Climbing for First by F.A. Ray (Rock Jocks book 3)

The third book in F.A. Ray's Rock Jocks series is out and Heather got a chance to review Climbing for First!

From the blurb:

I’m not into dudes. So why the hell did I swipe right on one?

The professional climbing world can be lonely, especially when your best friend is too busy with his boyfriend to hang out. Jude goes looking for company on a dating app. And damn, this chick taking pictures of herself in nothing but lacy little lingerie is super hot. He swipes—

And realizes he just matched with a competitor.

A male competitor.

Wait, how the hell did he just match with a guy? Jude confronts Finn, a climber from Canada. Finn is pretty. Jude can’t deny it. But Jude is straight, so this can’t go anywhere.

Good thing Finn isn’t a guy.

Finn has always yearned to come out as non-binary on the professional climbing circuit, but they never imagined they’d finally do it thanks to some horny American swiping right on an old, unused dating profile. Jude is hot, but Finn doesn’t need to be some straight guy’s tour guide into the gay world.

Finn should say no. But when Jude admits he wants them, wants them exactly the way they are, Finn finds they’re a more willing teacher than they first suspected.

Jude has a lot to learn. Finn is determined to introduce him to every single first-time they can.

Climbing for First is a first-time gay sports romance with rock climbing, lots of "exploration," spicy open-door scenes, a non-binary lead, a confused "straight" guy and a HEA.

Heather's Review:

Climbing for First was my first F.A. Ray book, but it certainly won't be my last.  The story may have started in the first book in the series, but it was easy to pick up as a standalone and I enjoyed the way that the two main characters fit together, both in their relationship and in life. 

There was a good balance of personal and sports, with lots of opportunities to glimpse the lives of team members and friends.  I truly appreciated the way this author handled the non-binary character and the stress that being a world-level competitive athlete put on their identity.

Rating: 4 Stars

Climbing for First is available in paperback and e-book formats and can be read as part of your Kindle Unlimited subscription.