Well, that couldn’t be more of an unbelievable situation but it was fun so…..3 stars I liked it. Miles is a cutie Love me some honesty and communicatiWell, that couldn’t be more of an unbelievable situation but it was fun so…..3 stars I liked it. Miles is a cutie Love me some honesty and communication ...more
Jack, Mercy, Rhett, Logan, Casey, Mitch, Stacey, Dash, Dirk, all the Meyer siblings - some of my favorite people that exist and you can’t convince me Jack, Mercy, Rhett, Logan, Casey, Mitch, Stacey, Dash, Dirk, all the Meyer siblings - some of my favorite people that exist and you can’t convince me they don’t.
I don’t know how Mock makes me care about this group of characters so much that I can literally just read about any of them going to the grocery store and I’ll be happy and entertained.
A few things: -I’m obsessed with Vancouver and most of this series takes place there. 100 points for that -These books can be read as stand alone but honestly you really want to start with book one. It’s a whole world in these books and you want to be a part of the whole thing. -aaaaand, if you loved book one you will love them all. Which is why my review is all encompassing. -Bring a sense of humor and step away from reality for a little bit. -For hockey lovers, Mock knows her hockey for real. -All of the tropes listed in the summary are there in abundance and done to the best they possibly can be. You will feel them. -Watermelon Jolly Ranchers were my favorite candy in High School. (iykyk)
”If I let my heart latch onto him that would be a disaster. I already burn for him, if my heart got involved, I’d perish for him.”...more
I’m going to just sing the praises of Catherine Cloud in this review:
One thing I really appreciate is an author that excels in realistic dialogue. So I’m going to just sing the praises of Catherine Cloud in this review:
One thing I really appreciate is an author that excels in realistic dialogue. So often IRL we don’t get to fully complete the things we start to say either out of being interrupted or just not even having the complete thought at the ready. I love that Cloud includes this in her dialogue. Even though her books are always in third person present tense and keep you a little separated, I still feel the attachment to the characters and feel happy for them when things start going their way. Must have patience because the burn is slowwwww. Cloud builds and builds and builds the friendship first. You must want to just live in the book for a little while for its comfort and all the sweet, real moments. It’s not just the relationship that’s happening, it’s also the relationship between the MC and everyone else in their circle. She’s also so consistent in that I think if you like one of her books, then you will like them all. You also know exactly what to expect. The style is not for everyone. Must love dogs. Must LOVE hockey.
The only reason I gave this one in particular 4 stars is because it was 667 pages, just long. ...more
Just when I thought I’ve read all the really good MM hockey romance available, this one came along. Relationship building is stellar. The characters arJust when I thought I’ve read all the really good MM hockey romance available, this one came along. Relationship building is stellar. The characters are three dimensional.
-Two goalies! -Age gap -I bagged my childhood idol -team dynamics -no angst, easy breezy -Swedish culture
Good hockey to romance balance. Theo and Niklas are definitely hockey players and not just two guys getting together that happen to play hockey.
Niklas, I just want to keep him in my pocket and carry him around everywhere with me. I heart him.
Could use some editing and IRL hockey it’s an unwritten rule you don’t take a slapshot on an empty net.
*Not on KU. Download the sample. If you like it, the rest of the book stays consistent with it....more
Out of all the Northwood U books, the beginning of this one is set up with the feel of an indie summer coming of age film and I loved that part of it.Out of all the Northwood U books, the beginning of this one is set up with the feel of an indie summer coming of age film and I loved that part of it.
-Stepbrothers -Gorgeous visuals (new for Hayden, see indie summer COA film with dappled lighting)
”There, I sat on the edge of the pier, watching the ripples on the surface. The early morning sunshine kissed my skin, and I undid the buttons on my light cream linen shirt, letting the sunlight caress my torso. A pair of dark sunglasses protected my eyes as I let my head hang back. My denim shorts were tight, warmed up quickly by the sun’s strengthening rays. My feet dipped into the lukewarm water.”
-years of mutual pining!
”In the single heartbeat between my gaze landing on his body and my words welling to the surface, I appreciated his mountainous physique. I bet you sweat when you fuck, I thought. I bet nobody would lick you as hard as I would.”
-animosity to lovers -Dual POV (gratefully!) -college hockey players -a lake house
3 stars because while I did enjoy it the inner monologue got repetitive and I never had a clear grasp on Asher and Jordan’s personalities.
thank you to GRR for the ARC. Opinions are of course my own....more
Anthony Lawson - goalie, so earnest, wagging his little tail at Nico, “straight”, goes with the flow Nico Mackenzie - ex AHL player, brooding and hurt Anthony Lawson - goalie, so earnest, wagging his little tail at Nico, “straight”, goes with the flow Nico Mackenzie - ex AHL player, brooding and hurt for reasons, grumpy sad boi, will deny his own feelings all day long
Enjoying this author and this low angst series. The characters, the humor, heart, hockey, and steam. Love how they weave everything together from the previous books. Some smart stuff that you have to catch. Looking forward to Carter’s book next! 3.5 stars...more
Jace Janssen - the openly bisexual, magnetic, Swedish-Dutch, model/rockstar college student Tyler King - the “straight” #1 in the USA college footballJace Janssen - the openly bisexual, magnetic, Swedish-Dutch, model/rockstar college student Tyler King - the “straight” #1 in the USA college football quarterback who stands no chance against Jace’s magnetism.
No enemies to lovers. No jock coming out drama. Just good old-fashioned boy meets boy, boy is inexplicably drawn to other boy, boys become friends, boys explore their friendship physically, boys fall in love, with some deliciously sexy scenes thrown in to the mix.
Dialogue a little awkward. Maybe English is not a first language for this author? Questionable phrases and word choices sometimes, veering towards casual sexism.
When I wasn’t being hypercritical of everything (like making the straight male character with the cheerleader girlfriend start all of a sudden hating all things “girly” and making every female character giggle constantly, and more), I enjoyed the characters and their genuine naturally developing relationship.
Felt like I was getting into a slumpity slump, dropping books left and right, but I actually finished this (despite being way longer than necessary), and I looked forward to getting back to it whenever I had to put it down, so it had something going for it even if I can’t pinpoint what exactly. Lol
The story of the golden retriever hockey player and his best friend’s tiny, artistic, pretty twin brother who awakens his bisexuality.
It’s 102 pages,The story of the golden retriever hockey player and his best friend’s tiny, artistic, pretty twin brother who awakens his bisexuality.
It’s 102 pages, you get what you get. Things move ridiculously fast. Dialogue can venture into a little cringe. I’ll still probably read the next one when I want something short to pass the time. ...more
Yeah, I don’t know, this was cute AF. I highlighted more than I usually do while reading. The narration is going to be a dea Zeke Boehm X Spencer McLeod
Yeah, I don’t know, this was cute AF. I highlighted more than I usually do while reading. The narration is going to be a dealbreaker for some, keeps you a little separated from the action (third person with lots of rambling -that’s just Zeke’s personality- repetitious phrases, and backtracking). Note: I’m in my own feelz right now and I don’t feel like internalizing fictional characters emotions at the moment so this style worked for me.
The email messages, their text messages that had me saying “omg” out loud, the obliviousness, the moody hockey player and the super-fan daughter’s teacher, dogs. These characters are all SO REAL.
My only gripe is that it all ended too soon!
This scene is in the beginning during warmups at a game and was the moment I knew I was going to love this book. The way I can visualize it. (…) because there’s Spencer McLeod, swinging up behind D’Amico and leaning on his shoulder. He smiles, halfway, and lifts his stick in a salute. “Oh, dreamy,” Samar sighs at Zeke as he nervously waves back. “Hey, McLeod!” she yells. “Zeke wants a puck!”
this was my first Cait Nary book but I’ll be checking out the backlog now...more
Jamie Jamieson X Dorian Shore I loved these characters. The cutie pie cover model definitely fits Jamie.
Easy breezy sleepy little no angst hockey booJamie Jamieson X Dorian Shore I loved these characters. The cutie pie cover model definitely fits Jamie.
Easy breezy sleepy little no angst hockey books that are just about the characters will always have their place.
On a personal note - I got to visit Vancouver, summer 2023 for four days and it’s one of my favorite places ever now. It was so nice reading about a lot of the places in Vancouver I went to while there....more
Even though I am not typically a best friends to lovers fan, we have seen Tyler and Sebastian’s friendship dynamic throughout the series and I shippedEven though I am not typically a best friends to lovers fan, we have seen Tyler and Sebastian’s friendship dynamic throughout the series and I shipped. So, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one.
These two just KNEW each other so well. If you like a little more questioning with your sexual awakening you won’t find that here. Once Tyler and Sebastian realize they want each other and aren’t as straight as they thought they were, it’s off to the races. It all just makes sense to them and it pretty much made sense to me too. I only wish they held out a little longer to build up the tension. Tyler was my favorite because I am a sucker for a character that knows what they want and has the confidence to go after it and keep it.
You should read these books in order. You don’t have to but it will most definitely add to your enjoyment level.
-Childhood BFFs -College hockey players -Double bi-awakening -Heavy on the steamy scenes -Low angst
Loved getting to see so much of my boyfriend Sawyer in this and looking forward to Jordan and Asher’s story!
Grayson Reed X Avery Collins Cute, low angst addition to the Northwood U series.
-bet trope (he made the bet but he’s not an asshole about it and he’s Grayson Reed X Avery Collins Cute, low angst addition to the Northwood U series.
-bet trope (he made the bet but he’s not an asshole about it and he’s only going to break his own heart) -“enemies” to lovers (heed the quotations on enemies) -rival college hockey teams (rivals is more accurate) -“grumpy”/sunshine (I ♥️ Avery!) -demisexual rep -text conversations (super cute and funny) -sappy, romantic boys -grand gestures (Grayson only does things big and full steam ahead)
thank you to GRR for the ARC. Of course, all opinions are my own. If I didn’t like it, I just wouldn’t review it....more
4.5⭐️ I am in a major reading and reviewing slump but I knew I could trust Hayden to help me out with the reading part.
This lightweight, animosity to4.5⭐️ I am in a major reading and reviewing slump but I knew I could trust Hayden to help me out with the reading part.
This lightweight, animosity to lovers, college hockey romance hit just right. This might be Hayden’s hottest book yet and reminded me why I love MM romance so much.
On the road hotel shenanigans FTW!
Side note: I feel like I was supposed to be siding with Caden in this one but really it was Beckett who made me swoon....more
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