Book safety, content warnings, and tropes & tags down below.

Wait, do I actually like hockey books? I think I’ve read and enjoyed too many to say I don’t like them anymore, lol. It’s certainly not my favorite trope, but it’s obvious that L.A Witt knows what she’s writing about. I haven’t had any problems with the technical/hockey stuff in her books at least.

When it comes to this book specifically, I enjoyed it. There’s something about characters that have been abused (in any form) that really tugs at my heartstrings, and I enjoy reading their stories and seeing them get their happy ever afters. In this book, both MCs have suffered abuse, just in different ways, and they are both extremely wary of starting anything new, which is understandable. They basically start a hookup/friends with benefits situation, which is definitely not my favorite way to start a romance book. However, it does make sense for these characters, and it would’ve been strange if either man was excited about dating at all. They do quickly blur the lines as they get emotionally invested as well.

Asher was my favorite MC in this book by far. There’s nothing wrong with the other MC (Jeff? Geoff? I listened to the audiobook lol), but I didn’t really connect with him much either. He was just kinda there, and I’m not left with a lot of thoughts about him.

I’ve read a ton of MM books this year, and even though characters often mention how anal sex isn’t a dealbreaker or *that* important to them, this is the first time I’ve read a book where they actually don’t have penetrative sex at all, and it’s not because of trauma. It’s just something one of the MCs doesn’t enjoy, so they don’t do it. I like how L.A Witt included that. It’s important to show how sex can look different for every couple.

As mentioned I listened to the audiobook, and it was narrated by Michael Ferrawhatsit AND Nick J. Russo (my voice crush), so it was like finding the Holy Grail. God, they are both perfect.

Way off topic:
You ever feel like Michael shouldn’t ever swear? His voice is too classy to say filthy things, lmao.

Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Hockey player
Police officer
Abusive ex
Single dad
Friends with benefits

⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Domestic abuse
Combat PTSD
Manipulative ex
Mentions of homophobia
Gaslighting ex

⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Third-act breakup: Yes
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Genre: Contemporary romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: N/A
MCs age: 25 and 44