Cover Image: Goalie Interference

Goalie Interference

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As a reader with no knowledge of hockey, one thing is clear, Avon Gale and Piper Vaughn nailed their shots in “Goalie Interference.”

It’s the story of Emmitt Armstrong, one of the sport’s few black players, after he receives the AHL’s best goalie award and is brought up to the NHL. He’s immediately pitted against the Venom’s existing star goalie, Ryu Mori (of Japanese-American descent). Emmitt’s addition enrages Ryu, who feels he has the position as a starter in the bag. By playing Emmitt and Ryu in tandem, the Venom hope their competition for the position will elicit the best from both men.

Gale and Vaughn have created the perfect scenario for enemies to lovers and opposites attract. And, like the consummate authors they are, they play the trope to a “T.” Several elements enliven this emblem.

Both men wear their flaws like assets. We can roll our eyes alongside Ryu, while secretly delighting in Emmitt’s gregarious, overly aggressive, arrogant and cocky persona. And Ryu’s near emotionless stance and extreme self-discipline are equally irritating, but endearing. These two men deserve each other.

And their love-hate attraction is penned with some of the best dialog I’ve read to date. At their first steamy encounter, Emmitt is taunting Ryu, as his genitals are in the other man’s hand:
He says to Ryu, “‘You wanna take a video for later, Mori?’”
To which Ryu’s nonchalant response is, “‘I don’t need one do I? I bet any time I told you to strip for me and get your (cock) out, you’d do it.’”
Emmitt’s answer? “‘And I bet you just hate that, don’t you? ‘Cause it means you have to admit you want me too.’”

Their slow thaw is completely believable for two men who have used their athleticism to hide emotional and physical pain. Nothing feels contrived as they recognize themselves in one another. The problems their relationship will engender, and their struggle to separate personal reactions from professional responses, can translate to anyone who has fallen in love with a co-worker. As the authors convey, “Now Ryu had to deal with feelings and there were so many strings he wondered if maybe he should take up cross-stitching.”

Finally, hockey is a harsh profession. As a bonus, “Goalie Interference” offers lots of tips for self-motivation concepts that can transfer to all of life. I find myself quoting Ryu’s Aunt this week as she tells him, “‘A seed that isn’t planted won’t grow.’”

Relax, and chill out enjoying well-described, highly visual ice-play, then heat yourself toasties with the more intimate play! “Goalie Interference” is a standalone edition to the Hat Trick series with a little of everything!

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I really enjoyed this. As with book 1 i still don't really know much about hockey, but the authors did a good job of not making all the hockey parts sound to technical or confusing. They clearly know their stuff and were able to translate it into the story in a not too word dumpy way.

i loved Emmitt and Ryu. enemies to lovers is one of my fave tropes and I loved that they actually didn't like each other in the beginning and had to compete. The competition aspect while they were falling in love was well dealt with in my opinion. The angst and tension they both faced felt so real! Being in each of their POVs gave such insight to them as characters.

And both MCs are MOC YES! Give me all the interracial romance where no one is white. Emmitt is black and Ryu Japanese and I was really happy to see mention of how they had those discussion about POC in sports, and white hockey can be but that doesn't mean POC aren't there making names for themselves. The scene where the go to teach the kids about hockey was really sweet. and showcased how different their personalities are BUT of well they can work together. Each bringing their respective strengths.

I'm glad there was no big pressure to come out to their teammates because I did have a problem with that in book 1. Where I felt like Tristan felt he had to come out because Seb was making him feel guilty about it. But none of that here! Emmitt chose to tell his teammates he was bi to make Tristan feel less alone. But i'm glad he didn't make Ryu feel like he had to tell the entire time. Even as he decided to tell Tristan on his own.

So i really liked this and I'm hoping we get more in this series because Morely is a trip! and anyone who gets with that guy is in for a ride hehe

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I was so excited for this book and I was not let down. Really, I was excited from book one in this series because when I met Ryu, I knew I'd love him. Not surprisingly, I fell in love with Emmitt as well. Both men are similar in a lot of ways, yet so vastly different in others, making their frenemies to lovers story fun and entertaining, and very hot.

I really liked the balance of hockey to love story. Not so much sport that I felt dragged down by it, but enough to keep it interesting. I also like that the story takes place over an entire season, making the love story parts of this more believable and meaningful. Ryu and Emmitt had a lot of time to get to know each other, even if, sadly, a lot of that is off page. I do wish more of the romance times together was on the page, more of the moments they got to spend together. I'm not a huge fan of a character mentioning that they love all the times they spent together, when I didn't actually get to read it. So honestly, there is a lot more tell than show, but there was enough showing to keep me going.

It was a good read.

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***ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review***

This is the second book in the Hat Trick series and is a complete standalone. The presence of the couple from the first book does not impact the story in any form and you won't be lost if you start with this book. I too haven't read the first book and it didn't take away anything.

This was such a good MM hockey romance. To start with,
Diversity. <i> Check </i>
Non-white characters. <i> Check </i>
Enemies to lovers. <i> Check </i>
Two Goalie competing for the same spot. <i> Check </i>
A Team of interesting side characters. <i> Check </i>

Ryu Mori is Japanese-American. He is the goalie of the Venoms. He's reserved, stoic, and doesn't open easily to people. He's been raised to be the best at what he does and he's determined to be the best Goalie in the team. Until.

A new backup goalie is brought in. But he's not just a backup, is he? Emmitt Armstrong is determined to give his best. He's here to play and be the starter.

When the coach tells them that they haven't determined who would be starting for the team, and that they would be playing in tandem till them, it becomes a battle of will and highest number of goals they coudl save.

Ryu and Emmitt are determined to score the position of starters. One-upping each other and trying to outscore each other had me cheering for both. While Ryu is reserved, Emmitt is a bubble of joy and openness. He makes friends easily. He is loud-mouthed and brash. <b> And Ryu wants nothing more than discipline him and shut him up with his cock in Emmitt's mouth. </b> And boy, does Emmitt love that.

I absolutely fell in love with these two. Their banters. Their jokes. The way they talk. They way they love. Yes, the story was a little slow in the beginning. But once they had their groove on. I. WAS. HERE. FOR. IT.

If you love sports romance or MM romance or both, PICK. THIS. BOOK. UP.

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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
I love Avon Gale’s hockey romances so much! This story about two NHL goalies competing for the same spot on the same team is a wonderful mix of hockey action, team banter, and heart.

When we first meet Ryu, he’s disciplined, cold, and determined. In contrast, Emmitt is loud, arrogant, and passionate. It was Emmitt who first caught my attention but Ryu who ultimately stole my heart. The tension between the two goalies is fabulous. Fiercely competitive on the ice, both men try to deny the attraction they feel and the heat that simmers between them. There are some very steamy scenes in this story – and the power struggles between Ryu and Emmitt are even better in the bedroom. I love the common ground they find, and I love the balance their connection brings to their lives – and to their games.

As always, Gale seems to know hockey players and she captures their voices beautifully. This story doesn’t have quite the same humour or snark that make books like her Power Play and Save of the Game all-time favourite reads, but it is a fun, exciting story. I love the diversity of the characters in this book and I think Ryu and Emmitt’s experiences as black and Asian hockey players are explored thoughtfully and respectfully. This story will easily stand alone, but I’ll always encourage new readers to start at the beginning of the Scoring Chances books.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the second book in the series. I love reading sports romances, and this one has a lovely twist which I thought worked really well – pitch two goal keepers against each other to take lead spot, and then make them realise that they are attracted physically to each other.

Emmitt Armstrong joins the Venoms and finds that Ryu Mori, the sitting goalie, almost automatically takes an immediate dislike to him. It is he guesses inevitable, but a shame, as he finds him a very beautiful man. "Army" doesn't advertise the fact, but he has had relationships with both men and women, and Ryu definitely attracts him physically.

As the two men are made to work in tandem through the season, they come to a working truce, and find that the attraction may be mutual. In fact, they find that they have more in common than they might have ever expected, particularly when it comes to the pressures from their parents.

We get plenty of hockey action, and benefit from the insight of two goalies with different styles as they deal with the pressure of being in goal as they get ever closer to lifting the Stanley Cup. We also catch up with Tristan and Seb from the first book, and I am looking forward to the next installment of this enjoyable sports romance series.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆
2.5 stars
M/M Sports romance

This is the second in this series, however, you do not need to read the first one in order to understand the characters. The characters from book one are secondary in this book.

Ryu has been the goalie for the team for several seasons. However, now that they have a real shot at the Stanley Cup, his team will bring in a new goalie to train too.

Emmitt has wanted to play in the NHL for as long as he can remember. Despite his dad’s disapproval, Emmitt knows that he’s worked hard for this. He has made it.

But Ryu has worked too hard to let some smart-mouthed youngster come and take his spot. Emmitt has put too much time and himself into becoming the best to make it. These two are at odds from the very beginning.

And while I can get behind a rivalry story, this just missed the mark. They have hate sex, but can’t seem to talk without falling into bed. Then their relationship moves from hate sex to relationship status, but they seemed to have missed a few steps from hating each other to loving each other.

Overall, this was predictable and somewhat slow. I wanted a different kind of conflict. Also, I’m unsure what their ethnicity had to do with the story, but there seemed to be some kind of underlying theme that either I missed or just didn’t understand what the authors were trying to convey.

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What could be better than enemies to lovers? How about goalie versus goalie? When two face off against one another in Avon Gale and Piper Vaughn’s recent standalone edition in their Hat Trick series, it makes 'Goalie Interference' a power play!

On the cusp of his Calder Cup victory, goalie Emmitt “Army” Armstrong gets the news he’s made the big leagues, the NHL. He knows he’ll have to work hard for his spot, but the Venom’s goalie in resident, Ryu Mori, isn’t gonna make it easy. Ryu only knows what he sees of Emmitt from the internet: a temperamental, arrogant rookie. And he’ll be damned if Armstrong becomes anything but his back up. When the two discover they’re both being assessed for the starting position… it’s game on!

Like any athlete, they each have a drive to succeed. And coming from upbringings with parents who expect more from them, to tread in their own footsteps of perfection, these enemies soon discover an untapped attraction for one another that could be a benefit they can use: “No-strings-attached, sex-as-stress-relief.” But as beneficial as coming together on – and off – the ice is, when it comes to the ultimate competition, how do you support your new-found-partner without resenting him? As both come to internalize, “At the end of the day, one of them would be responsible for crushing the other person’s dreams.”

I have to be honest, because these guys build animosity in their minds more than in their actions, I didn’t instantly feel the true tension fueling their initial encounters. However, fifty percent in I realized that Ryu’s fascination with Emmitt is that the goalie’s cocky motormouth does something for him as it wages with his need for control and quiet.

When things heat up in the hockey series, I finally saw their competitive egos play out. As Emmitt surmises, “The constant switching back and forth was amplifying the competition, not the camaraderie.” That realization for myself, as well as Ryu and Emmitt, changed everything.

Avon Gale and Piper Vaughn casually and subtly introduce the men’s heritage along the way, making it an important part of the story but not the focal point; taking the opportunity to highlight the need for more diversity in hockey and getting children of color playing in the sport.

As a hockey fan, I gotta say these authors know their stuff. The play-by-play and picturesque action in 'Goalie Interference' literally had me jumping in my seat it’s so thrilling. I really felt like I was sitting there behind the sin-bin watching the periods play out. If only I could have pound on the imaginary glass and chirped at Ryu and Emmitt as they went for the goal!

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A great enemies to lovers story with a healthy dose of steamy sexy times. I love the fact they are both vying for the same position on the team which helped the animosity between Emmitt & Ryu in the beginning. Can't wait for the next in series!

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Ryu Mori and Emmett Armstrong are both goalies in the NHL who want to be the starter. Ryu had been back-up with the Atlanta Venom and when the starter is traded he is anxious to have the top spot. And then the team acquires a hot shot cocky young goalie from another franchise. They are competitors, but they also find they are drawn to one another in a more personal way. Being rivals and lovers, they are pushed to find a way to make it all work. There are so many ways they are different and so many ways that they are good for one another. And the story was well told and engaging way that fleshes out both men and makes you root for their relationship. I really like this series and am looking forward to more stories.
I received a copy of the ARC from A Novel Take PR for an honest review.

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This is a great enemies to lovers hockey romance! Emmitt and Ryu are goalies for The Venom and competing for the starting spot for the team. What neither expected is to be rotated throughout the season. Emmitt comes in from the AHL, rookie to the team, full of personality and swagger. Completely the opposite is Ryu, reserved and focused on playing the best he can, he was expecting to be an automatic shoe in for starter so he immediately has a problem with Emmett. He's stopped Ryu from being starting goalie for the season, he's loud, bratty but, extremely attractive and Ryu wants him far more than he should.
There's an instant attraction between these two and it makes for entertaining reading how they banter back and forth. Disliking each other for obvious reasons but the spark they have is noticed by both men and doesn't take long for a deal to be struck for no strings sex, no feelings! Because we all know how that goes..... Both men have slightly difficult relationships with one or both parents allowing a bonding moment over something they equally understand and getting to know one and other leads to a strong friendship neither expected. I love how naturally it feels as their relationship develops. We have time spent with their teammates, giving a fair amount of entertainment, but a lot of just the two men where we see below the bravado and the reticence they show to the world. A beautiful romance blossoms but whether it can hold out to the competition to get the starting spot during the end of the season is the big test for them both.
Really enjoyed this story for Ryu and Emmett. It's wonderfully told with a great balance of character development, sports action, friendship and romance. Definitely a recommendation from me, especially if you enjoyed the first story, though it is not necessary to have read that one to follow this one.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and am happily giving a review.

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This is the first book that I’ve read from Avon Gale and Piper Vaughn. I really enjoyed reading about Emmitt and Ryu. I did not read the first book but I didn’t feel like I missed anything. This book could be read as a stand-alone.

Ryu is the season goalie and is expecting to get the starting goalie but those wishes and dreams come crushing down when the team managements brings Emmitt in. Yes both Ryu and Emmitt might have gotten on the wrong side of things but the sizzling attraction that is shared among both of them could not be ignored. I really loved this book and I highly recommend. I can’t wait to read more of Avon and Piper’s work.

***Received this ARC from NetGalley as an exchange for an honest review.

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I was so happy to hear Gale and Vaughn were teaming up again for the second book in this series! Goalie Interference is pure enemy to lovers with goalies Ryu and Emmitt crackling with animosity from the moment they meet. And why wouldn’t they? Ryu thought he’d be named the starter but instead the coach informs them they’ll be taking turns. The competition was on!

Not only were they legit rivals, there are big personality differences. But of course, it was only a matter of time before they acknowledged the thin line between lust and hate and decide they might as well work out some of the tension. Only they both catch feelings and right as they’re realizing they really do like one another, the Venom go into the playoffs and there will be only one starting goalie. My heart went out to both of them because at the end of the day, they both want to be the starter and they don’t know how to reconcile the competition with their relationship. So much angst!

Unfortunately, the ending felt very rushed. Ryu and Emmitt don’t really address their issues before getting back together. What’s to stop them from breaking up the next time the coach is going to choose between them? Yes, they now admit they love one another but I wanted to know how they would work through their competitiveness on the ice and what they can do to communicate their concerns. While the epilogue gives us a nice glimpse of their relationship, it was not far enough into the future to give me the reassurance that they’ll work through future conflict just fine. I believe in them and believe they’re great together. I just wanted more.

I loved how this directly dealt with racism in the NHL and how Ryu and Emmitt encouraged children of color to consider playing hockey. Emmitt is Black and Ryu is Japanese American and they both reference the racism and microaggressions they’ve experienced from players and fans alike.

The side characters are great. I loved the glimpses we got of Tristan and Sebastian’s relationship—so great to see them doing well. And Morley cracked me up, that doofus puppy of a man. I would not be mad if he got his own book!

One other thing I found interesting was Ryu’s touch aversion. That’s not something I’ve seen often and it was great to watch Ryu and Emmitt navigate what this meant for their relationship.

CW: racism, microaggressions

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Oh, it's been too long since I've read an Avon Gale–Piper Vaughn book. They're the gold standard of m/m hockey romance for me, and <i>Goalie Interference</i> didn't disappoint. I loved the enemies-to-lovers (while still remaining rivals) progression, and the secondary characters (with bonus updates on past protagonists) sparkled. My only complaint is that after a delicious buildup, the last... 20%? felt rushed to me. I'd have been delighted with another several chapters with a lot more hockey and a lot more relationship-building. That said, what <i>was</i> on the page was excellent, and I'm looking forward to finding time to go back and reread what came before.

My thanks to A Novel Take PR for an advance copy of the book.

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Mentioned in SBTB's September New Releases: https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2019/09/septembers-new-releases-5/

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I feel I need to start this review with a couple of disclaimers: 1) I am a HUGE hockey fan and have been for over 35 years and 2) I think hockey goaltenders are pretty much gods. This may or may not have affected my opinion of this but…which I loved, unexpectedly. I wasn’t really interested in Ryu from book one and while I’m a big fan of Ms. Gale’s, I’ve been hit or miss with Ms. Vaughn.

This can be read as a standalone although Tristan and Sebastian are in this book quite a bit.

Ryu and Emmitt’s initial animosity is passionate which of course translated perfectly to the bedroom. At first glance, this appears to also be an opposites attract story but as we get to know both characters we can see they come from similar backgrounds and upbringing. Ryu’s not surprising but Emmitt’s dad made me angry…although living in Texas I see that type of behavior all the time. Football is king here, everything else is just a leisure activity. I was surprised at the glimpses of gentleness between these – how good they are at it and how much it worked for them. I really like them together and hope we see more of them in future installments of this series.
I was pleasantly surprised by how the goalie competition was handled and while the outcome was as expected, there were a couple of shockers along the way. There was one scene in particular that played out as expected but I would have been sorely disappointed (and probably would have thrown my Kindle in a fit of rage) had it not happened exactly that way.

In the end, I loved the story and can’t wait for the next book. And please for the love of God tell me one of them is about Morley…and soon.

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I love hockey romance and this one was quite enjoyable. There was a good balance of sport and relationship. I have not read book one but I do not feel it is necessary to have read it to enjoy this one. Will recommend and will continue to read this series

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I absolutely love this series because...hot guys and hockey...what more could you possible want !!?? And after reading and loving the first book in this series, Off the Ice, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one.

Now we've met Ryu in the previous book, but even if you haven't read that one, you can read this one as a stand-alone....though why you would want to do that is a different question altogether...
Anyways... Ryu and Emmitt don't really get off on the right foot when they meet. Which isn't so surprising since they are both fighting for the same starting position on the team...goalie !! Would you embrace your competition ?? That aside, they are also complete opposites... restrained versus wild ... So many tropes in this one !!

All their differences and resentment aside, they can't deny the major chemistry sizzling between them. Best to do something about it and why not be "friends with benefits".
But we all know how that always works out....right ;)

Even though I really enjoyed reading this one, I have to admit to loving the first book much more. For some reason, Tristan and Sebastion showed way more personality and the chemistry between them was almost palpable... It just did not get that same feeling with Ryu and Emmitt. I also didn't get a real HEA for them...I needed an epilogue or something !! I like my closure ;)
I am sure we will get more of these two in the next book, but it isn't the same for me. That said, I am very much looking forward to the next couple, bring it on !!!

ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review

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Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite romance tropes, but Goalie Interference was just an okay read for me. Ryu and Emmitt are competitors. They both want the top position, and they both want to be on the ice for the playoffs. There is some back and forth in the very beginning, but other than that, I never really got the enemies to lovers vibe. That fierce sense of rivalry is there, and they both want to win. They wouldn't be valuable players if they didn't, but I just never got that animosity that comes with being enemies. The big, angsty problem is what I expected, and we get lots of moping on both sides, maybe a little too much moping. There is some wit and fun, mostly when Emmitt and Ryu are interacting with the team, particularly Morley. I absolutely love the fun-loving Morley. Given the circumstances, the relationship isn't public knowledge, and Ryu isn't even out, but that isn't a cause for worry here, which was refreshing in this type of romance. I will add that for those who want gameplay, this one gives us plenty of that. As the team heads into the playoffs, the play gets more and more exciting, and the authors do an excellent job of drawing you into the game. In the end, Ryu and Emmitt do have good chemistry, and their story is certainly plenty steamy, but it lacks the highs and lows of enemies turning into lovers while they fight every step of the way. It is certainly worth the read, and I'll be interested to see what's next for this series - I'm secretly hoping Morley gets a turn soon. As for this one, it wasn't exactly what I was hoping for, but it did keep me entertained with its engaging characters and gameplay.

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I love stories with diverse MCs so imagine my excitement when I realised this had not one but two diverse MCs! I just about squealed in joy because you guys know how these romances can be qWHITE the same from book to book.

Moving on, I loved Emmitt. He initially came off as cocky but he was actually funny, kind, loving and interesting . He also went out of his way to support and be there for people who needed him. He was just great to read about.

Ryu, on the other hand, took some getting used to. He was very stuck in his ways and took too long to change. As it was, it took me majority of the book to begin to warm up to him and even with that, I don't think I fully did. He was very standoffish(which I don't know whether to attribute solely to his upbringing or not) and not very forthcoming. I felt that in his relationship with Emmitt, Emmitt did the heavy lifting ; both emotionally and physically with Ryu just cruising along. I saw him as very lazy in that regard actually.

To the story proper, I liked the whole "gunning for the same spot" plot and felt the writer executed it quite competently. I certainly enjoyed my reading experience and loved how REALISTIC the HEA was for our MCs. It was just the perfect end to this great story.

Now I cannot possibly finish this review without mentioning the "scene stealer" extraordinaire, Morley. Man,I absolutely loved Morley. Initially, he came off as this "dudebro" guy but underneath that persona was a someone with a killer sense of humour who was willing to learn and willing to help. I also felt that beneath that was something more intriguing so needless to say, I will be the first in line should his book ever come out!

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One of my fave hockey romances ever and one I already read a couple of times and will for sure reread again and again in the future. Love Ryu and Emmitt. Their snarking is AWESOME and so funny! Very much looking forward to the third book in the series!

Full review on the blog soon!

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I liked Goalie Interference, but, as with the first book in the series, I feel like it is a little lacking in the romance department.

I really enjoy the enemies to lovers trope, and the setup here is perfect. Ryu and Emmitt are very different in terms of their personalities, with Ryu being disciplined and self-contained and Emmitt being a cocky showboat. More importantly, though, they competing for the goalie position on their hockey team. Lots of inherent conflict there!

The authors did an excellent job bringing the two of them together in a way that feel realistic for the characters. Primarily they bridge the gap through Ryu and Emmitt’s shared love of hockey and their shared passion for being a goalie. The fact that they are teammates who both want their team to succeed also helps them connect, because while they may be competing for a position, they’re still invested in each other’s success. Similarities in terms of family issues help build their relationship, too.

There’s a lot of discussion of hockey and what it’s like to be a part of a hockey team in the book, and that part is very well done. There are also some fairly steamy scenes that add heat to the story. However, I felt like the romance between the two men could have been more developed on the page. The reader gets told that their feelings are deepening, but rather than internal monologues about how they feel, I wanted more scenes where we see the two of them interacting outside of having sex or talking/playing hockey. There are some, definitely, but I would have liked more moments where the two of them just have conversations and enjoy each other’s company—those little moments where you feel the zing of attraction between two people who are falling in love.

So, while I liked this book, I would have enjoyed it more if the authors had incorporated more showing and less telling when it comes to Ryu and Emmitt’s romance. I want all the feels!

A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.

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