It is everything to him. But then, it is taken away when a fight lands him on house arrest for six months. There is a lot more to that part of the story as to the why, but that isn’t really the focus here. When he is forced by his manager to hire a PA, he is extremely reluctant, but in walks Noah.

Noah has had a string of bad luck in regards to his employment. While this isn’t his chosen field, he needs the money to pay student loans and help his now unemployed father. He has little to no interest in football and has no clue who Gavin is. This, of course, rubs Gavin the wrong way, but Noah’s ability to stand up for himself sparks something in Gavin, and he gives in and hires Noah. Much of this story is them trading barbs while trying to get the job done. They have great chemistry, long before their relationship becomes more than professional. There is plenty of great banter and slow build up as Noah and Gavin grow closer. When they finally get to the sexy stuff, it is well worth the wait.

I loved watching Gavin’s hard shell gradually melt as the months went on. Gavin has some major trust issues (rightfully so due to previous circumstances), but Noah gains it little by little. Their attraction also grows, but there are a few things standing in the way on both sides, though they are hard-pressed to prevent it from happening.

These guys were fabulous together and made a perfect match. Noah is perfect for Gavin, is everything Gavin needs and knows just how to handle him, without even realizing it. Thankfully, they see it before it’s too late. My only tiny gripe is that the ending which had so much buildup, seemed over in a flash with little to no fanfare. I would have liked to have seen that played out a bit more.

There are some fabulous side characters in this as well who help push them in the right direction. Noah’s bff, who ends up dating Marcus, and Simeon, who is hiding in a similar closet to Gavin. I’m so excited for the next book focusing on the sexy Cajun, Simeon, and look forward to seeing these guys again.

Overall Impression: I loved it!

Noah Monroe needs a job in a bad way. He lost his last one when an indiscretion with his boss ended badly – very badly. Becoming the Personal Assistant to a spoiled celebrity wasn’t exactly what he worked so hard in college to achieve, but beggars can’t be choosers.

Now he’s stranded in the Hamptons with Barons tight end Gavin Brawley and if he thinks that it is going to be business as usual, he is sadly mistaken.

Gavin appeared in the massive doorway sweaty and wearing nothing but Under Armour compression shorts. I was treated to every line of his body, every muscle, every mark and scar, and a bulge that magnetized my eyeballs. It wasn’t fair for him to look this good and to have a dick that big. Life was ridiculous.

Gavin wasn’t always football’s bad boy. He was the orphan from the wrong side of the tracks who used football as his ticket out of the system. A combination of aggression, loyal friends and pure talent have made him what he is and now all of that is at stake because of one wild night.

His bisexuality is not a secret to those close to him but it isn’t exactly public knowledge. And suffering through six months of house arrest for six whole months with PA that drives him insane may not be survivable – for his career and for his heart.

“What the hell was that?”
“Me being grateful.”
Noah touched his mouth. “You can’t just say ‘thank you’?”
“Like you said—actions speak louder than words.”
I licked my lips, attention still focused on his, and goddamn but I wanted to kiss him again. Longer this time. More tongue. My hand cupping his clean-shaven cheek and my thumb stroking his soft skin. Fingers sliding into his thick, dark hair. But I didn’t.
He was startled, frozen in front of me, and I was struck with the realization that I not only wanted to fuck my hot assistant. I liked him. Sex was the farthest thing from my mind. Right now I just wanted to kiss the hell out of him, and try to get him to like me back.

Illegal Contact is so much more that it seems.  It’s a heartbreakingly emotional romance with so much sizzling hot chemistry between the characters that it’s nearly impossible to put down.
 
I loved that both Gavin and Noah were both so brave and honest about who they were as people and who they were becoming as a couple. They recognized exactly how rare it is to find someone who accepts you as you are and puts your happiness first – even if it means sacrificing their own in the process.
​
Because that’s the way that love should really be and it made this book one that we won’t soon forget…

This book is classic Santino Hassell and I say that after reading everything he has published. His strength is his characterizations and here he creates two main characters that stand out from the pages along with a small group of secondary characters that come across as real as well.

Gavin and Noah are opposites and if that appeals to you, it’s built in throughout the story. Gavin is a NFL football player under house arrest for six months. Sure, he lives in a mansion in the Hamptons, but it’s largely unfurnished and he admits that when he had money for the first time in his life, he just thought he was supposed to buy a big house. The house arrest is the result of him punching someone in a fit of rage and the media likes to run with the story of his rough past and his anger management issues. Gavin will be the first to tell you that he has anger issues, but there is also a side to the story, and a side to Gavin, that the media doesn’t know.

Noah is college educated and lost his social work job after an affair with his boss went bad. He dresses in button down shirts and Gavin likes to call him Clark after Clark Kent. The only thing they seem to have in common is that they both grew up poor. But while Gavin in now raking in a massive salary, Noah is drowning in college loans.

Noah has no interest in football and barely knows who Gavin is. He almost reluctantly takes the job as Gavin’s assistant, but the money is good and Noah needs the job. Noah can certainly see that Gavin is good looking, but his demeanor is prickly and grumpy and he can fly into fits of rage. And, Noah has no intention of getting involved with yet another boss.

The book is more about the effects that being famous has on Gavin’s life and how the media wants the rest of the world to see him whether it’s true or not. Hassell writes great dialogue between the men and the banter flows effortlessly. When Gavin is admitting to himself that he’s attracted to Noah, especially when Noah gets interested in football, Gavin admits that Noah using football terminology has him aroused and it makes for an entertaining read.

Gavin is used to saying and doing what he wants, but as the men become friends, Noah calls him out and they balance each other out well. Although, some of that banter was familiar and had the same style as other characters from Hassell’s other books, I could overlook it for the well-polished story and engaging characters.

The book is a slow burn for these guys, but the chemistry is dialed up right from the start. They both have reasons for not wanting to pursue each other, but ultimately, they can’t stay away from each other and the intimate scenes are raw and real and heated with, again, Hassell’s signature style.
Hassell also is known for ending his books in the moment and this ending follows that style as well. While it has worked for me in some of his other books, here I could have used a scene or two more at the end. Since this is the start of a series, we may see Gavin and Noah in future books and the secondary characters all have interesting stories to tell. I will definitely be looking forward to Simeon’s book next as a new Santino Hassell book is always something to look forward to. The book is ultimately about hope as Hassell dedicates the book, “For the scared, the closeted, and the hopeful.”