Right as Raine is my first full-length Lucy Lennox novel. I have plenty of her books in my digital library but I’ve just never made the time to read any of them; I’m so glad that I’ve finally changed that.

Right as Raine is such a good book and I read it all in one sitting as I couldn’t put it down. Friends-to-lovers is one of my favorite romance tropes and this one is combined with the fact that the friend is also an employee.

Mikey’s father is the head coach of the football team that Tiller plays for. Tiller is an out-gay football player but he doesn’t let himself date because the media frenzy would be too much. Mikey has worked for Tiller for five years. It began with Mikey helping him with his nutrition, and cooking for him, but the job soon morphed into Mikey being a full-fledged personal assistant.

This story ran me through the wringer in places – a surprise near the end I never saw coming – but it really wasn’t overly angsty. I loved how Tiller and Mikey’s relationship developed slowly; nothing happened between them for the first five years they worked together.

An injury sidelines Tiller for several games and Mikey arranges for him to spend a month in Aster Valley, Colorado near Tiller’s family. Tiller doesn’t go away for more than a few days without taking Mikey with him so he insists that he come with him to Aster Valley.

This book really sets the scene for the series. It’s pretty much no secret what is going to happen but that didn’t matter, the story was still so compelling that I couldn’t put it down. I loved this introduction to Aster Valley and I think it’s going to be a great series.

Reviews for Lucy Lennox

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I caught sight of Tiller Raine.

No gay man on earth could catch his breath when faced with this guy.

The team’s general manager began the introductions. “Mikey, have you met our newest wide receiver yet? This is Tiller Raine. Tiller, Michael Vining, Coach V.’s youngest boy.”

I stared at the wide receiver like I’d never seen a famous pro football player before, which was pretty funny considering I’d been around them practically my whole life and usually didn’t give a shit one way or the other.

But this guy? I gulped. This guy was freaking gorgeous. Like… melt your feet to the floor and make you beg beautiful. His body was muscled perfection, and his messy golden-brown hair made me immediately wonder what he looked like freshly fucked.

I swallowed again, wondering if I needed a saliva gland checkup since mine seemed to be malfunctioning.

“H-hi?” I managed to say.

Tiller nodded and held out his hand for a shake. His reaction was all business, and his face was impossible to read. “Nice to meet you.”

I reached for his giant paw hesitantly. Wide receivers were known for big hands and strong grips. But when Tiller’s hand clasped mine, it was gentle and kind. I stared down at our joined hands and wondered how much these hands were insured for. Incidentally, I wondered how much I’d have to pay him to keep his gentle, warm hand in mine.

I jerked my hand back and hid it behind my back. “Can… can I help you with something, Mr. Lester?”

Bruce raised his eyebrows at my formal language. He’d known me since I was a preteen, and I’d called him by his first name since I graduated high school. “Mikey, you okay?”

No. No, I was not. I shook my head to clear it from the ridiculous baller-induced brain fog and focused back on my boss. “Yes, sir. Bruce. How can I help?”

“Tiller here needs some help with his nutrition. I remembered this was an area of expertise for you, so I hoped you might be able to help us.”

I nodded. “I spoke to Coach about it last night. I can’t think of anyone who would be a good fit. I’m sorry. You might—”

Just as I was preparing to suggest he reach out to the department at UT to inquire about recent grads looking for work, he held up a hand to stop me.

“You misunderstand,” Bruce said with a kind smile. “I was hoping you might help him directly. You can cook for Tiller through the season and start any new position afterward. That way he gets help learning how to manage his diet, and you have the freedom to continue your search without feeling rushed. What do you say?”

Every square inch of my body began to sweat at once. “Oh.” I could have really used some of that saliva right about now. My throat clicked as I tried to swallow again. “Oh.”

Aster Valley Series

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