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wisecraic's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
iam's review
4.0
Lovely sports romance featuring a childhood-best-friends-and-crushes-reunite-and-fall-in-love-(again) storyline between two men who followed their dreams.
Content warnings include: tricky career choices and uncomfortable working environment, unprotected sex on-page (after discussion about it); mentions of animal rehabilitation due to accidental injuries, homophobic parents kicking out gay teen.
This was sweet and wholesome, with low drama and overall very feel good vibes.
Daniel was great in the previous books, the Venom's levelheaded captain, and I loved Micah too - especially his absolute cluelessness when it comes to sports.
The romance was straightforward, but not too fast, with Micah and Daniel reconnecting naturally and only through a dose of luck.
Tension is created mostly through issues with Daniel's job; he is a pro hockey player, who after being on the top team in the previous season switches to play on the team dead last in the league and moving to his childhood hometown. That's how he meets Micah, his childhood best friend and first crush, again.
Micah has his dream job too, as a manager at a marine animal rehabilitation aquarium where he oversees the animal treatment plans and gives tours. All scenes at his job were adorable.
Equally adorable were Daniel's kids. I loved that he had a great relationship with his ex-wife, who is also his close friend. He even referred to her as "one of his soulmates" once, which I loved - not just the idea that a soulmate doesn't need to be romantic or sexual, but also that you can have more than one.
There is a bit of insecurity and anxiousness over the relationship from Micah's side, but no miscommunication occurrs, and it's all talked out calmly.
I loved seeing Daniel's close friends, who are also the protagonists of the previous books in the series, [b:Off the Ice|35482402|Off the Ice (Hat Trick, #1)|Avon Gale|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1499813642l/35482402._SY75_.jpg|56878676] and [b:Goalie Interference|43263028|Goalie Interference (Hat Trick, #2)|Avon Gale|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1545235506l/43263028._SY75_.jpg|67141849]. I would also have liked to see more of Micah's friends, who are new characters but seemed great.
My absolute highlight of the books were the Rumbles however, a hockey team consisting of 5 and 6-year-olds that Daniel volunteers to coach. They were THE CUTEST.
If you want a low stakes romance that is sweet and engaging, with sports and animals and cute kids on the side, then you'll absolutely love Trade Deadline!
I received an ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Content warnings include: tricky career choices and uncomfortable working environment, unprotected sex on-page (after discussion about it); mentions of animal rehabilitation due to accidental injuries, homophobic parents kicking out gay teen.
This was sweet and wholesome, with low drama and overall very feel good vibes.
Daniel was great in the previous books, the Venom's levelheaded captain, and I loved Micah too - especially his absolute cluelessness when it comes to sports.
The romance was straightforward, but not too fast, with Micah and Daniel reconnecting naturally and only through a dose of luck.
Tension is created mostly through issues with Daniel's job; he is a pro hockey player, who after being on the top team in the previous season switches to play on the team dead last in the league and moving to his childhood hometown. That's how he meets Micah, his childhood best friend and first crush, again.
Micah has his dream job too, as a manager at a marine animal rehabilitation aquarium where he oversees the animal treatment plans and gives tours. All scenes at his job were adorable.
Equally adorable were Daniel's kids. I loved that he had a great relationship with his ex-wife, who is also his close friend. He even referred to her as "one of his soulmates" once, which I loved - not just the idea that a soulmate doesn't need to be romantic or sexual, but also that you can have more than one.
There is a bit of insecurity and anxiousness over the relationship from Micah's side, but no miscommunication occurrs, and it's all talked out calmly.
I loved seeing Daniel's close friends, who are also the protagonists of the previous books in the series, [b:Off the Ice|35482402|Off the Ice (Hat Trick, #1)|Avon Gale|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1499813642l/35482402._SY75_.jpg|56878676] and [b:Goalie Interference|43263028|Goalie Interference (Hat Trick, #2)|Avon Gale|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1545235506l/43263028._SY75_.jpg|67141849]. I would also have liked to see more of Micah's friends, who are new characters but seemed great.
My absolute highlight of the books were the Rumbles however, a hockey team consisting of 5 and 6-year-olds that Daniel volunteers to coach. They were THE CUTEST.
If you want a low stakes romance that is sweet and engaging, with sports and animals and cute kids on the side, then you'll absolutely love Trade Deadline!
I received an ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
cotes's review
3.0
Low-key. I loved the last one in the series so much that this one was a bit of a disappointment. Nothing was wrong with it, per se, and Daniel and Micah are both pleasant, but the book didn’t hook me in at all, especially after the delight of Goalie Interference.
jacqueleenthereadingqueen's review
4.0
This is a m/m hockey romance so I was going in expecting all the angst and issues that go along with a possible closeted NHL player with an ego to go with his salary. I was wrong on both fronts. Daniel was bi and he by no means spent time hanging in the closet. He was also the sweetest and most thoughtful hockey player I've ever read. I adored his easy going personality and how he doted on his kids. Another thing in the win column for this one was how they portrayed his ex wife. Even though their marriage didn't work out Daniel and Tabby remained friends and co parents. She was extremely likable and friendly. It was a breath of fresh air from how ex's are usually portrayed as total wenches, especially if they happen to be women.
Micah on the other hand was a bit insecure for my tastes. He was constantly worried that Daniel was going to get traded off to some far away team that he was missing out on enjoying the here and now. Relationships aren't always easy, they take work. Daniel never gave any indication he wasn't willing to put that work in or that he would want to discontinue their relationship if it ended up they needed to do long distance for part of the year. If you love someone you don't let them go that easily.
Other than Micah's worries, there was basically zero drama between Micah and Daniel. Their reconnecting friendship organically moved into romantic territory. It never seemed rushed to me. Neither was the steam aspect. The major drama happening in the book was coming from Daniel's new hockey team, the Thunders. Team moves are tough, never mind the fact that the team has been hanging in last place for quite some time now. Morale isn't good. Daniel is hoping to change that and not everyone is as excited about his move as he is.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Micah's job at the aquarium and his adorable dolphin friend Silver. She's an injured dolphin who would never be able to survive outside the aquarium. The dolphin even has his own Instagram for selfies! How cute!! Though he and Micah are bonded, it made me happy that he does explain that Silver is not a pet. He is a wild animal living in his aquarium habitat for health reasons.
The book ends with a definite HEA. I was happy with how everything turned out. I think Daniel ended up exactly where he needed to be to have a happy, fulfilling life. It also didn't hurt that he knew he had Micah for the long haul no matter what happened.
** This book was provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review **
Micah on the other hand was a bit insecure for my tastes. He was constantly worried that Daniel was going to get traded off to some far away team that he was missing out on enjoying the here and now. Relationships aren't always easy, they take work. Daniel never gave any indication he wasn't willing to put that work in or that he would want to discontinue their relationship if it ended up they needed to do long distance for part of the year. If you love someone you don't let them go that easily.
Other than Micah's worries, there was basically zero drama between Micah and Daniel. Their reconnecting friendship organically moved into romantic territory. It never seemed rushed to me. Neither was the steam aspect. The major drama happening in the book was coming from Daniel's new hockey team, the Thunders. Team moves are tough, never mind the fact that the team has been hanging in last place for quite some time now. Morale isn't good. Daniel is hoping to change that and not everyone is as excited about his move as he is.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Micah's job at the aquarium and his adorable dolphin friend Silver. She's an injured dolphin who would never be able to survive outside the aquarium. The dolphin even has his own Instagram for selfies! How cute!! Though he and Micah are bonded, it made me happy that he does explain that Silver is not a pet. He is a wild animal living in his aquarium habitat for health reasons.
The book ends with a definite HEA. I was happy with how everything turned out. I think Daniel ended up exactly where he needed to be to have a happy, fulfilling life. It also didn't hurt that he knew he had Micah for the long haul no matter what happened.
** This book was provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review **
dwolfe347's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
mattsimms's review against another edition
ok being honest right here: I thought this was the 3rd book in the Scoring Chances series, but nope! Lol.
Anyway all the characters were too perfect and boring. As a child of divorce, Daniel and Tabby having a perfect divorce where nothing was awkward was just grating to read to me. Daniel would have been a much more interesting character if he had that divorced dad dilf energy!
Micah was bland and annoying, and he works as a marine biologist, a field of work similar to my own. Avon Gale got some things right about his job.... But oh so much wrong with it as well. There is not a marine biologist on the planet that doesn't mention cnidarians at least once! Or seaweeds! Or something, anything, that isn't a dolphin!
Anyway, dropping this book because it's not even what I meant to read and it's not very good.
Anyway all the characters were too perfect and boring. As a child of divorce, Daniel and Tabby having a perfect divorce where nothing was awkward was just grating to read to me. Daniel would have been a much more interesting character if he had that divorced dad dilf energy!
Micah was bland and annoying, and he works as a marine biologist, a field of work similar to my own. Avon Gale got some things right about his job.... But oh so much wrong with it as well. There is not a marine biologist on the planet that doesn't mention cnidarians at least once! Or seaweeds! Or something, anything, that isn't a dolphin!
Anyway, dropping this book because it's not even what I meant to read and it's not very good.
readingwithhippos's review against another edition
4.0
I knew this was the book for me when I saw some negative reviews saying there wasn’t enough conflict. I love nothing more than a low angst feel good romance between two nice people, and that’s exactly what this is. Micah and Daniel were childhood friends who reconnect when Daniel moves back to play for his hometown professional hockey team. Micah has a cool job too--he’s a marine biologist--and I liked how balanced the story was with details about each of their careers. Two good people falling in love, what more could you want?
lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
4.0
*I received a free copy of Trade Deadline. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review which is honest and unbiased.*
4.5 stars
Trade Deadline is a very tender story, in which Daniel has a lot on his mind. Especially when he learns that the Venom isn't renewing his contract. Even going back to his home town Miami doesn't work out the way he thought he would. Apart from the fact that he reconnects with his childhood friend - and first crush - Micah.
I loved how Daniel took everybody's feelings and wants into consideration, from his ex-wife and his children to Micah, and even his parents. He was a solid character who went through something of an extistential crisis, but he had the tools and the support he needed to get through it.
4.5 stars
Trade Deadline is a very tender story, in which Daniel has a lot on his mind. Especially when he learns that the Venom isn't renewing his contract. Even going back to his home town Miami doesn't work out the way he thought he would. Apart from the fact that he reconnects with his childhood friend - and first crush - Micah.
I loved how Daniel took everybody's feelings and wants into consideration, from his ex-wife and his children to Micah, and even his parents. He was a solid character who went through something of an extistential crisis, but he had the tools and the support he needed to get through it.
tetiana's review
4.0
Who has two thumbs and still doesn’t know shit about hockey (but keeps reading hockey romances anyway)? THIS GAL!
Anyway, it matters not if you don’t know what they do on ice (skate really well, maybe??), because this lovely, low-angst romance between two sensible people will absolutely give you all the feels. Seriously, such an incredibly satisfying read, and the epilogue is positively adorable.
SN: Tabby is honestly my fave, I love her so much. Props to Gale and Vaughn for making an ex so wildly likable.
Tremendously fun series, and I’m so happy there’s gonna be a fourth one.
Anyway, it matters not if you don’t know what they do on ice (skate really well, maybe??), because this lovely, low-angst romance between two sensible people will absolutely give you all the feels. Seriously, such an incredibly satisfying read, and the epilogue is positively adorable.
SN: Tabby is honestly my fave, I love her so much. Props to Gale and Vaughn for making an ex so wildly likable.
Tremendously fun series, and I’m so happy there’s gonna be a fourth one.
amris's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Abandonment