Heat Factor: “You’re so infuriating, I can’t help jumping your bones!”

Character Chemistry: I bet the younger folks can’t imagine it being real (pfft), but two forty-somethings playing together is pretty fun to read

Plot: Ryan’s life just went belly-up, but now he’s the new head coach for an NHL team, which is something that his assistant coach, who wanted the job for himself, cannot STAND.

Overall: I couldn’t put this one down

Two hockey coaches over forty. What else do you need to know?

What makes me want to devour Ari Baran’s books is their talent for creating emotional depth between their protagonists by showing the reader little telling actions and choices, making space for the reader to draw conclusions about the burgeoning relationship. These are character-driven stories, with tension hinging on how this relationship—that started as not even a situationship—can become something real, and Home Ice Advantage is no exception. I actually texted Ingrid and Holly that we should write a “Situationships” Saturday Smutty Six because this book is a perfect example of a situationship that turns into a deeply meaningful relationship without these guys ever having that discussion. Then, when decisions have to be made, they’re stuck, forced to be open and vulnerable or to run away.

This story features Ryan and Eric. Ryan comes from an abusive home in south Boston, and his wife served him divorce papers for his 45th birthday, but he loves hockey, and his career afforded him the opportunity to become a mentor and create positive space for his team. Eric comes from a very loving, Jewish French Canadian home, but he gained a reputation for being a pugnacious hothead during his hockey career, and he’s been closeted his whole life. When the Boston hockey team fired its head coach, Eric expected to be offered the job, but management decided to try something different and called up Ryan, who had never before coached at the NHL level.

If you don’t love character-driven stories that are relatively low stakes, or romances that portray a kind of real-life evolution of building intimacy to a deeply committed relationship, this book is probably not for you. What I like about it is exactly that. Eric cannot stand Ryan when they meet. He’s a real peach. But he also can’t fail to admit that he finds Ryan very attractive. Ryan, who married his college girlfriend and has been with no one else for twenty-seven years, is completely oblivious that it might not be totally straight to ogle men appreciatively. Once Eric opens Ryan’s eyes… I don’t know how to describe how they behave together except “they play together.” Ryan has a little golden retriever energy and pokes and prods at Eric until Eric plays back. He starts role-playing games and just stays in character until Eric plays back. Eric can be witheringly sarcastic, and Ryan understands that he’s getting that as a form of Eric’s affection. It’s completely charming, made more so because these guys are both over forty and this relationship breathes new life into both of them because they can play together.

Here’s a little taste of what I mean, from a scene where they’re waking up and getting ready for the day together (and Eric is a huge coffee snob):

"“The only way she’s leaving Montreal is in a coffin,” Eric muttered. “Born and raised there. Loves it. I offered to move her out close to me, since she’s kind of frail these days, and she refused—what are you doing to that coffee?”

"“Making it drinkable,” Sully said, as he dumped heaping teaspoons full of sugar into the cup, followed by long glugs of hazelnut-flavored creamer.

"“Oh my god. Jesus, Sully, you do this every morning?”

"“I go to Dunkin’ every morning, usually. But someone insisted on making coffee here.”

"Eric reached out and gripped his shoulders, and said, “Ryan Sullivan, I’m going to fix you. Somehow. I’m going to teach you how to be better.”

"Instead of answering or trying to twist out of his grip, Sully went up on his tiptoes and kissed Eric on the mouth. It was disgusting. He tasted like morning breath and artificial hazelnut and sugar, and somehow, Eric was still kissing him back anyway, his hands slipping down to grip Sully by the biceps.

"“Oh,” Sully said, with a little sigh as he pulled away, “you want breakfast? We have time. I have eggs.”

"“You really missed your calling as a lawyer. Very convincing argument, right there.”"

And these little moments and scenes and opportunities to make a choice of “get closer” or “push away” build the intimacy between these characters SO WELL, and we the readers know it and can see it, but the characters are not there yet. We get to look forward to the moment they WAKE UP. So thrilling.

One other thing I appreciated about this book that wasn’t really a central thread to the narrative is that Ryan and Eric are very different men. They have different people skills, different ideas about how to approach coaching, and Ryan’s version is “winning.” Ryan is charismatic—everyone stops to listen to him, he can pump up a room, he has a knack for knowing when to speechify and when to give the players space—and his approach to coaching is all about growth and positivity—no yelling, no punitive discipline, just constructive feedback and practice focusing on skill development—and it’s a rebuilding year, so no one expects the team to make it to the playoffs, but Ryan’s win-lose ratio is showing that he’s successful. Eric sees that, and he knows he’s not like that, and that’s really hard for him.

"People didn’t respond to him the way they responded to Sullivan. That was a personality failing, maybe."

Now, Eric believes in himself and his ability to be a head coach someday, and he never quite overtly acknowledges that he and Ryan can just be different and that’s fine, but as a person who struggled for-freaking-ever with not magically becoming the charismatic popular classmate/officemate who simply knew what to say and when to say it and how to draw other people in as naturally as breathing, Eric’s struggle resonated with me in ways I didn’t expect. There are a lot of abrasive characters in romance novels, but there aren’t many abrasive characters who are made to feel the flaw because they’ve found themselves in a situation where it matters professionally, and there’s not really anything they can do to fix it.

I know it’ll shock no one, but I really liked this book. And I hope all my squeeing about other hockey romances doesn’t drown out all the reasons why this one was such an uplifting read.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

A steamy and exciting addition to a wonderful hockey romance series!

I've been anticipating this read since Ari Baran announced it! I am so grateful for this ARC as Eric and Ryan became an instant favorite. Featuring a delicious grumpy/sunshine dynamic, forced proximity, and just the perfect amount of forbidden romance, Home Ice Advantage is such a hit for me. Not only was the tension between them was electrifying, but they were such well rounded and well written characters, that I couldn't help but fervently root for them as individuals and as a couple.

This book is perfect for all lovers of sports romances and/or queer romances!

This book was absolute gold. if there is one thing I can always trust Ari to be able to do, is write a killer enemies to lovers. though this was a one sided version of enemies, there was still so much animosity and build up that when everything finally started happening it was 💥. I went through so many different emotions from sobbing to wheezing and everything in between. I don’t think we see enough middle-aged couples in the romance genre and it was refreshing to see and read about! Eric and Ryan are absolute perfection and i wish nothing more than wanting to be able to read this for the first time again.

When Ryan Sullivan's wife serves him with divorce papers on his forty-fifth birthday, there's not much left in New Hampshire for him when the bottom of the standings Boston Beacons calls him to take over as the new head coach. Arriving in Boston, having unknowingly crushed the head coach dreams of Eric Aronson (one of the Beacons' assistant coaches), Sully is ready to flip things and start coaching in a more empathetic and fun way. Really help solidify the team and help rebuild.

Eric Aronson is...displeased feels like not a harsh enough word..that he was passed over for the head coaching position in favor of Ryan Sullivan. Sullivan gets EVERYTHING handed to him throughout their careers together and it makes Eric FURIOUS.

Obviously the pair clash quite quickly despite Ryan doing his best to kill Eric with kindness, Eric still manages to get under his skin. As tensions rise between the two of them, one heated discussion after a game finds the pair furious...ly kissing. And that just opens the flood gates for so much more.

Wow. So Ari Baran does it again. I loved this book. As a big fan of hockey (and boys kissing) this book has SO much hockey. If you're not a hockey fan, brace yourself. There is A LOT of hockey. I love how you can tell how deeply Baran enjoys the sport and manages to weave it into the story. I found Eric and Ryan to be interesting and engaging and loved watching them grow together.

I will continue to read every book Ari Baran writes about hockey boys falling in love.

Thank you to Harelquin / Carina Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A bit less stressful than the previous books in the series but no less enjoyable. I liked the idea of coaches behind the same bench falling for each other and it definitely delivers. Seeing how they resolved their personal issues and letting it lead to more was a fun read.

Don’t you just love a good hate to love hockey romance?
Well I do, and after absolutely loving the Penalty box series so far I couldn’t wait to dive into this.
I’ve barely read any romance books with „older“ MCs, but I think people in their 40s deserve love too?! Why are there so few romance books with people over 30?
When Ryan Sullivans marriage breaks down and he gets a job opportunity in another city he immediately leaves everything behind to start coaching a NHL hockey team.
The assistant coach being his old rival, who also wanted the job wasn’t part of his plan.
Andre what’s better to solve that problem then to kiss it out? Ofc, nothing.
I loved the found family aspect of his, with Ryan’s family being absolutely terrible and Eric’s mother being the most welcoming person alive and I also very much appreciated two people in their 40s still trying to figure their sh!t out, because relatable.
This book is very heavy on the hockey and hockey lingo, so if you’re not into that be aware of this. I still enjoyed it a lot even though I’m more of a sports romance fan than a sports fan!
I can’t wait for the final book in this series and will probably reread the other books 20 times until it’s out!

4.5 stars. I wasn’t sure how much I would like a romance about two middle aged hockey coaches falling in love, but I did a whole lot. This book is just sweet and low-angst with likable characters and lots of lovely moments. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.

I am so enjoying this series, and this new entry features two rival hockey coaches who have to work together and find they have more in common than they thought. This is a M/M sports romance with a lot of heart.

Home ice advantage
By: Ari Baren

📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚

These two are something else!

Oh my I’m not sure wear to start. In book 3 in the Penalty box series we get Ryan and Eric’s story. These two definitely kept me wondering if I wanted them to fall for each other or duke it out. In the end my hopeless romantic side will always prevail. But boy does Ari Baren makes your heart work for the HEA. Worth it!!! The authors writing is flawless and the words are so captivating, the plot had so many twists and turns and none that I was expecting, and many shockingly intimate I have become a huge fan of this author. The author writes with so much intensity and emotion pulled from each book it’s felt page after page. Some are quick witted story lines are so perfect and lets you believe you have a front row seat. So being able to read this love story didn’t disappoint. The authors ability to have two separate individuals struggling in their everyday life and try to navigate someone else’s thoughts, needs and desires was intense and gives all the fills.

Authors Blurb: Two former hockey pros. One struggling team. And a battle of wills that might just turn two headstrong coaches from rivals into lovers…

Ryan “Sully” Sullivan is a winner. So when the former hockey great accepts a job coaching the bottom rung Boston Beacons, he’s ready to win it all even if his new assistant coach isn’t exactly his #1 fan.

Eric Aronson’s wins have always come with a well-earned reputation for trouble—and were never quite enough to bring home championships. When the new guy skates in and takes the job he’s worked so hard for, he’s not about to fall short again.

Tensions rise as, no matter what they do, the Beacons can’t pull a W, and a heated argument between Sully and Eric over coaching tactics turns physical—only, not in any way they could have ever imagined.

That kiss changes everything. And suddenly, being able to find the back of the net isn’t Sully and Eric’s only challenge. It’s figuring out who and what they are to each other. And what winning it all might actually mean.

This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in single POV this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know your 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.

Thanks Netgally for letting me read and review.📚💕

When I saw Ari post about ARC’s being available for this book the next day on NetGalley, it became my top priority when I came into work that morning. Did I read the synopsis? No. Did I care what the book was about? ( I mean this in the best way!) No. Was I going to read it regardless of what it was about? Yes.

Sully & Eric are in their 40’s, with their hockey playing years behind them and their coaching era ahead of them. Eric is pissed when he’s passed over for the position as head coach in favor of Ryan “ everything gets handed to him” Sullivan. I mean I can't say I blame him honestly. 🤷‍♀️ Eric is blunt, grumpy and just flat out a d*ck. He’s not afraid to stand up for himself or what he feels is right or what he feels should be changed. He can back that up with his fists or his mouth ( literally IYKYK 🤭) Sully is the exact opposite, kill them with kindness, avoid confrontation, give everyone the benefit of the doubt, can charm a snake kind of guy. Except for Eric, no matter how much kindness and collaboration Ryan tries to smother him with it doesn’t work. When sh*t hits the fan and the enemies become lovers they jump right in, like head first. Seeing Ryan let go of his carefully crafted control while simultaneously seeing Eric let his grumpy self become vulnerable will make you melt. This covers so much- self discovery, regret, vulnerability, family issues, grief, religion, and divorce. Tropes include- bi awakening, boss/ employee, size difference, enemies to lovers, and grumpy/sunshine. This is the third book in the series but can be read as a stand alone, I want to thank Ari and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, this is my honest opinion

dnf 25%. I tried. I gave this book to 25% but can't make myself continue. I say this as an NHL season ticket holder, there is too much hockey in this book. I don't care about these people's job, I want the romance. At 25% we've only established one of the two leads as queer and there is zero hint at the romance. To top it all off, one of the leads is so unlikeable and just a jerk for no reason that I don't even want the other lead with him nor do I care to read his HEA.

I love books with older MCs. Maybe it's because I'm older myself, or maybe it's because (when written well) the characters address issues in genuine ways that actually resonate. There's not extra drama, just mature people dealing with their lot in life. It's refreshing to read.

I also love reading a hockey romance from the coaching staff's POV.

Ryan and Eric are fantastic together. They could not be more different, both in personality and in looks. Their bickering is amazing and leads to some great steam. I love that they grew together over the hockey season, but still stayed true to themselves.

Kept me engaged throughout - I read it in less than 24 hours. LOVED it!

HOME ICE ADVANTAGE is the third in Ari Baran’s excellent Penalty Box series. Former players Ryan Sullivan and Eric Aronson are now coaches. When a head coaching position opens up in Boston, assistant coach Eric is passed over in favor of Sully, an optimistic man with a vision for how he sees this team in transition coming together. This is the story of how two very different people move through a new and challenging situation, learning things not just about each other but about themselves, and how they discover that they have now found someone they can truly trust and be most themselves with. A lovely, moving, wondrous read.

4.5 Stars, rounded up!

Ari Baran continues to be one of my favorite authors, and this book just continues my love.

Ryan Sullivan is served divorce papers on his birthday, and an offer to be the head coach of the underperforming Boston Beacons, his hometown NHL team. He finds his way back to Boston for the gig, dragging up some family issues on his way. He's greeted by assistant coach Eric Aronson, who wanted that head coach gig for himself. Constantly butting heads on the ice, the tension rises until, without prior thought, they're kissing. Cue the bisexual awakening for Ryan. And a situationship(ish?) that could hurt everything and everyone.

The way this is such a good balance of being on the same team (as coaches) and yet also rivals (Sully took the job that was rightfully Eric's!) just blew me away. I loved the dichotomy there, and how it develops for them. And I loved the differences between them in every way, from love, accepting themselves, their families, their general disposition, etc.

As always, I adore the Jewish rep. Eric's mom just feels like such a typical Jewish mom that it felt like home in ways.

I don't even have the ways to explain how much I loved this book and can't wait for everyone to read it.

Home Ice Advantage is the twist on hockey romance that I never knew I was missing until I read this book!

Ryan (Sully) Sullivan is a retired hockey phenom with Stanley Cup wins, MVPs and the Hall of Fame all under his belt, but since retiring, he’s been just as obsessed with hockey as he was while he was playing, tearing his marriage apart. When the opportunity comes up to coach his hometown Boston NHL team, he can’t pass it up even though returning to Boston means opening a new can of worms with his family. He’s a new head coach, trying to work with a broken team while also establishing his own coaching style. Sully is a smaller guy but has a huge presence, is incredibly positive most of the time and is honestly a little oblivious when it comes to his love life.

Eric Aronson is also a retired hockey player, but one with a lot less accolades but with lots of experience under his belt and a reputation for fighting. He’s been coaching in Boston for years, trying to work his way up to the head coach position, something he gets passed over for in favor of Ryan. Eric is a bit of a loner and doesn’t have many friends in Boston but he’s very close to his mother, despite their physical distance. He’s a quiet guy but he has a lot of opinions and isn’t afraid to share them when he thinks he’s right. Eric has spent years hiding his sexuality, but isn’t afraid to go after what he wants.

These two are like oil and water when they first start working together - they just don’t mix. Eric wanted the head coach job but was passed up for inexperienced, golden boy Ryan, something he made known he wasn’t happy about. But, once they figure out their attraction to each other, things begin to change. They start opening up, working better together, communicating more, turning things around for the team…all while slowly falling more and more in love with each other every day. While things weren’t perfect between them at work, they made space for each other in their lives, supporting each other, meeting each other’s families and genuinely just making each other happy, something I loved to see.

I really enjoyed this book and honestly didn’t want it to end. Really looking forward to more stories like this from Ari Baran in the future!

Home Ice Advantage is a fun romance following Ryan, the newly appointed head coach to Boston's hockey team, and Eric, the assistant coach who wanted that job. Eric instantly has a grudge against the ball of sunshine that is Ryan, but it doesn't take long for that ice to start thawing. There is fun and heart in this story, as well as standing up for yourself against family who only tear you down. This is the first hockey romance I've seen that involves the coaches instead of the players, and it was a breath of fresh air. Having read the previous books in the Penalty Box series, I would have like to see more cameos. I liked how closely the first two books followed each other, but I understand the departure this one took. I am eager to see where this series goes next!

Ryan "Sully" Sullivan is a typical hockey player from Boston who lives and breathes the sport, new head coach of the Boston Beacons. Eric Aronson, who was expecting a promotion, works with the players as an assistant coach. These two played against each other in the league and bring so much tension to the coaching staff.

I loved the fact that the MC were older than typical romance main characters and going through their own life struggles. These guys grow throughout the story and find a way to make a relationship work. I loved how they were opposites in their approach to coaching but so much more alike than they realized. Both fought for their spot in the league and continue to fight for everything they have.

I do wish that there was more of them getting together and growing instead of just immediate sex every time they got together but it was still a good book. This is book 3 in a series but works enough as a stand alone that I did not feel I missed too much without reading the other two, which I will go back to read hopefully!

Thank you NetGalley, Carina Press, and Harlequin for an arc of Home Ice Advantage!

Not a bad addition to the niche subgenre of MM sports romances/enemies to lovers.
The writing was good, the characters were pretty fleshed out and developed, and the protagonists were relatable. The plot moved at a decent pace, as well, although I think it's worth noting that this is a bit of a slow burn.
What lacked, in my opinion, is further depth when it came to the interpersonal issues faced by each protagonist. It was a very surface level delve into the familial struggles that each one faced, which was a missed opportunity to add more literary credibility. The adult scenes were also on the milder end of the spice scale.
It was still ultimately a feel-good read, which is what I was hoping for, and I'm thankful to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I really, really liked how we have some older main characters here!! The whole book was pretty lovely, but the one aspect that just didn't quiiiiite flow was Ryan and Eric's initially getting together -- I, as a reader, just couldn't quite believe them jumping that chasm & both leaping in, without a liiiitttlle more groundwork at the beginning. I get the whole idea of what the author was going for the isntant hate/anger to passion .... but Ryan just seemed TOO clueless to be like 'yeah, I'm going to go with this' in the moment....

Otherwise, a really enjoyable, beautiful read -- the relationships: from romantic, to missed (Murph - augh!), to familial (both good -- Eric's; and bad - Ryan's) - were depicted really, really well. I really liked Ryan realizing how toxic his family was and walking away, and Eric getting offered what he thought he wanted, near the end, only to reevaluate & realize he was already where he wanted to be. Excellent. The best of this series yet.

4.5 stars rounded up and my thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the eARC!

Listen. So I wish these two men would just go to fuckin therapy? Yes. Am I going to track down everything Baran has written and inhale their stories anyway? Also yes.

I'm never going to find it again unless I read the book again because I was dumb and read it on my phone instead of on my kindle where I could save notes, but there was a part where Eric is thinking on how him and Ryan have almost nothing in common, but also everything in common in all the things that truly matter and the line really hit me in a way I wasn't expecting. I like that this book didn't shy away from what it's like being in a relationship with someone for so long that started when you were so young, so there really wasn't any space to explore other options. Of course Ryan wen't full hog on his relationship with Eric. Of course he dove in head first (so to speak).

Idk. I really liked this story. It was written by someone who knows hockey inside and out and trusts the audience to either keep up or look things up on their own. I loved that.