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A review by bee_thebibliophile
Empty Netter by Hannah Henry
4.0
Hockey and all kinds of domestic bliss, all wrapped up in one story. Empty Netter is a super sweet, super low angst hockey romance.
Blake Brennan is the first out professional hockey player but after coming out, his boyfriend broke up with him and his recent on-ice performance has left a lot to be desired and keeps him on his coach’s bad side and riding the bench while the backup goalie is playing. He’s been lonely but he’s not a hook-up guy, he’s a boyfriend guy, and stumbles into someone who could be the guy of his dreams on New Year’s Eve. Matthew Sawyer knows who Blake is when they run into each other, but he doesn’t let him know he’s his coach’s youngest son. After dropping out of college, he moves back in with his dad and starts a serving job but doesn’t have any idea what he wants to do long-term. He’s unenthusiastic about living with his dad and about his future prospects, but he finds himself drawn to Blake every chance he gets.
Even once Blake learns who Matthew really is, their connection can’t be denied - they keep coming together over and over, even when they’re both warned against it. They’re together for so much of the story that it lets them really get to know each other, grow together, support each other and make big, life-changing moves together. Blake continued to choose Matthew time after time, supporting him and making him feel important and Matthew was there for Blake despite his crazy schedule and cross-country move, being his cheerleader and support system through it all. They were really cute together and I felt like I really got to know both of them as individuals and as a couple.
I enjoyed how easy Blake and Matthew’s relationship was, but Matthew’s dad/Blake’s original coach just didn’t do it for me - the conflict there resolved itself a little too easily but there also wasn’t any real closure. Even with that, I thought this was such a sweet, easy read that made me smile and made it hard for me to put it down. Hannah Henry’s characters are incredibly endearing and I can’t wait to read what comes next!
Blake Brennan is the first out professional hockey player but after coming out, his boyfriend broke up with him and his recent on-ice performance has left a lot to be desired and keeps him on his coach’s bad side and riding the bench while the backup goalie is playing. He’s been lonely but he’s not a hook-up guy, he’s a boyfriend guy, and stumbles into someone who could be the guy of his dreams on New Year’s Eve. Matthew Sawyer knows who Blake is when they run into each other, but he doesn’t let him know he’s his coach’s youngest son. After dropping out of college, he moves back in with his dad and starts a serving job but doesn’t have any idea what he wants to do long-term. He’s unenthusiastic about living with his dad and about his future prospects, but he finds himself drawn to Blake every chance he gets.
Even once Blake learns who Matthew really is, their connection can’t be denied - they keep coming together over and over, even when they’re both warned against it. They’re together for so much of the story that it lets them really get to know each other, grow together, support each other and make big, life-changing moves together. Blake continued to choose Matthew time after time, supporting him and making him feel important and Matthew was there for Blake despite his crazy schedule and cross-country move, being his cheerleader and support system through it all. They were really cute together and I felt like I really got to know both of them as individuals and as a couple.
I enjoyed how easy Blake and Matthew’s relationship was, but Matthew’s dad/Blake’s original coach just didn’t do it for me - the conflict there resolved itself a little too easily but there also wasn’t any real closure. Even with that, I thought this was such a sweet, easy read that made me smile and made it hard for me to put it down. Hannah Henry’s characters are incredibly endearing and I can’t wait to read what comes next!