Book Review: Guyliner by J. Leigh Bailey

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Guyliner
Author: J. Leigh Bailey
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genres: Gay Fiction | Coming of Age
Released: October 17th 2016
Review Source: Corvisiero Literary Agency

Seventeen-year-old Connor works his butt off to maintain the golden-boy persona he’s created. He has the grades, the extracurriculars, the athletics, and a part-time job at his dad’s shop… every detail specifically chosen to ensure the college scholarships he needs to get the hell out of the Podunk town where he lives. The last thing he needs is an unexpected attraction to Graham, an eyeliner-wearing soccer phenom from St. Louis, who makes him question his goals and his sexuality. Sure, he’s noticed good-looking boys before—that doesn’t have to mean anything, right?—but he’s got a girlfriend. There’s no room on the agenda for hooking up with Graham, but the heart doesn’t always follow the rules.

As he and Graham grow close, other aspects of Connor’s life fall apart. Family pressure, bad luck, and rumors threaten to derail his carefully laid plans. Suddenly the future he’s fighting for doesn’t seem quite as alluring, especially if he has to deny who he really is to achieve it.

The first thing I was drawn to about this book was that amazing cover. It's perfect for the title and the story it contains inside its pages and super sexy. If those blue eyes don't draw you in, then I don't know what will. Then I was drawn in even more with the title, Guyliner. Then when you read the synopsis and see that there is a soccer eye-liner wearing soccer player, I was sold. 

The author did a really great job with Guyliner. I had never read anything that was just centered around M/M Romance only. I've read books, like J. R. Ward's Lover at Last, that had a M/M romance alongside M/F ones too. It was a nice treat to read something new and like I mentioned, great. I will definitely be checking out more titles that are in this same genre. 

So, Guyliner follows Connor, he is your typical high school athlete that everyone loves and admires. He is the school's all-star catcher for the baseball team and has the perfect girlfriend. Home life is a little hectic but he deals and works with his dad. Connor has his whole future planned out, the one thing he knows is he wants out of his little town when he graduates and he plans to do that via baseball. Then one rainy day in the weight room, Connor meets Guyliner. At first he wonders why this guy is wearing eyeliner but then his thoughts begin to wonder into unknown territory that freaks him out. Why was he just checking out the new transfer student? Needless to say, this freaks him out and he tries to avoid Graham (Guyliner) by all means necessary. But sometimes what you wish, isn't always what happens. Seems that Connor's life plans might be changing very soon. Will Connor maintain on the life plan he has mapped out? Or will Guyliner deviate him? 

I connected with all the characters in Guyliner, especially with Connor and Graham. They were fun to read about. I recommend this book, if you love a good romance and something quick and easy to read. Great book to sit by a fireplace and drink hot cocoa with while wrapped in your warmest blanket. Make sure to check out Guyliner today.

If you are curious or wondering how heavy the M/M gets, It won't make you uncomfortable or squeamish. It's written very tastefully, the author did a great job about that.