I really liked Goalie Interference,

It is well written en both mc`s are likeable and loveable people,
both with their hangups and difficulties,I liked that today`s problems,
did mather butt did not for me,made the overall story.
I liked the enemies to more trope and also the other teamplayers.
I would love their story,someday....must say this book took a very long time.
to come out the first one is from what I remmember 2017,can be furter back
I don`t know.soo glad the second is out now and hope for more.
4 stars,it is fun,sweet and steamy,just what you can expect from both authors

This was a sweet and engaging story that I very muchly enjoyed reading it.

However, I have to admit, I'm a bit conflicted. At times this book seemed too long. I skimmed and skipped several repetitive sections. While I absolutely fell in love with Ryu and Emmitt, I think they could have been given much more depth.

It's a strange thing to say because I adored Avon Gale's Scoring Chances series and thought the characters were absolutely amazing.

My other complaint about the book was the ending. While it was a happy for now, it was very abrupt and I don't feel like I fully got the closure I like from my romance novels.

This story could have gone on much longer and I feel a little bit weird with how it ended. I feel like I missed out on some of my favorite parts of romance novels and that makes me really sad.

Anyway, it was a great book that will no doubt leave you wanting more. Just be prepared for the happy for now ending.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley who provided me with an ARC in exchange for a review

I’ve been on a massive hockey romance binge lately. It’s not a sport I’m super familiar with as it’s not popular in Australia, for obvious reasons. But after reading god knows how many books, I’ve come to love these warriors on the ice. One thing has become very clear though, and that is there’s not that many players of colour in the sport.

Goalie Interference is book two in the series but you could read it as a stand-alone if needed. It’s enemies to lovers, opposites attract, out and closeted. There’s a lot in this book to unpack.

Ryu Mori is a Japanese-American with J-pop looks and an icy demeanor. He’s certain this season he’ll be the starting goalie but when they announce that he and the new rookie goalie Emmit Armstrong will be playing in tandem instead he’s determined to put this annoying brat in his place.

Emmit, fresh up from the AHL has a lot to prove, and is determined to show that he’s got the stuff to be starting goalie for an NHL team.

They get off to a rocky start but soon find common ground with hard to please parents and genuine affection and love.

I loved both of these guys. I just wanted to wrap touch-averse Ryu up in a big hug (although he would hate that) and Emmit was a laugh, so beautiful and open.

I read this directly after the first book and while it does help knowing the back story it isn’t necessary to enjoy this one.

The authors have put together a very enjoyable tale here and I prove that even if you’re not that into sports or don’t particularly know the game well you can enjoy men loving men in any situation.

Highly recommended.

3.5 Stars

Ryu Mori is the intriguing friend I’d like to know more from the previous entry of Gale/Vaughn’s “Hat Trick” series. So of course I was eager to read GOALIE INTERFERENCE upon learning he’d star it with a new goalie to the team, Emmitt Armstrong.

The promise of enemies-to-lovers mixed with lust-to-love was really strong and the ruckus started off well with both men holding back. In case of Ryu, at least. I’m with him in thinking Emmitt’s confidence was a bit too much. Personally, I sympathized with Ryu and his not-prone-to-display-emotion disposition. Most of the time, I felt Emmitt provoked the heck out of Ryu that even got me annoyed.

I guess the above showed that I leaned more to Ryu’s side on this “friendly” battle between the two goalies. I’m subjective like that while reading, getting attached to either one or more character. And in that sense, I thought this book was pretty engaging and relatable. However, I felt the story wasn’t delved deep enough for the characters to truly work out the (personal) issues they had. The shift in their feelings and relationship seemed rash (plus the balance between their wanting to stay private yet not really taking precaution to avert outsiders (and press) saw them together didn’t feel right). On the other hand, after quite a steamy affair they had, the conclusion to their predicament felt too lukewarm.

All things considered, I had mixed feelings for this entry. I’m all for the alternate POVs that allowed (me, readers) insight to the men’s thought and feeling; much of those the turmoil they had when their competitive streak battled with the pride over the other’s achievement. That part made for convincing dilemmas for both Ryu and Emmitt. But it did feel as if this installment was not fully explored. I shall just try to think positive and hope that (maybe) more of these guys story would spill into the next book. Or some sort of (standalone) coda of the series? 🤷🏽‍♀️who knows🤷🏽‍♀️

I was highly anticipating this book coming out, but can't help but feel kind of disappointed in it now that I've read it? There are some things that I really loved about it, like the fact that this book stars two POC love interests in a hockey romance book - Ryu is Japanese-American and Emmitt is Black. But it's also for that same reason that I've kind of feeling a bit iffy because of the rep in this story? So, I definitely have mixed feelings about the whole situation.

We met Ryu in the last book as Tristan's friend and backup goalie for the NHL team, the Atlanta Venom. Ryu gets his chance at being the starting goalie for the team now that their starting goalie got traded off, and they have a rookie coming in. Obviously, the spot should go to the more experienced member of the team, right? Well, it appears that no decision has been made and it becomes a rivalry between Ryu and the rookie, Emmitt, to battle it out.

Emmitt had been playing in the AHL and helped bring his team to victory and winning the Calder Cup last season. Getting traded is expected in professional hockey, but he just wasn't expecting to get traded to the Venom. Emmitt is loud and mouthy, but overall has a friendly personality that grates on Ryu's more reserved and introverted personality when they first meet. And having the two goalies fighting for the starting spot doesn't make them fast friends. 

This book could be considered enemies-to-lovers, I suppose? Ryu definitely hates Emmitt at first, even if Emmitt doesn't entirely know what Ryu's deal is. Emmitt comes out early on to the Venom team as bi, and I did like that this story wasn't another coming out story. Ryu isn't out to the whole team, but I liked that it doesn't turn into a big deal in this story. Ryu and Emmitt start off having sex to work off the adrenaline and stress of hockey out of their system with no strings attached, because that always works out for characters in a romance book.

I really don't know all that much about hockey, but what are the chances that a hockey team would delay appointing a starting goalie for nearly an entire season and pit their two goalies against one another to see who'd come out on top? I think Ryu and Emmitt really brought their all to the games and practices and that challenged the other to play even better, but it doesn't seem healthy for the team to have that sort of animosity building between their goalies. It seems like there would be too much on the line and pressure to win the Stanley Cup to put off choosing a starting goalie until the playoffs.

And I kind of expected this based off of reading Off the Ice, but for a book with TWO hockey love interests, it's disappointing there isn't more on the ice action. We get a lot of the games told to us rather than showing us what it's like. The hockey itself kind of just got lost in all the romance drama, and I know most romance readers don't care, but I do? Give me 10 pages of nothing but play-by-play action in a hockey game and make me feel the intensity of the game rather than just telling me that, oh, this list of things happened during the game and they won. The most hockey thing you'd get from this book is name-dropping famous hockey players. I have no idea who any of them are, but if you're a hockey fan, I guess the references will make sense.

Speaking of the romance, there's all this build up and sexual tension between Ryu and Emmitt and there ARE sex scenes. BUT. I feel like I should mention this because it's so weird to see a romance book do this, but we only get sex scenes when they first start hooking up and then we don't have any other sex scenes in the book until almost the end? We get mentions that the two are having sex constantly or a chapter will end like it's building up to a sex scene in the next chapter, but then...there's nothing and we've moved on to something else entirely. I think it feels weird because this book starts off dirty and then shifts to being more chaste than most upper YA books these days, and I just don't understand it.

So, one of my other issues with this book is the diversity rep. The authors note at the end said there were sensitivity readers for this book, and I know that everyone will read books a different way. I can't speak for Emmitt, and will look for some #ownvoices reviewers on him. Instead, I'm going to focus a little bit on Ryu. I'm Chinese-American, so I understand this isn't entirely the same. But I did feel like Ryu was displayed too stereotypically in this book? He comes from a family who has high expectations, he's constantly compared to a Japanese rock star, and he's emotionally closed off and hides his feelings from everyone. He also only eats the most traditional Japanese foods when he visits his aunt. It's like the book is constantly trying to remind you that he's Japanese, just in case you forgot.

Then there's this oversight in the book - Ryu is raised in a very rigid-sounding household where he even greets his parents in Japanese, but I'm supposed to believe when he first goes to Emmitt's home for the first time, Ryu just walks around with his shoes on? At the very least, he should have asked if he needed to take his shoes off instead of wandering around someone's home with his shoes on.

And just as a side note, but it's SO weird that we're told Ryu's aunt is married to a woman, but it's a blink-and-you-miss it scenario where his aunt's wife is even mentioned having a name. They're almost always referred to as "his aunt and her wife". Ryu's wife is Jun and we eventually find out Jun's wife is Susan. I know I completely missed finding out her name until going back to the book and doing a search while writing this review.

I did like Trevor Morley, another player for the Venom who is either bi or pan and lives in a huge mansion. He's sweet and outrageous, but I can see his name getting confusing on an audiobook when Morley and (Ryu) Mori are in the same scene together and only referred by their last names.

Overall, while I had issues with Off the Ice, I still recall enjoying that book more than I did this one. I just found myself growing more and more annoyed with this book while I read it. The angst and tension between Emmitt and his dad (who would rather have his son playing in the NFL in his footsteps) and Ryu and his parents mostly peters out in the book, despite it being a factor that connects Ryu and Emmitt in the beginning. The ending is rushed and the epilogue seems like more like a HFN than a true HEA for Ryu and Emmitt since the same problems they had this season will only come back up in the next season. So, my feelings on this book is that it could have been great, but in the end, I just felt disappointed.

***Thanks so much to Carina Press for giving me an e-ARC on NetGalley to read and review***

Goalie Interference is an enemy to lovers hockey romance. It's about two goalies vying for the top position on their team. Emmitt and Ryu think that they deserve the position because of their status. Ryu is attractive, independent, determined, and focused. Emmitt is the opposite, fun, self-confident, and a self-starter. They are attracted to one another from the start and the chemistry is jumping off the pages. Avon Gale and Piper Vaughn did a great job with this book.

Want some fun, awesomely written rivals-to-lovers romance?  Avon Gale and Piper Vaughn serve up some delicious hockey-based sexual tension with Goalie Interference, a story where competition moves from the ice to the bedroom to the battlefield of the heart.

Emmitt Armstrong wakes up from a Cabo San Lucas–based tequila coma to some bad news – he’s being traded.  Enraged because he led the Chattanooga Raiders to the Calder Cup, he’s somewhat mollified to learn that the best offer has come from the Atlanta Venom, an NHL team that apparently needs a new lead goalie, which will bump him up to the best league in the world.

Striding into the Venom’s locker room like he owns the place, Emmitt attracts the attention of Ryu Mori, who goal-tended for the Venom the previous season, helping them to stellar scoreboard numbers.  Ryu is turned off by Emmitt’s arrogance and attracted to his handsome face, but both men have to put their lust aside - the coach hasn’t decided who’s going to be the starting goalie for the Venom this year.  Battling on the ice for the plum position, Ryu and Emmitt fall into respect, then lust, then love with one another.  But who will be the Venom’s goalie?  And will the decisions tear these two new lovers apart?  Well, may the best man win!

Goalie Interference is a fun love story with plenty of heat and chemistry between its leads.  Ryu and Emmitt are two different kinds of people; Ryu is more thoughtful and considerate of others, while Emmitt is the cockiest jock to walk the block.  Together they balance each other out. On ice, they’re magic.  But naturally there’s a ton of push and pull that gets them there.

This is a book about learning both how to be part of a team and how to love others.  Emmitt has a lot to learn after his divo-ish behavior led to his trade, and sometimes you’ll want to slap your forehead as he learns to support Ryu on the ice.  But he’s well-rounded, and eventually he leaves arrogance behind (well, most of it) in favor of teamwork.

Ryu, meanwhile, is a kinder, more methodical guy, he’s already a team player who fits well into his team, and understandably doesn’t want to risk his heart on a heartbreaker like Emmitt.  Watching them grow together is pretty delightful.

The book’s only real problem is the hefty size of its supporting cast.  Of course, it’s natural that there are many Venom players to introduce – both to establish the team and because hockey teams have many players.  But there are quite a few people who act as support to the guys here, and that may be a lot for readers to get used to.

But that’s a minor quibble.  Goalie Interference is a good hockey romance – a great skate that’s a lot sexy, a little funny, a bit heartbreaking, and all hard-nosed action.

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This book was everything I needed to survive waiting for the new season to start.
Hate to love, hockey on the page, real talk, and so much fun.
I loved the diversity in this, my Japan obsessed side was screaming every time Ryu was talking and I was salivating when Jun mentioned onigiri with umeboshi. Good job!

There were a couple of times during reading where I was confused with the lack of editing: some repetition; moments when characters should have been already naked and it was mentioned they were stripping again, or little things that I think will be fixed in the final copy!

Characters 10
Atmosphere 8
Writing style 8
Plot 9
Intrigue 8
Logic 9
Enjoyment 9

I appreciated a great many things about this title, but it didn't quite score a goal for me, pun intended. The pros were that the book is wonderfully diverse of characters, was sensitively written, and covered a fun subject matter with likable characters. Those were all aspects that really made me want to continue reading, but the writing style and pacing felt bland, making for a predictable read with no real surprises or excitement. While there is certainly nothing offensive about this book, and m/m fiction desperately needs more multicultural, diverse characters and subject matter, especially those featuring sports and athletes, it somehow just came across as mediocre, rather than a memorable addition to the genre. The storytelling lacked sparkle or individuality, with no particular voice or character shining through in the writing style or dialogue. Romance fans (and fans of Piper Vaughn and Avon Gale) looking for a light read, however, or fans of hockey stories, might appreciate the approachable writing and subject matter.

Y'all know I love me a good M/M hockey romance. Especially when there's a rivalry going on. And I don't know what it is about them, but I definitely have a thing for goalies. Get a little enemies to lovers, no strings attached until -oops- we developed unwanted FEELINGS in there and Goalie Interference is hockey romance gold.

I really love the contrasts between the two leads. First you have Ryu Mori, the serious-faced, J-pop-handsome Japanese American goalie for the venom who has been serving his time as backup goalie and is ready for the starter position. Then there's Emmitt Armstrong, the rookie upstart African American goalie who was just traded up to the Venom's NHL team from his former AHL team. They're both vying for the open starting position, and they're both excellent at what they do even though they have very different approaches. (Honestly, their different styles reminded me a lot of The Cutting Edge - "Toe pick!") Sparks fly between them, but is that intense atmosphere enmity - or attraction? MAYBE BOTH! *throws confetti*

It's great seeing both some bi rep as well as men of color in hockey in this book. I'd never really noticed before picking up this book how completely white-washed hockey romance tends to be (rather like Regency hist-rom...) It seems like there are more sports romances about people of color in the football and baseball sub-sub genres, but hockey romances tend to be pretty white. I love to see the intersectionality of queer men of color here as well. Gale and Vaughn also address some of the stigmas about bisexual people coming across as people who just like to have lots of promiscuous sex. I'm hoping that the next book in the series will be about Morley finally finding someone he wants to settle down with, because he is HILARIOUS.

Goalie Interference is the second book in the Hat Trick series, but can be read as a stand alone. Now I need to go back and read the first book, Off The Ice, because I NEED more of Tristan and Sebastian right now!!

Goalie Interference by Avon Gale and Piper Vaughn was enemies to lovers goodness! It’s not always a favorite trope of mine, but they nailed it out of the park. Ryu Mori was coming off a great past season and expecting to be the starting goalie, but the team management has different plans when they bring in Emmitt Armstrong. There was so much to love about this second installment; let’s get to it.

Highlights:

-DIVERSITY. Emmitt is African American, and Ryu is Japanese American. I don’t think I’ve ever read an M/M romance where both main characters were POC. In this day and age, that’s fucken sad. I was a little emotional when I stopped and thought about that. Heartfelt thank you to both authors.

-Opposites Attract.

-Bisexual rep.

-Flawless pace.

-Dual POVs.

-UST. There was some serious sexual frustration built up between these two.

-Relationship growth. I love the progression from enemies to “friends” with benefits, to more.

-It was nice to catch up with Seb and Tristan from Off the Ice.

-The end was HFN. Honestly, I expected it given their situation. I admit I had anxiety building up to the conflict- I had no idea how their situation would resolve itself. I was okay with the outcome.

++Can this be read as a standalone? Absolutely, but the first book, Off the Ice– is pretty awesome, so don’t miss out.

I’m digging this writing duo. Sports, steam, diversity, and romance- I’m here for all of it!

4.5 Stars

Avon Gale and Piper Vaugh did it again. They did the hook, line, and sinker on me.

Enemies-to-lovers, hockey, and a plot that doesn't surround on the players on coming out and getting kicked off the team.

Ryu Mori and Emmitt Armstrong are both vying for the same spot, so you could imagine that they wouldn't be friendly towards each other. Goalie Interference is a novel that was one step ahead of me at every turn.

Whenever I thought, "well, how can they go from enemies and animosity to even liking each other?" It would then answer me. Then, it was, "okay, so they're hooking up. Sex doesn't mean they are necessarily friends or relationship material." Gale and Vaughn managed the transition from enemies-to-sex buddies-to-friends-to.......not spoiling it.

Goalie Interference is a great addition to the Hat Tricks series. Ryu is self-contained, driven, focus, reserved, and honestly, that's one of my favorite character types. But, so Emmitt—fun, passionate, confident and a go-getter. Together, they make a perfect balance for each other.

What I loved about this novel is the diversity and realness to it. I love how Ryu and Emmitt could relate with their parents in the same and in different ways. I loved that the angst didn't stem from having to come out to their team and the world, but from something else and even that it didn't feel like this cloud that would obscure the entire novel.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about them, and I cannot wait for more characters in this series.

These two were so hot they could melt the ice they play on! Wow. I'm a sucker for a good mm, I love sports romances, and enemies to lovers, when done right, I could read all day.

Ryu and Emmitt are fighting for the same spot, and they seem to be total opposites. Ryu is serious, quieter, reserved. Emmitt seems cocky, confident, kind of a brat on purpose. But they have a lot in common with their history and family, and once they collide- ooh boy it's like sparks. It's one of those that start with the heat and build to the sweet, and I loved it. I couldn't get enough and I can't wait for the next book in this series, I'm so into it all.

A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review
Rating: 4.5  stars out of 5

It’s goalie vs. goalie in this brand-new enemies-to-lovers hockey romance from Avon Gale and Piper Vaughn…

Ryu Mori has had a stellar season as goalie for the Atlanta Venom. So when he’s called into management’s office, he’s expecting to hear he’s the new starting goalie for the team, not that some new guy—an incredibly hot, annoyingly bratty rookie—is here to compete for his spot.

Not everyone gets to play in the best league in the world. Emmitt Armstrong knows that, and he’s not about to waste the opportunity after grinding his way from the bottom to the top. If the Venom is looking for a meek, mild-mannered pushover, they’ve got the wrong guy.

Ryu doesn’t want to admit the other goalie’s smart mouth turns him on. Beating Armstrong at practice feels good, sure, but there are other, more fun ways to shut his rival up.

In this league, it’s winner takes all. But there’s more to life than winning, and if Emmitt and Ryu can get past their egos and competitive natures, they might just discover they work better as partners than they ever imagined possible.

Goalie Ryu Mori was an intriguing personality in the first novel, Off the Ice, and I couldn't wait to find out all about him and get his story.  I was so thrilled to see the release of Goalie Interference (Hat Trick #2) by Avon Gale and Piper Vaughn, which focuses on Ryu Mori and Emmitt Armstrong, both goalies for the Atlanta Venom.  And what becomes a competition to become the starter for the team and incredibly, all while starting and maintain what neither expects to find, a real relationship.

One of the I find so interesting here is how the authors set the men up as people with comparative family histories and upbringing, even though from different parts of society,culture, and country.  The dichotomy pulls them together even as it pulls us in to the sparks and popping hot dynamics of their relationship on and off the ice.  The ice of Ryu to the heat of Emmitt and it really works.

I love all the elements and layers to these mens personalities that the authors have worked into their characters. From the personalities and expectations of their parents and their upbringing, to how each man handles their sexuality and being out or coming out to the team.  It's also learning out to adjust to a relationship while accepting the competition to be number one goalie, a huge element here.

I loved every aspect of this story.  The romance, the team dynamics, the men and their families, and the competition for lead goalie.  Just amazing.  Another bonus? Being able to see the couple from the first story, teammate Tristan Holt and Professor Sebastian Cruz from another viewpoint.  Very funny.

The games were exciting, the playing just like being there watching them on the ice. Fast, furious, and magical!

How I love this series.

I can't wait for the next story to arrive.  Love hockey, and romance?  Even if hockey isn't your thing, this series will be.  Grab up both books and dive into  a sport romance you will  love to read.

Cover art is perfect.  The graphic and action is everything.  Love it.

4.5 Stars
An awesome enemies to lovers hockey romance that literally could melt the ice rinks they skated on. Two men doing the same job couldn't be more different. Ryu is the seasoned goalie that has reigned with his team the Venoms. Emmitt is the newbie goalie backup brought in from the minors. Where Ryu is cautious and deliberate, Emmitt is wild and fierce. They both are strong men with polar opposite personalities. As the men compete a friendship sneaks up on them. I enjoyed both of the MC's but found the subtle changes of the aloof Ryu the most endearing. The two made a very convincing pair and their chemistry was epic. As challenges and demands from their beloved sport increase can the men hold onto their fledgling relationship? I absolutely recommend this fun and intensely romantic book.

Rating 3,5.

I loved Off the Ice so I had really high expectations about Goalie Interference, and it kills me to say that those expectations weren't fully met. Don't get me wrong, the writting was flawless and the plot was good but I guess I wanted more.

The diversity is the strength of the book. It was so refreshing and well done.
Emmitt was a such a good MC. Cocky, loving, open. I identified with Ryu and felt for him but at the end of the day his internal monologues dragged the whole thing down for me. Coming from the previous book I expected more steam. And, while realistic, the ending was disappointing.

I really hope the next book is about Morley, he deserves it. And that we get to see more of Emmitt and Ryu's relationship.

An incredibly interesting, exciting, hot and sexy story featuring two goalies—both playing for the same team. Competition? Yes, loads. Sexual attraction? Just as much. From the moment I picked this up and started to read, I couldn’t put it down. The excitement and tension surrounding not only the relationship between the goalies, but also the hockey games and potential to go all the way to the Stanley Cup, kept me riveted.

Both MCs are men of color in a traditionally white player’s sport. Not that pro sports isn’t changing, but for now it’s best to keep their sexuality to themselves. Both men show support for young persons of color to pursue their dreams in professional sports, with a special emphasis on their support for hockey.

Ryu Mori grew up with Japanese traditions as the son of a surgeon—his mother—and a skating coach—his father, who is also a former Olympic Medalist figure skater. From the moment he first tried hockey, he knew it would be his life. And though his parents didn’t actively encourage him in the sport, they did encourage him to be perfect at whatever he does. Emmitt Armstrong grew up as the son of a former pro football player who wanted him to follow in his footsteps and never acknowledged his preferred professional career in hockey. His only interest is football—for himself and for Emmitt. Divorced, both parents now live in different states, and Emmitt chose to live in the Chicago area with his mother, who supports his career wholeheartedly, cheering him on every chance she gets. But without his father’s approval… Let’s just say that one good word from that man would work wonders for Emmitt’s pride.

The two goalies are set against each other to compete for starting position when Emmitt is traded into the NHL Atlanta Venom team from the Marauder’s AHL team. Emmitt wants the starting spot, so from the moment he meets the stoic, quiet, focused Ryu Mori, he dislikes him and actively tries to get the starter position away from him. But opposites attract, and it becomes evident they want each other, so when the chance arises, they decide to give in to sexual attraction but go no further. Like that’s going to work, right? Of course, they become more than just sex buddies, and when the managers decide to use them in tandem during the course of the season, they allow their relationship to grow.

And then playoffs start and they are once again pitted against each other and the relationship suffers. This story is so exciting. I don’t want to give anything else away. The guys are amazing. The secondary characters are fantastic. The sport is awesome and the excitement the authors build is downright stressful. I highly recommend this story and the first, Off the Ice. Thank goodness, there will be one more in the series. I can’t wait. Oh, and by the way, though second in the series, this can easily be read as a stand-alone.

This was such a good read, I love how cheeky and straight up annoying Army is and Ryu's stoic nature made Army winning his affections so much sweeter.
Their relationship, while steamy from almost the beginning, developed slowly and sweetly. I love that they fell for each other despite being each others biggest competition. Their interactions were so sweet and genuine. and I adored the banter.

As always, a hockey romance by Avon Gale can do no wrong.

Emmitt Armstrong worked darn hard to make it to the NHL. He’s dedicated his whole life to hockey, being the best goal tender he can possibly be. When he meets Ryu Mori it’s hate at first sight. When he finds out he will be sharing his job with the cold, detached, insufferable man he is not happy. Ryu thought his job was safe, then he was told he had to share. Share? With the rude, loud, obnoxious pain in the butt rookie, he was devastated.

Their ultimate goal was always The Stanley Cup. To get it they would have to work in tandem, for the team and for themselves. Their journey would change both lives.

Goalies are my weakness when it comes to hockey romance. That this one had two was amazing. I loved the give and take between Army and Mori on the ice, and the developing love between Emmitt and Ryu off the ice. The collaboration by these authors has brought me another wonderful hockey romance to love and reread.

This second book in this series was a pretty good read. Emmett and Ryu were a well matched pair in this friends to lovers themed book as they competed for the starting goalie spot on the Atlanta Venom's team. Their story can be read as a stand alone despite it being the second book of the series and overall their story moved along well but there were places where I thought it was lacking. I understand the issues with both characters having professional athletes as parents but I felt that the issues that Ryu had with his parents were pushed aside and forgotten while Emmett's issues with his father were big at first but then were brushed aside until the end. The chemistry between the pair was palpable and they were a well matched pair in that they were proved that opposites could attract and they continued to challenge each other throughout the book. I did feel that the ending was a little rushed as it felt that their conflict had just come to a head and then in the next minute it was resolved. Overall, this was a good read and I would recommend it to others.