Well. This book was pretty much Clash of Expectations vs. Reality for me.

I primarily picked this up for two reasons. A) genderfluid Russian dancer and a black football player fall in love. B) Sports romance with possible great amounts of hurt/comfort and grief. Hello, that's for me.

But. Reality didn't sit right with me. After mulling it over for a day or two, I've come to two conclusions. If you're looking for a book with tangible, on-page genderfluid rep? This is probably not the book for you. I'm not sure if the pertain who wrote the blurb put the genderfluid in there for Reasons, or the author wants the book to be read that way. In the end though, what remains is that I wouldn't have known Victor is genderfluid from the book. There are very vague hints, mentioning of androgynous clothing and make-up. But he was mostly described as an effeminate gay man, and his gender identity was never mentioned, discussed or even coded otherwise. It left me wondering if the distinction between gender and gender roles, gender non-confirming presenting, gender identity and appearances just... wasn't made? Isn't clear to author or copy editor? I truly don't know. For me it was confusing, especially because another character was coded as pan and gender non-confirming, different gender and gender identities were mentioned, but *nothing* about Victor is ever on page.

I do realize that not everything has to be about gender identity – incidental queer rep is amazing – but I do think that especially in the context of Victor’s work as an activist and the teenage stepson's struggle with bullies, the complete lack of mentioning it in the story felt like invisible rep at best, erasure at worst and it confused and disappointed me.
The story in and on itself was okay, I liked the two MCs together, and the beginning had me hooked. Unfortunately the book list me a couple of times when I just didn't understand the characters' reasoning. Plus, some conflicts came a bit out of nowhere and weren't explained sufficiently for my taste, nor were the resolutions satisfying for me. Several sex scenes didn't help with that.

Talking about sex, I know some readers will get upset by one particular line that basically amounts to “There's only do much nakedness a mortal man can take before he wants sex desperately.” It's ‘only’ tyre personal thought of one of the MCs, but it comes of as a very generalized statement, equating humanity with sexual attraction&desire. And I know I – and quite some other readers, especially on the ace spectrum – can really do without these unnecessary references.

I liked parts of the ending, but it was really a bit rushed and fast for me. Ater so much time of Victor and Isaiah distancing themselves, fighting each other, hiring each other? I needed more than a big gesture, *especially* from Isaiah who (in my world) crossed to many lines and threw cutting words at Victor too much to be redeemed after one conversation with his kid and a last- minute save of the relationship. And the very last bit? No. Didn't work for me at all. Too rushed and sudden after way to much fight and struggle (internal and with each other).

I think this book could've been a solid 3 or 4 star read for me under different circumstances? As it was, I had very different expectations for this book, I was hoping for on-page genderfluid rep and more depth towards the end.

I liked this book. The writing was good and so was the story. The main characters Isaiah and Victor were interesting in that they were from two totally different backgrounds yet still connected in a beautiful way. I did not realize that Isaiah was black until at least halfway (if not further) into the book. Not that it matters that much, but I like to picture the characters in my mind while I am reading so a good description earlier on is kinda nice. I loved Ryan because he seemed really smart and fearless and had obviously been raised well by his dads. All in all definitely a good book, quick read too, as I read it in a few hours. Thanks Netgalley!!!

I’m a fan of books from Entangled and I first came across the author through her book ‘Playing the Part’ in 2013, which I really enjoyed and Mick and Piper from that book appear here too. I’d read the blurb for this book, about NFL football player Isaiah and a gender fluid Russian ballet dancer Victor and honestly, I couldn’t wait to read it, it ticked every one of my boxes. The MCs have a one night stand, both agreeing that once it’s over, it’s over, but then feelings come into play and when Victor is denied asylum Isaiah steps in and suggests a marriage of convenience, because if Victor goes back to Russia, his life will be in danger due to his outspokenness on gay rights and the calling out of the regime back in his home country. Isaiah can’t offer anything more than safe harbor with himself and his son Evan for fear of what happened with is only other true love, Stephen, and he won’t be able to survive that happening again. Then there’s the fact that Victor could end up leaving to play with a ballet anywhere in the country. They tentatively settle into a comfortable routine and Victor is so supportive of his son who’s also creative and a lover of the arts; he worships the ground Victor walks on. But there’s such a red hot chemistry between Victor and Isaiah, something has got to give... It broke my heart to see them fighting this attraction; Victor feeling unwanted and Isaiah trying to protect himself from more possible hurt and loss while they were both quietly falling in love. I can’t say much more as I don’t want to spoil this beautiful story for you but I can’t recommend it highly enough, it’s stuffed full of feels and is the quintessential love story. You know how you usually favour one MC in a book? Well in this one I was utterly besotted with both, totally understanding their POV’s and rooting and cheering for them both to find their happy ever after. Do they get it? You have to read this book, really, you HAVE to, it’s that good.

Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMG Reads.

His Convenient Husband contained my favorite types of romances- MM and a marriage of convenience. The author does a great job bringing Victor and Isaiah together. The book held so many emotions I was overwhelmed at reading their story.

These men were hot and stubborn. I wand sure if they were going to find their happy ending. They both had issues that needed to be resolved before they could accept the other and be surrounded by their love

Actual rating: 3.5 stars

It's a good book. Wonderful story, important topics. The mix of these two characters is awesome.
So, why the low rating?
While I greatly enjoyed the story, I had a hard time picturing the main characters. It wasn't until VERY late in the book that it actually says that Isaiah is black. It does get mentioned that his son is biracial a bit earlier but even that comes too late for my liking. That gives them the possibility for a much deeper connection than I thought they had.
While this might not be important to others, I feel like a person's cultural background does change how they perceive the world and how they act. And above all, which problems they face in the world. While these problems don't necessarily need to be addressed if they are irrelevant to the story, knowing more about a person helps me understand them better. Imagining how they live and why they do certain things. I would have loved to get that extra bit more: more about the people, what they do, how they are, their thoughts, just more.
I'm still glad this book exists and that I have read it. I hope you'll enjoy it.

This book was stunning. It had everything I look for in a romance story. The writing was smooth and natural. I was captivated from the first page till the last. I couldn’t put the book down. The plot was great and the characters were rich with development.
Isaiah is an NHL player, widower, and father of a fourteen-year-old queer son, Evan. After the death of his husband, Steven, he is afraid to fall in love again. He is out but quiet about it. When he meets ballet dancer, Victor, he is immediately smitten. The feeling is mutual and they have a hot night together. Victor is out, proud and loud. He doesn’t shy away from speaking about gay rights in his home country. Nevertheless, his petition for asylum is denied. Isaiah offers to marry him so he can stay in the US.
The author has done a wonderful job capturing the characters of Isaiah and Victor. They came alive on the pages and I was thoroughly invested in their lives. Although being polar opposites, I could feel the connection. The chemistry was palpable. I loved their interactions. Hot, sexy and sweet.
Evan is a great addition to the story and makes it that bit extra special. Totally acting his age, he is a mixture of innocent self-confidence and teenage wisdom. He voices what the adults think. It is a clever way to get the message across that you have to be who you are, stand up for your beliefs and don’t let fear stand in the way of happiness.
I loved that recent developments in the world were woven masterfully into the story. It gave the story “body” without it being a soap box novel. It made me aware that there are still many regions in the world where LGBTQ rights are nonexistent and that it is important to speak for them.

Isaiah was not impulsive, until he married Victor.

Being a Robin Covington fan, I couldn't resist trying her intriguing tale of a NFL football player and a gender fluid dancer. While Isaiah is quiet and reserved, Victor is loud and opinionated. They are opposites that find themselves drawn to each other. Their one night together was mind blowing, but something that Isaiah warns will not be repeated. He tried love, and he lost him. That's not something he's willing to risk happening again. So he's closed off his heart. If only Victor wasn't so damned tempting. If only their one encounter wasn't so amazing. If only Victor wasn't denied asylum, ending his only chance of avoiding the temptation.

Victor understands why Isaiah has chosen to keep it casual. But that doesn't mean he feels the same way. He's tried to turn down the volume of his extravagance, but it just doesn't work. That's not who he is. You get what you see and he's not something you forget anytime soon. He's tried to turn off his heart too, but that didn't work any better. His temporary relationship is only on paper as far as his husband is concerned, but tell that to his heart.

His Convenient Husband is a sweet, heart-breaking story that opened my eyes to some situations that I might not have been aware of previously. It incited my anger, and threatened my emotions. I got attached to the new family that fought to survive in spite of it's rough beginnings. Will Isaiahs fear ruin Victor's hope? Will Victor's give up and move on, or stay and dance?

I am floored, stunned and Alain by this beautiful book. The feelings and tension between Viktor and Isaiah were palpable and so so very real. I love how the author took things that are happening in our world and wove them into the story. The relationship that these two build, along with Isaiah's son is a true thing of beauty. This book hit every point for me. Good writing, steamy smexy times and an important message