Author: ⟫ Lisa Henry
Blurb: ⟫ Xander Finch is a top-ranked MotoGP rider, desperate to get back to the circuit after an injury. He’s going stir-crazy in his parents’ house in Ventura while he works on his recovery. Xander has tunnel vision when it comes to his sport—it’s all he’s ever wanted to do in life.
When he hires a massage therapist to help speed up his recovery, he’s not expecting the guy to completely flip his universe on its head.
Ollie Baker is living in his car after a disastrous break-up and jumps at the chance to earn some extra cash through massage. Xander Finch might be hot as hell, but Ollie’s not going there. He’s never going to let some rich guy screw him over again.
Besides, Xander’s straight. Isn’t he?
When their friendship deepens into something more, Xander discovers that Ollie makes him feel a way that nobody ever has before, and maybe motorbikes aren’t his only passion after all. Navigating Xander’s newly discovered demisexuality isn’t the only challenge they’ll have to face if they’re going to be together, because Ollie’s been burned before. It’s hard for him to trust Xander, to believe that he’s really willing to make room in his life for Ollie as well as his racing—assuming he recovers enough to race at all.
Only for Ollie is the third book in the Star Crossed series, where regular guys meet famous ones, and sparks fly.
Review: ⟫ Ooh I wanted to slap Xander! There was so much about him that I absolutely loved – the way that he was willing to accept a new view of himself, his kindness, his understanding and the way he treated Ollie was special. Just seeing him as a human being and doing what he could to help whilst remaining respectful and accepting boundaries.
But the risks he took with his health made me want to slap him. I could well imagine the pressure he was under and it was very realistic – as long as people don’t see the spells he’s suffering from, he can get his life back. As someone who suffers with vertigo and has far too many spills, I know how easy it is to hope no one saw and try to go about your day like everything is fine.
But the difference is, I’m not putting people in danger. He could have cost someone their life with his actions and I liked the way that this wasn’t brushed under the carpet – there were repercussions for what he did and he learned his lesson.
Ollie was a cupcake who deserved absolutely everything in life, and it’s about time life handed it over in spades. The way he was accepted by the Finch family and open to their support and love despite how he has been treated in the past was lovely to witness and I really enjoyed his growth in the book.
I loved reading this – learning more about MotoGP without becoming overwhelmed, the relationship that grew between Ollie and Xander, and the supporting characters – it was all extremely enjoyable.
I haven’t read any of the other Star crossed books but I will keep an eye out for them. Thoroughly enjoyed and recommend.
4/5 from me – I received an ARC from GRR.
