Personal Best 3: A Going for The Gold Novel by Sean Michael is a homoerotic contemporary novel.

There are only two things that Jessy wants in life, to swim and his coach Mike. Jessy truly comes alive in the water and when his game is on, no one can touch him. Mike recognized that in Jessy, and they are committed to take it as far as they can- all the way to a gold medal if possible. To make things even better, their relationship is much more than coach and swimmer; they are committed to each other both in public and in their private lives. Mike is the guiding, sometimes bullying, force behind Jessie’s rise to fame. Unfortunately, there is sometimes a price to fame, one that Jessy is becoming familiar with. Over the past few weeks, Jessy has been receiving increasingly threatening mail. Finally, Jessy becomes frightened enough to tell Mike who immediately gets involved in keeping Jessy safe. When the threatening mail continues, Jessy and Mike find themselves in the difficult position of keeping Jessy safe while continuing his rise in the swimming world. When the culprit goes too far and Mike becomes gravely injured, will Jessy find a way to continue their dream or will going for the gold just become a memory?

Mr. Michael has continued the series with his newest installment which is a fast paced, lively, thrilling story with enough erotic scenes to please a vast audience. It is fascinating to look into the world of modern sports that has the same problems as the rest of society. The difficulties that Jessy and Mike face with intolerance is unfortunately a familiar one in today’s society. I loved how Mike takes on both rolls as coach and lover with such ease. Jessy has to learn that life doesn’t always turn out as we wish, but if you keep the faith, things will work out in the end. Together Jessy and Mike create a love that is all encompassing in the way that they perfectly complement each others needs. I will be waiting for the next book in the Personal Best series.

Reviewed by: Teresa