Review: Sweet Something (Wood Hollow Stories Book 2) by Lane Hayes

Rating: 3.5🌈

Sweet Something is the second book in Lane Hayes’ Wood Hollow Stories, a contemporary romance novel set in a Vermont landscape of 4 small towns that are very close together and connected socially with each other.

Four Forest area of Vermont are : Wood Hollow, Elmwood, Pinecrest, and Fallbrook.

I loved This Guy and getting to know more about the community of Wood Hollow. But Sweet Something just doesn’t feel the same. It’s not as well executed or all the elements don’t add up to a warm hearted feel good story. Somehow it’s not realistic enough in the components that Hayes has written in to be a completely happy story.

Dexter the donut shop guy is very engaging. He’s outgoing, helps run and organizes the community flag football teams, and loves his adopted town. There is a side story about his dysfunctional family and controlling mother , a brain injury, ex wife, but it’s not well developed . So the scenes and resolution with his mother feel forced. Especially after so many years of pain and hard feelings between them.

Viggo the lumberjack is initially a character that is hard to connect with, especially after his aggressive angry introduction and interactions with Dexter. To be honest, that entire conversation and element would have had me with serious concerns about the entire situation with the surrogacy. She violated Dexter’s privacy rights. And sent an unknown man to scream and yell and threaten the person who will be the father of the baby. That’s never ok.

No matter how Hayes used this , it makes it seem as though surrogacy and the tight laws and regulations surrounding it are incredibly fluid. I would think if you were going to include such an important topic as surrogacy, you’d make sure every aspect of it was thoughtfully addressed. It never really felt like it was here. At least to me.

Anyway, I end up thinking about consequences, then other things like character dynamics, as well as other aspects of the story that don’t have a good flow. The entire Mother factor is another. She appears, often threatens, leaves. Epilogue. Everything is fine.

Plus his brain injury that’s mentioned, gives him headaches and forgotten again. Was there any lingering issues?

Anyway they all lived together HEA. It’s sweet and left me feeling less than satisfied.

Looking forward to the next one.

Cover Design by Sleepy Fox Studio

Four Forest towns of Vermont Universe – see note below

The Elmwood Stories (6 book series)- I love this series ❤️ it mentions the lumber mill and introduces the Four Forest towns. It’s hockey meets Vermont small town ❤️.

Wood Hollow Series:

This Guy #1

Sweet Something #2

Mountain Man #3 – Oct 12,2026

Four Forest area of Vermont are : Wood Hollow, Elmwood, Pinecrest, and Fallbrook. The Elmwood Stories ❤️ series is complete

Buy link

Book 2 of 3: Wood Hollow Stories

Blurb

The baker, the grumpy lumberjack, and a new dad journey…

Dexter

The donut business is booming in Wood Hollow, along with my flag football program. Now I’m ready to take on a new challenge—parenthood. See, I’ve always wanted to be a dad and it’s finally happening. Wood Hollow is the perfect place to raise a child. It’s quiet, safe, and the folks here are friendly.

One glaring exception is the grumpy lumberjack…who ends up being besties with my surrogate. What are the odds?

Yeah…this will be interesting.

Viggo

I’m a logger. I like wood. That’s it. Maybe that makes me a solitary person, but so what?

Unfortunately, I can’t ignore the handsome donut man’s new dad-to-be situation. Not when it concerns an old family friend.

Look, I don’t want to be involved, but I have no choice. And if that means I’ll have to step outside of my comfort zone and do people-y things to make sure Dexter is a going to be a good dad, so be it.

It doesn’t mean I like Dexter. He’s accidentally funny, kind of sweet, very hot, and—

Okay, fine.

Maybe I like him too much.

Sweet Something is an MM bisexual, grumpy/sunshine, small-town romance featuring Wood Hollow’s hottest baker and the grumpy lumberjack with a big heart.

July 21, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

286 pages

Book 2 of 3

Wood Hollow Stories

Review: This Guy (Wood Hollow Book 1) by Lane Hayes

Rating: 4.5🌈

Lane Hayes has written narrative gold with her Vermont based Four Forest town’s universe, and I’m not talking maple syrup, although I won’t be surprised if this factors in eventually.

First off, there was the 6 book fabulous series, The Elmwood Stories, which was written about NHL hockey players who found themselves in the small town of Elmwood, where they found love, happiness and established a hockey base for kids and players for the summer. It built slowly but surely over 6 novels and we started meeting people outside of town, including those from Wood Hollow, and the mill.

Well, it’s Wood Hollow’s time! The town has begun its own restoration and become a great charming place to live, with the mill’s prosperity being a huge part of this.

Silas, a veteran NFL player who has come to the end of his career, is facing a difficult time in his life. Divorced, a career that has ended, and no idea how to go forward, the pressure sends him to his friend’s rental property in Wood Hollow, Vermont, for a break.

His next door neighbor is Cooper, who is a bisexual divorced father of two children, and the manager of the Wood Hollow lumber mill. Cooper is a hometown man, who loves his community and his family. And isn’t prepared for the handsome football player he rescues from a snowstorm.

This Guy is an excellent romance and start into a new series in this universe. The men are relatable, their struggles are written in a way that makes them feel real and understandable. The pressures each of them are facing, whether it’s Silas from his ex-wife’s new publicity with her own relationship or, perhaps even more realistic, Cooper’s personal struggles with his dynamics with his ex-wife and the way they both feel about their separation from their children.

Here’s what I find so well written by Hayes. There’s no demonizing of anyone’s ex’s here. Any potential for a traumatic event? It’s handled by communication, like adults, without involving the children. Thank you. Same goes for Silas and his ex wife. They remain friends and understand why they didn’t work out as marriage partners.

I know I shouldn’t have to point this out, but honestly, it’s rare enough that I see it in my stories that I point it out when I see it.

The children are beautifully animated and feel true to their ages. Adore them.

That dramatic moment? Fabulous! Heartwarming and perfect for the couple and as a family we have come to love.

I can’t wait for the next story to come out. I love this entire world that Hayes is creating!

Highly recommended!

Cover Design by Sleepy Fox Studio

Four Forest towns of Vermont Universe – see note below

The Elmwood Stories (6 book series)- I love this series ❤️ it mentions the lumber mill and introduces the Four Forest towns. It’s hockey meets Vermont small town ❤️.

Wood Hollow Series:

This Guy #1

Sweet Something #2 – TBR summer 2026

Four Forest area of Vermont are : Wood Hollow, Elmwood, Pinecrest, and Fallbrook. The Elmwood Stories ❤️ series is complete

Buy link

Book 1 of 1: Wood Hollow Stories

Blurb

The football star, the lumberjack, and a small-town love story…

Silas

Not to sound dramatic, but I can’t decide if I’m a hot mess, a has-been…or both.

There’s nothing quite like being in the spotlight at my lowest point. I could use a break from LA and my agent—just for a little while.

But Vermont in the middle of a blizzard? Probably not a great idea. However, the sexy lumberjack who lives next door is a sweet surprise. And so are his kids and the town.

I like this place. I could be happy here…at least till my new season begins.

Cooper

My time is split between work and fatherhood. That’s it. Boss and Dad. Maybe that’s why the football star is a breath of fresh air. Silas is funny, charismatic, and cool.

My kids love having a celebrity living next door. And me? I can’t remember the last time I felt quite so alive.

Yes, I’m well aware this isn’t going anywhere. Our worlds are just too different.

Too bad, ’cause this guy feels like the real thing.

This Guy is an MM bisexual, single dad, small-town romance featuring a football hero, a sexy lumberjack, and some neighbor-friendly shenanigans.

date

March 25, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

304 pages

Book 1 of 1

Wood Hollow Stories

Review: A Cowboy Holiday: MM Grumpy-Sunshine Romance by Lane Hayes

Rating: 4.5🌈

“There’s a little cowboy in all of us, a little frontier.” —Louis L’Amour

Of course, Lane Hayes starts this heartwarming Christmas romance with a quote from one of my favorite authors, Louis L’Amour. Perfect.

And the story that follows it is just as heartwarming and seasonally satisfying for all readers, those who are familiar with this author and those new to her stories and this holiday universe.

Written so that it’s in the same location and includes many of the characters from Hayes’ previous Christmas story, Moody’s Grumpy Holiday, this year we get a single veterinarian dad and his adorable daughter who end up helping settle in a dairy herd to a local ranch and find more than they expected.

Tanner, who’s co owner of Oak Ridge Ranch, finds himself drawn to the large, quiet vet who is marvelous with his animals and protective of his daughter.

Let me say the characters are excellently written, the relationships between each one feels grounded and believable and the town as well was a joy to revisit. The men, the children, and the animals! Heartfelt and emotionally charged. And so joyful.

I’m hoping that Hayes makes returning to the town and ranch in whatever way possible an annual story.

Two down. Hopefully more to come.

Another winner.

Cover Design by Reese Dante

Buy link:

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comA Cowboy Holiday: MM Grumpy-Sunshine Romance – Kindle edition by Hayes, Lane. …

Blurb

The cowboy, the rancher, and a little holiday magic…

Tanner

I meet the grumpiest man on the planet, and I’m head over heels in lust. No joke. Oak Ridge Ranch’s new part-time-vet-slash-ranch-hand is a bear, and he’s built like one too. If I were smart, I’d keep my distance.

In a twist, I’m not so smart.

But I can tell that under his hard-as-nails exterior, the cowboy is a gentle giant. Axel is a devoted single dad, a dedicated vet, and…I think he likes me. Or he wants me.

I can work with that.

Axel

I need the job at the ranch through December; then I’m out of here. I have a kid to think of, and it’s time to settle old scores and build a new life. But Tanner complicates things. He’s smart, intuitive, charming, and⁠—

Whoa! This is temporary. I’m not Tanner’s cowboy.

But I am attracted to him…and there’s nothing wrong with a little holiday fun, is there?

A Cowboy Holiday is an MM, bisexual romance featuring a single dad-cowboy-grump, a sweetheart of a rancher, and some holiday sparks.

Review: Something to Prove (Smithton Bears Book 2) by Lane Hayes

Rating: 4🌈

Something to Prove is another lovely sports college romance in Lane Hayes’ Smithton Bears series, a sequel to the heartwarming older hockey romance series I adore, The Elmwood Stories- Small Town stories.

Same area as Elmwood but focuses on college hockey and college atmosphere with its situations, mostly. I enjoyed the flow from the first novel into this book, the use of characters and that pivotal plot to make these characters have their own dramatic moments.

Ty and Walker are both very relatable and engaging characters. Ty especially has a well written and fleshed out family and foundation as well as hockey team that grounds him realistically.

Walker has a background that makes him a more isolated person. A person who’s been raised by his uncle and his aunt, who don’t live locally, there isn’t much other than the occasional showing of a side character, Robin, to give him the full picture details that Ty has been crafted with. What gives Walker life are the moments when he (and Ty) share while interacting for Walker’s show. Love the warmth and funny energy that Hayes brings to this.

The ending is so satisfying and one that the reader can instantly picture. And the epilogue is a great way to see the couple in their lives, happily moving forward.

Another terrific story in this ongoing series. A winner!

Cover Design by Reese Dante

Smithton Bears – Small-Town, College Hockey Series

One-Time Shot
Something to Prove
The Roommate Game – Coming November 2025

The Elmwood Stories- Small Town/Hockey Series

You, Again

Next Season

Holiday Crush

Thin Ice

Hot Shot

Puck Love

Buy link

Book 2 of 3: Smithton Bears

Blurb

The hockey star, the influencer, and the deal of a lifetime.

I’m going to the pros, baby! Deal made, contract signed. Now all I have to do is finish out my final season at Smithton and stay out of trouble. I like to have a good time, but don’t worry, I’ll behave.

What I won’t do is talk to that double-crossing influencer who’s been badgering me for an interview. No thanks.

I know Walker’s type—sweet as pie on the outside, a shark on the inside.

Get this…he wants to make a deal that sounds a lot like a bribe.

Not interested. No way.

But I am curious.

Walker

I’ve never worked so hard for an interview in my life. Ugh!

Look, I get that Ty doesn’t like me. As in…he won’t return my calls and avoids me like the plague on campus.

Too bad. I’m not giving up.

I don’t want to beg, but I’m willing to barter. Every man has his price—and something to prove.

Even Ty.

Something to Prove is a low-angst, geek-jock MM bisexual college hockey romance featuring a hockey star and the adorkable influencer who’s determined to win him over…

Publication date: July 29, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 224 pages
Book 2 of 3: Smithton Bears

Review: One-Time Shot: MM Small-Town College Hockey Romance (Smithton Bears Book 1) by Lane Hayes

Rating: 4.5🌈

If you loved The Elmwood Stories then the Smithton Bear is just your thing. One-Time Shot: MM Small-Town College Hockey Romance (Smithton Bears Book 1) by Lane Hayes is such an adorable romance.

The two main characters are an absolute delight to read and I easily read this in one evening.

Jett, the college hockey player is layered, finding his year challenging, and his life full of unexpected stumbles. Malcolm, the science major who has a thesis and needs Jett’s help to complete it, is fully realized and relatable. He’s so cute.

Together they are funny believable duo, learning from each other, walking around, figuring things out, within the context of their social groups and sports influence.

Hayes makes these two young men very honest and real in their issues and how they find their way to overcome the obstacles between them.

A lovely romance and terrific couple.

Cover Design by Reese Dante

Smithton Bears:

One-Time Shot #1

Something to Prove #2 – July 29,2025

Buy link

One-Time Shot: MM Small-Town College Hockey Romance (Smithton Bears Book 1)

Blurb

The jock, the geek, and the hockey project…

Jett

My pro hockey dreams are hanging by a thread. I need to have a great season and that means no partying, no distractions, no fun. The grad student’s science experiment is the definition of no fun, so…okay.

Pros and cons of agreeing to this deal:

Pros: Positive use of free time. (At least that’s what my agent says.)

Cons: Malcolm is bossy, clumsy, and he doesn’t know the first thing about hockey.

But he’s also cute and he’s got a great sense of humor and—oh no.

I cannot have a crush on the geek. No way. Not now.

Malcolm

Yes, I’m a serious student, but a hockey project is not serious. Who cares about big hunky hockey players zipping around a sheet of ice at warp speed? Not I.

However, according to my professor, the only way to attain the required data is to study the specimen in his natural habitat, AKA, the ice rink.

Pros: My thesis should lead to a bevy of job offers.

Cons: Jett. He’s impossibly big and gruff and handsome and disarmingly charming and—

Fine. Guilty. I like the jock…perhaps too much.

Lately, I find myself wondering if there’s such a thing as a one-time shot at forever.

One-Time Shot is a low-angst, geek-jock MM bisexual college hockey romance featuring a charismatic hockey star and an adorkable scientist.

Publication date: May 27, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 186 pages
Book 1 of 2: Smithton Bears

Review: Puck Love (The Elmwood Stories #6) by Lane Hayes

Rating: 4.5🌈

It’s fitting that Lane Hayes brings her heartwarming series, The Elmwood Stories, to a close with one of the boys who we met in the earlier books.

Now grown and playing in the NHL, Jake Milligan is one of the boys we met from the first Elmwood junior hockey camp, and along with Denny Mellon, who’s been a character we’ve watched as their parents got their own romances in the early books.

So it’s perfect that the series finale will have Jake’s own story and we get to see many other familiar faces in this book as Jake’s enemies to lovers story unfolds.

The “enemy” is hockey arch rival Mason Trinsky, a trash talking, exuberant player who has made their rivalry a media firestorm to Jake’s chagrin.

Elmwood’s Junior Hockey Camp is now a huge success, with famous players participating as coaches and that’s how both Trinsky and Jake end up as partners for a camp weekend.

It’s a terrific story that Lane manages to bring together elements of bi awakening, Trinky’s family members with special needs as well as his mother’s history of addiction and recovery. That balances so well with the fears and need for control of Jake’s upbringing.

But we get juicy, sexy scenes of discovery, great characters, hockey, adorable kids in Eddie, Nathan, Ella and Charlotte. Truly a fabulous heartwarming story of love , family and finding your forever home.

Elmwood and its magical, small town places hold a special place in my heart. I know that I’ll be revisiting it and it’s love stories.

Lane is going to bring us a new series based in the neighboring town, Wood Hollow, and hopefully we will see some crossovers in characters. Vermont’s fictional Four Forest area has so much to offer and more towns to explore.

A highly recommended and heartwarming sendoff of a fantastic series. I love it. Read them in order and fall in love with this town and its people.

The Elmwood Stories:

You, Again #1

Next Season #2

Holiday Crush #3

Thin Ice #4

Hot Shot #5

Puck Love #6

Buy link

Puck Love: MM Small Town/Hockey Romance (The Elmwood Stories Book 6)

Blurb

Two rivals, one secret, and a shot at forever…

Jake

Favorite things and peeps: hockey, family, friends.

Least favorite person in the entire history of the universe: Mason Trinsky.

I have my reasons, but since you’re curious, Trinsky is a showboat and a loudmouth. Sure, he’s a great athlete. Good for him. I accept that we have mutual friends, and I grudgingly accept that he’ll be a coach at w this summer—however, I plan to keep my distance.

Of course, some wise guy pairs us up for a camping expedition, and everything that can go wrong does go wrong.

Guess who I’m stuck with?

Trinsky

Favorite things and peeps: hockey, surfing, and my kid brother

Least favorite person in the entire history of the universe: Jake Milligan

Look, I might be in the minority, but if you ask me, Jake is a nitpicking diva who wants everything his way. I hope my NHL team crushes his, and this summer, I want my campers to out-prank his. Childish? Nah, it’s all in good fun.

Until it starts to feel…complicated. I shouldn’t care if he’s happy, should I? I don’t want to be Jake’s friend. I don’t want to have feelings for him at all.

The only thing that matters is hockey. It’s all about the puck. Not love.

Or is it?

Puck Love is an MM bisexual, small-town romance featuring hockey’s hottest rivals, a hiking trip gone wrong, and a shot at forever…

Publication date: March 21, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 280 pages

Review: Moody’s Grumpy Holiday by Lane Hayes

Rating: 4.5🌈

Lane Hayes has written a funny engaging holiday romance about a two completely opposite men, ones who aren’t looking for a relationship, who find in themselves a unexpected love. In a Christmas Town during the holidays.

With Hayes’ gift for memorable, endearing characters and the ability to create realistic locations are fully illustrated in this book. It’s everywhere in scenes the reader can easily visualize the citizens, the places, and the situations with the characters as they develop in the relationship. Each house, that fabulous bookstore, even the baby goat comes alive.

But it’s the dialogue and heartwarming journey to a HEA for Moody, the town’s Christmas Scrooge, and Hudson, its newest arrival and cowboy, that’s the heart and spirit of this wonderful book.

I adore them and their romance. And highly recommend reading their story.

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › Mood…Moody’s Grumpy Holiday: MM Grumpy-Sunshine Romance

Blurb

The geek, the cowboy, and a not-so-grumpy holiday…

Moody

Living in Christmas Town doesn’t make me a fan of the holidays. Quite the opposite. In fact, eleven months of the year, I’m perfectly happy running my bookstore in peace and quiet. Of course, that changes in December when it’s mistletoe madness and mayhem. Ugh.

But this year, there’s a new cowboy in town and it’s not as easy to grumble about…anything. I admit, Hudson is handsome and hunky, but everyone knows I’m not myself till January, so he’ll have to buzz off and charm someone else.

Bah humbug.

Hudson

Moving to California wasn’t in my plans. I could use the change of scenery, though, and Oak Ridge Ranch is a good investment. That’s not a sneaky way of saying I’m hiding from my past—no siree. I’m following a new path to a new town, that’s all.

And so far, so good. Except…my attraction to the nerdy bookstore owner is throwing me off my game.

Look, I’m not interested in anything other than a casual hookup. But Moody is a mystery, and I want to know more about the adorable geek with a sunny disposition who turns into a holiday grump every year.

For some reason, he feels like home away from home. December may be the last month of the year, but something tells me this is our beginning.

Moody’s Grumpy Holiday is an MM grumpy-sunshine, romantic comedy featuring an adorkable geek, a hunky cowboy, and a little seasonal magic.

Publication date: December 12, 2024
Language: English

Review: Winnie Takes Paris (Love and Travels #2) by Lane Hayes

Rating: 5🌈

I just love this and fell deeply under the spell of Winnie Rodriquez as he conquered not only Paris but his wonderful, brilliant professor, Dr. Alistair Creighton.

One of the many things I appreciate about this novel is the absolute joy I can see the author took in writing this. It’s everywhere, in every aspect of the book. The places that Winnie and Alistair travel to and visit while in Paris are all museums, shops, and special spaces that Hayes herself has been and the affection and love shines in her descriptions. Her views of Paris and the surrounding areas mirror Winnie’s in so many ways in the wonderful outlook and appreciation.

I can also see the creativity and passion for this story in the outright hilarity of the conversations, dialogue’s between Winnie and Alistair as they learn about each other, that joyful and deeply rooted in how special each is.

These characters are beautifully real, aware, vividly written, gorgeous characters. I couldn’t look away from the pages and their journey into a relationship and love. And Paris was a stunning background for them to discover that they were perfect for each other and fit together.

I could see both Winnie and Alistair so clearly, their personalities and clothes were as finely detailed as everything else.

My one quibble is I wanted more. One book isn’t nearly enough for this couple who’s spread across multiple countries. I would love to see them together again in books to come.

Highly recommended, along with Raine’s story.

Love and Travels :

Falling for Raine #1

Winnie Takes Paris #2

Buy link

Winnie Takes Paris

Blurb

The fabulous stylist, the absentminded professor, and a Parisian adventure…

Winnie

Someone once said, when life gets you down and you’re feeling blue, brush yourself off and go to Paris!

Okay, maybe that was me.

Hey, I don’t regret taking an oddball assignment to assist a British professor abroad. I could use a break from my life as an aspiring hair and style guru in LA. The only worrisome snag is that the professor is determined to do everything on his own.

Not acceptable. I’m here to help the impossibly smart geek with mismatched socks who just happens to be my best friend’s boss.

No, I don’t know nothing about history, but I’m nothing if not resourceful. What could go wrong?

Alistair

I’ve been called an absent-minded professor more than once. I don’t mind at all. My work is important and living on a diet of biscuits and tea while delving into ancient civilizations doesn’t seem so terrible. But Paris calls. And somehow, I have a new temporary assistant.

Winnie is a technicolor, whirlwind American with a wicked laugh and the subtlety of a steamroller. He’s brash and ridiculous and…funny, warm, lovely, and—

Oh no. This can’t be happening. I swore I’d never fall for anyone again.

Winnie can take Paris, but he can’t take my heart.

Or can he?

Lane Hayes

November 7, 2024

220

pages

Review: Hot Shot (The Elmwood Stories Book 5) by Lane Hayes

Rating: 4.5🌈

Hot Shot is the penultimate book in a series I’m extremely fond of. In The Elmwood Stories, Hayes has let her readers enjoy watching a group of men connected by hockey and friendship find their HEA in a town that feels so remarkably real and vibrant that’s is as much a draw as the storylines.

Hot Shot is Denny Mellon, a man we met as a troubled teenager under his Gran’s care in the earlier books. There, along with MK and the kids/(now best friends) he ended up playing high school hockey with, they grew up, the readers watching their emotional journey.

Now, they’re adults and Denny has fulfilled that promise as a hockey golden boy seen all those years ago. He’s insanely talented and headed for the NHL. But his increased stress over the intensity of the off ice public and insecurities are an issue.

The other MC is a man who is torn between his ill father’s plans for him and the one he has made for himself. Outside of the family business.

Hank Cunningham, has come to Elmwood as the son of the new owner of the Wood Hollow Mill. This is a heavily divisive issue as his father bought it from the family that’s established it and been part of Wood Hollow for its history. The town feels betrayed, the mill isn’t working well for anyone, and Wood Hollow itself is dying. Hank’s mission to turn it around seems impossible because he needs to be accepted himself.

Hayes beautifully captures a man who is both determined to make the mission successful but divided over his own life purposes. When he meets Denny, and both the hockey player and Elmwood work together to charm him into the town and the potential for more, it’s everything.

All the many people who have had their own stories have strong roles to play with getting Denny and Hank their HEA. That always includes that wonderful Gran.

Denny’s journey through his fears to commitment and love is equally realistic and rewarding. I love them both.

Hot Shot (The Elmwood Stories Book 5) by Lane Hayes is a sexy heartwarming read. I’m looking forward to one more book in the Elmwood Stories before another town in this area gets its due. I can’t wait for both.

Highly recommended!

The Elmwood Stories-Small Town/ Hockey Series :

You, Again #1
Next Season #2
Holiday Crush #3
Thin Ice #4
Hot Shot #5

Buy link

Hotshot: MM Small Town/Hockey Romance (The Elmwood Stories Book 5)

Blurb

The rookie superstar, the desperate cowboy, and a naughty proposition…

Denny

The press calls me this year’s hot shot, the rookie who scores at will and conjures plays out of thin air. Truth is…I’m a PR nightmare. Seriously. Ask my agent.

My anxiety is off the charts. I can’t talk to the media without breaking into a cold sweat, but once I get through the season, I can regroup at home. Life is simpler in Vermont.

Well, not anymore. There’s a new cowboy in town. Literally, a cowboy. At least, Hank looks like one—he owns a horse, wears a hat, and did I mention he’s hot?

And get this…he has a proposition for me.

Hank

Proposition is a strong word. I prefer to call this a mutually beneficial arrangement. See, I could use Denny’s help with a family business venture, and though I was planning to offer cash, the jock has a sexier idea.

Not gonna lie, I’m interested.

This could be a fun distraction while I’m stuck in Elmwood. Nice enough place, however, the locals are wary of an outsider taking over the neighboring mill. Long story short…they don’t trust me. But they love their hometown hockey hero.

I get it.

I’ve never met anyone like Denny—skittish in street clothes and a feral beast with cunning instincts on the ice. He’s fascinating, sexy, smart, and—

Whoa! I’m not falling for the hotshot rookie. No way, no how, no chance…

Too late.

Hotshot is an MM bisexual, age-gap, small town romance featuring a hotshot rookie, a sexy cowboy, and a proposition that changes everything.

Publication date: August 12, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 276 pages

Review: Thin Ice: MM Small Town/Hockey Romance (The Elmwood Stories Book 4) by Lane Hayes

Rating: 4.5🌈

Thin Ice sees us back in Elmwood, one of my favorite places located in a fabulous heartwarming contemporary romance series. It’s a place I can’t get enough of.

This time Lane is serving up a delicious romantic treat of age gap, fresh starts, and two great characters of incredible depth and heart. Plus hockey of course!

Bryson is the older man, father to a AHL hockey player headed to the big leagues. Lane has given Bryson surprising depths and a backstory, one I’ll leave to the book. But it makes Bryson well rounded, funny, stressing, uncertain. In other words, immediately connectable. Especially in regard to his role and relationship to his son, Jake.

Smitty is absolutely his partner in every way. Sometimes there’s an inequality in an age gap romance but here Lane gives us two men who find contentment, peace, total freedom to communicate and be themselves. We laugh, quietly watch as they question this new relationship as it develops, and it’s feels real and meaningful.

Elmwood operates as another character in itself. The places, atmosphere, school , people who are now familiar to the readers, and deeply a part of the series and story.

I wish the ending was a bit longer but then I feel that at every Elmwood story, wanting to linger on.

I absolutely recommend Thin Ice and the entire series. Read them in order. There’s another one coming to my delight!

And yes, the hockey is spot on, whether it’s on the pro level or high school. Love it.

The Elmwood Stories-Small Town/ Hockey Series :

✓ You, Again #1

✓ Next Season #2

✓ Holiday Crush #3

✓ Thin Ice #4

◦ Hot Shot #5 – Summer 2024

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Thin Ice: MM Small Town/Hockey Romance (The Elmwood Stories Book 4)

Blurb

The hunky dad, the hockey coach, and a new start…

Bryson

Elmwood isn’t good for my love life. Hey, I’m a positive person and I have nothing but wonderful things to say about small-town living, but I haven’t had a date in years. That’s fine—my son is and always has been my number one focus.

Except now he’s grown and gone. And it’s lonely.

Okay, yes, the new hockey coach is hot and single, but he’s off-limits. Smitty’s trouble with a capital T, and his baggage might outweigh mine. Besides, we said nothing would happen after “that” night. It was a one-time, never to be repeated deal.

At least…that’s what I thought.

Smitty

Am I sad about retiring from pro hockey? Honestly, no. I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t in pain. I need a rest and I could use a distraction from unwelcome memories at home. Stat.

So…Elmwood.

Look, we all know I won’t last a whole season of coaching high school kids, but stepping in till they find a better candidate is a good temporary plan. And Bryson’s here.

There’s something about the hot dad with the sunny smile and bad dad jokes that makes me feel alive again. I’m not in the market for forever—been there, done that. Look, I’ve taken risks for my sport, but I’m not giving my heart away again. I know thin ice when I see it.

Or do I?

Thin Ice is an MM bisexual, age-gap, small-town romance featuring a silver fox dad, the new hockey coach, and a fresh start on solid ground.

• Publication date: May 14, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 270 pages

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