[ARC] Timeless by Declan Rhodes

Title: Timeless

Author: Declan Rhodes

Pages: 222

Formats:  Reviewed on eBook

Rating: 4.5 stars

Acknowledgment: Thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for providing an ARC

I’m a big fan of both hockey romances and time travel, so when I came across this novel it had me very intrigued!

We are introduced to Dylan Mercer, a closeted NHL player who has given his entire life to hockey and achieving it all, while at the sacrifice of his personal life.

As you can imagine, Dylan is lonely and ponders the entirety of coming out and what that entails.

After a particular brutal check into the boards, Dylan wonders around the barn and comes across a pair of bright ice skates- a bit WTF but the key to the time travel.

Dylan is intrigued and before you say bob’s your uncle he is transported back to 1980- in fact just months before the “miracle on ice” of the USA’s men’s hockey team victory over Russia (no surprise there).

Before long we are introduced to Nico, a man of the times and a member of a local hockey team.

Nico takes Dylan under his wing and it’s not long until a romance develops between the two and Dylan is introduced to what being happy really means- playing the sport he loves and having a man he’s falling in love with.

The writing and pace of this story is amazing and enjoyable- this was my first read from Declan Rhodes and I shall be reading more.

This is certainly worth a purchase.

[ARC]-Making Waves by Harper Robinson

Title: Making Waves

Author: Harper Robinson

Publisher:  self published

Pages: 200

Formats:  Reviewed on eBook

Rating: 3.5 stars

Acknowledgment: Thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for providing an ARC

This is a sweet read.

This story is based on a friends going on a cruise together and then catching all the feels for each other but having difficulty to communicate it with each other.

Penn is the 20 something wild child who comes across as a spoiled rich brat, but like everyone, he is the opposite of what he projects; indeed it’s a shield for him to hid behind all the while while working on a project that only a truly unselfish person would work on.

Hunter is the cliched tech work a holic who had to be begged to go on the cruise; while he and Penn revolve in the same friendship circle, they only know each other on a surface level, having never really gotten to know each other.

You can imagine how this story goes and you wouldn’t be wrong- there is something comforting in that that makes it a breeze to read.

While I personally wouldn’t buy it myself, it is worth a read if you wish to borrow it on KU or if you happen to get yourself a copy.

[ARC] The Player by Felice Stevens

Title: The Player

Author: Felice Stevens

Pages: 329

Formats:  Reviewed on eBook

Rating: 3.5 stars

Acknowledgment: Thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for providing an ARC

A lot of the time in books featuring a return to small town, the main characters involved are usually written as someone “big” return and and the other character having lived in their small town, and their friendship had drifted apart from their time in high school.

In The Player, Felice Stevens throws this trope on its head when Keller Williams, an injured now former NFL player, returns home to teach his high schools’ NFL team- the same side he played for as a student and as you can imagine, has a soft spot for. Keller has hidden his sexuality since before he made it big, but time has come for him to slowly embrace it.

Niall Harper has lived in Overlook since he was born. He has settled into a routine with his son as his primary focus- while also working as the school librarian and a sometimes substitute teacher. He still harbours trauma from his time in high school, and associates that with Keller.

Stevens crafts a a well plotted storyline and it goes along at a ripper pace; you are shown the nuances and trauma of both Keller and Niall, over time this slowly unwraps and you just want to give them giant hugs.

There’s a sub plot in there that is absolutely heart breaking so I am putting a content warning in here for abuse- it isn’t too graphic, but the warning was missing from the book.

A good read nonetheless

[ARC] Off Season (Chicago Thunder Hockey Book 2) by Jodi Oliver

Title: Off Season

Series: Chicago Thunder Hockey Book 2

Author: Jodi Oliver

Pages:  322

Formats:  Reviewed on eBook

Rating: 5 stars

Acknowledgment: Thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for providing an ARC

What can I say other then wowser, wowser, wowser!

Off Season, is the second series in the Chicago Thunder Hockey series by Jodi Oliver and while there are references to characters first introduced in the first novel, this can be read as a stand alone. Having said that, if you do read it as a standalone, you may be severely tempted to go back to book 1!

This is Ethan’s and Jacobs story- first introduced in Trade Deadline as the captain of Chicago Thunder (Ethan) and the brother of the main character (Jacob). Though initially side characters in it, you just knew there was a story awaiting them and boy howdy, is it a doozy!

It would be a gross simplification to describe this book as a “simple friends to lovers” story; for there is nothing simple in it and while the trope is nothing new in this genre, the writing to such a high standard is.

I’m sure I mentioned it in my review of Trade Deadline, but Jodi Oliver is a superb author, her writing is up there with some of my favourites and her character developments are on point- there is nothing that makes you go “What the beep just happened??!?!?!”

Speaking of which, I should address the cliched “third act break-up” that you normally see in most every book or movie in some shape way or form. Both in Tread Deadline and Off Season you don’t really get this and this is a great thing- the angst is little to no, and what little angst you do is, you can see from a mile off (which is a great thing), so the premise of the angst doesn’t need to be questioned; you have had the angst simmering away nice and slowly, so when you do get it you go “ah i see” and then want to promptly shake Ethan for his demons getting the better of him- again this is a plus as you want to feel for the characters and Oliver makes you fall in love with them over and OVER and OVER again!

Jodi Oliver is simply amazing and I can’t wait to read her next novel!

[ARC] Love Furever by Gabbi Grey

Title: Love Furever

Author: Gabbi Grey

Pages: 312

Formats:  Reviewed on eBook

Rating: 3 starts

Acknowledgment: Thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for providing an ARC

This was my first step into the Gaynor Beach world and I find it an intriguing world that I may have to end up exploring more.

While the plot isn’t ground breaking- a semi meet cute between James and Collins- what is unique is the situation that they meet each other in.

Collin has just relocated to Gaynor Beach after both a massive health crisis and being kicked out of a bigoted family; thankfully Collin realises they’re bigoted and there’s no love lost there.

The enjoyable part of this novel is that Gabbi Grey captures the voice and nuances of both main characters really well; yes there’s times you want to shake one or both of them, but isn’t that the point of the author is to make you feel engaged with the story?

Overall, this book is quite enjoyable and worth a read- it’s a bit slow to start but overrall the time you invest pays off.

[ARC] UnConventional Kiss by KC Carmine and Katherine McIntyre

Title: UnConventional Kiss

Author: K.C Carmine, Katherine McIntyre

Formats:  Reviewed on eBook

Rating:  4.5 stars

Acknowledgment: Thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for providing an ARC

What can I say other then wow?

This is the first book I’ve read by the authors and I have to admit I’m going to have to stalk their backlists because I loved this novel sooo much!

Where this novel shines above others is the way it is written and the juxtaposition it provides throughout the entire novel; instead of it running out of steam half way through the juxtaposition is there from the start to the end and it never fails in its execution.

The novel opens at a Chicago based comic con event; we have Beck cos playing as (an introverted) Superman, recently dumped by his girlfriend and wearing a forced smile on his face; while this is his safe space as an introvert there is such a thing as too many people. While on his way to get five minutes to himself he comes across Batman a.k.a Cay who is as much of an extrovert as Beck is an introvert.

While a one off meet eventually turns into an unexpected second meeting many months later, we see their relationship change , grow and evolve as they learn more about themselves and each other- while both initially identifying as straight, we see them come to accept that they may be more bi on the Kinsey scale then their thought.

While this sounds like a “woe is me” approach it actually isn’t; the authors have strong clear voice for not only Cay and Beck, but also the supporting characters, with nothing feeling forced or suddenly out of character.

One of the best things about this novel is the fact that there is no third act cliff hanger; instead we see the natural progression and acceptance of Cay and Beck’s relationships from both within each other and others when they chose to share their relationship with others.

I’m hoping this is the first in a series because I would read more- please please please!

[ARC] Royal Defender by Cecelia Storm

Title: Royal Defender, Twin City U Book 3

Author: Cecelia Storm

Formats:  Reviewed on eBook

Rating:  3 stars

Acknowledgment: Thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for providing an ARC

I came into this novel not having any of the previous books in the series and I still managed to have a ripper of a time reading this!

The “Royal” in the “Royal Dender” is referring to Percy, a British 20-something who has only recently discovered that his birth parents want to come back into his life- due to the fact that a) he’s their heir and b), the minor factor that he’s essentially a Royal (200th or so in the line of succession!). Percy comes across as having a case of what I like to call RBA- resting bitch attitude- with a supporting case of RBF.

The novel is told in dual point of view, with the novel opening from the point of view of Issac, a hard working goalie who is our surrogate into their world and gives us the view that Percy is a handsome, British, know it all (add in a few expletives and you know what I mean).

This gives us the classic trope of enemies to friends to lovers to husbands in the name of a fake marriage- for Percy the fake marriage is to get people off his back, while for Isaac it’s a means to obtain much needed money both for his parents back home and to support a soccer camp that helped him shape who he is today.

There’s nothing inherently bad with this book- yes it has the tropes of enemies to lovers as well as the whole fake marriage thing- but there’s also nothing that stands out about this book.

Storm has a enjoyable writing style- personally i loved it- but I didn’t’ feel strongly one way or the other for most of the characters. The novel holds up well as a stand alone or in the series it is set in.

[ARC] Love Language by Jax Calder

Title: Love Language

Author: Jax Calder

Formats:  Reviewed on eBook

Rating:  4 Stars

Acknowledgment: Thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for providing an ARC

There’s times when you just want a quick easy novella to read and as always Jax Calder gives all one wants in such a short amount of pages- in this case 63.

Love Language is essentially a work place meet cute, except Ashton and Dominic have shared an office for four years or so, with Ashton pining for Dominic for most of that time period.

The novella opens with Dominic doing being spotted by Ashton doing New Zealand Sign Language, which somehow is the catalyst for Ashton to do a bit of anaylising of his feelings for Dominic.

The “problem” for any novella is to grab your attention, be believable and give a satisfactory ending in such a short amount of pages. Thankfully this is Jax Calder we’re talking about and she is adapt in no matter which length of writing she tackles- I usually find myself thinking what the hell in novellas, but in this particular novella it was more the opposite- I kept wanting more, more more!

If you’re looking for a quick short read- whether it for a palate cleanser or an easy read- you can’t go past Jax Calder and I highly recommend this novella!

[ARC} Where There's a Wil, There's a Way by P.T Ambler

Title: Where There’s a Wil, There’s a Way

Author: P.T. Ambler

Formats:  Reviewed on eBook

Rating:  3.5 stars

Acknowledgment: Thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for providing an ARC

Usually, when someone says they’re unsure about a book, that normally would indicate alarm bells to me. Having said that, that’s the complete opposite for this book!

While the plot itself is nothing new- a upstairs/downstairs relationship set in the modern world- the writing is like a breath of fresh air- Ambler is a unique writer but in a way that actually actively engages the reader- for example look out for the word “butling”.

Ambler is superb at understanding her characters and fully developing them; in lesser writers the feelings of the characters could be seen as superficial, whereas Ambler writers in a way that you simultaneously want to smack heads together while also totally understanding the characters!

A good way to describe this novel is “quirky”- while normal a domain of badly written prose, in this novel it’s the opposite- it’s quirky and enjoyable and you tend to develop feelings for the characters.

[ARC] D.B. and Me by Rob Rosen

Title: D.B and Me

Author: Rob Rosen

Formats:  Reviewed on eBook

Rating:  3.5 stars

Acknowledgment: Thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for providing an ARC

Prior to my review I must provide some background/context to this book- the bare facts one needs to know is that on the 24th November 1971, a man who has since been known by the pseudonym “D.B. Cooper” hijacked a Boeing 727 in the United States, obtained a then US $200,000 ransom and then parachuted out of the plane mid-flight, never to be seen again.

With these facts in mind, one can imagine that this is a historical speculative fiction (spec fic) type of read; indeed as this novel opens with a man named “Tim” (a.k.a D.B Cooper, aka Dan Cooper) still in a tree attached to his parachute, and found by a man named Adam.

Adam himself is a product of the times, having recently been discharged by the US Army after the Vietnam War and as one can imagine, has devils in his mind due to what he has encountered while over in Vietnam.

Initially, the novel tends to drag a bit as the first third novel is essentially one big sex scene, as the characters shag like bunnies. When the sexy times finally go in the background is when the novel for me shines.

Rob Rosen attempts to create a novel where it attempts to paint a psychological picture of both Tim and Adam- Tim having just jumped from a plane and Adam having just served in Vietnam and also suffering from a terrible terrible secret. The jury is out on the fact as if it was successful- after all D.B. Cooper has literally disappeared from the world after the hijacking, so Rosen has a rich tapestry he can play with in attempting a characterisation of this infamous person. Rosen’s attempt does fit in with the basic facts of the case so it’s not as far fetched as one would seem.

Where the novel is let down, at least for me, is the fact that the first third is essentially a piece of erotica, the next third is a mostly enjoyable historical spec fic, and the last third (that is the ending) is shoe horned in a short piece of time that the ending made me go “what the actual ??@?@?@”

Overall, D.B and Me is a mostly enjoyable read, but probably more worth of a loan then an outright purchase

[Advanced Review Copy] Unfinished Business at Crofton Hall

Title: Unfinished Business at Crofton Hall: Robin & Simon (Modern Crofton)

Series: Modern Crofton

Author: Rebecca Cohen

Publisher: 

Pages:  186

Formats:  Reviewed on eBook

Rating:  5 stars

Acknowledgment: Thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for providing an ARC

As mentioned in the blurb, this particular book in the Modern Crofton series MUST be read in the order that the author has mentioned; to do so otherwise will leave you with a WTF feeling.

In Unfinished Business, we revisit Simon and Robin; Simon is a character that is such a joy to read whereas with more readings Robin is… well I shall say I’m not a fan of his- this isn’t a fault of the author as Rebecca Cohen is a fantastic reader and an authors success is to feel something, indeed ANYTHING for their characters and this she achieves as to her normal high standard.

In the novel immediately proceeding Unfinished Business, we see some of the events that directly impact Simon and Robin on the periphery, whereas here we see the full fallout and development of both their relationship and event and people impacting on their relationships.

I found this an interesting read because even though I enjoy all of her Modern Crofton series, this book “felt” differently if that makes sense; maybe it’s because I’m indifferent to Robin but this book felt slightly different to all others in the series, and that’s ok.

Thankfully, we also see more developments of Ben and Ashley’s relationship, along with snippets of the other fabulous and loveable residents of Crofton Hall.

The Modern Crofton series excels because while you’re getting to know new members of the Redbourne and extended family, you also get tantalising glimpses into already existing characters. This is where Rebecca Cohen exceeds; she knows her characters inside and out like a well worn glove, and any development she gives them is well deserved- though she likes to certainly put hem through the wars before their happy endings!

Prudish Nation by Paul Dalgarno

Author: Paul Dalgarno

Format: E-book

Pages: 252

Publisher: Upswell

So I brought this book because of a thread on Twitter-  one of my favourite authors posted that he had been interviewed for it and recommended it- so I decided to go “why the hell not” and purchased it straight away and started it almost straight away- I had to finish another book first )only took me about twenty minutes). 

What can I say about this intriguing book? 

The premise is that it’s a book about how prudish Australia really is when it comes to sex, with a lens based in the authors’ own experience of being in a poly relationship. 

That’s the simple way to describe this book- and that’s a good thing! 

The long version is that this is a treatise on poly relationships which soon expands to explore how, essentially, that despite Australia being a happy go lucky country that if you “deviate” from the “sexual norm” ie- anything other than hetero- then Australia is more repressed than America and (somewhat ironically) Britain- which both countries have a reputation of being prude beyond believe. 

I didn’t think I would like this novel- poly relationships are really not my thing(PRUDE!!!)- but I continued to devour this novel because it’s simply enjoyable. 

The authors’ writing style is superb- it’s like having a conversation with someone over a cup of tea with no strings attached- and while dealing with things I don’t have much to do with, it challenged my own levels of prudishness. 

A piece of writing- if it’s good- is meant to make you thing and pause on the objects it’s raising and Pude Nation certainly did- it made me question myself and how on the one hand I can be extremely prudish (conditioned prudishness much?)- but by the same token we have a friendship based on no judgment and we talk about things of a sexual nature. 

The great thing about this treatise is the author has taken his time to research the hell out of it- there’s a wide range of interviews that are Australian based- authors, poets, academics- that help ensure that this book should hopefully be held in high regards in terms of Australian sexuality studies.

A Man and His Pride

A debut novel from Rutledge, A Man and His Pride opens in Brisbane in 2017; with the same sex marriage plebiscite as it’s constant shadow in the background.

Just from reading that you can sort of get where this is going can’t you?

Yet, this is an enjoyable read that is extremally multi faceted.

The book is told from the perspective from twenty seven year old Sean Preston, who we soon come to realise is a narrator that is just a wee bit unreliable.

He is a social media moderator for a major Australian bank (LOL at the barely hidden reference to who the bank actually is), and you can tell he barely likes the job- hell even saying he tolerates it is a slight exaggeration. When the novel opens you get the strong impression that Sean is a typical lazy gay- only caring about looks and the next shag.

But as the book develops, Sean becomes more nuanced; there’s secrets in his past and while it’s not drawn out too much, you are eager to find out what they are.

Along the way, Sean has a “relationship” breakup, moves out, confronts some demons and has an unexpected friendship develop.

All the while the same sex marriage plebiscite is brewing in the background, providing a steady undercurrent of background noise of distrust and unease which bubbles over in the discussions had between different characters.

An unusual read I must admit as I found Sean on a whole to be totally unlikeable, this debut novel is well worth a read as it’s another talented Australian writer I’m looking forward to supporting in the future.

Rating- 4 out of 5 stars.

The Lido by Libby Page [updated]

As previously mentioned, I’ve started to immerse myself in the up lit genre at the moment- at this point I have just under 30 books in the dedicated collection on my Kindle (yay go me!)

Anyway, the first book I’ve decided to crack open to explore this genre is The Lido by Libby Page. Maybe because it’s set in London, a city that I totally LOVE, but so far I have to say I’m very pleased I’ve chosen to this book as my next read.

In a nutshell, The Lido is a story about a lido (basically an outdoor community pool) that is on the chop blocking and it’s a race against time to save it from the development block.

Even though I’m only 100 pages in, the read is really gripping. The prose is very well done and Page creates such a vivid and well drawn out world, you can’t help but fall in love with it. Speaking of prose, what is also enjoyable is the fact that the way of how calming the water is as you swim- it’s very hard to put into words but Page gets pretty damn close to achieving how I (as a swimmer) would articulate it.

So far so good!

UPDATE

So I finished this novel and it’s certainly an enjoyable read!

It’s an emotional rollercoaster that you wouldn’t expect, but also such a moving love story as well.

And the ending- while you sort of can see it coming, the journey to get there is amazing and I found myself in tears at the end of it- and I promptly went out and brought a few more of Page’s oeuvre.

Rating- 4 stars!

Up Lit

So the other day I discovered a new to me genre of literature- the aforementioned up lit a.k.a uplifting literature.

Basically from what I can understand, it basically encompasses a story that is essentially a “feel good” thing with a happy ending- which sounds exactly what I need for now.

It’s funny, but one of the novels I’ve seen mentioned as an example of up lit is the novel Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine- I’m sorry but I’ve tried to read this book and every attempt it has left me depressed and wanting to cry my eyes open.

But I’ve also seen mentioned the book The Lido which I shall mention in another post.

Spare By Prince Harry- An Update

So as you know, I’ve started reading Spare and I’m taking my time on it as to protect my mental health.

In an update, I’ve read another fifty pages of it today and I’m still enjoying it, though I can’t shake the feelings of heartbreak and sorry I have towards Prince Harry- as I said yesterday he’s a a very traumatised individual .

I was reading it today and I was also pondering on it- which is good. I am sure we’re all aware of the fact the the media are sensationalising the book by taking quotes out of context and use for the “shock” factor- I mean look at how they mentioned his loss of virginity etc.

But what they don’t say or provide is the context of the quotes taken- reading the large part of where the quotes are it makes me realise that there’s nothing all that salacious really- I mean yes him mentioning his loss of virginity could be considered vulgar, but in the context of the paragraph and his narrative people aren’t looking at the bigger picture.

Which is you may ask?

In my view, Harry is dealing with serious life long trauma and he’s trying his best to cope with it. So far his story is telling me he’s had to put up wit ha way of life that is more about “The Fir,” then the fact that Harry et al are people and humans; instead The Firm insist that their way of life is better then any one individual and that’s how it was and how it should be, people and their nasty emotions should just go away.

Anyway, it’s still a good read.

Spare by Prince Harry- Initial Thoughts

So I’m currently reading Spare by Prince Harry and so far it’s a very moving read.

I’m only fifty pages in but you can already get the impression that Harry is a very traumatised individual. I get the feeling that this book is going to be very heavy going- so seems like I’ll have to take precautions not to get too affected by it.

The Greatest Hit by Will Kostakis

This is a hard short story to review not because it’s a bad read- it’s the complete opposite! - but it’s hard to put into words how moving this book actually is.

But I’ll try anyway :P

I won’t lie- if you look at the cover, it essentially tells you the story of the novella! But DO NOT let that put you off- because this story will hit you in the feels!

It revolves around Tess and her pondering “what if”- the pandemic provided her with both an opportunity and also an impediment to her falling in love with Charlie, who before the world fell to shit with covid lockdowns, were friends at a school in Melbourne. But alas, Tessa ends up going viral but with a major difference to her song that she originally performed and written for Charlie and Charlie ends up relocating to Brisbane.

In the space of around 71 pages, Will Kostakis takes us on a journey that not only explores ones true self and sexuality, but also the aspect of internet viral sensations and the aftermath, as well as providing us another opportunity to see if Tessa gets the girl.

I’m sure we’ve all been there with our own love lives- the passion and the confusion, especially if you were an LGTBQIA teen trying to come to terms with yourself. Kostakis is a nuanced writer who writes so well, it’s not just the things that’s written on the page that moves you, it’s also the things that are implied.

I solidly recommending this short story to you- it’s a heart-warming read by the end that’s for certain.

Hockey Romance Universe Book 4- Poke Check

Poke Check

Series- Harrisburg Railers Book 4

Universe- Hockey Romance Universe Book 4

Author: RJ Scott and V.L. Locey

Publisher:  Love Lane Book Limited

Pages: 186

Formats:  Kindle

Rating:  5 stars

Up until now, goalie Stanislav “Stan” Lyamin has always been in the background, his lack of English a source of comedic relief, however at the same time coming across as a gentle giant that you know you want to get to know more.

At this point in the series, it could be said that authors could get tired or rest on their laurels but this wouldn’t apply here- after all how does one write a character that speaks little English without coming across as condescending or as a caricature?

That’s why on face value you would think that Poke Check could be either really good or really bad- the fourth book in a series to keep the reader engaged without being hockey.

There is a reason why this novel is- so far- my favourite in the series and I absolutely love Stan as one of my favourite all time characters in a novel.

We find Stan still in his goalie position, living life as a good goalie and best fiend to Tennant Rowe. As in any sport, trade of players and movements happen and soon we see Erik Gunnarsson arrive as a new linemate for the Railers- a huge shock to San as not too long go, they had a relationship at a hockey camp, but not for long as soon as the camp was over Erik “ghosted” Stan.

Not too surprisingly, Stan plays the role of a stoic Russian goalie; talking to his pipes and straight out refusing to speak to Erik or even give him the time of day. This position soon becomes untenable. for soon the team (lead by Tenannt of course!) stages an intervention!

Shortly after, the thawing of relations begins in more ways the none- and I guess it’s fair to say that little Noah, son of Erik, helps with that- we soon see Stan falling heads over heals in love again with Erik and Noah, wanting nothing but the best for them.

While this reads as yet another insta love or insta relove story, it doesn’t detract from the fact that the characterisation of Stan and Erik are amazing- Stan’s’ English doesn’t become magically perfect overnight, frankly if you ask me it becomes sort of worse!- but never in a bad way; its a trait of his and his inner monologue is in that same broken English that you come to expect. Instead Stan is developed as a genuinely good giant of a goalie, who cares both passionately and deeply. As for Erik- the Swede is another brilliant character with both flaws and other traits that you cant’ help but love him and little Noah.

I think i have to admit that this is one book that’s one of my all time favourite reads.

Hockey Romance Universe Book 3- Deep Edge

Deep Edge

Series- Harrisburg Railers Book 3

Universe- Hockey Romance Universe Book 3

Author: RJ Scott and V.L. Locey

Publisher:  Love Lane Book Limited

Pages: 198

Formats:  Kindle

Rating:  4.5 stars

Towards the end of First Season we are introduced to Dieter Lehmann; a player for the Railers who approaches Layton Foxx with some “issues” that I can’t say lest they spoil it, however they will make you go OMG and hope that you see Dieter’s story and never fear, Dieter is the next in line.

Deep Edge opens not on Dieter but on Trent Hanson, an Olympic level figure skating who not only has been usurped by another kid, but due to actions of certain people has fallen onto hard times.

The solution?

A reality show focusing on Trent assisting the Railers in honing their skating skills and trying to find an edge to improve themselves. A show that would mean Trent’s ice hockey rink and his program for LGBTQI kids would continue to survive despite the knock knock knock of the bank on his door.

It’s this situation we find Trent and Dieter falling “insta in love” with each other, but not before we see sparks of both lust and hate flying between the two- Trent isn’t afraid to be as sassy as he needs towards Dieter which doesn’t deter him, in fact it’s one thing that Dieter appears to enjoy.

While the romance is happening, we see both Trent addressing his fears with his lola and mum, while Dieter addresses some serious issues both expected and unexpected. What is nice is that when Trent figures out the situation, he continues to help Dieter and challenge him to grow and not just drop him like a hot bag of potatoes!

This is another enjoyable read in the Hockey Romance universe, and i devoured it easily and I hope you do too!