REVIEW: Shine by Susan Scott Shelley & Chantal Mer (Love & Rugby #3)

SHINE

Love & Rugby - Book Three

by Susan Scott Shelley and Chantal Mer

Release Date: March 22, 2022

Review

Shine is a quiet and subdued book full of love, sweetness, and healing.

I love books that are full of angst, tortured souls, and pain, but I equally love a book that is simply a story of two men, living their lives and finding love. Just a beautiful story.

Shine is about Apollo and Hercules. Both are part of the same rugby team and friend group. Both are oblivious to the other's interest, but their friends haven’t missed the looks, so they take it upon themselves to give these two a little nudge. A nudge they both welcome.

They are sweet together, both calm souls, who enjoy the simple pleasures of each other. However, they are human, complete with busy lives, insecurities, and past hurts, so there is still some navigating that has to happen to give these guys their future together. It’s real. And satisfying that along the way they don’t just find love and acceptance in the arms of the other, but also within themselves.

It can be read as a stand-alone and enjoy it, but I do wish I had read the previous books so I could better understand the friend group dynamic. But just know, that either way, it’s a wonderful book that I’m sure others will enjoy it, alone or in order.

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Synopsis

Hercules Hoffman has spent the last few years starting over, in a new job, new living situation, going back to college, and in a new role as manager of the inclusive rugby club he used to play for. His friendships are solid but with his life in transition, he doesn’t believe he has a lot to offer someone until the goals he’s working towards are achieved. From their first meeting on the pitch, Hercules sees Apollo as out of his reach, but the gentle giant is never far from his thoughts.

Zoologist Apollo Leos finds animals easier to understand than people. Joining the rec league rugby club pushed him out of his comfort zone and gave him a supportive friend group for the first time in his life. Slowly shedding the shields he developed to protect himself from the harshness of the world, he’s gaining confidence and the ability to relax and trust. Except when it comes to his attraction to Hercules. He’s never dated before and feels his inexperience will be seen as a hindrance to a relationship. Not knowing how Hercules will react to that information freezes him from making the first move.

After their matchmaking friends scheme to get them together, Hercules and Apollo take a tentative step that quickly falls into a heady rush of firsts. Kisses, dates, sharing pieces of themselves, they form a bond based on support and trust that opens up their worlds. As Hercules wars with doubts about himself and Apollo navigates the unfamiliar territory of a romantic relationship, their summer romance is tested by Hercules’s belief that people don’t stick around and Apollo’s worry about what will happen when he trusts someone with his heart.

About Susan Scott Shelley

USA Today bestselling author Susan Scott Shelley writes stories with heat and heart, where love always wins. Her romances give readers lighthearted and emotionally satisfying escapes into happily ever after. In addition to crafting stories, she is also a professional voiceover artist and enjoys lending her voice to a wide range of projects.

She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and is an avid fan of her hometown sports teams. Her favorite things include running (honestly, it's more like jogging), sports (especially hockey), hard rock (but will listen to anything from heavy metal to show tunes), and writing about people from all walks of life finding their special someone.

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About Chantal Mer

Chantal Mer is an author and optimist. Her stories explore relationships and what it means to be family. When she’s not writing about strong women, strong men, and strong love, she can be found walking her adorable dog, volunteering at her kids’ school (in the library, of course), teaching at the local university, and reading.

Chantal lives outside of Philadelphia with her husband, kids, Toffee the Wonder Dog, and vicious cat, Gracie.

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