LGBTQ Romance
C
Chris
April 25, 2026
Great read
Great character development. I was surprised there was a connection to the state I grew up in. Looking forward to reading your next book.
4.0 / 5.0
Published: 2025 ISBN: 9781638933311
Genres
Description
The rowing shells on the River Cam are sleek, fast, and unforgiving, much like the relationship between George and Lucas. As star athletes at Cambridge University, they are accustomed to pushing their bodies to the limit, but the real challenge begins when the pressure of academic excellence collides with a fierce, long-standing athletic rivalry. What starts as a clash of egos fueled by sabotage and ambition gradually shifts into something neither man expected to find on the water.
This story captures the raw intensity of elite sports while grounding the narrative in the deeply human experience of self-discovery. George and Lucas are complex, fully realized characters whose journey toward one another feels earned, authentic, and beautifully paced. As they navigate the high stakes of their collegiate careers, they must also confront the barriers they have built around their own identities. Whether you have ties to the local landscape or simply love a story about finding common ground in the most unlikely of places, this novel delivers a heartfelt exploration of competition and connection. It is a compelling look at what happens when the finish line is no longer the only thing that matters, proving that sometimes the best victories are the ones we share.
Customer Reviews
Top 3 from Amazon T
tmoneysupaflyty
December 29, 2025
See You at the Finish Line by Zac Hammett
The Premise: Academic Sabotage Meets Athletic Rivalry
Set against the prestige and pressure of Cambridge University, the story follows two teammates on the rowing team who couldn't be more different:
Lucas: A high-achieving, neurotically sharp economics student and the team’s coxswain. He’s hardworking but perpetually single, nursing a hopeless crush on a teammate named Amir.
George: An "all-American" import and underwear model who was "parachuted" into Cambridge for his rowing prowess, not his grades.
When George’s academic standing puts his spot on the team at risk, he strikes a deal with Lucas: Lucas will tutor George to help him pass his exams, and in exchange, the "charming" George will teach the socially awkward Lucas how to seduce his crush.
What Works: Banter, Tropes, and "Short King" Energy
The book shines by leaning into beloved tropes while giving them a fresh, athletic spin.
The "Himbo" vs. The "Short King": The dynamic between the golden-retriever-energy George and the "spiky" Lucas is the heart of the book. Readers have praised Lucas as a relatable "short king" whose internal monologue is both hilarious and biting.
The "Row-mance" Setting: Rowing isn't the most common sport in romance, and Hammett uses the high-stakes world of the Oxbridge Boat Race to create genuine tension. The "men in Lycra" aesthetic adds a cinematic quality that has already led to a TV adaptation being greenlit.
Slow-Burn Chemistry: Rather than a whirlwind affair, the relationship…
K
Kristen McQuade
April 23, 2026
it was fine
I agree with a previous review I saw that said something along the lines of, having the mmcs having on page sex (and relationships) with other people make it less of a romance book. We really only get to see them together in the epilogue. I think the plot was fine, basically a coming of age story. See at the Finish Line is more or less about two people figuring who they are as individuals instead as of a couple. I didn’t dislike the book, but it won’t be a re read for me.
