Tag: LGBTGIA hockey romance

Review:  Speed (Railers Legacy Book 1) by RJ Scott and V.L. Locey

Rating: 3.5 🌈

Speed (Railers Legacy Book 1) by RJ Scott and V.L. Locey continues the Harrisburg Railers Hockey Team multi-series universe with a new addition, Railers Legacy.   Once again, we see a character who the readers have become familiar with and love now grown up and preparing to play for the team his family played for. 

It’s Noah Gunnarsson, son of the fabulous characters and NHL players, Eric Lyamin-Gunnarsson and husband, Stan Lyamin-Gunnarsson , still gloriously happy, retired with grown children and a house full of animals. 

Noah, we see him selected at draft time, and then later when it’s time for the rookies to show up and prepare to play.  

I’ll say I wish there was more ice time and locker room dynamic. That makes a hockey team and a realistic romantic story. And these authors write great hockey. But it’s downplayed so Noah’s diabetes can become a stronger element, which it is.  From Noah regulating the insulin and diet to his health regimen as an athlete and the factors that affect his performance as a diabetic.  It makes Noah an extremely effective character and folds his diabetes in as a important factor.

Noah, and family are a great aspect of the story and come with an established fan base, because honestly, Stan? Still my favorite. 

Brody and his multitude of issues don’t get that same energy or feel of being as well explored or resolved here. He’s got a controlling, abusive grandfather, severe medical problems, bi-awakening, fear of loss of control and direction. And his passion for driving and as a ex F1 driver? Not really established except for the beginning part of the book. The rest is verbiage.

For him to be a completely realized person, there should be more foundation to that race car driver essence of him. Instead the focus switches to his sexuality. Brody becomes instantly obsessed with a man he kisses on the “downlow”, Noah. Someone he tracks down, “stalks” until he’s part of an instant love story.A romance that has elements of “bisexual awakening “, “coming out” and immediate almost overnight partnership, tossed into his and their relationship that reads so quickly done that you’ll be blinking and wondering where the foundation is. 

And the controlling, threatening grandfather just disappears completely here. 

The story ends with a number of things unresolved in the story and relationship, and a clear picture of the next couple coming forward. 

I was really happy to see Eric, Stan and some of the other people who I’ve known in my series show up. Noah is just lovely. 

Read it for the connection to Stan and Eric, and the Railers. And this family as they were in the old novels. 

Cover design by Meredith Russell, Edited by Sue Laybourn”

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comSpeed (Railers Legacy Book 1) – Kindle edition by Scott, RJ, Locey, V.L.. Romance …

Blurb 

Hard ice. Fast cars. Fierce love. 

Hockey is as natural as breathing for Noah Gunnarsson. Growing up with two famous hockey stars as his dads, Noah has always aspired to join the Railers to continue the Lyamin-Gunnarsson legacy. With his degree done, it’s time to live that dream; the first step is getting a spot on the team his dads played for. The second step is to pull on that dusky blue-gray sweater and make his fathers proud. His rookie year is bound to be a season of incredible highs and lows, but one of the biggest highlights is meeting Brody Vance at a fundraiser. Brody is the living epitome of a bad boy hiding his pain behind a devil-may-care attitude. As Noah struggles to keep one eye on the puck and not on Brody, it’s only a matter of time before love collides with sport in a chaotic splash of media attention. 

Racing driver Brody Vance has spent his life chasing speed and glory and is only points away from his first world championship when a devastating crash ends his season. Determined to make a triumphant comeback, Brody is blindsided by a diagnosis that forces him off the track for good. With his world flipped upside down, and family and fans questioning why he left, Brody hides his pain by pushing the limits and refusing to let anyone see the cracks. But after a chance meeting with a sweet, sexy hockey player turns into an unforgettable one-night stand, fate keeps putting Noah in his path. With his heart on the line and his body racing against time, 

Brody must decide if he’s willing to risk it all for love—or if he’ll let fear and pride leave him in the dust. Speed is a steamy M/ M romance with a hockey rookie living his family legacy, a bad-boy racing driver with secrets, media attention that would break even the strongest of men, an unforgettable one-night stand, a love that means risking it all, and a hard-won happy ever after.”

Review:  Playing the Man (Watkins Glen Gladiators Book 6) by V. L. Locey

Rating: 4.5🌈

V. L. Locey’s Watkins Glen Gladiators series is such a special warmhearted group of stories and characters.  Locey’s gift of being able to bring a fully immersive universe such as the Watkins Glen Gladiators AHL team to life, then fill it up with characters that a reader will find endlessly fascinating, entertaining (looking at you,Greck),amazingly diverse, and always endearing,that’s what makes it so lovely.

Her stories are humorous, realistic, and filled with people stumbling through life as best they can, a HFN on their way to a HEA.  Filled with cats, and as here, a pack of rescue dogs as real as their owner, and locations we’ve come to know as well.

The slow paced romantic relationship between 38 year old Tanner “Fossie” LaBrie of the Watkins Glen Gladiators and Keyshaun Williams, successful gym owner, is low angst, supported by both their families in a way we get to really enjoy the family dynamics and interactions, and understand the true nature of the men themselves.

There’s no real drama.  Between them that is.  It’s on the ice as the Gladiator’s go for the Cup in exciting scenes and memorable plays.  Without the recuperating Fossie who has to watch from the sidelines. That’s the reality too. 

Locey doesn’t make a mistake here. Not on or off the ice. It’s a relationship that’s still very much in play but going forward in the right direction.  I love this. Realistic expectations and grounded.

Plus we get a very special wedding and vows.  That’s the ice on the Cup!

A highly anticipated story in a lovely series hit the goals and more.

Watkins Glen Gladiators:

  • Between The Pipes #1
  • Defending The House #2
  • Dump and Chase #3
  • Taking The Body #4
  • Reading The Play #5
  • Playing The Man #6 

Buy

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › Playin…Playing the Man (Watkins Glen Gladiators #6)

Blurb

If only getting back into playing shape were as easy as falling in love…

Tanner LaBrie—aka Fossie to his teammates—is feeling every bit of his thirty-eight years. His shoulder aches when it’s cold, his arms need to be longer to see the crossword puzzle app on his phone, and his knees are incredibly unhappy about the abuse they’ve taken. During one of the final games of the regular season, one of his weary joints decides to give way. The need for surgery is not a surprising one for Tanner. He’s been putting it off for years, but escaping the knife is not an option now. Post-surgery rehab is a son-of-a-gun, but if Tanner is anything, it’s stubborn. Just ask any of his ex-boyfriends. So when his therapist suggests finding a local yoga group, he scoffs at first. Unsure of how he would fit in with the gals in leotards, he nonetheless signs up for a class at his local gym where the teacher is not at all the person listed on the signup form. Not that Fossie is complaining when Keyshaun Williams, the enigmatic and sexy gym owner, shows up with a floral exercise mat, some whale song CDs, and a smile that nearly erases how out of place the defenseman feels.

Keyshaun Williams is living the life he has always dreamed of…for the most part. His new business is a huge success, his family is happy and healthy, and his sister—the only somewhat straight triplet—is a few weeks away from giving birth to twins while his brother is about to open a franchise of Williams Wellness in Buffalo. Yep, life is looking pretty darn great for the former Army dietician/Golden Gloves boxer. Great aside from the quiet house he goes home to every night. Being a few years on the other side of thirty has him seeking someone to settle down with, raise a family, maybe adopt some dogs or raise some goats. Heck, maybe dogs and goats. A man could dream, right? And yes, dreamy would describe the towering, mature, stunningly attractive D-man for the local hockey team who has, it seems, signed up for a senior yoga class that Keyshaun is leading as his sister nests and eats far too many chocolate-covered jalapenos. Tanner LaBrie ticks all his boxes as well as a few he didn’t even know he had. Maybe those long looks the hockey player has been shooting his way for months means Tanner is interested in more than achieving the perfect camel pose?

Playing the Man is a low-angst, small-town, queer hockey romance starring a rehabbing hockey player, a personable gym owner, a fitness center filled with snoopy seniors, meddling but well-meaning siblings, rescue dogs, tons of namaste, and one barktastic happy ever after.

  • Publication date: September 21, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 192 pages

Review:  Forbidden Puckboy (Puckboys Book 7) by  Saxon James and Eden Finley 

Rating: 5🌈

Forbidden Puckboy is exactly why I love this series so.  It contains all the elements that makes this series so special and the couple’s journey a story I’m so excited to be a part of.

Saxon James and Eden Finley included everything that I adore about hockey romance and this series in Forbidden Puckboy.  It has all the Collective (the LGBTQIA NHL hockey franchise players group we’ve gotten to know), it’s got great hockey humor and one the ice scenes that shows the authors love and knowledge of the game.   The book has, near and dear to my heart, communication within the characters about their relationship, introspection about their own experiences and behaviors, and well defined character development.  

Love this!

There’s also no immediate happy ending or solution for the characters and couple. They, instead have to work, realistically, to keep the relationship going, given their careers.

Everything about the book, even the quick timeline, makes sense while being sexy, realistic, compelling, and true.

I adored Easton and Knox but older brother Conner too who was such a well written character, with layers that slowly revealed themselves.

Kudos to the authors on an outstanding performance in a long held series.  Great job all around.

I’m looking forward to seeing what the next book brings.

Puckboys:

  • Egotistical Puckboy #1
  • Irresponsible Puckboy #2
  • Shameless Puckboy #3
  • Foolish Puckboy #4
  • Clueless Puckboy #5
  • Bromantic Puckboy #6
  • Forbidden Puckboy #7
  • Possessive Puckboy #8 – March 27,2025

Buy link

        Forbidden Puckboy (Puckboys Book 7)

    

Blurb

Easton

You know what’s the worst feeling in the world? Being in love with someone since you were twelve years old, knowing they only see you as a little brother type.

Not even becoming an NHL star has made him realize I’m all grown up now. 

All of that changes when I ask my brother’s best friend to ref a charity match and we spend an entire week in each other’s pocket.

Being close to him is torture, but for the first time since my adolescent crush started, I begin to feel hope. I swear Knox looks at me the same way I look at him. Or so I think. When I throw myself at him and get utterly rejected, I never want to see him again.

Yet, shaking him is impossible, because he and Connor are always around, and my older brother is suffocatingly protective. Every time I look at Knox, I’m reminded of how he turned me down. 

Can’t I just die of embarrassment in peace?

Knox

The Kiki brothers are legendary in the NHL world. Thick as thieves, unstoppable on the ice, and the kind of family nothing can come between. Or so I thought. 

For the last ten years, I’ve successfully hidden my feelings for the middle Kiki brother. Easton is snarky, determined, and the prettiest guy I’ve met. Ever since we stumbled across each other on a gay dating app and shared our secrets, I’ve felt a connection to him that I haven’t had with anything else. 

But Connor is my best friend and when it comes to his little brothers, “protective” doesn’t cover it. I’m determined to take my feelings for Easton to the grave, but after a week in close proximity to him, my willpower is ready to break.

All it takes is one charity hockey match, a drunken night out, and a forbidden kiss for me to know that Easton Kikishkin is it for me. 

And unless I want to lose Connor, Easton will never be mine. 

  • Publisher: Sadenverse Books (September 19, 2024)
  • Publication date: September 19, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 274 pages

Review:  The Blame Game (Relationship Goals Book 5) by Brigham Vaughn

 

Rating: 4🌈

The Blame Game is the finale story in 

Brigham Vaughn’s wonderful Relationship Goals series.  

Vaughn ends the series with line center Dominic Olson, who came out to two of his teammates in the last story. The Blame Game picks up with those events,  giving the reader insight into exactly how secretive Dom is about his private life, his sexuality and how shut off he’s become from his those around him.

Determined to keep his interactions with others at a superficial level, dramatic moments at the beginning of The Blame Game start to implode this mentality of his.  It begins with his relationship with Sawyer Barnett aka Shea, the man he’s been paying to be his stylist as well as his escort.  

Only Shea has his own secrets, plus a new sports physiotherapist day job. He’s got his own decisions to make.

I admit I found this relationship and story a bit frustrating and long.  As a finale book I’m sure the author wanted to bring in all the other couples (and did), tie up loose arc plot threads, and give this team a rousing send off. Yes to that ending, absolutely. That takes a certain amount of length to execute the plot and characters.

But that long slog to an acknowledged relationship, outside of the fake boyfriend scenario, just wasn’t as satisfying as the other couples that came before. It’s a 2 person POV so we get that it’s a lopsided affair from the start. Shea has always loved him, even when it’s been a transactional relationship. 

Maybe it’s that Dom is just written as spectacularly closed off and damaged but the reasons behind it are so to be revealed and his own actions in the narrative make it hard to connect with him. 

Bright spots will always be Dustin and Charlie from The Husband Game, my favorite of the series.  I love seeing them together and the important roles they play here. Actually it fantastic seeing all of the couples come together to share their experiences to support Dom and Shea through this process of finding a HEA.

For me, all of them were the best and that last game was everything!

This maybe leaving this team but another is set to arrive!  I’m definitely looking forward for this series and that relationship which is set up here. Should be drama on the ice!

Great series, good story. A definite winner.

Buy link

        The Blame Game: An M/M Hockey Romance (Relationship Goals Book 5)

    

Blurb 

Fiery Rescue: Fisher Cats Player Heating Up the Sheets with Handsome Stranger?

Fourth line center, Dominic Olson, was spotted with an unidentified man following a fire at the High Park Towers building in Liberty Village late last night.

The fire was contained to the fifth floor where—according to firefighters from Toronto Fire Station 346—it began in one of the condo’s kitchens. Thankfully, only minor injuries were reported.

After being treated by paramedics, Olson escorted the mystery man to a black SUV and helped him inside. Although they left together, their destination is also unknown.

Traded to Toronto from the Los Angeles Suns, Olson was a major player in the team’s 2013 Stanley Cup win.

However, it’s become obvious in recent years that the aging forward is no longer the superstar he once was.

But what exactly was Olson doing at High Park Towers in the wee hours of the morning with a strange man? “Just friends,” or something more?

Though Olson has been notoriously tight-lipped about his personal life, rarely choosing to attend events with a plus one, we all know the old adage: where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS:

The Blame Game contains scenes with an apartment fire, parental neglect/estrangement, mild internalized homophobia, accidental mixing of medication leading to a health scare, and two short scenes with sexual harassment from a side character.

This romance also includes found family, fake relationship, out for you, and he falls first/he falls harder tropes, along with a positive attitude toward escort work as a career (MCs are only with each other in the book).

  • Publisher: Two Peninsulas Press (August 30, 2024)
  • Publication date: August 30, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 649 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

Buy Link

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

Review: Bromantic Puckboy (Puckboys Book 6) by Eden Finley and Saxon James

Rating:3.25🌈

NHL veteran Cody Bilson, he of the many ex’s and impulsive tendencies, is next on the list for his storyline. Cody has been a character that’s been on the outskirts of the previous books and those characters romances.

Honestly, Cody has never made much of a mark on this series and, in comparison with the other characters, he doesn’t come across as strong or as multifaceted as those earlier characters either.

The other main character, rookie goalie, Miles Olsen, is grounded in family, a deep history with his University fraternity , his hockey team, and the city of Nashville itself.

Next to Miles, Cody is less well defined. Most of what we know about him is “as told to” basis. His past and impulsive marriages? Off page as is his behavior that led to them. So is his interactions with the women or anyone. He comes to the story as the most one dimensional character of the series. So it’s hard to invest in his journey away from a team and teammates we know to a new location based on the fact he’s dodging ex’s and any familiar faces. Yes, he’s running because he can’t say no. Sigh. Here’s a cheaper solution, hire a bodyguard to keep you away from potentially damaging situations. But then there’s no novel.

The dog is a nice touch but Killer is basically handed off to Miles’ parents albeit for the right reasons.

So the remaining storyline is sex, questions about past experiences, more sex, Miles’ quirky habits ( he is a goalie), and some exploration about Miles coming out to his family.

Miles really carries the emotional heft as far as the relationship and teammates dynamics. When it comes to the authors layering in detailed information and relatable content, they lay it out on Miles to carry. We know about his childhood, his family and his fears about the future and commitment.

Anything from Cody feels like an afterthought.

For me, Bromantic Puckboy (Puckboys Book 6) by Eden Finley and Saxon James is a good book but not in the same category as the previous stories. Even the matter in which they come out seems to say it all.

It’s enjoyable as part of the series.

Do look at the Playlist, Bromantic Inspiration, at the beginning, just wonderful.

Puckboys:

✓ Egotistical Puckboy #1

✓ Irresponsible Puckboy #2

✓ Shameless Puckboy #3

✓ Foolish Puckboy #4

✓ Clueless Puckboy #5

✓ Bromantic Puckboy #6

Buy Link :

Bromantic Puckboy (Puckboys Book 6)

Blurb:

Bilson

The idea of moving away from Seattle was a joke at first.

I have too many failed relationships here. Too much baggage.

So when I find myself signing with Nashville and leaving everything behind, I’m hopeful a new start will cure me of my attachment problems.

I fall fast and hard, and I’m quickly realizing it’s not so easy to escape my emotional damage. That follows no matter where I go.

When my new teammate, rookie goalie Miles Olsen, attaches himself to my side, the media are excited to exploit our bromance. Little do they know, he’s doing me a favor by keeping me away from making mistakes with women.

That’s the deal we made at the beginning of the season, but as time goes on, and we’re both going through a dry spell, Miles suggests a different arrangement. One I’ve never contemplated. One I shouldn’t consider.

One I can’t stop thinking about.

Miles

My first day as starting goalie for Tennessee is made mildly more terrifying by coming face to face with NHL veteran Cody Bilson. Hero worship? Me? Never!

He reminds me of my old frat buddies; loyal, kind, easy to trade banter with. But my dude is lost and trying to find himself again–without getting married this time.

I want to help him, and while my suggestion might not be conventional, it sure as hell is effective. The only way to make sure he doesn’t marry a woman again? Blow off steam with a man instead.

We’re both straight, we’re both single, and we’re both down for a good time.

After all, what are teammates for?

• Publisher: Sadenverse Books (April 18, 2024)

• Publication date: April 18, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 274 pages

Review: Reading the Play (Watkins Glen Gladiators Book 5) by V. L. Locey

Rating: 4.5🌈

I’ve loved getting to know the latest of author V. L. Locey’s hockey team , the Watkins Glen Gladiators, and their various journeys into HEA.

Reading the Play actually involves two teams and players from each team, an old misunderstanding, and a white hot chemistry. On the ice, on skates with mad skills.

All of which, Locey does so beautifully.

The characters of competing ice hockey players, Watkins Glen Gladiators goalie Baskoro Huda and Comets goalie Marcus Newley are so good. Fleshed out, with personalities that have depth that makes them feel believable and interesting, these men make it easy to connect with each of their lives and situations.

The enemies to lovers trope and element here is one that is nicely resolved so that the storyline can move forward with the major thread, that of two men from opposing teams who are finding themselves in love with each other .

Each has complications that they bring into play with this dynamic. A daughter, a as yet to be announced sexuality, and much more. How everything is pulled together, and, along with introducing new characters, and giving the readers glimpses inside a troubled mind of another teammate, Locey carefully balances all the narrative needs of her characters and book to come up with another winner!

Baskoro Huda and Marcus Newley prove that goalies are indeed special, never more so than on their own path to love and family. I loved them.

More please.

I’m highly recommending this and the entire series

Watkins Glen Gladiators:

✓ Between The Pipes #1

✓ Defending The House #2

✓ Dump and Chase #3

✓ Taking The Body #4

✓ Reading The Play #5

Buy Link:

Reading the Play (Watkins Glen Gladiators 5)

Blurb:

Will there be kissing and making up or will Baskoro and Marcus be dropping the gloves?

A new season is about to kick off and Baskoro Huda is ready to win it all. As one half of the Watkins Glen Gladiators two-man tandem goalkeeping duo, Basky, as his teammates call him, is on track to deliver a winning season and everything is going his way. His summer training is paying off, his family and friends are warm and supportive, and his new nephew is the cutest thing ever. He’s even had a few casual dates. The only downside to this upcoming amazing season is the fact that he has to face goalie Marcus Newley and the Comets several times. To say there is no love lost between the two men would be an understatement. Granted, Marcus is incredibly handsome and skilled, but those qualities are overshadowed by the man’s ego. The tension between the two goalies has been percolating since senior year of college and one more pithy comment from Basky’s rival might just be all it takes for a reckoning that’s been a long time coming.

Marcus Newley has come a long way in a short time. He’s clawed his way to the top of the Comets roster and is now within reach of his dream: winning that championship cup and securing his chances for a call-up to the pros. The brass ring is within reach, and he is not about to let someone like Baskoro Huda and his team stand in his way. He’s got one very important person counting on him to make those dreams a reality. Unsure of what he ever did to twist the pretty but irritable Gladiators goalie’s shorts into such a tight knot, all he can do is fire back when the verbal barbs are launched from the other end of the ice. The time to focus on hockey is now, and he refuses to let Baskoro take up any more time in his head. It’s an all-out war as far as Marcus is concerned and nothing but complete surrender from Baskoro will satisfy those—and perhaps not so hidden—passions.

Reading the Play is a low angst, enemies-to-lovers, doting uncle and single dad queer hockey romance with two goalies who snipe at each other endlessly, one old misunderstanding, far too many sci-fi/fantasy TV show and movie references, several teammates trying to keep the peace, one goaltending coach who sees what all the others seem to be missing, and a hard won but oh-so gratifying happy ending.

• Publication date: April 18, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 189 pages

Review: Fanboy (Hot Off the Ice Book 8) by A. E. Wasp

Rating: 4.5 🌈

I love the Hot Off the Ice series by A. E. Wasp and the latest novel, Fan Boy, is just a reminder why it’s so fun and well written.

Wasp’s storylines never forgets that these characters as well as the series are grounded firmly in the sport of professional ice hockey. The team dynamics, the sheer physicality of the players and what it takes to maintain their peak performance levels while also being able to have a personal life. That last part is as important to the team and players stability as their physical conditioning.

Over and over, it’s the players who lack a support system outside of the team that fumbles their respective lives, professional and personal. Wasp has been able to explore different personalities, team dynamics and positions, and couples so far. It’s been a fascinating journey for so many different players.

Now it’s Thunder forward Alex Huberdeau, a sweet, immensely gifted hockey player. He’s just been dumped by his longtime fiancée, someone he’s known since his high school days. He’s lonely in the enormous house he bought for them after they were married, and drifting in the aftermath of this rejection.

In typical, wonderful Wasp fashion, Alex has been crafted as a character we not only can care about immediately but as he reveals more of the depth of his personality and inner voice, we fall even more deeply in love with him.

The same goes for Sunny Gonzales, a nonbinary fashion designer who’s working for their friend’s Phoebe’s cafe as a barista. Sunny is a character who is beautifully fluid, vibrantly articulate who transforms their appearance through their incredible fashion designs. Sunny’s relationship with Alex is one that incorporates humor, wonder, surprise, and growth, especially as they help Alex adjust to a new sense of awareness about his own sexuality.

It’s beautiful romance and such a great storyline. It’s got personal exploration, splendid communication between not just the two main characters but their friends who are just as much a part of them and their relationship.

There’s also laugh out loud scenes, courtesy of Alex’s best friend and fellow teammate, Devin and another couple from a previous story. Just hilarious.

We actually get two couples here. Plus plus!

Would I have been happy for an additional chapter or two? Why, yes. I wasn’t ready for this to be over. But I was satisfied with the outcome and the ending.

Fanboy (Hot Off the Ice Book 8) by A. E. Wasp is a fantastic story and source of reading happiness. A definite recommendation.

Hot Off the Ice:

✓ City Boy #1

✓ Country Boy #2

✓ Skater Boy #3

✓ Boy Toys #4

✓ Boy Next Door #5

✓ Boys of Summer #6

✓ Bad Boys #7

✓ Fanboy #8

Buy link

Fanboy (Hot Off the Ice Book 8)

Blurb:

Fashion, fake dates, and real stakes. Sometimes the only way to win is to break all the rules.

After being dumped by his fiance, Thunder forward Alex Huberdeau finds himself questioning the game of love entirely. Clueless about dating, disinterested in flings, and unable to have a normal conversation with women, Alex is convinced something’s broken inside him.

Enter Sunny Gonzales—a nonbinary, proudly polyamorous, fashion designer desperately searching for a big break. While their creativity blooms, love seems a luxury that’s eluded them, shaded by their fears of a world quick to shun people who color outside the lines.

When Alex learns that Sunny needs a partner for a game show that could be the answer to their prayers, he leaps at the chance to help. In return, Sunny will teach him all they know about love and romance.

With only three weeks to learn all they can about each other, Sunny and Alex embark on a crash course that blurs the lines between friendship and romance. As feelings grow and the game show’s climax looms, Alex and Sunny must decide if they’re playing to win or playing for keeps.

Fanboy is a story about breaking binaries and subverting expectations. It contains questionable coffee drinks, zoot suits, a talking car, and unauthorized use of a hot tub.

• Publication date: April 15, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 200 pages

Review: The Waiting Game: An M/M Hockey Romance (Relationship Goals Book 3) by Brigham Vaughn

Rating: 4🌈

“Fisher Cats’ Hale and Brewer Engaged: College Sweethearts or Fake Relationship?”

Faked engagement, best friends to lovers , bi-sexual awakening, hurt/comfort m/m hockey contemporary romance time! That’s a lot of tropes for a novel, and it’s not even close to covering the best elements that Vaughn includes in The Waiting Game.

This is the third in Brigham Vaughn’s Relationship Goals series, and I really enjoyed the two previous stories.

The Waiting Game has some great elements woven into its characters and narrative as well as some things I found a bit problematic.

Let’s dive into the positive aspects of this story first.

Korean Canadian history and culture that’s been used for the background and creation of Jonah Brewer , a Canadian Korean hockey player with a strong sense of community and a heartwarming grandmother who’s a great central figure in the novel. From the Korean food his grandmother, Jonah and Felix fix, to the house and gardens that mean home, the Korean culture is well established within the storyline.

Next is the story thread of Felix’s drunk driving, his temporary suspension from the team, and his ongoing treatment for alcoholism. Vaughn’s created in Felix a man still very much in the beginning stages of his recovery. This is Felix dealing with his sobriety and his alcoholism by going to his AA meetings, making those calls to his sponsor, Ismael, when he needs help, and generally within Felix’s storyline, making his journey as realistic as possible. His stress, fears, and doubts are all understandable.

Jonah too has some huge emotional baggage. His parents died in a plane crash when he was young and his life was uprooted from one culture to another. Loss upon loss. That deep seated fear of losing loved ones comes through, especially with his relationship with his remarkable Grandma Ji-min. The author’s making use of the three of them as the heart of this book is a great decision because as a family unit they are the best aspect of the story.

Now to the next part, the issues. It’s the romance that I feel wasn’t working as well. At least for about 20% of the book. From the 45 percent to about 65 percentage or over, where there’s almost no communication between them about what is happening between them, the book would have lost me except for Grandma Ji-min.

It was a great framework and friendship up to that point. Then fake engagement which was strange the way it was handled. Then more avoidance about talking. Then finally exploring new bisexuality and going forward at around 70 or so percent. When the romance felt grounded and believable.

There was, naturally, a several dramatic elements towards the end, and then moments to pull everything back together. That was terrific , and some of it was very moving.

But for me, that large passage of non communication almost derailed it. Which was a shame because, as I said, there’s so much that’s absolutely wonderful here.

The Waiting Game is a good book in the series, although not my favorite. I’m recommending it and it’s great to see diverse representations in hockey .

Great cover.

Relationship Goals:

✓ The Husband Game #1

✓ The Head Game #2

✓ The Waiting Game #3

◦ The Home Game #4 – June 2024

Buy link

The Waiting Game: An M/M Hockey Romance (Relationship Goals Book 3)

Blurb:

Fisher Cats’ Hale and Brewer Engaged: College Sweethearts or Fake Relationship?

On the eve of their first playoff game this post-season, the Toronto Fisher Cats organization sent out a press release announcing the engagement of their top D-pair.

The release insinuates the childhood friends may have been involved as far back as college and makes it clear the front office supports the relationship. “We are confident that such a longstanding relationship will be nothing but beneficial to Felix in his recovery.”

Reactions are mixed.

An anonymous inside source stated, “Legit? No way. This whole thing’s a PR stunt to soften the public’s perception of Hale.”

One fan commented, “Hale & Brewer have always been so adorable together! It’s great they finally feel comfortable being out about their relationship!”

While many fans are similarly supportive, others speculate that the announcement is tied to the Cats’ shaky play of late. “We all know they’re not gonna make it past the first round,” one fan stated. “It’s just an attempt to distract from how weak the team is.”

Adding fuel to the controversy, Hale shared an image of the players naked in bed together and captioned, “Pre-game nap with Jonah before we take on the Montreal Lynx. Go, Cats!”

PR stunt or happily engaged couple? Only time will tell.

TRIGGER WARNING: Frank discussion of alcoholism, past death of parents, and emotionally neglectful parents.