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Westbrook Elite #8
Whistle
Ever since my twin sister was murdered and I blamed my best friend,
my life has been nothing but an epic downward spiral.
Once a swimmer for the most prestigious West Coast college,
I never in a million years thought I’d end up here.
Abandoned. Locked up. Alone.
In a moment of weakness, I call the guy who was more of a brother to me than anything,
the guy I betrayed.
Shockingly, he flies cross country to bail me out. But he isn’t alone.
In tow is his new swim coach—a whistle-blowing tyrant who makes me crave pushing every button he’s ever had and tossing his list of rules into the bottom of his coveted pool.
But I can’t because now he’s my coach too.
It’s Coach Resch and the team who hates me or a four-by-four cell.
So off to Westbrook I go to serve my sentence like the good boy I’ll never be.
Coach thinks he can handle me, but he’s never met my particular brand of wild.
Please note this book contains discussions of suicide (off page), death, and murder of a sibling, present danger, and water trauma. This an age-gap romance. The ages of the main characters are twenty-one and forty.
my life has been nothing but an epic downward spiral.
Once a swimmer for the most prestigious West Coast college,
I never in a million years thought I’d end up here.
Abandoned. Locked up. Alone.
In a moment of weakness, I call the guy who was more of a brother to me than anything,
the guy I betrayed.
Shockingly, he flies cross country to bail me out. But he isn’t alone.
In tow is his new swim coach—a whistle-blowing tyrant who makes me crave pushing every button he’s ever had and tossing his list of rules into the bottom of his coveted pool.
But I can’t because now he’s my coach too.
It’s Coach Resch and the team who hates me or a four-by-four cell.
So off to Westbrook I go to serve my sentence like the good boy I’ll never be.
Coach thinks he can handle me, but he’s never met my particular brand of wild.
Please note this book contains discussions of suicide (off page), death, and murder of a sibling, present danger, and water trauma. This an age-gap romance. The ages of the main characters are twenty-one and forty.
498 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 13, 2024
96 people are currently reading
476 people want to read
About the author
Cambria Hebert
108 books5,596 followersCambria Hebert is a bestselling novelist of more than fifty titles. She went to college for a bachelor’s degree, couldn’t pick a major, and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair.
Besides writing, Cambria loves a pumpkin spice latte, staying up late, sleeping in, and watching K drama until her eyes won’t stay open. She considers math human torture and has an irrational fear of chickens (yes, chickens). You can often find her running on the treadmill (she’d rather be eating a donut), painting her toenails (because she bites her fingernails), or walking her chihuahuas (the real bosses of the house).
Cambria has written in many genres, including new adult, sports romance, male/male romance, sci-fi, thriller, suspense, contemporary romance, and young adult. Many of her titles have been translated into foreign languages and have been the recipients of multiple awards.
Awards Cambria has received include:
Author of the Year 2016 (UtopiaCon2016)
The Hashtag Series: Best Contemporary Series of 2015 (UtopiaCon 2015)
#Nerd: Best Contemporary Book Cover of 2015 (UtopiaCon 2015)
Romeo from the Hashtag Series: Best Contemporary Lead (UtopiaCon 2015)
#Nerd: Top 50 Summer Reads (Buzzfeed.com 2015)
The Hashtag Series: Best Contemporary Series of 2016 (UtopiaCon 2016)
#NERD Book Trailer: Best Book Trailer of 2016 (UtopiaCon 2016)
#Nerd Book Trailer: Top 50 Most Cinematic Book Trailers of All Time (film-14.com)
#Nerd: Book Most Wanted to be Adapted to Screen: (2018)
Amnesia: Mystery Book of the Year (2018)
Cambria Hebert owns and operates Cambria Hebert Books, LLC.
You can find out more about Cambria and her titles by visiting her website:
Email: cambriahebert@rocketmail.com
Facebook:
Twitter:
Pinterest:
Instagram:
GoodReads:
Amazon:
Newsletter subscription:
Share Squad sign up:
Besides writing, Cambria loves a pumpkin spice latte, staying up late, sleeping in, and watching K drama until her eyes won’t stay open. She considers math human torture and has an irrational fear of chickens (yes, chickens). You can often find her running on the treadmill (she’d rather be eating a donut), painting her toenails (because she bites her fingernails), or walking her chihuahuas (the real bosses of the house).
Cambria has written in many genres, including new adult, sports romance, male/male romance, sci-fi, thriller, suspense, contemporary romance, and young adult. Many of her titles have been translated into foreign languages and have been the recipients of multiple awards.
Awards Cambria has received include:
Author of the Year 2016 (UtopiaCon2016)
The Hashtag Series: Best Contemporary Series of 2015 (UtopiaCon 2015)
#Nerd: Best Contemporary Book Cover of 2015 (UtopiaCon 2015)
Romeo from the Hashtag Series: Best Contemporary Lead (UtopiaCon 2015)
#Nerd: Top 50 Summer Reads (Buzzfeed.com 2015)
The Hashtag Series: Best Contemporary Series of 2016 (UtopiaCon 2016)
#NERD Book Trailer: Best Book Trailer of 2016 (UtopiaCon 2016)
#Nerd Book Trailer: Top 50 Most Cinematic Book Trailers of All Time (film-14.com)
#Nerd: Book Most Wanted to be Adapted to Screen: (2018)
Amnesia: Mystery Book of the Year (2018)
Cambria Hebert owns and operates Cambria Hebert Books, LLC.
You can find out more about Cambria and her titles by visiting her website:
Email: cambriahebert@rocketmail.com
Facebook:
Twitter:
Pinterest:
Instagram:
GoodReads:
Amazon:
Newsletter subscription:
Share Squad sign up:
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
January 1, 2025
Coach (Emmett) + Bodhi 🖤
Coach & Swimmer | Age gap | Brat
This is my first time reading a book by Cambria and I really enjoyed it. There was good plot, spice and funny banter.
I'll definitely be reading more from her.
The only thing I'm wondering about is this cover. And maybe it's just me but I feel like the character descriptions don't match the models on the cover whatsoever.
....
"Every inch of him was fucking flawlessness. A literal dream in the flesh. I tried not to acknowledge it, but deep down, I knew I was ruined for anyone else. And he hadn't even touched me."
"No one had ever looked at me this way. As if I were the only thing to exist."
"'You are so beautiful', he rasped, lifting me a bit higher and burying his nose in the crease where my leg and groin met. 'So goddamn beautiful.'"
"I will fall for you. I will fall for you and never get back up."
....
⚠️ potential spoilers in tropes and trigger warnings below
Tropes:
Coach and his swimmer
Age gap (21 and 40)
Daddy and his brat
Forbidden
Belly button piercing
Crop tops
Lace
Push and pull
Pining
Touch him and die
Funny banter
Found family
TWs:
Mentions and descriptions of death and suicide
Near death experiences on page
Trauma
Violence
Jail
Unwanted sexual advances from side characters to MC
Coach & Swimmer | Age gap | Brat
This is my first time reading a book by Cambria and I really enjoyed it. There was good plot, spice and funny banter.
I'll definitely be reading more from her.
The only thing I'm wondering about is this cover. And maybe it's just me but I feel like the character descriptions don't match the models on the cover whatsoever.
....
"Every inch of him was fucking flawlessness. A literal dream in the flesh. I tried not to acknowledge it, but deep down, I knew I was ruined for anyone else. And he hadn't even touched me."
"No one had ever looked at me this way. As if I were the only thing to exist."
"'You are so beautiful', he rasped, lifting me a bit higher and burying his nose in the crease where my leg and groin met. 'So goddamn beautiful.'"
"I will fall for you. I will fall for you and never get back up."
....
⚠️ potential spoilers in tropes and trigger warnings below
Tropes:
Coach and his swimmer
Age gap (21 and 40)
Daddy and his brat
Forbidden
Belly button piercing
Crop tops
Lace
Push and pull
Pining
Touch him and die
Funny banter
Found family
TWs:
Mentions and descriptions of death and suicide
Near death experiences on page
Trauma
Violence
Jail
Unwanted sexual advances from side characters to MC
January 20, 2025
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
And perhaps the reason I was so drawn to extinction was that Bodhi represented the end of my life as I knew it.
Yooo, these books are actual crack cocaine. I could not put it down. Apparently I’m in the mood for angst and drama, because damn did this hit the spot. Ruined friendships, a forbidden relationship, a brat in trouble, trauma, real nice spice, snort-laugh comments, and much more. I still loved Whisper even more, but this one is a strong second.
The unexpected daddy kink was so good, and I loved that it started in the bedroom and evolved outside of it as the relationship grew and Bodhi got more comfortable. He’s hurting so much and is an absolute bratty menace (and mess), but you love him anyway. Coach was a really good person for Bodhi.
“Get bent, Daddy.”
I also love that both MCs, although quite far apart in age, have important, big stuff in common. Coach is also quite young in spirit, and in many ways only now moving on from trauma from when he was young, so although there definitely is a big age gap (19 years) and a power imbalance, it didn’t feel too bad once they got shirt sorted (eventually).
How pathetic to want comfort from the man who’d just hurt me.
Highly recommend. So good.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Coach x athlete
Swimmer MC
Age gap
Single dad (adult kid)
Forbidden romance
Crop tops
‘good boy’
Past trauma
Fast burn
Size difference
Lace & lingerie
Possessive and protective
Hurt/comfort
Closeted MC
Hand-collaring
Spanking
Daddy kink (mild)
Corner time
Found family
Belly button piercing
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Vomiting
MC’s sibling murdered (past)
MC in jail
Off-page binge-drinking
MC tasered on page
Violence
Mild self harm (hitting self, scratching wound, brief)
Gun violence
Near-drowning (on page)
CPR on MC (on page)
Power imbalanc
Homophobic side character
Daddy kink
Mentions of past unsafe sex
Hand-collaring
Briefly wishing for death
Death of boyfriend (past, suicide)
Alcohol consumption
Jealousy
On-page intoxication (binge-drinking)
Mentions of past drug use
Spanking (punishment)
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: Bodhi goes drinking and dancing after a fight/hurt feelings/sort of broken up. He’s sad and drunk and dances with a man who feels him up. Once he’s dragged into a toilet for a hookup, he regrets it and runs away. He doesn’t want anyone other than Emmett. Surprisingly not angsty and I personally wasn’t bothered by although I usually would be. You can tell he’s just upset and acting out.
Breakup: Yes
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: 21 and 40
Series: Interconnected series
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 498
Happy ending: Yes
As it was, the narrow strip of his middle that was on full display was doing things to me that I was gonna have to pray about later. And no, I’m not a religious man, but everything about this kid made me feel like I had to repent.
Coach sighed. “I will not have a battle of wits with someone who is unarmed, Owens.”
I wasn’t ready. I was never ready for these moments with him to end. It just wasn’t enough. I needed more, too infected with insecurity for stolen moments and heated hookups to offer any lasting reprieve.
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well:
And perhaps the reason I was so drawn to extinction was that Bodhi represented the end of my life as I knew it.
Yooo, these books are actual crack cocaine. I could not put it down. Apparently I’m in the mood for angst and drama, because damn did this hit the spot. Ruined friendships, a forbidden relationship, a brat in trouble, trauma, real nice spice, snort-laugh comments, and much more. I still loved Whisper even more, but this one is a strong second.
The unexpected daddy kink was so good, and I loved that it started in the bedroom and evolved outside of it as the relationship grew and Bodhi got more comfortable. He’s hurting so much and is an absolute bratty menace (and mess), but you love him anyway. Coach was a really good person for Bodhi.
“Get bent, Daddy.”
I also love that both MCs, although quite far apart in age, have important, big stuff in common. Coach is also quite young in spirit, and in many ways only now moving on from trauma from when he was young, so although there definitely is a big age gap (19 years) and a power imbalance, it didn’t feel too bad once they got shirt sorted (eventually).
How pathetic to want comfort from the man who’d just hurt me.
Highly recommend. So good.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Coach x athlete
Swimmer MC
Age gap
Single dad (adult kid)
Forbidden romance
Crop tops
‘good boy’
Past trauma
Fast burn
Size difference
Lace & lingerie
Possessive and protective
Hurt/comfort
Closeted MC
Hand-collaring
Spanking
Daddy kink (mild)
Corner time
Found family
Belly button piercing
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Vomiting
MC’s sibling murdered (past)
MC in jail
Off-page binge-drinking
MC tasered on page
Violence
Mild self harm (hitting self, scratching wound, brief)
Gun violence
Near-drowning (on page)
CPR on MC (on page)
Power imbalanc
Homophobic side character
Daddy kink
Mentions of past unsafe sex
Hand-collaring
Briefly wishing for death
Death of boyfriend (past, suicide)
Alcohol consumption
Jealousy
On-page intoxication (binge-drinking)
Mentions of past drug use
Spanking (punishment)
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: Bodhi goes drinking and dancing after a fight/hurt feelings/sort of broken up. He’s sad and drunk and dances with a man who feels him up. Once he’s dragged into a toilet for a hookup, he regrets it and runs away. He doesn’t want anyone other than Emmett. Surprisingly not angsty and I personally wasn’t bothered by although I usually would be. You can tell he’s just upset and acting out.
Breakup: Yes
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: 21 and 40
Series: Interconnected series
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 498
Happy ending: Yes
As it was, the narrow strip of his middle that was on full display was doing things to me that I was gonna have to pray about later. And no, I’m not a religious man, but everything about this kid made me feel like I had to repent.
Coach sighed. “I will not have a battle of wits with someone who is unarmed, Owens.”
I wasn’t ready. I was never ready for these moments with him to end. It just wasn’t enough. I needed more, too infected with insecurity for stolen moments and heated hookups to offer any lasting reprieve.
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well:
September 9, 2024
Whistle is the final entry in the Westbrook Elite series. This story follows elite's coach Emmett and his new swimmer Bodhi. Together they go on quite an epic journey from beginning to end. Whistle is an intense, angsty story that features many emotional topics that allow these two characters to heal and find solace in one another.
I loved how their dynamic was so instantaneous. Bodhi is brash and quick to react, while coach maintains his composure and control over every situation, which is why when Bodhi pushes his buttons, sparks fly and their chemistry immediately ignites.
Overall I was looking forward to this story immensely. I found coach such an enigma and was so curious about his past and learning more from his perspective. His story did not disappoint and Bodhi is the perfect balance to his calm and surly demeanor while offering endless support and love towards our favorite gruff coach.
I loved being back in this world and look forward to hopefully seeing these characters pop up again.
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
I loved how their dynamic was so instantaneous. Bodhi is brash and quick to react, while coach maintains his composure and control over every situation, which is why when Bodhi pushes his buttons, sparks fly and their chemistry immediately ignites.
Overall I was looking forward to this story immensely. I found coach such an enigma and was so curious about his past and learning more from his perspective. His story did not disappoint and Bodhi is the perfect balance to his calm and surly demeanor while offering endless support and love towards our favorite gruff coach.
I loved being back in this world and look forward to hopefully seeing these characters pop up again.
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
September 10, 2024
this was so freaking good. Bodhi & Em are just so perfect together, the hurt/comfort aspect on both side was amazing & the possessiveness/ jealousy was unmatched. these books truly are the definition of found family & i’ll never get over the Elite.
I loved every minute of reading this book! the daddy kink & lingerie really did it for me 🔥
both bodhi & em deserve the biggest hug in the world.
very happy i got the arc for this book, these are my chaotic thoughts.
I loved every minute of reading this book! the daddy kink & lingerie really did it for me 🔥
both bodhi & em deserve the biggest hug in the world.
very happy i got the arc for this book, these are my chaotic thoughts.
September 16, 2024
The last book to close out this series and dare I say it might be the best? I loved the other 3 I read so I don't know if that's saying much, but still, I absolutely devoured this one.
Almost 500 pages? (And apparently the longest book in the series?) No problem. I read until well into the AM hours, and was around 70ish percent when I had to force myself to sleep. I just didn't want to stop reading. I would be like "okay I'll stop after this chapter...but oh man I have to see what happens!" and would continue on.
Also, apparently, this author wasn't much one for an age-gap romance before writing this book, but boy am I glad she gave it a chance.
Coach (Emmett) had been a formidable figure throughout these books. He's a hard ass and he maintains a line between coach and athlete, but he does care about these guys. But he has his own demons he needs to face.
So does Bohdi, or Goldilocks as Emmett most likes to call him. If you read the MF books in this series, you're already familiar with this character. If you did not, like myself, he was a new character that you got to know while reading this book.
He was a lot to take, at first. He was so determined to give up on life, basically, and be as bratty as possible, to have as shitty an attitude as possible. But once you get to know him and see the vulnerability beneath (and him just wanting someone to love him), he became a great character. Also his brattiness lent well to his and Emmett's dynamic later on.
He's 21 to Emmett's 40 - so the age gap is substantial - but he's been through enough shit to last a lifetime.
Since I didn't read Rush's book with Emmett's daughter, I did have to pick up on a few things as I went, but the author did a good enough job of filling in the blanks one might have if they didn't read every book in this series beforehand.
About a year or so ago, his twin sister was murdered. Rush was accused before evidence came out to show definitively that he did not kill her (and some guy name Lucas did). But Bodhi, at first, believed the evidence, and was with those believing Rush killed her. So Bodhi and Rush aren't even friends at the beginning of this, when they were apparently best friends before.
But for the past year or so, Bodhi has been in self destruct mode, so badly that he ends up burning the guest house of the parents of the guy who killed his sister, and lands in jail. And he'd have to spend perhaps 5 or so years if not for his call to Rush, who wants to be able to say no to him and leave him in jail, like Bodhi did to him, but he can't.
Emmett is there during the call, and he decides he's coming with. He also, secretly, is gay - and because of his past has not told anyone, even his daughter - and the two times he saw Bodhi in book 5 briefly, he became attracted and attached. (He's also been lusting over a picture of a faceless guy on a dating app that is, of course, Bodhi, which he doesn't know until later in the book).
So Rush and Emmett get Bodhi out of jail on the several conditions - but the main one is that he leaves California, away from the parents of the Lucas guy, and goes to Virginia where the Elite are, and becomes a swimmer for Emmett and attends the university for the next two years until he graduates.
It's a condition upon releasing him and keeping him out of jail, so he has to do it.
But Bodhi is stubborn, still going through his downward spiral - or at least, is at rock bottom - and is stubborn AF - and also very bratty. It's a challenge, but Emmett is just the type of person Bodhi needs. Not only to calm him down, but to keep him in line too.
Their attractions is almost instant, but these book does a good job of getting them to the love part believably. Timeline wise, it perhaps happens too fast, but it doesn't feel that way at all with how all their interactions are written. And their chemistry is 🔥
I'm so happy this author decided to do age-gap (which I had never realized she'd never done, but now that we've gotten I hope she does more age-gap in the future). It was done really well and I loved seeing the softer side to the Coach that's been around since the very beginning of the series.
There's also so fun daddy kink - it doesn't delve into it fully, but what we get is good (even some spanking scenes near the end) so if daddy kink isn't your thing, just be aware of that.
I also put student/teacher relationship as a tag, which it technically is. Emmett is still in a position of authority and Bodhi is (supposed to be) one of his athletes. He technically has power over Bodhi as a coach.
And of course this author handled all that in a deliciously fun way. Of course it all works out in the end, but while all the swimmers and his daughter didn't really have much of a problem with it, Rush had some of a problem - that he eventually got over - and they were actually facing real consequences for their relationship with the university as well. I loved that, even if it all may have been solved easily.
But at that point I didn't mind because at least we got some interesting and fun reactions to them. (Also the way Landry found out about them was fun too).
The sex was so steamy, I was hooked at every sex scene with them. I also loved the 'forbidden' nature of it at first, it was so fun - even if Bodhi didn't like being kept a secret.
I'm so happy this last book was MM and I got to close out the series. I might not have read 4 of these books, but I came to like the other MC's that popped up in the MM books as well.
I can't wait for the next book or series from this author. She might still mainly do MF, but when her MM books pop up I run to read them, they're just so good.
And she really fed us with the books in this series being well over 400 pages on the regular.
Will be waiting for her next MM work and be excitedly running to pick up the minute it's released.
Onto the next! 😍🥰😘
My Reviews for the Westbrook Elite series:
☿️ : DNR
☿️ : DNR
☿️ : 4.5 stars (my review)
☿️ : 4.5 stars (my review)
☿️ : DNR
☿️ : DNR
☿️ : 4.5 stars (my review)
☿️ Whistle: 5 stars
Almost 500 pages? (And apparently the longest book in the series?) No problem. I read until well into the AM hours, and was around 70ish percent when I had to force myself to sleep. I just didn't want to stop reading. I would be like "okay I'll stop after this chapter...but oh man I have to see what happens!" and would continue on.
Also, apparently, this author wasn't much one for an age-gap romance before writing this book, but boy am I glad she gave it a chance.
Coach (Emmett) had been a formidable figure throughout these books. He's a hard ass and he maintains a line between coach and athlete, but he does care about these guys. But he has his own demons he needs to face.
So does Bohdi, or Goldilocks as Emmett most likes to call him. If you read the MF books in this series, you're already familiar with this character. If you did not, like myself, he was a new character that you got to know while reading this book.
He was a lot to take, at first. He was so determined to give up on life, basically, and be as bratty as possible, to have as shitty an attitude as possible. But once you get to know him and see the vulnerability beneath (and him just wanting someone to love him), he became a great character. Also his brattiness lent well to his and Emmett's dynamic later on.
He's 21 to Emmett's 40 - so the age gap is substantial - but he's been through enough shit to last a lifetime.
Since I didn't read Rush's book with Emmett's daughter, I did have to pick up on a few things as I went, but the author did a good enough job of filling in the blanks one might have if they didn't read every book in this series beforehand.
About a year or so ago, his twin sister was murdered. Rush was accused before evidence came out to show definitively that he did not kill her (and some guy name Lucas did). But Bodhi, at first, believed the evidence, and was with those believing Rush killed her. So Bodhi and Rush aren't even friends at the beginning of this, when they were apparently best friends before.
But for the past year or so, Bodhi has been in self destruct mode, so badly that he ends up burning the guest house of the parents of the guy who killed his sister, and lands in jail. And he'd have to spend perhaps 5 or so years if not for his call to Rush, who wants to be able to say no to him and leave him in jail, like Bodhi did to him, but he can't.
Emmett is there during the call, and he decides he's coming with. He also, secretly, is gay - and because of his past has not told anyone, even his daughter - and the two times he saw Bodhi in book 5 briefly, he became attracted and attached. (He's also been lusting over a picture of a faceless guy on a dating app that is, of course, Bodhi, which he doesn't know until later in the book).
So Rush and Emmett get Bodhi out of jail on the several conditions - but the main one is that he leaves California, away from the parents of the Lucas guy, and goes to Virginia where the Elite are, and becomes a swimmer for Emmett and attends the university for the next two years until he graduates.
It's a condition upon releasing him and keeping him out of jail, so he has to do it.
But Bodhi is stubborn, still going through his downward spiral - or at least, is at rock bottom - and is stubborn AF - and also very bratty. It's a challenge, but Emmett is just the type of person Bodhi needs. Not only to calm him down, but to keep him in line too.
Their attractions is almost instant, but these book does a good job of getting them to the love part believably. Timeline wise, it perhaps happens too fast, but it doesn't feel that way at all with how all their interactions are written. And their chemistry is 🔥
I'm so happy this author decided to do age-gap (which I had never realized she'd never done, but now that we've gotten I hope she does more age-gap in the future). It was done really well and I loved seeing the softer side to the Coach that's been around since the very beginning of the series.
There's also so fun daddy kink - it doesn't delve into it fully, but what we get is good (even some spanking scenes near the end) so if daddy kink isn't your thing, just be aware of that.
I also put student/teacher relationship as a tag, which it technically is. Emmett is still in a position of authority and Bodhi is (supposed to be) one of his athletes. He technically has power over Bodhi as a coach.
And of course this author handled all that in a deliciously fun way. Of course it all works out in the end, but while all the swimmers and his daughter didn't really have much of a problem with it, Rush had some of a problem - that he eventually got over - and they were actually facing real consequences for their relationship with the university as well. I loved that, even if it all may have been solved easily.
But at that point I didn't mind because at least we got some interesting and fun reactions to them. (Also the way Landry found out about them was fun too).
The sex was so steamy, I was hooked at every sex scene with them. I also loved the 'forbidden' nature of it at first, it was so fun - even if Bodhi didn't like being kept a secret.
I'm so happy this last book was MM and I got to close out the series. I might not have read 4 of these books, but I came to like the other MC's that popped up in the MM books as well.
I can't wait for the next book or series from this author. She might still mainly do MF, but when her MM books pop up I run to read them, they're just so good.
And she really fed us with the books in this series being well over 400 pages on the regular.
Will be waiting for her next MM work and be excitedly running to pick up the minute it's released.
Onto the next! 😍🥰😘
My Reviews for the Westbrook Elite series:
☿️ : DNR
☿️ : DNR
☿️ : 4.5 stars (my review)
☿️ : 4.5 stars (my review)
☿️ : DNR
☿️ : DNR
☿️ : 4.5 stars (my review)
☿️ Whistle: 5 stars
September 19, 2024
Coach/Player books are my kryptonite & I had such a blast with this team! Add in a splash of kink, & we got a recipe for a fun, hot book with emotional punches!
I'd actually found this series by Whisper, but I hadn't read that book completely then as I'd thought I'll start the series from start. Then this book came along & I couldn't resist! I still have skimmed/ skipped some scenes at start as I'm still planning that, plus I only wanted to check the book out initially...But then I fell for Bodhi & Coach Emmett, & was hooked!
Bo's such a brat, hiding his feelings by a wall mile high. Em's a grumpy, strict coach with total daddy energy 😜. It was obvious they were gonna be fire 🔥 from the moment they met! It was an unexpected but pleasant, emotional rollercoaster. I was so in for the ride! The vulnerability, the care, the hurt, the shared trauma, the heartache. The emotions are soo wonderful, It made me love them. Oh, then there's the expected YA-drama (as a fellow college student, I understand lol!) which adds to the fun! I also loved all the people on ELITE team! They're awesome!
Bo & Em's relationship is sweet to see develop, the feels were deep from start & I loved that. The "Daddy/boy" dynamic with praise kink is my fav omg, & the lingerie + spanking?! YES PLEASE. Author, this is my 1st book by u & I found u wrote these for the 1st time too? They were awesome! Also, Bo's nicknames are, um lol, fitting.
I also liked that this book had consequences with the forbidden nature of their relationship, 'cause many times it doesn't actually end up being a big thing. But I also liked that we got the solution ASAP! Again, I love the friendships here 🥰. The reactions to Em+No are *chef's kiss*. I haven't even read the other books in this series & I'm still sad this is the final one! Loved it ❤️.
Short-bursts read+reviewed: 18-19 Sept 2024
I'd actually found this series by Whisper, but I hadn't read that book completely then as I'd thought I'll start the series from start. Then this book came along & I couldn't resist! I still have skimmed/ skipped some scenes at start as I'm still planning that, plus I only wanted to check the book out initially...But then I fell for Bodhi & Coach Emmett, & was hooked!
Bo's such a brat, hiding his feelings by a wall mile high. Em's a grumpy, strict coach with total daddy energy 😜. It was obvious they were gonna be fire 🔥 from the moment they met! It was an unexpected but pleasant, emotional rollercoaster. I was so in for the ride! The vulnerability, the care, the hurt, the shared trauma, the heartache. The emotions are soo wonderful, It made me love them. Oh, then there's the expected YA-drama (as a fellow college student, I understand lol!) which adds to the fun! I also loved all the people on ELITE team! They're awesome!
Bo & Em's relationship is sweet to see develop, the feels were deep from start & I loved that. The "Daddy/boy" dynamic with praise kink is my fav omg, & the lingerie + spanking?! YES PLEASE. Author, this is my 1st book by u & I found u wrote these for the 1st time too? They were awesome! Also, Bo's nicknames are, um lol, fitting.
I also liked that this book had consequences with the forbidden nature of their relationship, 'cause many times it doesn't actually end up being a big thing. But I also liked that we got the solution ASAP! Again, I love the friendships here 🥰. The reactions to Em+No are *chef's kiss*. I haven't even read the other books in this series & I'm still sad this is the final one! Loved it ❤️.
Short-bursts read+reviewed: 18-19 Sept 2024
February 24, 2025
All good things must come to an end I guess. I don't think I realized this was the last book and I'm a bit sad. This has been such an enjoyable series for me. It's so over the top and at times utterly ridiculous but I have had the best time, bro!
I'm sad I didn't love the last hurrah though.
Did Coach need a book? Maybe. Was Bodhi the right match up for him? Maybe not.
There is age gap romance and then there is this, and this just gives me a bit of ick. Bodhi was so, so, so immature it never added up for me what Coach saw in him aside from lust. And because of that immaturity I just struggled to see where Coach was even coming from here. It also read like a ticking time bomb, you know? I mean, how would this even work? And maybe it shouldn't work.
So yeah, I'm also not all that into the kink we got so that didn't help. Especially with the immaturity I already had to deal with. Maybe, MAYBE had Bodhi been a grownup it would have been a better read. I just don't know.
I didn't put it down and read it pretty quickly, it just wasn't my cup of tea. Everything aside from the paring was what I look forward to with the series. And there were some moments with the couple that worked, there were just so many that didn't. Most of which are just my things.
Happy ever after though so yeah! Everyone has been paired off and will get to swim away into the sunset.
Bro, It was really fun while it lasted.
I'm sad I didn't love the last hurrah though.
Did Coach need a book? Maybe. Was Bodhi the right match up for him? Maybe not.
There is age gap romance and then there is this, and this just gives me a bit of ick. Bodhi was so, so, so immature it never added up for me what Coach saw in him aside from lust. And because of that immaturity I just struggled to see where Coach was even coming from here. It also read like a ticking time bomb, you know? I mean, how would this even work? And maybe it shouldn't work.
So yeah, I'm also not all that into the kink we got so that didn't help. Especially with the immaturity I already had to deal with. Maybe, MAYBE had Bodhi been a grownup it would have been a better read. I just don't know.
I didn't put it down and read it pretty quickly, it just wasn't my cup of tea. Everything aside from the paring was what I look forward to with the series. And there were some moments with the couple that worked, there were just so many that didn't. Most of which are just my things.
Happy ever after though so yeah! Everyone has been paired off and will get to swim away into the sunset.
Bro, It was really fun while it lasted.
September 15, 2024
Rating: 3⭐️
Format: KU
Smut: 🌶️🌶️
Now, Bodhi wtf is wrong with you 😭??? The potential in the story to be higher rated was there, I really had hopes but literally one person prevented that and that was Bodhi. Like I don’t even want to spoil because it’s just too much. The found-family was top tier, I really enjoy the relationship between the Elites. They really cracked me up at times, Kruger/Jamie/etc deserved it all. I love how loyal they were, they all true ride or die once you’re in. Now to the crucifix of it all, Bodhi. He needed therapy expeditiously, apparently that was a speculation but we never truly seen it. The way the relationship was being handled all by the reckless actions of him, like dude you’re fucking your coach what did you expect. (No one to care and to out for the world🤣).Every time something inconvenienced him in any way, he retaliated against others especially the coach, no matter how much Emmett explained something, it never registered in his head. He fucks him to reassure him, absolutely nothing. At some point, you couldn’t even expect what he would do. Every problem went back to him and in the end, they weren’t truly solved the way i expected. I just want him to seek therapy like everyday 😂. Anywho, stay hydrated, bye lovelies, until next time 💗.
Format: KU
Smut: 🌶️🌶️
Now, Bodhi wtf is wrong with you 😭??? The potential in the story to be higher rated was there, I really had hopes but literally one person prevented that and that was Bodhi. Like I don’t even want to spoil because it’s just too much. The found-family was top tier, I really enjoy the relationship between the Elites. They really cracked me up at times, Kruger/Jamie/etc deserved it all. I love how loyal they were, they all true ride or die once you’re in. Now to the crucifix of it all, Bodhi. He needed therapy expeditiously, apparently that was a speculation but we never truly seen it. The way the relationship was being handled all by the reckless actions of him, like dude you’re fucking your coach what did you expect. (No one to care and to out for the world🤣).Every time something inconvenienced him in any way, he retaliated against others especially the coach, no matter how much Emmett explained something, it never registered in his head. He fucks him to reassure him, absolutely nothing. At some point, you couldn’t even expect what he would do. Every problem went back to him and in the end, they weren’t truly solved the way i expected. I just want him to seek therapy like everyday 😂. Anywho, stay hydrated, bye lovelies, until next time 💗.
September 10, 2024
Absolutely no one is surprised that I devoured and loved Whiste. I'm in denial that it's the final book in the series , I know I'll be rereading this series often because the Westbrook Elite swim team feels like family. In Whistle , Coach finally gets his own HEA! It's filled with emotion , found family, trauma lattes, group text messages, and a forbidden romance with an age gap, hurt/comfort, "yes Daddy", spanking , crop tops, lace, delicious steam, and all the whistle blowing 😙🔥
.
.
September 16, 2024
"Love isn't pretty. It is often messy, complicated, and imperfect. And that's why it's so damn amazing to find."
Whistle was a moderately angsty story which deals with the heavy topic of grief. When we meet Bodhi he is deep in the abyss of mourning the terrible murder of his twin sister. He's lost and angry and hurt which leads to him making some very bad choices, bad choices which end him up in jail. When coach Emmett comes to the rescue after Bodhi calls Rush, he recognizes Bodhi's actions for what they are: A cry for help.
"They often say no two people read the same book. Just as no two people grieve the same. I mean, just look at us. He had closed himself off, and I went wild."
A lot of the angst in this book is due to the fact that Emmett is a faculty member, not to mention the swim coach, of the college and team Bodhi is now a part of. Emmett eats and breathes his job. The team is his family. I mean, if you've read the series you know, coach is always there when he's needed. He's like the grouchy Dad who complains all the time, but secretly loves it. His being in a relationship with one of his swimmers is strictly forbidden. It weighs on him terribly and leads to some major issues between him and Bodhi.
Fortunately for him, Bodhi is relentless and he proves too much of a temptation for Emmett to ignore. These two are drawn to one another like nothing else. Bodhi craves a firm hand to help him navigate his new life and Emmett craves to be the one to give it to him. Neither have been in a Daddy/boy relationship dynamic before, but it becomes clear really early that it is exactly the right fit for them.
Their journey was not all hearts and rainbows. There are a lot of moving pieces on the chess board and things that had to happen in order to clear their path. One thing that stays strong throughout this entire series is how Elite is a family and family protects their own. I have adored this series and all the people who make up this team. I'm sad this is the end of the Westbrook Elite, but seeing their coach get his very own HEA was definitely the perfect ending for them all.
Whistle was a moderately angsty story which deals with the heavy topic of grief. When we meet Bodhi he is deep in the abyss of mourning the terrible murder of his twin sister. He's lost and angry and hurt which leads to him making some very bad choices, bad choices which end him up in jail. When coach Emmett comes to the rescue after Bodhi calls Rush, he recognizes Bodhi's actions for what they are: A cry for help.
"They often say no two people read the same book. Just as no two people grieve the same. I mean, just look at us. He had closed himself off, and I went wild."
A lot of the angst in this book is due to the fact that Emmett is a faculty member, not to mention the swim coach, of the college and team Bodhi is now a part of. Emmett eats and breathes his job. The team is his family. I mean, if you've read the series you know, coach is always there when he's needed. He's like the grouchy Dad who complains all the time, but secretly loves it. His being in a relationship with one of his swimmers is strictly forbidden. It weighs on him terribly and leads to some major issues between him and Bodhi.
Fortunately for him, Bodhi is relentless and he proves too much of a temptation for Emmett to ignore. These two are drawn to one another like nothing else. Bodhi craves a firm hand to help him navigate his new life and Emmett craves to be the one to give it to him. Neither have been in a Daddy/boy relationship dynamic before, but it becomes clear really early that it is exactly the right fit for them.
Their journey was not all hearts and rainbows. There are a lot of moving pieces on the chess board and things that had to happen in order to clear their path. One thing that stays strong throughout this entire series is how Elite is a family and family protects their own. I have adored this series and all the people who make up this team. I'm sad this is the end of the Westbrook Elite, but seeing their coach get his very own HEA was definitely the perfect ending for them all.
September 6, 2024
Bodhi wasn't a want. He was a need, essential for my survival. And perhaps the reason I was so drawn to extinction was that Bodhi represented the end of my life as I knew it. But also the beginning of something better.
5+ stars!
I don't even know what I can say about this book other than it was utter perfection. I didn't know if Cambria would be able to top Prism and Arsen's story, especially with Bodhi's checkered past, but as soon as we meet Bodhi--drunk and in prison--I was absolutely hooked on his and Coach's story.
Both Bodhi and Coach were hiding from a traumatic loss from their past, unwilling to let go of their guilt. We've known Coach since book 1 in this series, but even after Landry's book, there was still so much unknown about him and his hidden pain. And as we slowly learn more about Coach's complicated past, Bodhi's wild and reckless nature continued to collide with Coach's need for control. Their passion and undeniable need for each other was as beautiful as it was heartbreaking as both were nearly obliterated by what they couldn't have. I cannot even express how much I loved and devoured their tumultuous and all-consuming relationship. Despite the many obstacles hindering their happiness, neither Bodhi nor Coach were able to walk away from the love and acceptance they found in each other, which ultimately allowed for them both to finally heal.
As much as I adored Coach and Bodhi's steamy and forbidden story, this book would not have been complete without all of the other bros and their partners. I lived for all of the cameos and Elite group chats as I just loved seeing them be supportive idiots together. The auction scene was one of my favorites for obvious reasons, and once again Jamie stole whatever scene he was in (obviously). I cannot believe we have reached the end of this amazing, brilliant series! I love these characters so much, and I will miss them forever. Thank you, Cambria, for another fantastic series, and I cannot wait to see what's next🖤
Tropes: forbidden love, student/coach romance, grumpy obsessed hero, reckless brat hero, age gap, hurt/comfort, 'touch him and die' vibes, MM romance, sports romance, secret relationship, opposites attract, Daddy dom, spanking, hidden trauma, band of brothers, found family, STEAMY🔥🔥
*ARC provided by GMB promo, and I voluntarily reviewed it*
September 7, 2024
The fact that I read this almost 500 page book in one day should tell you just how good this was. Cambria ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS delivers on top tier hurt/comfort & possessive mcs. I could read these types of books by her for the rest of my life and never grow tired. This book was IMMEDIATELY YES for me. From the very first chapter. Once I heard this was age gap & daddy I swan dived into my kindle to devour it. These two did not have an easy HEA. There are so many obvious obstacles they have to face. I love how everything was navigated and addressed. The daddy vibes were on point and executed so well. If anyone needs a damn daddy its Bodhi. Even after 500 pages I wanted more of them. I definitely wouldn't be mad at an extended epilogue. I just adore them and Bodhi deserves the whole world. DADDY EMMETT IS PERFECT AND I WILL NOT HEAR OTHERWISE.
Also, I devour any bits of the couples from previous books as background characters. This series is just EVERYTHING! I will miss all of these couples so much.
I'm so sad this series is over. I need a trauma latte to get me through this difficult transition.
What to expect from Whistle:
-Daddy
-Age Gap (19 years)
-Hurt/Comfort
-Possessive/Jealous MCs
-Coach/Swimmer=FORBIDDEN
-Brat
Also, I devour any bits of the couples from previous books as background characters. This series is just EVERYTHING! I will miss all of these couples so much.
I'm so sad this series is over. I need a trauma latte to get me through this difficult transition.
What to expect from Whistle:
-Daddy
-Age Gap (19 years)
-Hurt/Comfort
-Possessive/Jealous MCs
-Coach/Swimmer=FORBIDDEN
-Brat
September 9, 2024
Was so pleased to get this arc, I dived into the Elite world awhile back & omg I loved it, it’s the perfect found family! There are 8 books in this series with whistle being the latest one with Coach’s Story. What a story it was, how could I possibly not fall in love with both of them! This is a fast paced book full of swoon, tender & hot hot hot moments!!! Pre warning there’s some trauma they are both dealing with but there story is one to be read! It’s beautiful & the found family is everything 🏊♂️🏊♂️ This is my honest review out Sept 13th!!!!!!
September 12, 2024
*MM romance
*Sports romance
*Daddy X Brat
*One of best series that I ever read
This book is amazing… Really, I just couldn’t put this book down until I finished, so the
conclusion is obvious: I read in two days and now I’m missing the characters already.
If you love sports romance, swimmers and a good romance, this book is exactly what you
need. Bodhi is the definition of ‘brat’ and Emmet (the coach of Westbrook) is the perfect
daddy. I love the dynamics between the main characters, but also between all of the team.
The only flaw? I read too quickly and now I'm an orphan rsrsrs.
*Sports romance
*Daddy X Brat
*One of best series that I ever read
This book is amazing… Really, I just couldn’t put this book down until I finished, so the
conclusion is obvious: I read in two days and now I’m missing the characters already.
If you love sports romance, swimmers and a good romance, this book is exactly what you
need. Bodhi is the definition of ‘brat’ and Emmet (the coach of Westbrook) is the perfect
daddy. I love the dynamics between the main characters, but also between all of the team.
The only flaw? I read too quickly and now I'm an orphan rsrsrs.
September 22, 2024
For a series that I had not read or seen before, I went straight to Book 8, the final one, as it promised a big age gap and illicit affair and a lot of hurt comfort, all reading jams for me. I hoped that I could do a quick catch up with the characters and, for the most part, I did. Except for the group text chats where there are at least ten characters chatting, I was able to figure out who was who and who was with whom. There are MF couples along with MM.
For much of the book I was enthralled with the romance between twenty year old former competitive swimmer, Bodhi, and forty year old college D1 swim coach, Emmett. The cover looks NOTHING as how this couple is described. Bodhi is the quintessential California surfer with beautiful long blonde sun kissed curls with which Coach Emmett is obsessed, calling him ‘Goldilocks’. Where is that on the cover? Emmett is a good looking dark haired swim coach, tall and intense. I don’t see him on the cover, either. A bad cover is a romance bummer.
The hurt comfort trope was exquisite in many of the chapters, as is Emmett’s long time sexual desire for Bodhi, whom he has only met a few times and now Bodhi is in California, suffering from the loss of his twin sister to murder by a fellow swim team member.
Bodhi acts out his grief with violence and former teammate and former best friend Rush and Coach Emmett fly out to California to bail him out of jail and make a plea bargain that has Bodhi coming back east with them and being forced onto the nationally ranked swim team. Kind of tough for someone who is now terrified of water after finding his sister dead in a pool. Also, the team has met Bodhi before and pretty much hate him for his meanness to some of the team members. Bodhi is all mouth and prickly attitude and emotional meltdowns. The power struggle between he and Coach was intense and well written.
Oh, the swim team! Rowr! Tiny speedos, glistening wet skin, and beautiful young men with beautiful bodies. All enjoyable to read about. They were nice guys who had deep respect and affection for their coach and his ever present whistle. The whistle around his neck was like its own character. I loved how Coach blew it and wielded its noise like a weapon in so many scenes. It was great.
The book is good, the characters are very good. The sex is hot and illicit and I was on the edge of my seat waiting for this age gap and taboo couple(coach-student relationship)to get caught. How it played out when they got found out was a bit of turn about and somewhat unbelievable about the repercussions.
The story was enjoyable throughout.
For much of the book I was enthralled with the romance between twenty year old former competitive swimmer, Bodhi, and forty year old college D1 swim coach, Emmett. The cover looks NOTHING as how this couple is described. Bodhi is the quintessential California surfer with beautiful long blonde sun kissed curls with which Coach Emmett is obsessed, calling him ‘Goldilocks’. Where is that on the cover? Emmett is a good looking dark haired swim coach, tall and intense. I don’t see him on the cover, either. A bad cover is a romance bummer.
The hurt comfort trope was exquisite in many of the chapters, as is Emmett’s long time sexual desire for Bodhi, whom he has only met a few times and now Bodhi is in California, suffering from the loss of his twin sister to murder by a fellow swim team member.
Bodhi acts out his grief with violence and former teammate and former best friend Rush and Coach Emmett fly out to California to bail him out of jail and make a plea bargain that has Bodhi coming back east with them and being forced onto the nationally ranked swim team. Kind of tough for someone who is now terrified of water after finding his sister dead in a pool. Also, the team has met Bodhi before and pretty much hate him for his meanness to some of the team members. Bodhi is all mouth and prickly attitude and emotional meltdowns. The power struggle between he and Coach was intense and well written.
Oh, the swim team! Rowr! Tiny speedos, glistening wet skin, and beautiful young men with beautiful bodies. All enjoyable to read about. They were nice guys who had deep respect and affection for their coach and his ever present whistle. The whistle around his neck was like its own character. I loved how Coach blew it and wielded its noise like a weapon in so many scenes. It was great.
The book is good, the characters are very good. The sex is hot and illicit and I was on the edge of my seat waiting for this age gap and taboo couple(coach-student relationship)to get caught. How it played out when they got found out was a bit of turn about and somewhat unbelievable about the repercussions.
The story was enjoyable throughout.
September 18, 2024
Very insta love. Felt forced and a little creepy. Very unbelievable too. The daddy kink which got added randomly in the mix after a lot of chapters just ruined it for me.
September 29, 2024
Overall this was enjoyable but for the life of me I cannot stand how many “bro’s” and “brah’s” were in this book.
September 4, 2024
I received an ARC but all thoughts are my own.
I was beyond excited when I saw the news that Coach was getting his own book and I wasn't disappointed! I couldn't wait to learn more about him and find out who his person would be. The fact that it turned out to be Bodhi was even better! I never saw that coming and it honestly worked perfectly in this story.
This was the first time writing an age gap for Cambria and I think she did a great job with it. It never felt over the top, and each character still felt their age. I love that Bodhi was a brat, it made complete sense for his character. Watching him slowly join the Elite family was really nice too, especially when it came to Lars. I'm not always 100% into the Daddy Kink but I think it worked well for the couple. It was really nice seeing the author try something new and step out of her comfort zone.
Finding out about Coach's past was really something. It broke my heart! But I'm glad he was able to find a family and home with a group of over the top bro swimmers. Speaking of this group of swimmers, watching them stand up for Coach was amazing. I wasn't surprised but it felt like such a cool moment where I think Coach finally realized he was part of something more, that these kids were like his own, and bros support bros.
The book was super spicy too, including a few spankings and office shenanigans.
I'm sad to see this series come to an end, but it feels complete now. I hope we get to see these characters again down the road. Maybe something with the Olympics? Or a wedding? I'm just not ready to say goodbye completely to these goofs.
I was beyond excited when I saw the news that Coach was getting his own book and I wasn't disappointed! I couldn't wait to learn more about him and find out who his person would be. The fact that it turned out to be Bodhi was even better! I never saw that coming and it honestly worked perfectly in this story.
This was the first time writing an age gap for Cambria and I think she did a great job with it. It never felt over the top, and each character still felt their age. I love that Bodhi was a brat, it made complete sense for his character. Watching him slowly join the Elite family was really nice too, especially when it came to Lars. I'm not always 100% into the Daddy Kink but I think it worked well for the couple. It was really nice seeing the author try something new and step out of her comfort zone.
Finding out about Coach's past was really something. It broke my heart! But I'm glad he was able to find a family and home with a group of over the top bro swimmers. Speaking of this group of swimmers, watching them stand up for Coach was amazing. I wasn't surprised but it felt like such a cool moment where I think Coach finally realized he was part of something more, that these kids were like his own, and bros support bros.
The book was super spicy too, including a few spankings and office shenanigans.
I'm sad to see this series come to an end, but it feels complete now. I hope we get to see these characters again down the road. Maybe something with the Olympics? Or a wedding? I'm just not ready to say goodbye completely to these goofs.
September 13, 2024
“Demons & Desires”
Unlike the first 7 books where the main characters are fighting some “other,” this one is all about the internal battle—fighting your own demons.
Sure, you could call a couple months of romance “instalove,” but with Coach (yes, always gonna call him Coach) and Bodhi, it didn’t feel rushed at all. You really get to sit with their relationship and marinate in their journey. The conflict here is more about the fear of stepping outside your comfort zone. It’s about taking those risks to find a new kind of comfort—one that’s freeing instead of imprisoning.
The growth for both Coach and Bodhi was so steady and believable. It wasn’t rushed, making their love story hit even harder. Also, Coach’s whole “F-It 40s” attitude? So relatable. And the 80s and 90s throwbacks? Loved every second of it.
Bodhi, Bodhi, Bodhi. BRAH! This dude needed a mondo hug. I haven’t felt vulnerability this strong in a character since Rush. HOWEVER, I am calling an audible on his haterade consumption of JMO.
(PHWEEEEEEEEEE! Sir, that is not what we do.)
Yes, it’s an MM, age-gap romance with daddy kink, BUT this book was more. The whole thing—from the plot to the structure—was so well thought-out AND INCREDIBLY intentional. The feels are UBER STRONG with this one. For all of us bros, it is bittersweet. Fair warning: you will feel bereft once this is done.
Moments That Had Me Screaming:
✨Coach’s Hoover Maneuver: Whew, chile!🔥
✨Westbrook Whistle: I will never look at mine the same way again.
✨The Office Scene: I have no words…
✨The Auction Scene: A must-experience
✨Jaime’s 5-second Rule: That’s just nasty.
✨Group Chats: Always a bro win
✨Revelations 38/39: Brought the Holy sh!t out of me!
✨Ch 44: Whoop his a$$!
P.S. and BTW: The author’s note about writing shorter books: Oh, Hells No! We love the length.😉
Whistle is a Must Read!
Unlike the first 7 books where the main characters are fighting some “other,” this one is all about the internal battle—fighting your own demons.
Sure, you could call a couple months of romance “instalove,” but with Coach (yes, always gonna call him Coach) and Bodhi, it didn’t feel rushed at all. You really get to sit with their relationship and marinate in their journey. The conflict here is more about the fear of stepping outside your comfort zone. It’s about taking those risks to find a new kind of comfort—one that’s freeing instead of imprisoning.
The growth for both Coach and Bodhi was so steady and believable. It wasn’t rushed, making their love story hit even harder. Also, Coach’s whole “F-It 40s” attitude? So relatable. And the 80s and 90s throwbacks? Loved every second of it.
Bodhi, Bodhi, Bodhi. BRAH! This dude needed a mondo hug. I haven’t felt vulnerability this strong in a character since Rush. HOWEVER, I am calling an audible on his haterade consumption of JMO.
(PHWEEEEEEEEEE! Sir, that is not what we do.)
Yes, it’s an MM, age-gap romance with daddy kink, BUT this book was more. The whole thing—from the plot to the structure—was so well thought-out AND INCREDIBLY intentional. The feels are UBER STRONG with this one. For all of us bros, it is bittersweet. Fair warning: you will feel bereft once this is done.
Moments That Had Me Screaming:
✨Coach’s Hoover Maneuver: Whew, chile!🔥
✨Westbrook Whistle: I will never look at mine the same way again.
✨The Office Scene: I have no words…
✨The Auction Scene: A must-experience
✨Jaime’s 5-second Rule: That’s just nasty.
✨Group Chats: Always a bro win
✨Revelations 38/39: Brought the Holy sh!t out of me!
✨Ch 44: Whoop his a$$!
P.S. and BTW: The author’s note about writing shorter books: Oh, Hells No! We love the length.😉
Whistle is a Must Read!
September 10, 2024
We like ‘em over the top possessive and that is definitely Bodhi and Emmett!
Bodhi Lawson is at rock bottom. His twin sister was killed, he’s estranged from his parents, and he lost his best friend, Jason Rush, in the fallout of his sister’s murder investigation. In complete self-destruct mode, he burns down a guest house and has no one to call for help other than Rush. Coach Emmett Resch agrees to accompany Rush to collect Bodhi and an ultimatum is given - swim for Elite, or go to prison. Surely it won’t be a problem that Coach has been lusting after Bodhi since his brief appearance in an earlier book…
I love a brat and Bodhi is top tier! Angry and lost, he lashes out at everyone around him, but mostly himself. Emmett is not having it, and the gruff older man is more than willing to bring Bodhi to heel. Closeted and dealing with his own trauma, Coach Resch is nevertheless dogged in his devotion to the golden-haired waif. And we have yet another cute nickname!
The fire between these two is intense and that carries over to their intimacy. I am NOT a fan of daddy kink, and I do wish I’d known it was a feature of their story before going in. It was not a main focus of their encounters, and everything else was hitting all the right notes for me, so I did enjoy the book despite not loving that aspect. Cambria knows how to write burning hot obsessions and this delivers.
Consistent with the series, there is a lot of drama and some wild action! This is the last in a series, but can be read as a standalone. If you’re a fan of Elite Swim, possessive MCs, age gap, brats, and daddy kink, I recommend you pick this up!
*I received an advanced reader copy from Give Me Books PR and am voluntarily leaving my review*
Bodhi Lawson is at rock bottom. His twin sister was killed, he’s estranged from his parents, and he lost his best friend, Jason Rush, in the fallout of his sister’s murder investigation. In complete self-destruct mode, he burns down a guest house and has no one to call for help other than Rush. Coach Emmett Resch agrees to accompany Rush to collect Bodhi and an ultimatum is given - swim for Elite, or go to prison. Surely it won’t be a problem that Coach has been lusting after Bodhi since his brief appearance in an earlier book…
I love a brat and Bodhi is top tier! Angry and lost, he lashes out at everyone around him, but mostly himself. Emmett is not having it, and the gruff older man is more than willing to bring Bodhi to heel. Closeted and dealing with his own trauma, Coach Resch is nevertheless dogged in his devotion to the golden-haired waif. And we have yet another cute nickname!
The fire between these two is intense and that carries over to their intimacy. I am NOT a fan of daddy kink, and I do wish I’d known it was a feature of their story before going in. It was not a main focus of their encounters, and everything else was hitting all the right notes for me, so I did enjoy the book despite not loving that aspect. Cambria knows how to write burning hot obsessions and this delivers.
Consistent with the series, there is a lot of drama and some wild action! This is the last in a series, but can be read as a standalone. If you’re a fan of Elite Swim, possessive MCs, age gap, brats, and daddy kink, I recommend you pick this up!
*I received an advanced reader copy from Give Me Books PR and am voluntarily leaving my review*
September 12, 2024
Whistle is the final installment in the Westbrook Elite series. This is book 8 in the series that has me on pins and needles waiting for the next book for 2 years straight! Side note: While each couple has their own book and can be read separately, the plotlines build on each other and create more depth in each book as you go through the series - since this is the last book, you might not want to start here.
This story follows Emmett, our favorite whistle-blowing head coach and Bodhi, Rush's former best friend and apparently Elite's newest swimmer. Whistle is an emotional and slightly angsty story which does result in featuring at least a few trauma lattes. The ever present loyalty of the swim team is alive and well, even with their coach being the main focus.
They dynamic here is most definitely how I hoped this story would flow based - it's almost like Hebert was reading my mind. Butthen again, she built Emmett's character, I guess she is just that skilled as a wordsmith.
The storyline is well thought out, and not cringy like some age gap novels can be. I loved this "ending" to the series, though I would love to see more about this awesome group of characters.
I can't wait to see where Hebert takes us next....
This story follows Emmett, our favorite whistle-blowing head coach and Bodhi, Rush's former best friend and apparently Elite's newest swimmer. Whistle is an emotional and slightly angsty story which does result in featuring at least a few trauma lattes. The ever present loyalty of the swim team is alive and well, even with their coach being the main focus.
They dynamic here is most definitely how I hoped this story would flow based - it's almost like Hebert was reading my mind. Butthen again, she built Emmett's character, I guess she is just that skilled as a wordsmith.
The storyline is well thought out, and not cringy like some age gap novels can be. I loved this "ending" to the series, though I would love to see more about this awesome group of characters.
I can't wait to see where Hebert takes us next....
September 13, 2024
The conclusion to the Westbrook Elite series is here! I think Coach getting his happy ending was the perfect way to close out this series. We get to see the man that’s been teaching and supporting all the characters from precious books find the love that he deserves and while it wasn’t easy I adored every page of his and Bodhi’s journey.
At first I was a bit nervous though because I’m not usually a fan of the age gap trope, but in Coach and Bodhi’s case it just worked. I loved the heat between them but what I enjoyed most was them opening up to each other and being vulnerable. Seeing them heal both individually and together so they could start living their best lives together was beautiful. I even got teary at times. I wasn’t expecting Coach’s backstory to hit me as hard as it did.
Finally, I have to mention the rest of the Elite family! Getting to spend time with them is always a blast. Jamie, Kruger, and Max had me cackling. And the entire team’s support of Coach made me so happy. You really feel the love that they have for him and him for them. (Even if he doesn’t say it often) They also slowly brought Bodhi into the fold and made him one of their own. (I desperately need more scenes of the whole group together.)
This series has been a joy to read and it’s one that I will be rereading often. I might’ve already went back and started to reread Wish. I highly recommend you check out the Westbrook Elite series!
At first I was a bit nervous though because I’m not usually a fan of the age gap trope, but in Coach and Bodhi’s case it just worked. I loved the heat between them but what I enjoyed most was them opening up to each other and being vulnerable. Seeing them heal both individually and together so they could start living their best lives together was beautiful. I even got teary at times. I wasn’t expecting Coach’s backstory to hit me as hard as it did.
Finally, I have to mention the rest of the Elite family! Getting to spend time with them is always a blast. Jamie, Kruger, and Max had me cackling. And the entire team’s support of Coach made me so happy. You really feel the love that they have for him and him for them. (Even if he doesn’t say it often) They also slowly brought Bodhi into the fold and made him one of their own. (I desperately need more scenes of the whole group together.)
This series has been a joy to read and it’s one that I will be rereading often. I might’ve already went back and started to reread Wish. I highly recommend you check out the Westbrook Elite series!
September 4, 2024
Wow. What a conclusion...
I was so rooting for Coach Resch's own story. I am so happy he got it.
And Bodhi. What a brat... but he's such a lovable brat. You don't see it at first but honestly? Only Coach was able to tame that self-destructing, traumatized, sad, special person. Only Coach - this mature, also traumatized, loving person who is the center of Westbrook Elite can make the team and their partners this special family. One for all and all for one. Shedding a little tear writing this review. This series will definitely have a special place in my heart like #GearShark will.
Thank you, Cabria Hebert for this wonderful series with wonderful, special, broken boys and their loved ones <3
I was so rooting for Coach Resch's own story. I am so happy he got it.
And Bodhi. What a brat... but he's such a lovable brat. You don't see it at first but honestly? Only Coach was able to tame that self-destructing, traumatized, sad, special person. Only Coach - this mature, also traumatized, loving person who is the center of Westbrook Elite can make the team and their partners this special family. One for all and all for one. Shedding a little tear writing this review. This series will definitely have a special place in my heart like #GearShark will.
Thank you, Cabria Hebert for this wonderful series with wonderful, special, broken boys and their loved ones <3
September 13, 2024
4 Stars!
Cambria Hebert has a brand new book out, closing out her angsty and emotional Westbrook Elite series, and really she saved one of the best for last. A m/m, forbidden romance that'll hook you hard and fast and won't let go until the pages quit turning.
Whistle gives us Bodhi and Coach's story (squeeeeee!!) and y'all, your heart ain't ready for this one.. at all. Packed with everything we've come to love about Cambria’s writing, characters, and worlds she's created with this group.. this beauty was an amazing way to round out this series, and I'm super excited to see what she'll give us next.
I can definitely recommend this author and series y'all!
Reviewed for Renee Entress's Blog.
Cambria Hebert has a brand new book out, closing out her angsty and emotional Westbrook Elite series, and really she saved one of the best for last. A m/m, forbidden romance that'll hook you hard and fast and won't let go until the pages quit turning.
Whistle gives us Bodhi and Coach's story (squeeeeee!!) and y'all, your heart ain't ready for this one.. at all. Packed with everything we've come to love about Cambria’s writing, characters, and worlds she's created with this group.. this beauty was an amazing way to round out this series, and I'm super excited to see what she'll give us next.
I can definitely recommend this author and series y'all!
Reviewed for Renee Entress's Blog.
September 10, 2024
INVESTED! That’s the best way to describe my feelings while reading this book. Cambria wrote her first MM age gap romance and she knocked it out of the park!!
Bohdi and Em are incredible together. You could feel the lust, heat, chemistry and connection from their first few scenes. I don’t know how you do it Cambria! 😍😍😍
This book features a 19 yr age gap but it is written so perfectly and beautifully I couldn’t have loved their dynamic more! Bohdi has big brat & lingerie wearing energy … and he only feels settled with Emmett. They fight trauma together and ugh it’s just THE BEST!!!! I’m going to miss the Elite fam soo much.
Bohdi and Em are incredible together. You could feel the lust, heat, chemistry and connection from their first few scenes. I don’t know how you do it Cambria! 😍😍😍
This book features a 19 yr age gap but it is written so perfectly and beautifully I couldn’t have loved their dynamic more! Bohdi has big brat & lingerie wearing energy … and he only feels settled with Emmett. They fight trauma together and ugh it’s just THE BEST!!!! I’m going to miss the Elite fam soo much.
April 12, 2025
2.5⭐️
Love Cambria Herbert’s books but this one didn’t hit like the others.
Maybe it’s a me issue.
Not sure I really like the portrayal of the age gap relationship, it felt kind of weird at times.
Also no one knows boundaries and personal space with the elites. Everyone is in everyone business. I think it became very clear this book since one of the mc is literally the 40 year old coach. Elites just felt like they got too attached to his life to be appropriate.
Also when it came to Bodhi and swimming I thought it was quite obvious, this man does not have any interest in swimming on the team. Which just made it feel like coach was literally forcing him to do it.
Love Cambria Herbert’s books but this one didn’t hit like the others.
Maybe it’s a me issue.
Not sure I really like the portrayal of the age gap relationship, it felt kind of weird at times.
Also no one knows boundaries and personal space with the elites. Everyone is in everyone business. I think it became very clear this book since one of the mc is literally the 40 year old coach. Elites just felt like they got too attached to his life to be appropriate.
Also when it came to Bodhi and swimming I thought it was quite obvious, this man does not have any interest in swimming on the team. Which just made it feel like coach was literally forcing him to do it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2024
En nous offrant sa première et véritable romance age-gap avec un personnage marquant comme Bodhi, on peut dire que Cambria Hebert conclut de façon spectaculaire sa sensationnelle saga ! Une fois de plus avec son style si particulier et sa plume si habile, elle m’a complètement emportée avec cette exceptionnelle histoire. Whistle est bien plus qu’une palpitante et sensuelle romance age-gap interdite. C’est un poignant récit d’une beauté brute abordant des sujets de notre société. Tels que les traumatismes dus à une terrible tragédie, le deuil, le suicide et enfin l’acception et l’estime de soi. Un petit bijou qui est à découvrir pour ceux qui lisent en VO. Et j’espère de tout coeur que cette saga sera un jour traduite en VF. C’est avec un gros pincement au coeur que je doive dire aurevoir à cette team Elite d’exception. Mais fort heureusement chacun d’entre eux a une place de choix dans ma bibliothèque.
𝑴𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒔𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒆 𝒃𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝒊𝒄𝒊:
𝑴𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒔𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒆 𝒃𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝒊𝒄𝒊:
September 14, 2024
This had me hooked from the start! I absolutely loved it. I couldn’t get enough of it. I instantly loved Coach, and seeing Bodhi, who was struggling so deeply, find exactly what he needed in Coach felt so right. They were such a perfect match.
September 17, 2024
Wow! What an ending to this series! I loved this book, and the found family k already knew and learn more about every time I pick up one of these books.
I was looking forward to this release and I was thrilled with the finished product. So much love to this book and series. I'm just in awe.
I was looking forward to this release and I was thrilled with the finished product. So much love to this book and series. I'm just in awe.
September 21, 2024
Whistle is the last book in the Westbrook series and it was such a fantastic read. I was really excited for Coach's story and Cambria Hebert did not disappoint. I absolutely loved the elite group chat...poor Max😂and how they all became kind of family in the end⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐❤
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