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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was just ok for me. I’ve read a similar series…porn stars and a great family type atmosphere with all the guys like brothers. Troy’s ‘job’ is unique however. The way Troy and Rebel meet is campy and a little silly. While some of the dialog is rushed overall, I liked most of the writing. Their sexual chemistry is off the charts and I like that they become friends while they are continue being lovers. I really liked a lot of the secondary characters and am looking forward to their stories as long as the same issues don’t exist there as they do here (listed below).
My issues with the book include the following.
- The book was imbalanced. The first 75% or so was long and detailed but the end was really rushed. Troy spends the entire book pushing Rebel away and then bam!, he has one conversation with his friend which leads to a life altering revelation causing him to do a complete 180. That was unbelievable.
- We never really find out why/how Rebel got into porn. Why did he need money?
- Rebel’s mom watching his company’s porn videos is creepy.
- Forgiveness came too easily after a lifetime of hate (speaking of Troy’s family situation).
- What happened with Troy’s game development?
I will give book 2 a try but if I see the same issues, I’ll bow out.
My issues with the book include the following.
- The book was imbalanced. The first 75% or so was long and detailed but the end was really rushed. Troy spends the entire book pushing Rebel away and then bam!, he has one conversation with his friend which leads to a life altering revelation causing him to do a complete 180. That was unbelievable.
- We never really find out why/how Rebel got into porn. Why did he need money?
- Rebel’s mom watching his company’s porn videos is creepy.
- Forgiveness came too easily after a lifetime of hate (speaking of Troy’s family situation).
- What happened with Troy’s game development?
I will give book 2 a try but if I see the same issues, I’ll bow out.
This could have been really stupid but was actually kind of adorable
I ended up enjoying this way more than I expected to. By the end of this first book in the Ballsy Boys series, I found myself attached to all of the characters and excited to read each of their stories.
The Plot:
Rebel tells the story of Ballsy Boys Porn Star Rebel (Real Name: Hendrix) and college student, commitment-phobe, Troy Kline.
Rebel enjoys his job at Ballsy Boys but has been struggling for years to keep a boyfriend due to every guy he dates being uncomfortable with his line of work. He doesn’t think he’ll ever find someone who doesn’t want him to change in order to be with him but then a boy in a ridiculous banana costume shows up at his door and they start a “no-strings-attached” fling between them that involves both hookups and eventually a friendship.
When Rebel finds himself wanting something more with Troy, he’s terrified of suggesting the idea because Troy isn’t shy about his dislike (or fear) of commitment.
Troy grew up in foster care being passed from foster home to foster home before being placed in a group home once he was seen as too old to be a good option for families to adopt. He never ended up finding a family, which resulted in some pretty serious commitment issues due to his fear that everyone will leave him eventually. He’s fought for everything he has in life and doesn’t like depending on others to take care of him. Rebel is willing to give him the time he needs to trust him and be willing to give a relationship a chance between them but will Troy ever be ready?
Thoughts:
I appreciated the portrayal of porn stars in this series as just your normal guys who happen to have a job that involves sex. I also really enjoyed seeing Rebel take on more of a creative role in Ballsy boys when it came to scene ideas and working behind the camera.
Bear is so good with all the Ballsy boys and I appreciate that he has a strict interview process when it comes to taking on new guys. Ballsy boys is truly like one big family and they don’t want just anyone joining the crew. The friendship between them all is one of my favorite parts about this series and I hope we get to see more of them all together in future books.
Bear’s super obvious crush on the new boy Pixie is adorable. I hope to see something actually develop between the two of them.
Honestly the only thing I’m really missing in this book is BDSM as both characters make it clear that’s just not their thing but I’m hopeful that maybe some of the other characters will have a liking for it in their books.
Will I be continuing this series? Yes!! To be completely honest I only ever started this series because certain books in it were involved in reading challenges I’m a part of but I’m so glad I took a chance on it because I’m hooked already! The first book did wonderful at introducing us to all of the Ballsy Boys and leaving us excited to get their individual stories later on.
The Plot:
Rebel tells the story of Ballsy Boys Porn Star Rebel (Real Name: Hendrix) and college student, commitment-phobe, Troy Kline.
Rebel enjoys his job at Ballsy Boys but has been struggling for years to keep a boyfriend due to every guy he dates being uncomfortable with his line of work. He doesn’t think he’ll ever find someone who doesn’t want him to change in order to be with him but then a boy in a ridiculous banana costume shows up at his door and they start a “no-strings-attached” fling between them that involves both hookups and eventually a friendship.
When Rebel finds himself wanting something more with Troy, he’s terrified of suggesting the idea because Troy isn’t shy about his dislike (or fear) of commitment.
Troy grew up in foster care being passed from foster home to foster home before being placed in a group home once he was seen as too old to be a good option for families to adopt. He never ended up finding a family, which resulted in some pretty serious commitment issues due to his fear that everyone will leave him eventually. He’s fought for everything he has in life and doesn’t like depending on others to take care of him. Rebel is willing to give him the time he needs to trust him and be willing to give a relationship a chance between them but will Troy ever be ready?
Thoughts:
I appreciated the portrayal of porn stars in this series as just your normal guys who happen to have a job that involves sex. I also really enjoyed seeing Rebel take on more of a creative role in Ballsy boys when it came to scene ideas and working behind the camera.
Bear is so good with all the Ballsy boys and I appreciate that he has a strict interview process when it comes to taking on new guys. Ballsy boys is truly like one big family and they don’t want just anyone joining the crew. The friendship between them all is one of my favorite parts about this series and I hope we get to see more of them all together in future books.
Bear’s super obvious crush on the new boy Pixie is adorable. I hope to see something actually develop between the two of them.
Honestly the only thing I’m really missing in this book is BDSM as both characters make it clear that’s just not their thing but I’m hopeful that maybe some of the other characters will have a liking for it in their books.
Will I be continuing this series? Yes!! To be completely honest I only ever started this series because certain books in it were involved in reading challenges I’m a part of but I’m so glad I took a chance on it because I’m hooked already! The first book did wonderful at introducing us to all of the Ballsy Boys and leaving us excited to get their individual stories later on.
4.5 stars
So I went into this just knowing it was about porn stars cause why the hell not? It starts filthy and gets filthier but what surprised me was the genuine emotion, character development and well thought out story.
So I went into this just knowing it was about porn stars cause why the hell not? It starts filthy and gets filthier but what surprised me was the genuine emotion, character development and well thought out story.
Cait’s Rating & Review System:
Basics
a. Main Characters (1-5 x2) - Rebel = 4, Troy = 4
b. Side Characters (1-5) — 5
c. Plot (1-5) - 4
d. Writing * (1-5) - 4
e. Angst (None - Can’t Read Again) - Light angst, with some heavy topic discussion
f. HEA or HFN? HEA, we're to assume.
g.Would I recommend? - Hell yes.
Overall Basics Score - 21/25
Sexy Time
g. Level of Smut ** (G-X-Rated) — Oh X, for sure.
h. Quality of Smut *** (A+ - E) - A
i. Did it Make Me Sweat ;) ? ****(1-5) — 4
Overall Sexy Time Score - 14/15
Cait’s Score for Rebel : 35/40, 88%
Oh gosh, this book was so good. I really love the Ballsy Boys 'universe' in general, and can't wait to read more of their stories. Rebel and Troy were the perfect intro to the cast of Ballsy Boys. While I wasn't head over heels in love with either character, I was still absolutely invested in their journey.
Troy's story was such a heartbreaking one and Neuhold/Phoenix did a fantastic job of making his journey to falling in love with Rebel real. That's one thing that I find lacking in so many stories that they just nailed, spot on. He didn't automatically fall in love with Rebel, all of his issues be damned... he actually spent the whole story (and we're to assume even after) working through those issues. It wasn't like he denied himself in an annoying way either... Gosh, they just nailed it.
Obviously Ballsy Boys is a porn company, so this story was going to be filled with smut galore. It was, but not in an oversaturated way. The author doesn't write a sex scene everytime they have sex. We're also gifted scenes of all types, not just the same thing written over and over. The only disappointment I have with the smut is that it just wasn't long enough.... I couldn't get super into it because it would be over pretty quickly.
I'm so excited to read Tank and Brewer's story next... it should be so good.
I highly recommend this series to anyone who's considering it.
IF YOU SEE THIS, PLEASE GIVE ME YOUR FEEDBACK ON MY NEW RATING AND REVIEW SYSTEM. IS THERE ANYTHING I SHOULD ADD, CHANGE OR REMOVE TO IMPROVE IT? PLEASE AND THANK YOU LOVELY READERS.
*Writing is referring to how well the author writes. I mean no offense to the author by mentioning it, but it absolutely make or breaks a book for me 100%.
1 = I couldn’t even get through the first five pages.
2 = Made it to 20-30% before it hurt too bad.
3 = Mostly finished or skipped to the end to finish because it tolerable, but it wasn’t my favorite.
4 = Really good writing, character development, etc., couple things were weird but overlooked cause it was good enough.
5 = Perfect everything, obviously.
**Level of Smut is referring to how to tame vs explicit it is, which is why I went with this rating system. THIS IS NOT A RATING ON HOW MUCH I LIKED THE SMUT. Kissing and/or making out does not count as smut. Also, when I say ‘sex scene’, if someone has an orgasm, I’m considering it a sex scene; no matter how they get there. It doesn’t have to mean the actual act of intercourse. G (Score of 1) - No smut PG (2) - 1 sex scene books PG- 13 (3) - 2 sex scene books
R (4)- Your standard 3 sex scene book. These generally aren’t as long of sex scenes or as descriptive.
X-Rated (5) - all the good stuff is in here, baby, and a hell of a lot of it. This would also mean that the story is extremely descriptive, as well, and would have to include A LOT of sex for me to consider it X.
Basics
a. Main Characters (1-5 x2) - Rebel = 4, Troy = 4
b. Side Characters (1-5) — 5
c. Plot (1-5) - 4
d. Writing * (1-5) - 4
e. Angst (None - Can’t Read Again) -
f. HEA or HFN?
g.Would I recommend? -
Overall Basics Score - 21/25
Sexy Time
g. Level of Smut ** (G-X-Rated) — Oh X, for sure.
h. Quality of Smut *** (A+ - E) - A
i. Did it Make Me Sweat ;) ? ****(1-5) — 4
Overall Sexy Time Score - 14/15
Cait’s Score for Rebel : 35/40, 88%
Oh gosh, this book was so good. I really love the Ballsy Boys 'universe' in general, and can't wait to read more of their stories. Rebel and Troy were the perfect intro to the cast of Ballsy Boys. While I wasn't head over heels in love with either character, I was still absolutely invested in their journey.
Troy's story was such a heartbreaking one and Neuhold/Phoenix did a fantastic job of making his journey to falling in love with Rebel real. That's one thing that I find lacking in so many stories that they just nailed, spot on. He didn't automatically fall in love with Rebel, all of his issues be damned... he actually spent the whole story (and we're to assume even after) working through those issues. It wasn't like he denied himself in an annoying way either... Gosh, they just nailed it.
Obviously Ballsy Boys is a porn company, so this story was going to be filled with smut galore. It was, but not in an oversaturated way. The author doesn't write a sex scene everytime they have sex. We're also gifted scenes of all types, not just the same thing written over and over. The only disappointment I have with the smut is that it just wasn't long enough.... I couldn't get super into it because it would be over pretty quickly.
I'm so excited to read Tank and Brewer's story next... it should be so good.
I highly recommend this series to anyone who's considering it.
IF YOU SEE THIS, PLEASE GIVE ME YOUR FEEDBACK ON MY NEW RATING AND REVIEW SYSTEM. IS THERE ANYTHING I SHOULD ADD, CHANGE OR REMOVE TO IMPROVE IT? PLEASE AND THANK YOU LOVELY READERS.
*Writing is referring to how well the author writes. I mean no offense to the author by mentioning it, but it absolutely make or breaks a book for me 100%.
1 = I couldn’t even get through the first five pages.
2 = Made it to 20-30% before it hurt too bad.
3 = Mostly finished or skipped to the end to finish because it tolerable, but it wasn’t my favorite.
4 = Really good writing, character development, etc., couple things were weird but overlooked cause it was good enough.
5 = Perfect everything, obviously.
**Level of Smut is referring to how to tame vs explicit it is, which is why I went with this rating system. THIS IS NOT A RATING ON HOW MUCH I LIKED THE SMUT. Kissing and/or making out does not count as smut. Also, when I say ‘sex scene’, if someone has an orgasm, I’m considering it a sex scene; no matter how they get there. It doesn’t have to mean the actual act of intercourse. G (Score of 1) - No smut PG (2) - 1 sex scene books PG- 13 (3) - 2 sex scene books
R (4)- Your standard 3 sex scene book. These generally aren’t as long of sex scenes or as descriptive.
X-Rated (5) - all the good stuff is in here, baby, and a hell of a lot of it. This would also mean that the story is extremely descriptive, as well, and would have to include A LOT of sex for me to consider it X.
3.5-4 stars
for having a porn star as a main character this actually had more going on than just sex all the time, don't get me wrong there was a lot of that but it wasn't the sole focus.
i am excited to read about tank and brewer next though, with their angst and hatred for each other this will be a fun ride!
for having a porn star as a main character this actually had more going on than just sex all the time, don't get me wrong there was a lot of that but it wasn't the sole focus.
i am excited to read about tank and brewer next though, with their angst and hatred for each other this will be a fun ride!
Troy was so stuck in his intimacy issues that he was too self centered. He didn’t have much to give. He didn’t grow enough emotionally to pull his weight in the relationship. It was imbalanced with Rebel providing all of the emotional support. Rebel was almost too desperate to find a boyfriend that would accept his lifestyle that he settled for second best with Troy. When Troy didn’t care enough about Rebel to get tested after not using a condom, he showed his true selfishness and inability to protect a partner. With the same token, Rebel was a doormat in not asking Troy to step up and get tested instead of taking the risk all on his own.
it was okay. im mainly reading these books to pass the time and they aren’t bad i guess. i liked rebel. his character was steady and dependable. cool. troy did annoy me, but that’s bc i have the emotional capacity if a peanut so him being all angsty was irritating. but oh well, the plot was decent.