Holding: Tripping Book 3, Ariel Bishop

Mikey and Tolly are roommates, d-partners, and besties.  From their first moment on ice they had flow and chemistry, but when Mikey is injured it throws them both for a loop.  Recovery is never quick and with Tolly always around to help it opens up feelings in both men they each thought they'd properly buried.  With tenderness and passion it's clear they have chemistry off the ice as well as on.  But when trade rumors start floating around there might be nothing either of them can do to stay together.

I've always got a soft spot for a "mother hen" personality from a tough guy.  When the marshmallow center starts oozing out I'm a goner.  This is definitely true in the case of Tolly.  He's got such a big heart and it shows in everything he does.  His care and concern are allowed to deepen to something wonderful when he and Mikey move to a more intimate arrangement with their friendship.  From there it's pretty much game over.  There's nothing that will stop his feelings or hopes for more.

Mikey, on the other hand, is more of a goof as well as a sullen, stubborn child when faced with interminable couch time.  It's understandable for sure, but his attitude lasts for most of the story and kind of grates on me after a while.  I do love his humor though, and it helps to loosen Tolly up considerably when he's in his more serious moments.

There's pretty much no angst in the story at all.  But I will say that it felt a bit juvenile.  It could have been their ages, but mostly it just came across as kind of a sexy YA story the way their thoughts and concerns were written.  Same for the interactions with the other players.

With "coming out" completely taken off the table with off-the-cuff remarks by both of them, the story was allowed to focus on the relationship moving from friends to lovers to more as well as the career aspect of Mikey's recovery.  Except it didn't really focus heavily on either of them.  Well, I guess that's not completely true.  Both of those things were the focus, but it felt mushed together and a bit scattered so neither aspect felt like it had a complete evolution.  Something in the beginning/middle was missing to make them stand out as something to draw and keep attention.  There was more focus given to the avoidance of trade talk and not enough depth regarding choices and consequences.

The flow of the story was actually quite nice.  I liked the parallel "flashbacks" that gave greater foundation, understanding, importance, and meaning to the more current events.  It gave the story a feeling of resolution despite being a shorter story.  Overall the characters were likable, their chemistry was great, and the sweetness of their interactions made it an enjoyable read.

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