Illegal Contact (The Barons #1) by Santino Hassell Book Review

GoodReads Synopsis:

“The rules of the game don’t apply off the field in this first Barons novel.

New York Barons tight end Gavin Brawley is suspended from the team and on house arrest after a video of him brawling goes viral. Gavin already has a reputation as a jerk with a temper on and off the field—which doesn’t help him once he finds himself on the wrong side of the law. And while he’s been successful professionally, he’s never been lucky when it comes to love.

Noah Monroe is a recent college grad looking for a job—any job—to pay off his mounting student debt. Working as Gavin’s personal assistant/babysitter seems like easy money. But Noah isn’t prepared for the electrifying tension between him and the football player. He’s not sure if he’d rather argue with Gavin or tackle him to the floor. But both men know the score, and neither is sure what will happen once Gavin’s timeout is over…”

My Review

Gavin lives and breathes football. It’s what has made his life what it is today. He plays hard and fast on the field and is known for his aggressive behavior. He has definite anger management issues but is there for his friends no matter what. Those are two things that lead him to being suspended from the NFL and put on house arrest.

“Broad shoulders stretched out the material of a gray T-shirt before leading to a muscular chest and trim waist. The man’s dark-wash jeans barely seemed to contain powerful legs and thighs. And his face was startling attractive. Golden hair and golden eyes—a combination so lethal that I stared, dumbfounded…”

Noah has worked hard to get himself to where he is and his passion is to help kids in LGBT youth centers. After some not so great luck in the boss departments he finds himself desperate for a job , living back home with his recently unemployed dad and trying to find a way not to end up in the poor house.

“Just like I’d noticed the steel blue eyes, thick black hair, and trim body that had clearly been fit and defined beneath his shitty suit. What had really caught my attention had been Noah’s fingers. Long and slim and graceful. They’d look great wrapped around my …”

“He looks like a hotter Clark Kent.”

Gavin needs a Personal Assitant and the salary would ease Noah financial nightmares. Theres a few problems that arise, like the fact that Gavin trusts no one and Noah is apathetic toward football and aversion to strong men in power postions. Yet, they both need each other and manage to figure out a way to make the situation work. Noah isn’t intimidated by Gavin and has no problem calling him out on his bullshit and treating him as an equal. As their professional relationship grows into something more phsyical and emotional they both know there is not way for it end well.

“Noah put his hands on me. Fingers sliding into the wet hair at the nape of my neck and his other hand gripping my shoulder as he drew me in to swipe his tongue across my mouth. I shuddered. He felt it and smiled as I released a husky groan. “

Illegal Contact by Santino Hassell was hands down fantastic, a stay up til 1 am to finish because you can’t put it down type of read. I just loved Gavin so much and the chemistry between him and Noah was hot 🔥🔥 and I couldn’t get enough of them. Santino Hassell is an extremely talented writter and I can’t wait to read the next book in the Barons series, Down by Contact.