Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
Rachel Reid creates memorable characters and there’s no exception in this story. Ryan and Fabian are unlikely to be forgotten in the same way that Ilya and Shane (who put in an appearance in this story) will forever hold a piece of my heart.
Picture Ryan: huge, 6’7” of muscle, a ginger (yes!) who bears an amazing resemblance to comic character Archie, but carries a mean look and uses his fists in his role as his hockey team’s enforcer. Inside, he’s a sweet man who doesn’t really like his job, hates to fight, wants to skate to win games, not rough up opponents, and who suffers from panic disorder—a panic that can strike at any time, not only when he has to fly to an away game. In fact, he left his last team due to a panic attack that ultimately resulted in being traded to the Toronto Guardians.
Picture Fabian: 5’7”, slender, creative, artistic, a musician, wears makeup, is a fabulous dresser who sometimes wears lace undies, and who hates hockey players. His father and mother are hockey fanatics who took in student players who attended a special camp each year, and they discounted Fabian for his lack of interest in the sport and his focus on music. Needless to say, gangly, awkward teen Fabian feared homophobic jocks and hated hosting them—all except for one guy named Ryan, who he had a crush on that was never revealed.
Fast forward and a chance encounter with a huge ginger in his department at SuperSaver brings it all back. Ryan Price is up close and personal again and Fabian is so speechless he fails to act. This sets the stage for a long, sweet, slow-burn story of love and change and growth in both the characters and their relationship. Ms. Reid takes them through the early stages of reuniting in friendship, stumbling into sex, and finally realizing just how deeply they care for each other.
I loved the characters—their flaws, their foibles, their fun together. I was saddened through the tough times, broken-hearted over Ryan’s insecurities, anxiety, and frustration with his career, and I rejoiced with Fabian as his musical career took off and he came into the spotlight he’d been working years to reach. The two together fit like puzzle pieces long abandoned and now brought together to form their perfect whole. I simply loved this story and I highly recommend it to all lovers of hockey and MM romance. And one more word: get the entire series. This set of stories is outstanding.
Cover art by Carina Press:
Sales Links: Carina Press | Amazon
Book Details:
I’m so sad today. Last night I finished one of my all-time favorite series. Whyborne and Griffin have become important to me. They are not only sweet and strong and fearless, they are my ideal couple—two halves of a whole—and that can readily be seen in this final story. I read this sooo slowly because I didn’t want the story (or the series) to end. I’m not ready to say goodbye to Griffin Flaherty and Percival Whyborne. Hmm…perhaps I’d better start reading it all over again from book one, Widdershins. 
This is the best of the series! There’s animosity, misunderstandings, dirty sex play, sexual awakening, coming out, coworkers to lovers, a dramatic avalanche, sweet romantic gestures, a dog, and finally a HEA. Just totally wonderful. 
Ash and Sean from Single are getting married, and Ash’s never-seen online friend, Brady, has agreed to come to the wedding and bring his kids with him. Ever aware of Brady’s loner nature and his awkwardness in social situations, Ash asks Eric, Sean’s firefighter roommate, to keep an eye on Brady. Eric finds it a pleasure. Though Brady is smaller and thinner in stature than what big, muscular Eric usually likes in a man, there’s something about him that immediately attracts Eric to his side, and that’s where he stays. 
Nearly twenty-four hours after finishing this story, the last in the series, I feel bereft, as if I’ve lost good friends. Not only do I miss Jared and Nick, I miss Erin and Owen, and Jack and Simon. How will I go on without the cast from Copper Point in my life? That may sound a bit dramatic, but the truth is that I’ve stopped what I’m doing a number of times today to think fondly of Jared and Nick and wonder how everything is going at St. Ann’s. 
Those who follow this unique series will be happy to know that big, strong, and sweet Vance Connelly finally got his story. I hope this isn’t the last in the series, but if it is, it’s a darn good one to end on. Vance grew up knowing he wanted to be a cop like his other family members, but when the scar appeared and they suddenly realized he was one of the “enhanced,” his hopes for a bright future took a downturn. That is, until the creation of the FBI Human Enhanced Rescue Organization in Tampa where Vance was hired immediately. 
Landry Bishop is a keeper, one who’s going to stay with me a long time. Kim Fielding created a wonderful character whose inner sweet man doesn’t match the outer persona he’s spent years creating for mass media. Known as an expert in food, fashion, interior design, homemaking, and beauty tips—Landry is a well-rounded gay man whose popularity in the media is soaring. 
Well, even though the blurb for book 5 stated it was the end of the series, the author apparently had one more character calling out for his story. This is Martin, aka Jamie Crane, son of the despicable domestic terrorist who held Justin and Adam captive in their youth and started the whole chain of events that led to this series. 
Cordelia Kingsbridge rocketed to the top of my “must buy” author list when she released Kill Game and hooked me on the lives of Detective Levi Abrams and PI Dominic Russo. Adding in the serial killer, the Seven of Spades, just made my addiction to this series that much stronger. 
Milo and his author, Lily Morton, delivered me right to the door of a very satisfying, feel-good Happy Ever After. No disappointment knocking on my door, for sure. 
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 