It makes them responsible individuals as sports instill proper attitude and discipline. We all know how sports buffs work out in gyms regularly, or how enthusiastic they become with what they wear or keep for items.Men love sports. Either way, show support with these unique sports groomsmen gifts. Considering the kind of relationship men have with sports, these types of items will be appreciated by the ones who can use or thrive through them. It can have several compartments for toiletries, undergarments, uniform sets or protective gears and small accessories. A sports bag can be bought in different styles, colors. It provides room for much wanted space. Help them Double “J” Hook Ratchet Tie Down Strap to keep track of their apparel and sports gear.

That is why if you want to give pre or post-wedding gifts, be armed with a list of unique sports groomsmen gifts. Some bags comprise of water-resistant material and can have wet pockets in each; swimmers will find these as perfectly suitable compartments. Give them these wonderful items while thinking of their future sports successes. Hockey players can bring in additional shirts and towels. They can even sling their hockey sticks while donning these bags at practices.You can opt to have customized logos or prints in various designs as well. It keeps the person from vices such as smoking or drinking. Sports love men. This combination works perfectly in pure rhythm. In this case, they will lessen possible losses or misplace personal belongings.

Duffle bags are perfect for overnight travels or day trips. If he happens to be an athlete who travels for games and intercity sports events, carrying his belongings, personal items or gear could pose certain problems.Swimming enthusiasts can find usage and purpose in these sports bags.If your groomsmen are avid sports fans, addicted to the sports theyre in, one kind of unique sports groomsmen gift would be personalized sports bags. Make them learn a thing or two about sports bags as presents. By giving him a personalized sports bag, he can now travel with less worries and hassles. Groomsmen who are active in sports can enjoy the utmost benefits these bags offer, as it provides perfect compartments for their sports apparel.As a unique sports groomsmen gift, these sports bags can be purchased in durable or waterproof material, it can last against obvious wear and tear.

Activities like sports or exercise brings huge health benefits but with higher physical tolls. The prime idea behind choosing would be to relate presents according to his likes, wants, interests or sports played. The ones who engage in baseball, basketball, football or soccer can make use of them as they make their way for team practices. Items such as socks, shoes or head gear can be kept in an orderly manner. Its like a bond for brothers, a pact among friends. Swimwear, goggles, nose clips and other accessories can be kept nicely with these items such as placing them in a canvas travel bag. They regularly need something that will provide assistance while exercising and though bags look simple enough, utility can make a lot of difference.

This was my first foray into this author's writing, but hopefully not my last. 

I found this to be an excellent use of the "marriage of convenience" trope, showcasing a romance between a still-grieving widowed football player and a somewhat effeminate Russian ballet dancer seeking and being denied asylum in the US, who get married avoid deportation and potential death in the homophobic climate of Mother Russia. 

I adored Viktor, the ballet dancer and activist, who's not afraid to use his fame position to shine a light on homophobia and the persecution of LGBTQ people everywhere. He was loud in his advocacy, but also thoughtful and kind and generous and loving. And very insightful, too.

Isaiah on the other hand is much more reserved and chooses to live his life much more quietly, afraid to rock the boat, even though everyone knows he's gay, considering he was married to a man before his husband's untimely death. He's unwilling to confront homophobia in others, and prefers to focus on his football career and on raising the teenage son he and his late husband adopted. He's also still grieving and unwilling to open his heart to a second chance at love, thinking that it would diminish what he had before. 

Viktor and Isaiah meet, spend a hot night together, but decide to part as friends. When Viktor's asylum request is denied and he's faced with having to return to Russia, Isaiah steps in and offers marriage and the subsequent Green Card, but takes sex completely off the table.

Isaiah is an interesting character. I was wondering many times whether his reluctance to live his life "out loud" was because of his career choice and the still rampant homophobia among NFL players/teams/coaches/owners, or because of his skin color, or because of his need to keep his son Evan safe and protected, or just because that's who he is - quiet, introverted, and perhaps just a little spineless. 

Obviously, Isaiah's desire to keep a lid on Viktor's activism backfires spectacularly. But that's not the only thing that backfires - his plan to keep his hands off Viktor and not fall for the man crumbles just the same. For a lot of the book, there's a ton of tension in the relationship, and more often than not, I was angry with Isaiah for making Viktor feel like he had to walk on eggshells. There's clearly a power imbalance at play as well, what with Viktor dependent on keeping the marriage "alive" for as long as he has to until he's no longer in danger of losing his immigration status. 

The two men have zero issues getting along in the bedroom, and there were plenty of steamy scenes inside. And still, Isaiah is reluctant to examine what he's feeling for Viktor, and ends up pushing the other man to his breaking point. 

Of course, this being a romance, a HEA is expected and was delivered, in a grand romantic fashion when Isaiah pulls his head out of his ass, listens to his son, and runs after Viktor to grovel. While I loved the romantic conclusion, I was a little irked for two reasons. One, Isaiah's change of heart came way too quick for my taste, and two, he didn't have to grovel nearly long enough before Viktor took him back. Yes, yes, I know - the grand romantic gesture - but that didn't excuse the hurt Isaiah inflicted on Viktor before that. 

Still, all's well that ends well, right?

I'm definitely interested in reading the next book in this series. The story flowed well, there were no massive time jumps or lulls in the plot, and the writing was not overly purple. The characters' actions and reactions were, for the most part, reasonable and realistic, and the dialogue felt organic as well. 



** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review. **

Title:  His Convenient Husband

Author:  Robin Covington

Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC 

Series: Love and Sports #1

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Four

Review:

"His Convenient Husband" by Robin Covington

My Thoughts....

I found this novel a very interesting well written read that definitely kept my attention all the way till the end. I found the main characters...Isaiah, Victor and Evan and Ian some very intriguing, well developed and believable giving the readers one good story.  Was this a gay read?  Yes! With the two main characters Isaiah [football player] and Victor [ballet dancer] both being from two different backgrounds it was quite interesting in how this author was able to give the readers a story that did connect quite well and bringing the son [Evan] into the picture really helped bring this story altogether.  Even though this was the second marriage for Isaiah [after having losing his former husband Stephen from a accident] will he be able to leave the past behind and start a new one with his new husband? Will Isaiah began to love again? I will say that I didn't really care very much for Isaiah until toward the end where it seems like after a certain incident that involved his son maybe he got some sense in what was really happening in this whole situation.  Now, I don't want to spoil it ...just saying you will have to pick up this novel and see for yourself what all it is about and how this author will bring it all out in the end. I felt that this was a enjoyable story that in the end you will find out if these two will get their HEA

'His Convenient Husband' is about what could happen when a man who has everything loses the love of his life...his forever after meets a man who's still looking for his.

Raising his son and playing professional football in the NFL has probably been what's gotten Isaiah Blackwell through the past three years since his beloved husband Stephen was taken from them.  What Isaiah's not ready for is the attraction that he feels towards the sensual, gender fluid, outspoken and confident ballet dancer Victor Aleksandrov whose stance on Russia's treatment of gays has put his life in jeopardy if his request for asylum in the United States is denied and he is forced to return to his homeland.

Isaiah may not be out and proud but he's not hiding in any closets either. He really just wants to play football and raise the son that he and Stephen adopted. While someone like Victor may not be his type, he can't deny the pull of attraction that he feels and after spending a passionate night with Victor, Isaiah learns that Victor has been denied asylum he does what any decent man would do...he proposes...a marriage of convenience.

I really enjoyed this one it ticked more than a few boxes for me. I loved Victor, he was simply a wonderful character that worked beautifully in my mind. I can't say that I thought he was perfect but he was wonderful. To me he was neither brash nor loud. He was confident and outspoken, he believed in his cause, having gotten outside the borders of Russia he felt that he had a duty to speak out about the treatment of the LGBTQ community in Russia but he truly did this with style and finesse. Sadly at the end of it all though Victor was outspoken about what he believed in and Isaiah played for the NFL and was a man who like to keep a low profile on his private life and his priority was to give his son as normal of a life as possible out of the limelight.

While Isaiah's intentions were admirable what he failed to factor in was how amazing his son was. Evan was definitely a favorite in this story. He was an amazing human being and if the author ever decides to give us Evan's story...maybe a few years down the road in his life...sign me up and consider me there.

Along with Evan the other secondary character in this book whose story I would totally be on board for was Isaiah's best friend and agent Ian Carmichael...this man is begging to be struck by lightening. His idea of a long-term relationship means he paid for the hotel for a long weekend. He's British, he's snarky and calls a spade a spade but at the heart of it all he wants the best for the people he cares about. 

What starts as a marriage of convenience to keep Victor from being deported quickly becomes a quagmire of emotional landmines for both of these men as their attraction grows and real life intrudes bringing with it some much unwanted attention that leads to misunderstandings and leaves both men frustrated and hurt.

I really enjoyed this and the only little niggle that I had was the ending. It was good I just needed it to go a little further...I wanted a little more of this sexy as hell couple but as I said it's only a little niggle because we were definitely left with these men in a good place...this one was a HEA to be sure but still, I'm greedy I want more.

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An ARC of 'A Marriage of Convenience' was graciously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

His Convenient Husband by Robin Covington is absolutely my favorite book to date from Ms. Covington. This book gave me all the feels and I honestly wanted to re-read it as soon as I read the last page.

Isaiah and Victor are such an amazing couple. I really felt like their differences made them work so well as couple. I loved that Isaiah is an NFL football player and Victor was a ballet dancer. While they are both athletes, they have such different jobs and ideas of how to live in or out of the spotlight. I totally got that Victor was more open and outspoken about gay rights and his lifestyle than Isaiah, and absolutely loved that about him. I also understood Isaiah's choice and didn't fault him for his choice not to live in the spotlight.

Isaiah and Victor had the most incredible chemistry between them. Even before they shared their first kiss, the way they looked at each other made me fall in love with them as a couple. I loved they tried to keep their relationship platonic, but knew the more time they spent together the harder it would be for them not to act on their attraction. OMG when they finally did get together, their love scenes totally and completely steamed up my kindle screen. 

I will flat out just say that my heart almost broke when Isaiah and Victor were apart for a bit. I understood Isaiah's reaction, but I still wanted to Gibbs smack him upside the head every bit as much as I wanted to hug Victor. I loved that it took Isaiah's son Evan to make him see the light about Victor's choices and Evan's choices as well and how they alined completely. I loved that Isaiah really just wanted to protect the men he loved and while he didn't always go about doing it in the right way, he did see the light before he lost Victor forever.

I absolutely adored His Convenient Husband and thought it was an amazing start to the Love and Sports series. I can't wait to read the rest of the book in the series next year.

Rating: 5 Stars (A+)

Review copy provided by publisher