READING: Mark Cooper vs America by Lisa Henry and J.A. Rock

Publication date: January 2 2018
Published by: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Genre: MM, New Adult, Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 

Mark Cooper is angry, homesick, and about to take his stepdad’s dubious advice and rush Prescott College’s biggest party fraternity, Alpha Delta Phi. Greek life is as foreign to Aussie transplant Mark as Pennsylvania’s snowstorms and bear sightings. So, when the fraternity extends Mark a bid, Mark vows to get himself kicked out by the end of pledge period. But then he’s drawn into Alpha Delt’s feud with a neighboring fraternity.

Studious Deacon Holt is disappointed to learn Mark’s pledging Alpha Delt, his fraternity Phi Sigma Kappa’s sworn enemy. Mark is too beautiful for Deacon to pass up an invitation for sex, but beyond sex, Deacon’s not sure. He wants a relationship, but a difficult family situation prevents him from pursuing anything beyond his studies.

Mark and Deacon’s affair heats up as the war between their fraternities escalates. They explore kinks they didn’t know they had while keeping their liaison a secret from their brothers. But what Romeo and Juliet didn’t teach these star-crossed lovers is how to move beyond sex and into a place where they share more than a bed. That’s something they’ll have to figure out on their own—if the friction between their houses, and between Mark and America, doesn’t tear them apart.

2nd read (Nov 22 2018)

💗💗💗💗💗💗
Just as good, if not better! 

Mark Cooper will always be one of the sexiest MCs in MM history, hands down. I don't know how Lisa Henry & JA Rock came up with Mark's character and what her inspiration was, because we sure as hell don't have guys like that down here in Melbourne, I'll tell you that for free! I am now convinced that he is a figment of her imagination, but a girl (or boy) can dream, eh?

Being able to describe a book that includes men in women's knickers, dirty sex in public places, paddling and anal fisting as beautifully sweet, just goes to show what an amazing writer Lisa Henry is. She can write the most romantic story in the dirtiest context and you still go "awww" in the end. 
Mark and Deacon were perfect together. Mark's personality reminded me of a spin top that would perpetually spin and spin further and further away from its centre, if not blocked by an obstacle strong enough to stop its crazy reeling. That obstacle was Deacon. Steady as they come, always ready to listen and never judge or embarrass, but just being there for Mark whenever he needed him, even early on. Does that sound boring? Ha! Deacon is anything but! He gives as good as he gets and he rivals Mark in kinks. And Mark is preeeeetty kinky!

If you're looking for a hot and spicy MM college romance, with perfect writing and amazing sense of humour to boot, this is definitely the book for you.

Just picture it:A very young Chris Hemsworth playing Mark in a hypothetical Mark Cooper versus America movie shot in early 2000s? Hell yes!


1st read (Aug 4 2018)

Can I just officially declare Henry as one of my absolute favourite mm writers?
I love everything she writes; how she builds her characters and their relationship, how she knows when to be serious and when to be hilarious (love her sense of humour) when to write cheecky-kinky scenes and when to write sweet and loving ones.
The total lack of angst in this one was very refreshing. Just two college guys meeting each other and gradually falling in love. They each have their baggage and they help each other to try and work them out. Mark and Deacon's relationship is a loving and sweet one, being occasionally spiced up by Mark, who is a complete firecracker(Aussie, what can I tell ya?) Deacon is the opposite- more serious, almost somber at times. Together, they are perfection!
Unputdownable, amazing read!