Release Blitz & Excerpt:
Making Waves
By Christina Lee

Franklin University Series, Book 7

Alex Larsen

Remy Duval was my high school crush and secret first kiss, but he’s also so much more. A painter, a tattoo artist, my best friend Bailey’s older brother…and Bailey’s sworn enemy. It was easier to keep my distance the past two years, but now that Bailey and I are attending Franklin University with him, I’m only drawn to Remy more. I should be loyal to my best friend, focus on classes and swim team, but the more I see Remy around campus, the harder it becomes to stay away.

Remy Duval

My brother hates me, but that’s no surprise. I’ll take the fall for ruining our family if it means doing the right thing. But as soon as my brother and his best friend show up on campus, I know I’m in trouble. Alex is all grown up, and I can’t help wanting him, especially when he’s in those tiny swim briefs that emphasize everything.

One kiss leads to more, and before we know it, we’re tumbling into secret, no-strings-attached hookups. But who knew Alex would understand me in ways few others have? And I think, just maybe, I understand him too.

I keep telling myself it’s temporary. Alex doesn’t want to disappoint his best friend, and after what my parents went through, I’m not looking to settle down. Making waves is nothing new, but the further I fall, the more I drag Alex in the deep end with me.

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Excerpt:

“Wanna dance?” Alex asked with a hopeful glint in his eye.

“Nah, I’ll just observe from a safe distance.” I leaned forward. “I like watching you.”

He made a frustrated sound. “Okay, you don’t play fair.”

“And you do?” I chuckled, eyeing him.

“Ready?” Jordan nudged him, and Alex nodded.

Just as they were about to head out, Alex swung around. “Will you hold my jacket so I don’t lose it?”

“Of course.” Once I took it from him, I slipped my arms through it so it wasn’t dragged or stepped on or anything. The material was warm and soft, obviously broken in from use. But when I angled my head and sniffed the lapel, it smelled like him too. Perfect.

“What?” I asked, realizing that Alex was staring at me with a wistfulness in his eyes.

“It looks good on you,” he said, adjusting the hem against my waist.

I grimaced. “Don’t get any ideas.”

“Well, you did go to a football game, which I still can’t believe.”

“You and me both.”

As soon as I shifted, I realized that his jacket was a bit of a tight fit in the shoulders. I’d need to be careful so I didn’t tear it.

“By the way, I wouldn’t be caught dead in this thing if it wasn’t yours.”

He cracked a smile. “Thank you for your sacrifice.”

I leaned forward. “You’re welcome, Chlorine Boy.”

About the Author:

Once upon a time, Christina Lee was a wardrobe stylist in New York City. She spent her days schlepping clothes, hailing cabs, and on the hunt for the perfect lip gloss, which became a bit of an addiction—along with books and coffee. You could always find her perched in a corner booth of a favorite diner sipping a dark roast and reading.

She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband and son—her two favorite guys. She’s been a clinical social worker and a special education teacher and while very rewarding, they still didn’t feel like an exact fit. It wasn’t until she began writing a weekly column for the local newspaper that the bells went off in her head. She could finally draw from her real-life experiences and vivid imagination to write fiction—and she’s never looked back.

Christina writes romance in different sub-genres, but mostly with LGBTQ characters because representation matters and everyone deserves a happily-ever-after.

Connect with Christina:
https://linktr.ee/authorchristinalee

[I received a digital arc for an honest review]

Making Waves by Christina Lee is the seventh book in the Franklin University universe. Alex Larsen is loving his freshman year at Franklin University. He’s swimming well and having a great time with his best friend Bailey. What Franklin also has is Bailey’s older brother and nemesis, Remy Duval. Remy has found himself at Franklin both as an artist and a tattooist. He has always held a torch for Alex but never allowed himself to get too close for fear of upsetting Bailey even more. Alex and Remy find themselves drawn together and fall easily for the adults they’ve become. But with Bailey still struggling to be around Remy and Remy refusing to accept Bailey’s bad attitude, Alex is stuck in the middle as he’s pulled in different directions by the brothers.

Alex Larsen is a sweetheart who just wants to play Switzerland between Bailey and Remy. With his own past of coming in second with his parents he understands Remy’s perspective when it comes to feeling important and seen by family. Remy and Alex just click and find that they appreciate each other even more as adults. Alex understands that he deserves to be happy but doesn’t want to see his friendship with Bailey suffer as a result. He and Remy have so much chemistry it’s easy to see why they end up reconnecting so quickly.

He winked. “And by the way, I’ve come to appreciate the smell of chlorine. Maybe even look forward to it.”
I grinned the whole way to class. Uh-oh. I was in serious trouble.

Remy Duval was okay being shunned by his brother after the truth was exposed about their father. He was able to find himself as a man and an artist at Franklin. He never expected such a visceral and immediate connection with Alex after years apart. He appreciates Alex’s kindness and appreciation for his art. Remy knows that pursuing Alex may be the final nail in the coffin of his relationship with Bailey but he just can’t help himself when it comes to his brother’s best friend.

“You two are cute.”
That only made Alex blush deepen. But damn, those words did something to me. He was implying that Alex and I were an us, and that made my insides feel like jelly.

The Franklin University series continues to entertain and leave me swooning with the addition of Alex and Remy. As a reader I was so happy these two got together and was frustrated with the immaturity when it came to Bailey. He was so selfish and refused to see what was right in front of him when it came to his father. This book was a more emotional story but still had plenty of steam.

4 stars for Remy making waves and bringing Alex along for the ride.