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nrich's review
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Very predictable, but in the expected way that I really enjoyed the story.
The dynamics between Shane and Troy were great. I loved their spicy scenes. And I loved their shared moments. I enjoyed the side characters in this. I enjoyed the banter.
It's a simple story yet really good in my eyes.
The dynamics between Shane and Troy were great. I loved their spicy scenes. And I loved their shared moments. I enjoyed the side characters in this. I enjoyed the banter.
It's a simple story yet really good in my eyes.
rainjrop's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
Not as engrossing, dramatic, or high-stakes as some of the other installments in this series. I liked how straightforward the characters were about their feelings -that's refreshing in a genre that thrives on miscommunication, internalized homophobia/denial of gayness or feelings, and/or pining. I don't hate pining as much, but miscommunication is an overused plot device that needs to die. Or at least be used sparingly and with precision.
Troy Callahan's gruff, no-nonsense character was fun to read. I also appreciated that the characters were older, being 36 and 40-something. This really helped out the basic premise of a coach-player relationship. If it would've been an older coach with an 18-year-old rookie, this book would have been a hard pass. Anyway, I get tired of reading about teenagers and the associated drama that comes with. It's nice to read about characters who are established in their identities instead of suffering through another coming-of-age story...now that I think about it, this is why it's so damn hard to find satisfying romance novels. They need to be gay, older guys but without a ton of sex, jealousy, or miscommunication. Slim pickings.
I also really, really appreciate the respect for women! I've mentioned in a previous review that I'm tired of gay romance novels where all the guys shit on women constantly. The specific effort that went into respecting women is something that really stands out in a novel and something I look for, particularly in a novel that revolves around sports. Putting down and disrespecting women is NOT NECESSARY to prove masculinity and I will never get tired of seeing an author say that.
Not as engrossing, dramatic, or high-stakes as some of the other installments in this series. I liked how straightforward the characters were about their feelings -that's refreshing in a genre that thrives on miscommunication, internalized homophobia/denial of gayness or feelings, and/or pining. I don't hate pining as much, but miscommunication is an overused plot device that needs to die. Or at least be used sparingly and with precision.
Troy Callahan's gruff, no-nonsense character was fun to read. I also appreciated that the characters were older, being 36 and 40-something. This really helped out the basic premise of a coach-player relationship. If it would've been an older coach with an 18-year-old rookie, this book would have been a hard pass. Anyway, I get tired of reading about teenagers and the associated drama that comes with. It's nice to read about characters who are established in their identities instead of suffering through another coming-of-age story...now that I think about it, this is why it's so damn hard to find satisfying romance novels. They need to be gay, older guys but without a ton of sex, jealousy, or miscommunication. Slim pickings.
I also really, really appreciate the respect for women! I've mentioned in a previous review that I'm tired of gay romance novels where all the guys shit on women constantly. The specific effort that went into respecting women is something that really stands out in a novel and something I look for, particularly in a novel that revolves around sports. Putting down and disrespecting women is NOT NECESSARY to prove masculinity and I will never get tired of seeing an author say that.
eesh25's review against another edition
4.0
I put this book off for a long time. Maybe because I knew that afterward, I'd be all caught up with the series. And that's not something I wanted to rush into. Also, I wasn't familiar with either of the protagonists, which made waiting easier. The wait is over though,
If you've read the rest of the series, or at least books 3 and 4, then you're likely familiar with the Asheville Ravens. They're an ECHL team. And they're the most hated team in the league. For good reason, too, since the players always behaved like assholes. But it wasn't really their fault. They simply had the misfortune of having the worst coach in history, who, thankfully, was recently exposed for his tactics. He was replaced with Troy Callahan.
Troy is gay, and he was once blackmailed into giving up his career as an NHL player by the Ravens' ex-coach. Now he's determined to fix what that guy broke. He's a temperamental guy and, in true coach fashion, fond of ranting at players for their screw-ups. Not everyone can be blessed with Misha's stare-of-doom, after all. Troy says what's on his mind and doesn't hold back. So when the team gets a new player on the roster that Troy doesn't think is a good addition, he's not subtle about his displeasure.
Shane North is often said to be the player who never quite lived up to his potential. And when his AHL contract doesn't get renewed, he signs on with the Ravens for a year so he can end his professional hockey career on his own terms. Shane, like Troy, isn't known to be a "chill" guy.
What that means for the book is lots of bickering. Like, so much of it. Whether they're getting along with each other or not, Troy and Shane are all about the snark. And it's so much fun to read. This is not the kind of relationship we usually get to see. Yes, other books have snark and sarcasm, but the protagonists always, at some point, turn mushy. It's because it's hard to sell a relationship otherwise. But Avon Gale definitely sold it, and without any mushy-ness. Not that I have anything against that. This was just refreshing.
Troy and Shane are a blast to read about, I loved seeing the Ravens slowly come together as a team, and I loved how the protagonists dealt with the conflicts that arose toward the end. I could have done without the sex-montage toward the middle of the book, but that's more a personal preference than anything.
This is a well-written and entertaining book; it's a great addition to the series. Not my favourite, but that's because Scoring Chances has so many great books. I don't know for sure if the author is planning to release more books in this series, but I really hope she is. I need Xavier to have a happy ending. He's fucking adorable, and after all that he's been through, he deserves it. Finally, a shoutout to Issac Drake for being awesome.
If you've read the rest of the series, or at least books 3 and 4, then you're likely familiar with the Asheville Ravens. They're an ECHL team. And they're the most hated team in the league. For good reason, too, since the players always behaved like assholes. But it wasn't really their fault. They simply had the misfortune of having the worst coach in history, who, thankfully, was recently exposed for his tactics. He was replaced with Troy Callahan.
Troy is gay, and he was once blackmailed into giving up his career as an NHL player by the Ravens' ex-coach. Now he's determined to fix what that guy broke. He's a temperamental guy and, in true coach fashion, fond of ranting at players for their screw-ups. Not everyone can be blessed with Misha's stare-of-doom, after all. Troy says what's on his mind and doesn't hold back. So when the team gets a new player on the roster that Troy doesn't think is a good addition, he's not subtle about his displeasure.
Shane North is often said to be the player who never quite lived up to his potential. And when his AHL contract doesn't get renewed, he signs on with the Ravens for a year so he can end his professional hockey career on his own terms. Shane, like Troy, isn't known to be a "chill" guy.
What that means for the book is lots of bickering. Like, so much of it. Whether they're getting along with each other or not, Troy and Shane are all about the snark. And it's so much fun to read. This is not the kind of relationship we usually get to see. Yes, other books have snark and sarcasm, but the protagonists always, at some point, turn mushy. It's because it's hard to sell a relationship otherwise. But Avon Gale definitely sold it, and without any mushy-ness. Not that I have anything against that. This was just refreshing.
Troy and Shane are a blast to read about, I loved seeing the Ravens slowly come together as a team, and I loved how the protagonists dealt with the conflicts that arose toward the end. I could have done without the sex-montage toward the middle of the book, but that's more a personal preference than anything.
This is a well-written and entertaining book; it's a great addition to the series. Not my favourite, but that's because Scoring Chances has so many great books. I don't know for sure if the author is planning to release more books in this series, but I really hope she is. I need Xavier to have a happy ending. He's fucking adorable, and after all that he's been through, he deserves it. Finally, a shoutout to Issac Drake for being awesome.
afindley14's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
teenykins's review against another edition
5.0
2nd re-listen. Upping my initial rating from 4.5 stars to full 5.
Full stars for Scott and his narration, which unlike the first time I listened to this, I didn't have issues differentiating between voices and characters.
This is everything I wanted Power Play to have been. Emotions, chemistry, character development, relationship and of course the sex scenes.
Troy and Shane were hot, funny, open, played no mind games, went after what they wanted, amazing all in all.
I really hope Avon will continue the series. I miss her writing.
-------------
4.5 stars
Seriously while listening to the audiobook I was wondering what kind of mood I was in when reading it and I only gave it 4 stars, although it might as well have been Scott R. Smith's incredible narration that made me enjoyed it more than reading it.
Still though I would have liked to give it 5 stars full and not round up but there were times especially on the last 1/3 of the book that I couldn't differentiate Smith's voice for Troy and Shane and I had to wait for the name of either character to be mentioned to understand who was talking. Thus half a star was deducted.
Full stars for Scott and his narration, which unlike the first time I listened to this, I didn't have issues differentiating between voices and characters.
This is everything I wanted Power Play to have been. Emotions, chemistry, character development, relationship and of course the sex scenes.
Troy and Shane were hot, funny, open, played no mind games, went after what they wanted, amazing all in all.
I really hope Avon will continue the series. I miss her writing.
-------------
4.5 stars
Seriously while listening to the audiobook I was wondering what kind of mood I was in when reading it and I only gave it 4 stars, although it might as well have been Scott R. Smith's incredible narration that made me enjoyed it more than reading it.
Still though I would have liked to give it 5 stars full and not round up but there were times especially on the last 1/3 of the book that I couldn't differentiate Smith's voice for Troy and Shane and I had to wait for the name of either character to be mentioned to understand who was talking. Thus half a star was deducted.
gillianw's review
4.0
Reviewed for Just Love
4 stars
One of the things I really enjoy about Avon Gale’s Scoring Chances series is that each book kind of has it’s own vibe. Yes, the overall theme is about hockey and the players and coaches that make the game so much fun, but each book has it’s own intensity, whether it be deeply emotional, angsty or lighthearted. For me, this means that it never gets stale because I never know where Avon is going to take the story. So, if I was to describe the general vibe of Coach’s Challenge it would be…bantery fun.
Coach’s Challenge doesn’t quite pack the same emotional punch of Empty Net, and that’s perfectly okay with me. As good as it was, the last book kind of wrung me out, but this one – with it’s UST and sexy banter – will fluff you up, tuck you in and make you giddy with joy.
Troy Callahan is new coach of the Asheville Ravens. Determined to erase the horrendous legacy left by the previous coach, Troy needs to light a spark under his team to help them build up their confidence and gain back the respect that has been all but lost by being the most hated team in league. That spark comes in the form of sexy veteran player, Shane North.
Despite getting off on the wrong skate, the two men discover they are attracted to one another. Troy, however, is trying hard to keep that information on the down low as getting involved with a player, no matter how attractive he may be, is a very bad idea indeed.
The air practically sparked between them. Shane wanted to do nothing more than to light a metaphorical match and let it burn. He had the same flush on his face as Callahan. He could tell.
“Why? We’re adults. Flirting in the locker room isn’t fucking, Callahan.”
“For fuck’s sake, call me Troy.” Troy leaned in and effectively trapped Shane against the bar. Shane sucked in a breath at the sudden closeness, but didn’t move a muscle. “I didn’t think you liked me very much, Shane.”
It was such an un-Callahan thing to say, it was almost cute. “I don’t really need to like you to want you to fuck me, do I?”
Troy’s pale eyes flashed. “Goddammit.”
While the physical relationship is off the hook from the start, their emotional relationship takes a little bit longer to develop. And although flowery language isn’t in either man’s repertoire, they still manage to let the other know how they feel without too many of those pesky ‘feelings’ getting in the way:
“I’m not fucking around with anyone else, and I don’t want you to either.”
“Yeah, well, I wasn’t planning on it.” Troy tipped his head back and stared up at the ceiling. “I can’t believe this happened.”
Shane wasn’t really sure he bought that at all. “Really? You can’t believe two contrary people who thought they were just gonna have sex every now and then decided to have feelings?”
“When you put it that way, maybe it’s not such a surprise.”
Honestly, I was just delighted by Troy and Shane. Even when things threatened to go off the rails, they didn’t resort to secrets and lies, or sacrifice their relationship in some ill-guided effort to protect the other person. They worked through it together. This is one of the benefits of older protagonists – they usually know better than to hide the important stuff. Communication saves the day!
I’m sure if you’re already a fan of the series, you will enjoy this lighthearted but thoroughly enjoyable book. And if you’ve been putting off starting this series because you’re not a hockey fan (blasphemy!), read it anyway. It’s fantastic.
I received an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review.
4 stars
One of the things I really enjoy about Avon Gale’s Scoring Chances series is that each book kind of has it’s own vibe. Yes, the overall theme is about hockey and the players and coaches that make the game so much fun, but each book has it’s own intensity, whether it be deeply emotional, angsty or lighthearted. For me, this means that it never gets stale because I never know where Avon is going to take the story. So, if I was to describe the general vibe of Coach’s Challenge it would be…bantery fun.
Coach’s Challenge doesn’t quite pack the same emotional punch of Empty Net, and that’s perfectly okay with me. As good as it was, the last book kind of wrung me out, but this one – with it’s UST and sexy banter – will fluff you up, tuck you in and make you giddy with joy.
Troy Callahan is new coach of the Asheville Ravens. Determined to erase the horrendous legacy left by the previous coach, Troy needs to light a spark under his team to help them build up their confidence and gain back the respect that has been all but lost by being the most hated team in league. That spark comes in the form of sexy veteran player, Shane North.
Despite getting off on the wrong skate, the two men discover they are attracted to one another. Troy, however, is trying hard to keep that information on the down low as getting involved with a player, no matter how attractive he may be, is a very bad idea indeed.
The air practically sparked between them. Shane wanted to do nothing more than to light a metaphorical match and let it burn. He had the same flush on his face as Callahan. He could tell.
“Why? We’re adults. Flirting in the locker room isn’t fucking, Callahan.”
“For fuck’s sake, call me Troy.” Troy leaned in and effectively trapped Shane against the bar. Shane sucked in a breath at the sudden closeness, but didn’t move a muscle. “I didn’t think you liked me very much, Shane.”
It was such an un-Callahan thing to say, it was almost cute. “I don’t really need to like you to want you to fuck me, do I?”
Troy’s pale eyes flashed. “Goddammit.”
While the physical relationship is off the hook from the start, their emotional relationship takes a little bit longer to develop. And although flowery language isn’t in either man’s repertoire, they still manage to let the other know how they feel without too many of those pesky ‘feelings’ getting in the way:
“I’m not fucking around with anyone else, and I don’t want you to either.”
“Yeah, well, I wasn’t planning on it.” Troy tipped his head back and stared up at the ceiling. “I can’t believe this happened.”
Shane wasn’t really sure he bought that at all. “Really? You can’t believe two contrary people who thought they were just gonna have sex every now and then decided to have feelings?”
“When you put it that way, maybe it’s not such a surprise.”
Honestly, I was just delighted by Troy and Shane. Even when things threatened to go off the rails, they didn’t resort to secrets and lies, or sacrifice their relationship in some ill-guided effort to protect the other person. They worked through it together. This is one of the benefits of older protagonists – they usually know better than to hide the important stuff. Communication saves the day!
I’m sure if you’re already a fan of the series, you will enjoy this lighthearted but thoroughly enjoyable book. And if you’ve been putting off starting this series because you’re not a hockey fan (blasphemy!), read it anyway. It’s fantastic.
I received an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review.
zaza_bdp's review
3.0
Pas convaincue par ce tome ...
Je n'ai pas du tout accroché à la personnalité des héros, bien trop bourrins à mon goût. Ce que j'avais adoré dans le tome précédent, c'est qu'Avon Gale avait soigné la personnalité des personnages et traitait de sujets douloureux. Ici, on a juste deux mecs du genre néandertaliens qui passent leur temps à s'envoyer bouler, et à se faire des BJ (j'exagère à peine) ... Je n'ai pas ressenti leur complicité, une bonne partie de leur relation évolue en dehors des pages du livre, du coup, on ne voit pas vraiment l'arrivée des sentiments. En fait, j'ai besoin qu'il y a ait un minimum de tendresse entre les amoureux dans mes livres, et ici, Troy & Shane sont plutôt du genre brutasse. Ce manque de nuances m'a déçue, et la répétition intempestive de scènes de BJ m'a gavée, tout comme cette manie qu'ils ont d'avoir des relations sexuelles dans des lieux où ils peuvent se faire surprendre n'importe quand.
C'est vraiment dommage, parce qu'il y avait du potentiel, enfin surtout du côté de l'équipe, qui jusqu'ici était vraiment apparue comme un de bande de pourris homophobes et violents. Et même si de ce côté-là, ce n'est pas mal, cela ne m'a pas suffi, j'aurais voulu plus de hockey, encore plus de scènes consacrées au 'remontage' de cette bande de bras cassés qui sont, au final, eux aussi des victimes de St Savoy.
Pour le moment, cette série s'arrête avec ce cinquième tome, mais j'espère qu'Avon Gale consacrera un tome au capitaine des Ravens !
Je n'ai pas du tout accroché à la personnalité des héros, bien trop bourrins à mon goût. Ce que j'avais adoré dans le tome précédent, c'est qu'Avon Gale avait soigné la personnalité des personnages et traitait de sujets douloureux. Ici, on a juste deux mecs du genre néandertaliens qui passent leur temps à s'envoyer bouler, et à se faire des BJ (j'exagère à peine) ... Je n'ai pas ressenti leur complicité, une bonne partie de leur relation évolue en dehors des pages du livre, du coup, on ne voit pas vraiment l'arrivée des sentiments. En fait, j'ai besoin qu'il y a ait un minimum de tendresse entre les amoureux dans mes livres, et ici, Troy & Shane sont plutôt du genre brutasse. Ce manque de nuances m'a déçue, et la répétition intempestive de scènes de BJ m'a gavée, tout comme cette manie qu'ils ont d'avoir des relations sexuelles dans des lieux où ils peuvent se faire surprendre n'importe quand.
C'est vraiment dommage, parce qu'il y avait du potentiel, enfin surtout du côté de l'équipe, qui jusqu'ici était vraiment apparue comme un de bande de pourris homophobes et violents. Et même si de ce côté-là, ce n'est pas mal, cela ne m'a pas suffi, j'aurais voulu plus de hockey, encore plus de scènes consacrées au 'remontage' de cette bande de bras cassés qui sont, au final, eux aussi des victimes de St Savoy.
Pour le moment, cette série s'arrête avec ce cinquième tome, mais j'espère qu'Avon Gale consacrera un tome au capitaine des Ravens !