Unfortunately this book didn't manage to grip me at all. Once Sebastian and Tristan gave into their attraction to each other the whole story deflated for me in a way. I didn't mind the Dom/sub dynamic between them at all BUT they did play too much for my tastes so whatever was between then didn't feel real anymore. It ruined their whole chemistry for me.
There were also quite a few boring parts when nothing really happened. I have to come back to the sex again here as well because their D/s play became repetitive and thus boring really fast. 

I still liked the characters and there was definite potential, plus Tristan's family was just adorable, but yeah, it just wasn't enough to give the book the spark it was missing.

So of the two collabs so far between Vaughn and Gale this one is far by my favorite.

I really only had one issue with this book and its something that plagues queer sports romances in general is the theme of a player being closeted and then revolving around coming out or having to hide the relationship. While I know professional hockey is the wildwest when it comes to not having any out retired or active players but still the same trope over and over gets a bit tiring. I have been sorely spoiled by Yuri On Ice on this front and can sorely hope for other queer sports romances that use other issues and tropes.

Beyond that issue this was a remarkably solid story. I had ben left feeling a bit unfulfilled after Permanent Ink but still wanted to give this a shot and I am happy I did. I truly lovr Tristan's character and how he wanted to be able to support himself beyond hockey. Though the accusation of plagiarism was a bit of a weird hard limit for me and I kept wondering how it would move from their.

Sebastian was absolutely wonderful and I loved how he treated Tris and when things got tough they actually talked things. Instead of letting things boil over and turning into a massive fight. He for the most part let Tris gain confidence he needed to start the coming out process. I liked how jr became invovled with hockey from the spectator side of things.

So overall both Piper and Avon worked really well together on this book and I am looking forward to Ryu and Bellzie's books. And I hope their writing gets stronger together each book

Great writing from Avon & Piper with capturing a story between two unique characters. Amongst the sporting romance kind they I love, it was a good mix of it all to thoroughly enjoy two worlds come together. Humorous but well enjoyed! Well done!

~4.5~

Oh, hell, YES, baby; this book is ALL the things:

- Great writing, with sharp, realistic dialogue, some banter, and humour

- Two complex MCs with interesting backstories

- Opposites attract, age gap, pseudo-enemies-to-lovers, plus HOT FOR TEACHER!

- KINK (dominance, spanking, mild humiliation)

- Steam and more steam

- Awesome cast of secondary characters

- No real angst, some OFY conflict

- Insta LUST, not insta love

- Believable relationship development (the MCs move from teacher/student to lovers to boyfriends)

- Strong HFN

- Promise of more hockey players on and OFF the ice

I loved Sebastian and Tristan. They have off-the-charts chemistry and fit together despite (or maybe because of) their surface differences (Sebastian is the academic; Tristan, a professional hockey player).

I enjoyed the perceptions "lesson" at the beginning. Seb unfairly stereotypes Tristan and has to own his bias.

The story is fully relationship focused, and while there is conflict (initially, because Seb is Tristan's professor and later because Seb isn't willing to go back in the closet and pretend to be Tristan's "friend), it's resolved without undue drama.

I wish the ending had been closer to a HEA than a HFN, but I feel positive about Sebastian and Tristan's future and am really looking forward to Ryu's story!

Practically perfect in every way.

During his summer off, professional NHL player Tristan Holt has decided to go back to school part-time in order to finish his business degree.

He ends up in a Sociology course being taught by Sebastian Cruz, one of the professors still trying to get tenure with the university.

The two have a rocky start, but once the class ends, the heat begins and the two begin a relationship. Unfortunately, Tristan isn’t out – to anyone – and Sebastian is out and proud.

There’s a delicious tension to the story knowing at some point Tristan will have to make a choice since Sebastian has made it quite clear he won’t go back into the closet for anyone.

There’s also terrific flow to the story, great characters – especially two teammates of Tristan’s who I am enormously excited to read their stories – and lots and lots of heat.

The chemistry between Tris and Seb is electric! Now, I preface this by saying anything even slightly humiliating is not my kink, but Tris and Seb are on the same page with what works for them and both love what happens during their sexy bedroom times.

There’s dirty talk, some pretty hot teacher/student play, and lots of sex…
**
After a couple of slow thrusts, Sebastian withdrew and held Tristan still as he smacked his wet dick against Tristan’s cheek. “You look good with my cock in your mouth,”he said idly, dragging the tip across Tristan’s lips, smearing spit and pre-come. “You’d look better choking on it.”
**
I loved the dual POV and how both Sebastian and Tristan are really well fleshed out and fun to read. Sure, some of the sex scenes didn’t ring my bell, but that’s about personal preference and not reflective of the writing.

I would have liked to know how Sebastian’s relationship with Tristan affected his position, if at all, with the university and what was happening with his chances for tenure. However, even though it’s a dual POV the focus is definitely more on Tristan and his progression.

If you are looking for a low angst, smoothly written, fun story with interesting characters, delicious dirty talk, some enjoyable kinky teacher/student play (without being icky) all combined with a nice, slight, age-gap you should pick this up.

All in all it was a winner for me and I’m looking forward to more in the series.

I love sports romance novels. And Off the Ice, shows that sports are just sports no matter their sexuality. There are certain stereotypical ideas of what a jock is. Sebastian proves that anyone could think them, lucky for him Tristan is the forgiving sort. I can't wait for the next book in this series. I think I have an idea who it will be about. Or I hope some of the hints in the ending were really hints, because that would make a very hot story.