For What It's Worth

Thursday, October 5, 2017

review: his convenient husband (love and sports #1) by robin covington




Source: Arc provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review - Release Date: 10/9/17


I adored this super angsty story which surprised the hell out of me because me + angst = RUUUUUUNNNNN!!!! lol

Isaiah, an NFL football player, and Victor, an openly gay Russian ballet dancer, spend one steamy night together but Isaiah is still pining over his husband three years after his death. He had the real deal and lost it. He's afraid that going through that kind of loss again would break him and his son Evan is his #1 priority. No relationships for him.

When Victor, who has been an outspoken advocate about his country's treatment and torture of gays, doesn’t get approved for asylum, Isaiah makes an impulsive decision to get married so Victor can stay in the US rather than face danger and possible death going back home. It’s just an arrangement – they will just be friends and then go their different ways once the asylum comes through.. And really, surprisingly, despite their one night together and obvious desire for each other, that’s what happens for most of the book.

Despite their differences, Victor and  Isaiah had a wonderful chemistry and friendship that developed during the course of the book. It wasn't all based on sex (although there are sexy times).

I really loved Isaiah's son, Evan, and his relationship with Victor and how that woke Isaiah up to the struggle Evan was going though as a bisexual/bi racial teen who bends gender norms. It was something that Isaiah thought he shielded Evan from by placing him in an elite, *progressive* school. Evan was so damn huggable, brave, open and honest.

Victor is just the sweetest man and had given up any chance at love or family when he became a ward of the Russian government in exchange for a career in the ballet. Marrying Isaiah to get asylum gives him a glimpse at what he could have if only Isaiah will take the chance. I said - this book is SUPER angsty but I felt like I understood where both men were coming from even when they lashed out. And boy does Isaiah lash out. Some readers might have a hard time with him but I got it.

I would have given this one 5 stars (I don't rate here but I gave it 4 stars on Goodreads) if it weren't for a few nitpicks.

1) There were a few scenes at the beginning that just cut off – SPOILER – highlight for spoiler -The men's first night together, their impromptu Vegas marriage, Victor’s night at the club was never resolved - Isaiah still thinks he cheated.

2) The end is a clear HEA but I wish we could have seen them together - happy as a family a bit more.

Despite those few quibbles I LOVED this. It was very emotional and I was so rooting for them to make it in the end.

I'm definitely looking into this author's other books because anyone who can make me like angsty romance is a winner in my book.


  1. Aw, this sounds really sweet. I don't mind angst if it's resolved. Angst over a trilogy, not so much!
    Jen Ryland

    1. It was a sweet story. About real issues as well. Messy but real and I can deal with that kind of angst. Especially of the characters are trying be good people - just struggling with certain things.

      I hate it more in trilogies where it flip flops back and forth - then gets resolved in the last 50 pages like it was nothing. Grrrr lol

  2. I had to read the spoiler. I cannot stay away

  3. I'm glad to see that you enjoyed this one Karen, despite having some issues with it. I of course had to view the spoiler too, I just couldn't resist! Great review! :)

  4. That does sound like it would be a good story.

    1. Super angsty yet I still enjoyed it. Quite the surprise lol

  5. Ohhhh this sounds like one I would really like. Normally when I see a book with a ton of angst I want to run too, but sometimes they really surprise me and I love them. This one sounds like one of those. I had to read the spoiler because I can't not know! lol!

    1. I'd love to hear what you think. We have similar tastes but Isaiah could be annoying lol