Clueless: Squad Goals Book 1, Willow Thomas

Lexi is the favorite of the duo in this one for me.  With his pining it was natural for him to brush off many flirty attempts by Ryder in the beginning and I can't say I was a fan of the way it came off as Ryder playing with him before they actually said all the words.  But I think it was Lexi's way of being present, being able to see Ryder, and his whole way of being there for his friends, family, their struggles, joys, and confrontations.  His whole being drew me in.  Even when he was being a little dumb about Ryder.

I wish Ryder were truly his match.  When he was on and good, he was good, but there were a bunch of moments that he both nearly and really did stuff it up that I couldn't love him.  I liked him, sure, because he did have times where his utter joy in everything that is Lexi brought him closer to the best version of himself.  What I didn't like was how he was so absolutely clueless about everything that he hurt Lexi, seemingly toyed with him, and then continued to almost punish him because he couldn't really open his eyes and get his head out of where the sun doesn't shine.

The resolution was a bit rushed, but with a shorter, low-angst story I don't think I can fault that too much, it just needed to hold more weight than it did.  It definitely felt like a young college kid book with some of its sophmoric humor, but again, with the setting being in college, it's not a true fault, it just made the book seem a little sillier than it could be.  None of those things are truly negative things, just observations.  Lexi was the star and his group of amazing friends are absolutely the draw to the series that I will most assuredly return to.

*$4.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!

Show Me How to Heal: Juniper Creek Book 2, Ray Celar

From the very beginning I felt for Luke.  He was so broken, just floating on the brittle mantra of "I'll be okay, I'll be okay", and needing someone to wake him up to not only his path to healing, but to just acceptance of himself, his situation, his desires.  Finding that in Zayne was perfect and even though there was a sizable secret between them their connection was everything I was hoping for in this series.

I truly love this setting, the characters are captivating, problematic, and make me yearn for them, the town and surroundings are things I can imagine and want to visit, and the relationship pairings are well crafted with personal evolution and a believable outcome.

My only frustration is the immediate shutdown of Luke by Zayne.  Yes, secrets are hurtful and when they're revealed in a surprising way from the wrong source it can exacerbate that hurt, but to immediately run to "everything there ever was was a lie" is a personal pet peeve that drives me insane.  I get it.  I do.  I just don't like it, like, at all.  You end up increasing the hurt for yourself and for the other person and it makes the apologies fall flat when they finally come.

Maybe it's a trust issue thing that I have, that when something happens later on and you end up counting on your partner to blow up and run away or kick you out because of a situation blown out of proportion.  I'm not saying that Luke's issues with the lie of omission wasn't big, no, that's not it at all.  I just don't think Zayne's actions were completely justified, especially his first thought of everything being a lie because he was extremely intuitive to Luke's real feelings even when the details were vague.  The hurt, pain, yearning, loss...it was all there and Zayne specifically mentioned it in those moments.  The surprise about the career truth should have clicked rather than exploded in his brain.  At least that's what I hoped would have happened.  It's not though, and I'll have to live with that.  It's the reason for a 4 star rating instead of a 5.

So overall I truly enjoyed this book and would read it again.  I'm absolutely coming back for more from this series and can't wait for all my favorite men to have their own HEAs.  My one pet peeve thing likely didn't bother a lot of other readers so take my review with a grain of salt and dive in because Luke and Zayne have some amazing moments that make their whole relationship worth realizing.

Masters of Romance, Emma Alcott

Side Character

https://amzn.to/3to2Oc2

Quick and dirty, that's what I was expecting and that's what we got.  What I didn't expect was the subtle cuteness or the awkwardness or the two-way pining that happened.  Sawyer's friends were hilarious and I had no idea they'd even play a role, but the role they played actually made this short story much better.  I have to admit, the synopsis really turned me off, but since I like this author I was willing to give it a shot and I'm actually glad I did.  The set up for what's to come was the tiniest thread so I'm not sure what we'll get with Bad Boy, but if there are moments of cute like here in Side Character, I'm all in.  There was a lot of depth missing as well as an actual promise of transition from crush to real, but if you only focus on the funny side characters and the awkward cuteness that was endearing, then I think you'll probably like this prequel just fine.  3 stars.

Bad Boy

https://amzn.to/3xS3Lww

A tattooed reclusive ex-con and an imaginative, skittish, young man...on paper neither of them belong together, unless that paper is in a romance novel, then all bets are off and they're a match made in literary heaven.  I liked Colton and Russ together when the moments were good and not awkward and I mostly enjoyed Russ' POV.  Aside from that, the story was hit or miss for me and I'll be back because the group of authors are more intriguing than this particular coupling ended up being.

I think what bothered me the most was Colton's reactions and thoughts.  There were so many moments that I rolled my eyes and either skimmed through or longed to skim through his portion of the story.  Juvenile can be appropriate and amusing and endearing, but in Colton's case it was inconsistent and made me uncomfortable.  Especially the jumping in the sack thing right away...way too soon and on the heels of some disturbing thoughts racing through Colton's brain.

It's Russ that saved it for me and while I wasn't a fan of everything he did, thought, or said, he was the character that I gravitated to from the very beginning.  I like a bit of redemption with my romance and while I believe Russ had nothing to prove to anyone, he needed to show for himself exactly the type of man he was; a good man deserving of the young man that captured his attention and his heart, not to mention other bits of his anatomy.

There was some contrived drama that pushed the story forward but was honestly overkill and inappropriate, so I feel that could have been beta-read out of there, but I can't say I didn't understand why the author went in that direction.  It was kind of an easy road forward conflict-wise and seemed ready-made for overreactions and prejudice to overcome.  I wish it had been less predictable and more organic though.  Other than that, I enjoyed reading this story and am definitely coming back because my curiosity has been piqued with the group of authors that deserve their own HEAs.  3.5 stars.

Advance & Retreat: The Midwest Series Book 4, Brigham Vaughn

Ian finds maturity and what it really means to love.
Sometimes dreams change, sometimes they grow.

Finding someone to love you, all of you, is tough enough when you don't have another persona, another facet of yourself that's just as valid as the one that performs your day job.  Ricky and Rosie are sides of one person and Ricky is about to give up on finding his person.  Ian isn't sure if what turns him on is something he can publicly acknowledge because a history of love and loss has left him painted into a corner, one where the invisible chains are strangling him but he can't see how to break them.  Both men need something more, someone to celebrate every part of what makes them unique and special.

I think this was my favorite story in the series.  While Touch & Go gave me the redemption story that makes me believe, Advance & Retreat gives me the story of acceptance that gives me peace.  Ian is mature in some ways, but tragically young in others.  He's not had an easy life with so many losses and emotional obligations that bind him to people who don't always see the man he should become.  His loyalty is based on a child's need for family and stability and that loyalty almost costs him the one person that supports his soul.  He definitely makes a quite a few big mistakes and while I'm not a fan of the begging, I am a huge fan of his willingness and determination to fix his mistakes even if it doesn't get him what he hopes for.

Ricky is really great when he explains his feelings, his perspective, and his own part in the huge blow up of their relationship.  I thought he was a subtle, soothing presence throughout the whole story even when he was hurting because of Ian's naivety and hurtful reactions.  He was interesting on his own, as was Ian, but it was them together that really sold the story for me.

The cameos from Micah were my favorite of the past characters involved in Advance & Retreat because they came from someone who knew exactly what it was like to truly hurt the person they loved the most.  His story added depth to his advice to Ian and while it's not necessary to have read Touch & Go, I was glad that I did.  The entire cast of The Midwest Series showed up here and there and added a well-rounded feel to the support and breadth of experience in their little family.  A few other side characters drew enough interest to make me hope for a spin-off series because after finishing this story I'm still not ready to let them all go.  I've become attached.

*$5.99 on Amazon

Olympic-size dreams come at a price.

Openly gay college swimmer Ian Harrington feels like he's fighting against a current of tragedy. He's grieving the loss of his parents and best friend, and now he's dealing with a toxic coach and judgmental brother. But he won't let that stop him from chasing his dream: Olympic gold. 

Ricky Chavez has just about everything he wants in life: a great career, a supportive family, and a side gig as drag queen Rosie Riveting. The only thing he's missing is a partner to share it all with. 

When the two men connect after Rosie’s performance, they're immediately drawn to one another. But it's never that simple. Ricky isn't the type of man to hide, and with Ian's coach breathing down his neck, he can't openly love a drag queen without making waves. 

They'll have to brave deep waters to make it to the finish line.

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Touch & Go: The Midwest Series Book 3, Brigham Vaughn

Redemption and self-acceptance net Micah the future and love he needs.

Micah is probably everyone's least favorite character.  Yes, he's a total ... yeah, pretty much any vehemently negative descriptor would be accurate here, but even though I had some seriously unkind thoughts about him in the first two books there was something deeper going on with him than self-hatred and cruel words and actions and I knew he'd get his chance to tell his story.  Brigham Vaughn is no stranger to writing internal angst and her brand of it can be poignant and honest.  I appreciated the way we saw Micah's internal struggle and the softness that gave me hope he'd pull himself out of his own misery.

And misery there was aplenty.  He sank himself so deep into his own bog of awfulness that he could see no way out or around to true freedom.  His growing and deepening feelings for Justin felt futile and yet so right.  Micah isn't an easy character to love because the surface of heartlessness and callousness is so thick that most won't even try to look past it.  I was glad for Justin's patience and willingness to try for him.

But everyone has their limit and I supported Justin's decision even though I hated his timing.  When Micah's emotional breakthrough came it was met with Justin's heartfelt yet heartbreaking limit.  Left on his own it was finally up to Micah to see exactly what he needed to do to fight for his light.  No final decision was easy, but I really enjoyed all he did to create the future he wanted by seeking redemption, forgiveness, and honesty.

Each story so far in the series has characters that grabbed me for different reasons, but I think that Micah is my new current favorite because of his evolution.  I believed in him, believed in his changes, and I adored his actions with Ian in the lead-in for Advance & Retreat.  I cannot wait to see his cameos in the next story.

*$4.99 on Amazon

It was supposed to be a secret fling.

Micah Warner spent his whole life dreaming of pitching in the big leagues. Signing with a minor-league team near Chicago puts him one step closer to making that a reality. But there are no out players in pro ball, so any involvement with a man must be discreet.

Physical therapist Justin Lamb loves his job with the Cougars. A romantic at heart, he wants to find lasting love—with a man or woman—but traveling with the team makes it difficult to maintain a long-term relationship.

Micah offers Justin a no-strings-attached way to blow off some steam, and Justin reluctantly agrees. It doesn’t take long before they’re both in over their heads but falling in love will risk everything.

With their careers and relationship hanging in the balance, they have one last play to make.

It’s time to take a swing for real and lasting love.

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Play of His Life, Amy Aislin

Even though I usually struggle with second-chance stories, this one was so full of sweetness, forgiveness, and love that never faded that it was a bit easier to give in to these men and their story. Christian and Riley belong together.

Christian was the man that I was drawn to from start to finish.  His heart was so very obvious in everything he did and it was difficult when I read the moments he recounted that broke his heart, they broke mine too.  Riley was a great man as well, but for him to take so long to realize that his obliviousness and then cowardice broke Christian's heart again and again, it took me longer to warm up to him.  His confessions and admissions about not realizing that his choices meant he couldn't have both of his loves were earnest and real.  In his youth and ambition he truly didn't see that his actions were paving a future that kept him from Christian.

When it came time for the grand gesture I can't say it came from the person I felt it should have, especially because a certain someone hadn't really overcome their history of short-sightedness, but it all worked out in the end.  And the surprise at the end was incredibly sweet.  I loved their passion, their reconciliation, and their love.

*$2.99 on Amazon

The last person Christian wants to run into on a visit home to spend time with his mom over the holidays is his former best friend-turned-lover-turned-ex. But there Riley is, in all his tall, chiseled, blondness. The same guy who walked out on him six years ago, breaking his heart in the process. Who knew he’s still in love with the jerk?

Two years ago, Riley was injured out of the NHL, but he’s got his own bakery now and a quiet life selling quiches and cupcakes to his customers. Then Christian unexpectedly walks back into his life, forcing Riley to question his choices. Especially that one choice he made six years ago that walked him out of Christian’s life. Now if only he had the courage to tell a boy how he really feels about him…

Surrender: Wrecked Book 2, Kelly Fox

Jake and Jean-Pierre have a memorable meet-cute only to find that there's a whole lot that could keep them from grasping every happiness together.  When Jake's past and their individual mental and emotional health combine it could spell disaster for their budding relationship, but with determination, patience, a fantastic community, and a bit of bedroom spice, they just might find the key to everything they've ever hoped for.

This dealt with a few heavy topics and quite a bit of attention was focused on it.  I definitely thought it was important to be thorough in discussing exactly what was going on mentally for Jake so we could understand just what stood between him and the world he could have with Jean-Pierre.  That intention meant well, but the execution became long and drawn out and quite repetitive after a while.  It dominated the entire story and rather than letting Jake become who he was supposed to be, there was a whole lot of telling and no evolution until nearly the end of the story.

There was a bit of a subplot dealing with Jake's past and how he became the way he was and it was a big surprise confrontation at the end that wrapped that up.  The villain was a surprise, but the whole scene was kind of a jumble that didn't work for me.  A lot of build-up within the scene for both Jake and the situation itself and the actual action felt disjointed and unsatisfying for all the anticipation.

In terms of the more intimate encounters, there wasn't a whole lot of that and what we got was a very loose application of their shared interests that wasn't given enough attention to feel right and grounded.  This could likely have been solved by more objective streamlining.  Having their needs mentioned in the synopsis and then to have so little attention given to it in the story itself was a bit of a miss for me.  I think it just needed a better overall balance.  A better balance between PTSD, romantic progress, and character evolution was definitely needed.

The positives were the overall attitude of Jean-Pierre.  His insistence that Jake is his heart's home was so incredibly sweet and I loved his determination to give Jake everything he needed.  And combining that with his honesty about his own struggles gave him a genuineness that was a bright spot in the story.  The other huge bonus of this story was the community of Wrecked.  I'm crazy about all these men and the safe environment they've created for everyone.

I liked the story as a whole, it just needs a bit more work to be great in my opinion.  There are quite a few characters that I'm incredibly interested in and will likely be back for more, and I may even jump back to Sanctuary to dive in from the beginning.  As a series I find this quite enjoyable, as an individual story, it likely isn't the best representation of either the author's work or the overall series' intentions.

*$3.99 on Amazon

Dark cloud, meet seven-foot wall of sunshine.

We’ve been friends for almost a year, we both volunteer at my brother-in-law’s gym for combat vets, and the chemistry between us is undeniable. So, getting together should be a no brainer, right?

Yeah, not so much.

Pairing up the joyful refugee NBA hero with me—the grumpy wanna-be artist who cracks jokes about being waterboarded—has got to be the mother of all bad ideas.

An even worse idea? Let’s add a splash of kink to the mix.

We’re all going to need a little therapy after this.

Final Score: Off the Pitch Book 3, Charlie Novak

This story was so much awesome.  I'm sad to see the series end, but it's one that I'd actually go back and re-read from the beginning.  Each one is so wonderfully connected to the rest and yet separate enough to know that each pairing has their own story independent of the sport and team they share.  The lives of the men are just as interesting as their romance and this addition to the series is no different.

Jordan is the feel-good friend that is comfortable with his role, his job, and his decision to keep a certain aspect of his life private.  It's not in shame, which I totally appreciate, it's for a deeper reason that resonates and is believable.  The way he comes out is absolutely in character for him and I really enjoyed the moment.  While it shifted the spotlight and could have been interpreted as a bit selfish and more than a little ill-thought spontaneity, it worked for all the characters involved because of who they all are, their comfort levels, and Jordan knowing both what's in his heart and what his friends needed in that moment.  There's something wonderfully insightful about him that endears him to me even more.  I genuinely liked him.

Felix was a little more difficult to fall in love with right away because the chip on his shoulder made him seem a bit more defensive and a little to callous with his playboy attitude.  That quickly went away after we see him become fascinated by Jordan.  There were no other partners once they came to an understanding, even if exclusivity wasn't discussed.  It was a bit of an insecurity and concern on an individual basis regarding their thoughts of commitment from one another, but it wasn't actually something to worry about.  Having both POV's was super helpful in alleviating any concerns I had as a reader about this.

Their conflict was more of the heart and reconciling not only their feelings for one another, but their feelings regarding the sport that is so much a part of their lives.  Watching Felix come to terms with his own past was really wonderful and his openness with Jordan was exactly what both men needed.  Jordan's situation was unexpected and yet a fantastic way to connect both men and see how connected both of their hearts had become.

I think what I loved most about this story was the fact that the angst was kept at a minimum, the conflict was believable, and both men were captivating on their own before they came together for some seriously steamy awesomeness and balanced it all with tender feels.  The only reason it wasn't 5 stars was because I generally hand those out for all the reasons listed above but including humor...better still if that humor makes me laugh out loud in real life and necessitates putting my reader down so I can have that laugh.

*$4.99 on Amazon

Can one perfect night lead to more?

Jordan Green is too busy for a relationship. With the World Cup looming, his focus is on making the England team, not finding someone to spend his life with. His friends may be settling down, but Jordan’s had enough of planning weddings. All he wants is some fun, and Félix is the perfect person for that… even if he is his boss’s brother.

Félix Trossero is not looking for love. Or a relationship. Or anything beyond tomorrow morning. He’s rich, he’s handsome and he’s incredibly happy with his playboy lifestyle. He doesn’t want anything else. That is, until he runs into one of his former flings at his brother’s football club.

Neither of them want commitment, but neither of them can resist their connection. While Félix is forced to deal with his past, Jordan must face his worst fears. Will they put their hearts on the line for one final score?

Out on the Ice: Out in College Book 5, Lane Hayes

The college boys are back,

and this time it's a whole lot of heat

for two boys who thought they hated one another.

Release Date: March 19, 2020

Heat Level: 4 - Lots of Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 63k

Genre: Romance, New Adult, Bisexual, Enemies to lovers, 

College romance, Athletes, Hockey, Baseball, Humor

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Colby Fischer is a bad boy with attitude and a chip on his shoulder. As a senior at a Southern California college, he knows this may be his last shot. He doubts he’ll ever become the hockey legend he dreamed of being as a kid, but he definitely doesn’t want to be an accountant.

Things get interesting when he’s asked to train the new intern at his step-dad’s firm, who happens to be the troublemaker from his econ class. And the one guy Colby can’t stand.

Baseball is Sky Jameson’s life. He’s happy to be back at Chilton for his senior year, but he’s burned a few bridges and has a bit too much free time off-season. He could use the money and something to keep him busy until his season begins. But his accidental crush on his prickly coworker could be a problem.

Colby is straight and Sky is in the closet. Their timing isn’t great, but the intense attraction is hard to deny. With his final season on the hockey team in the balance, Colby may have to decide if he’s ready to come out on the ice.

Excerpt

“What position do you play?” Sky asked, pealing the label off his water bottle.

“Right wing. Forward. Think of soccer where the front line moves the ball down the field. We do the same with the puck.”

“I know how it works. I’ve watched a lot of hockey.”

“Have you ever played?” I asked.

“No. Baseball was always number one for me. Besides, hockey is kind of…rough. There’s always a fight. And the game moves so fast, it’s hard to see the puck sometimes.”

“Not if you pay attention.” I raised my beer bottle in a mock toast and grinned. “And I like it rough.”

Sky pursed his lips and stared at me…or maybe he was staring at my throat. I couldn’t tell. “Me too. But not on the field. It distracts from the game.”

“In hockey, it’s part of the game. If you can’t defend yourself, your teammates, and the ice, you have no right to be out there. Might as well take up ice dancing or something,” I snarked, only half kidding. “And no offense, but ice dancing is a hell of a lot more entertaining than baseball. Trust me, I know. I played Little League for a couple of years. I used to beg the coach not to put me in the outfield. Geez, you could take a fuckin’ nap out there some days, you know?” Sky laughed. “Fuck you. You obviously don’t know what you’re talking about. Baseball is a game of strategy.”

“Strategy my ass,” I huffed, smiling to take the sting from my words…even though I kinda meant it. “It’s one of those weird sports where everyone gets pumped when nothing happens.

‘Oh, it’s a no-hitter. That’s amazing!’ Sure…but nothing fuckin’ happened! No one hit the ball, no one rounded the bases, no one slid to home plate. No one had to even wash their damn uniforms! And you know why?”

“Why?”

“’Cause nothin’ fuckin’ happened,” I replied, taking a long sip of my beer as I let the sweet sound of Sky’s laughter wash over me.

God, he had a great laugh. It made me like him a little more. And yeah, as much as I didn’t want to admit it, I liked Sky. He was smart, talented, easy on the eyes, and he had a sense of humor.

“That just proves baseball players are smarter than hockey players,” he taunted. “Said no one anywhere ever.” I held my hands up in surrender when he flipped me off. “Hey, I’m kidding. I like baseball fine. I told you I follow the Tigers. I still have the jersey my dad bought me when I was ten. Dude, I’d wear it if I still fit in it. What’s your position?”

“Shortstop. I’ve played almost every position at one time or another but I like it the best. You gotta be quick, have a strong arm, and good instincts. I also have a long wingspan. That helps.”

“Makes sense. I don’t know about wingspan, but you gotta be quick in lightning fast hockey too with quick reflexes. Big ol’ quads help.” I smacked my thighs and chuckled. “Mine are kinda huge.”

Sky gave me a lopsided smile. “I noticed. It’s hot.”

“You think muscular legs are hot?”

“I do. Believe it or not, it wasn’t your sweet personality that made me look twice. It was your thighs.”

I snickered. “That’s weird.”

“Maybe, but it’s true. You always wore shorts to summer school. I used to come in a little late so I’d get a good look at you before I sat down. I purposely didn’t sit next to you because I knew I’d get caught staring. And the one day I did, you were the one who got caught.”

“Are you telling me that all this started because of my thighs?” I asked, narrowing my gaze suspiciously.

Sky nodded. “Basically…yes.”

We held eye contact for a moment then busted up.

And when our laughter faded, the mood changed all over again. I felt that same crackle of heat and sexual energy I always did when I was around him, but this time I knew what it was. And though I might have been unsure, I wasn’t afraid.

I leaned forward on my barstool and motioned for Sky to close the distance. He brushed his nose against mine. I held my breath and waited for him to make a move. Any move at all. When he blinked, I licked the corner of his mouth then pressed my lips to his and closed my eyes.

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About Lane...

Lane Hayes is grateful to finally be doing what she loves best. Writing full-time! It’s no secret Lane loves a good romance novel. An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. These days she prefers the leading roles to both be men. Lane discovered the M/M genre a few years ago and was instantly hooked. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions, and were First Place winners in the 2016 and 2017 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a newly empty nest.

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Austin: Single Dads Club Book 4, Candice Blake

Where the previous book felt like there was disconcerting pressure to get a straight boy into the sack, this one features pressure with an age and power imbalance.  I wish this could be called a vast improvement on the previous story, but I was so very disappointed.  I could have liked Brayden if not for Austin being who he was in the story.  It has nothing to do with the father's-best-friend trope, or even the age gap, it has everything to do with Austin's lack of respect, boundaries, and good sense.

Brayden is a promising young athlete that's being a typical young college freshman.  While I can turn a blind eye to underage drinking on a college campus, I'm far less forgiving of Austin encouraging it as a father figure, teacher, coach, and supposedly responsible adult.  Brayden's lack of time management, his quick temper, his enthusiasm, his budding talent -- all of it spoke to a young man on the cusp of learning what it's like to truly adult for the first time and I think he should have been given the chance to do that.

Austin is supposed to be Clayton's best friend, but the lack of respect, the judgment, the confrontations, none of it spoke to friend-like behavior.  Yes, we see the truth of our friends, but to gossip, judge, and berate them behind their backs to anyone, let alone their children, is dispicable.  Getting to know Brayden's hangups is fine, but featuring Clayton's parental foibles in such a negative light was bad form and demeaning.

The sexual situations made me mildly uncomfortable because of Austin's insistence on their roles, his dishonesty, and his utter disrespect for boundaries in Clayton's home.  All of it culminated in a rather unsavory feeling that coated each of their more passionate moments.  What could have been a really beautiful relationship felt tainted by the behaviors, attitudes, and sordid manner in which Austin comported himself.

There were some really sweet moments in the story that made this better than Clayton's story, so lest you think I detested everything, I didn't.  Brayden standing up for himself with both his father and Austin were great moments of independent thought and passionate feelings.  Clayton's love for his son was there as well and his care for his son was evident in his desire to connect with him and how much he missed him.  Westley was soft, sweet, and a good partner in this story.  There were things to like here, but my enjoyment was eclipsed by many disappointments.

*$4.99 on Amazon

Austin: Hockey is life.

As a forty-five-year-old divorced single dad, being the varsity hockey coach is the only thing that still brings me joy. When I’m on the ice, I feel so alive and for those precious moments, I can forget about all my shortcomings.

Because of my dedication to my players, we are the league’s reigning champions.

When my best friend's son, Brayden, tries out, I don't know if there's room for his ego and cockiness on my all-star line-up. But Brayden ignites something inside me that I haven't felt since my divorce.

The attraction doesn’t—and shouldn’t—make any sense. I'd previously been married to a woman and Brayden is half my age.

I'm supposed to push my players' boundaries to their absolute limit, but this boundary I'm pushing with Brayden is definitely out-of-bounds.

It’s only a matter of time until Brayden's dad finds out…

Brayden: Austin's my coach…and my dad’s best friend.

There's something about Austin's boldness as a coach that makes me feel some kind of way.

After many 6:00 a.m. practices with Austin, our coach-player relationship grows into something much more.

This attraction to my coach is sudden. It feels like I'm getting body-checked hard out of nowhere.

There's no doubt we shouldn't be together at all. But even though I want to stop, it feels like we’re colliding on the rink at sixty miles an hour.

If anyone finds out, my dream of playing in the varsity league will be over faster than it began…

Sugar Land Saints, Baylin Crow

With a slow build to their sexy conclusion, Torin and Rush have a great connection and friendship. We don't get enough of that on the page, sadly, and even their romantic evolution is sudden because of all the denial, withholding, and pretending. Their first attempt at more than a friendship was aborted by "good" intentions and unclear motives for Torin's change and further put on hold by some family drama from Rush. I'm not sure why that information was so huge and necessary for prolonging the relationship angst. It seemed like making a huge deal out of something that was never discussed again until the very end when things kind of changed for the better. Torin and Rush were believable together, but I wish it had more depth. I thought they were sweet together once they were all in and they did have chemistry, though not as sexy as others of Baylin's stories, but overall it worked. I'll definitely read more from the series because the other characters were quite compelling, even from the sidelines.  3.5 stars.

Bishop and Shaw appeared to be the "odd couple" of the team with Shaw's bright friendliness and Bishop's dark brooding.  Together they found a balance, but not until they went through their own trials both from within themselves and those that should have supported them.

I enjoyed Shaw and Bishop's chemistry quite a lot.  If this is the first book you've read from the series you'd miss out on some of their interactions that gave a bit of a basis for the way their relationship really took off in this story.  There was very little foundation building in this story, but we know right away what the relationship is and that the status quo is quickly becoming not enough for either of the young men.  With a dual POV we get to see both of them attempting to navigate the complications of their changing feelings and fears of both perceptions and disappointed hopes.  It wasn't too angsty, but the angst was predictable with the interference of secrets, coercion, and prejudice.

I did think the reconciliation and conclusion made up for the upsets that were experienced.  And with an epilogue that gave us the open and loving moments between Bishop and Shaw we've been craving, it felt like a complete story, so long as you saw how they were as friends in Quarterback Sneak before things changed for them.  We were also given a little insight into the trouble we're going to find with Nash and Rendon.  I'm seeing a good lead-in to the next book in the series and I'm suitably intrigued.  3.5 stars.

This addition to the series was longer than the previous two because there wasn't a long-running history that was implied enough to give context and depth to the relationship.  I enjoyed that the story began with their first meeting, which we saw peripherally in Quarterback Sneak, and then caught another glimpse of impending drama at the end of Broken Play.  From there we got their whole story, sordid and steamy details and drama and angst and immaturity and all.  Both Nash and Rendon were intriguing in their own ways and while Nash was my favorite, Rendon was not without his charms.

Their relationship progressed as expected, with a lot of denials, jealousy, setbacks, and second-guessing, but the thing that remained the stable driving force was Nash's heart.  He was committed to having Rendon and then to keeping him.  It didn't go easily and no amount of cocky charm could influence the fallout of his past, but he opened up and it was his complete honesty and laying bare his heart that made everything right.  There are additional characters in this story that caught my attention without stealing the show, mostly, so I'd be super happy if the series continues with them.  Until then, I'm glad the stories are improving and deepening both with the characters themselves and their own journey to finding their best partner.  4 stars.