avsfan08's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
larissa_s's review
4.0
This is the best yet in this series. It’s a bit heavier, more angsty than the first two, but it’s so well done and still ultimately sweet and heartwarming. I loved Trent and Dieter’s opposites attract story and they worked great as a couple. There are so many layers to these two and their relationship. The story really hooked me with its intriguing mix of realism and originality. This HEA didn’t come easy but it is so well-deserved for these two men. This series just keeps getting better and better for me and I’m definitely looking forward to the next book.
chambersaurusrx's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Drug abuse
hazelrayson's review
5.0
A great story of overcoming the odds.
The idea of threading openly gay men in sports has always been hidden. I never understood why. You know what else isn't talked about? Addiction. To painkillers, for injuries that men in professional sports often play through. This story tells the tale of both of these and brings them together in a well written story that is both believable and real. Great book, can't wait to read the next one.
The idea of threading openly gay men in sports has always been hidden. I never understood why. You know what else isn't talked about? Addiction. To painkillers, for injuries that men in professional sports often play through. This story tells the tale of both of these and brings them together in a well written story that is both believable and real. Great book, can't wait to read the next one.
shanameydala's review
2.0
I had a cross country flight that gave me time to start and finish the 2nd book in this series. I enjoyed it so much that I immediately picked up the 3rd. This was an okay read, the least favorite in the series so far, but I still thought it was ok. It was only okay, because I felt the book was too short to deal with the obstacle that one of the character overcomes too quickly. I believe it required more time to flesh out. Scott and Locey once again wrote a couple that has good chemistry and I'm looking forward to the 4th in the series.
wendylynnm's review
3.0
I adored Dieter, he was by far my favorite thing about this book. While I have liked the series this book didn't do anything for me, while it was a good book, I didn't care for Trent. To me, he read as too needy, and so judgemental. Dieter though, I thought was a great character, even though he was going through so much he still stood up and admitted he had a problem.
I love having the other players showing up and letting us still hear from them. I look forward to book four, I can't wait to read more about Stan.
I love having the other players showing up and letting us still hear from them. I look forward to book four, I can't wait to read more about Stan.
anintrovertrambles's review
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
_isabel_'s review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
This was the perfect mix of gut-wrenching, romantic and utterly hilarious. It was my least favourite of the series, for now, but I still loved Trent and his over-the-top, endearingly flamboyant personality and Dieter, with his demons and his quiet courage, so damn much. The Harrisburg Railers team have me all in a chokehold: the found family vibes are TOP NOTCH, and I cannot wait to finally read Stan's story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction
kaje_harper's review
4.0
This third book about a Railers player gives us Dieter, who was brought up from the AHL to the NHL before the start of the previous playoffs. He's got a shot at a spot on the team next year, which is his lifelong dream. But a past indiscretion, and an addiction to painkillers, could bring it all crashing down.
In an attempt to keep busy and not think about his problems, he signs on to do a summer reality TV show where some of the team will learn skating skills from a flamboyant figure skater. With Ten and Jared out of the closet, the team effort is also intended to lend support to a skating program for LGBTQ kids. Dieter is bi, and has no problem with that goal, but he doesn't want focused attention. He has too much he needs to hide. Then he meets figure skater Trent, and suddenly he has a new obsession with slim strength and eyeliner, lip gloss and snark. That attraction may make hiding difficult.
Trent was aimed at his third Olympic medal before his stepfather gambled through all his endorsement money. Broke and trying to keep afloat both his rink and junior skating program, and his mother's house and his own rent, Trent is in no headspace to compete. When his agent lines up the reality show deal, he's not thrilled at working with the kind of team-sports gorillas who made his teens so rough. But the good money could save a lot of other people from hardship, so he signs on.
Trent wasn't expecting to actually like the apes in hockey sweaters, but they're turning out to be a good bunch. And he's intrigued by Dieter, with his intent gaze and the hints of darkness in his eyes. A little hot sex with a big muscly guy might be just what Trent needs to chase away the blues. He doesn't plan to let it get beyond that point, but Dieter's open admiration, paired with the glimpses of pain, are a heady mix and Trent finds himself pulled in more than he ever meant to be.
Trent is supported by his Lola, whose Pilipino cooking and warm hugs and love for the Flyers (not the Railers) add fun to the story. His mom is a woman caught between her love of the her very fallible husband in prison, and her pain over what he did to her son. Both women support Trent's flamboyant outness, though, and Dieter's family knows that he's bi and has had boyfriends, so, refreshingly, familiar rejection doesn't come into the mix except where the already-loathed stepfather is concerned.
There is plenty else here that could be angsty, including addiction, injury, and closeted athletes. But the determined flair of Trent's POV and the matter-of-factness of Dieter's kept it from being deeply emotional. I was sorry to see the coming out issue almost totally diffused into "Ten and Jared are already out" and to not see much of that ongoing in this story. I think, as the Michael Sam story among others showed us, the first out hockey player(s) are going to face more fan reaction and subtle discrimination than we see with this series. But I enjoyed this romance of opposites, and the progression of several realistic issues, which are not just solved by the magic touch of love. Another good entry in this ongoing series, and the hint of the next book to come has me intrigued to see more of Stan, already a crowd favorite.
In an attempt to keep busy and not think about his problems, he signs on to do a summer reality TV show where some of the team will learn skating skills from a flamboyant figure skater. With Ten and Jared out of the closet, the team effort is also intended to lend support to a skating program for LGBTQ kids. Dieter is bi, and has no problem with that goal, but he doesn't want focused attention. He has too much he needs to hide. Then he meets figure skater Trent, and suddenly he has a new obsession with slim strength and eyeliner, lip gloss and snark. That attraction may make hiding difficult.
Trent was aimed at his third Olympic medal before his stepfather gambled through all his endorsement money. Broke and trying to keep afloat both his rink and junior skating program, and his mother's house and his own rent, Trent is in no headspace to compete. When his agent lines up the reality show deal, he's not thrilled at working with the kind of team-sports gorillas who made his teens so rough. But the good money could save a lot of other people from hardship, so he signs on.
Trent wasn't expecting to actually like the apes in hockey sweaters, but they're turning out to be a good bunch. And he's intrigued by Dieter, with his intent gaze and the hints of darkness in his eyes. A little hot sex with a big muscly guy might be just what Trent needs to chase away the blues. He doesn't plan to let it get beyond that point, but Dieter's open admiration, paired with the glimpses of pain, are a heady mix and Trent finds himself pulled in more than he ever meant to be.
Trent is supported by his Lola, whose Pilipino cooking and warm hugs and love for the Flyers (not the Railers) add fun to the story. His mom is a woman caught between her love of the her very fallible husband in prison, and her pain over what he did to her son. Both women support Trent's flamboyant outness, though, and Dieter's family knows that he's bi and has had boyfriends, so, refreshingly, familiar rejection doesn't come into the mix except where the already-loathed stepfather is concerned.
There is plenty else here that could be angsty, including addiction, injury, and closeted athletes. But the determined flair of Trent's POV and the matter-of-factness of Dieter's kept it from being deeply emotional. I was sorry to see the coming out issue almost totally diffused into "Ten and Jared are already out" and to not see much of that ongoing in this story. I think, as the Michael Sam story among others showed us, the first out hockey player(s) are going to face more fan reaction and subtle discrimination than we see with this series. But I enjoyed this romance of opposites, and the progression of several realistic issues, which are not just solved by the magic touch of love. Another good entry in this ongoing series, and the hint of the next book to come has me intrigued to see more of Stan, already a crowd favorite.