RUGBY KISSES

The following is a beautifully written Amazon review that the author is eternally grateful for. It captures the heart of Rugby Kisses with such grace and insight.

“Rugby Kisses” is not your typical sports triumph story, nor is it a sanitized, preachy tale of recovery. It is a beautifully bruised, darkly comedic nosedive into rock bottom and the chaotic, ungraceful climb back out. If you like your protagonists flawed, your humor pitch-black, and your redemption hard-earned, this novel delivers a punishing but ultimately satisfying hit.

The protagonist, Conor Sullivan is a lovable disaster and the center of chaos. The author’s introduction of Conor is flawless. Conor is a cynical, quick-witted addict who manages a liquor store by day and lets the inventory manage him by night. He is entirely self-destructive, using booze and recreational drugs to numb the reality of a dead-end job and a profoundly mismanaged life. Conor is the kind of character you want to shake by the shoulders, yet you can’t help but root for him. His only tether to sanity is the Billings Banshees. The portrayal of amateur, mud-and-blood weekend sports serves as the perfect metaphor for Conor’s life: a series of brutal hits taken with no real hope of winning, just the stubborn refusal to leave the pitch.

The pacing shifts from a gritty character study to a high-anxiety thriller with a dead bouncer and briefcase with an escape plan or an anchor around Conor’s neck. From the drive-up window of the Jackpot club to the criminal thuggery, Conor is hilariously and tragically out of his depth. The novel thrives in this contrast. Watching a man entirely unequipped for life’s basic responsibilities suddenly try to navigate questionable loyalties and life-or-death consequences makes for a fiercely engaging read.

Conor’s rehab and the road to redemption — When the narrative shifts to rehab, Rugby Kisses avoids the cliché trap of making recovery look easy or magical. Instead, it offers a fresh set of complications. The disarmingly perceptive Charlene acts as Conor’s mirror. Their dynamic is a refreshing departure from standard romantic tropes, focusing instead on saving his soul rather than jumping into his bed. The “Cat” is a true predator who injects a much-needed layer of tension and danger into the clinical environment of recovery.

The climax of the book is brilliant. When violence finally catches up to Conor, his salvation doesn’t come from a profound epiphany, but from muscle memory: a perfectly executed rugby tackle. It’s a fantastic, full-circle moment that honors his only true passion while saving his life.

The ending of “Rugby Kisses” is where the book cements its heart. Having faced down his demons and survived the fallout of the briefcase, Conor’s decision to pack up, move to a new state, and actually commit to a sober life doesn’t feel cheap. It feels bloody, battered, and entirely earned.

— Moscanoche  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  |  Verified Amazon Review