Season's Change (Trade Season #1) by Cait Nary

 

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A veteran hockey player and a rookie can't get away from each other—or their own desires—in this sexy, heartfelt opposites-attract hockey romance.  

Olly Järvinen has a long way to go. He’s got a fresh start playing for a new team, but getting his hockey career back on track is going to take more than a change of scenery. He’s got to shut his past out and focus. On the game, not on his rookie roommate and his annoyingly sunny disposition—and annoyingly distracting good looks.

All Benji Bryzinski ever wanted was to play in the big leagues, and he’s not going to waste one single second of his rookie season. Yoga, kale smoothies and guided meditation help keep his head in the game. But his roommate keeps knocking him off track. Maybe it’s just that Olly is a grumpy bastard. Or maybe it’s something else, something Benji doesn’t have a name for yet.

Olly and Benji spend all their time together—on the ice, in the locker room, in their apartment—and ignoring their unspoken feelings isn’t making them go away. Acting on attraction is one thing, but turning a season’s fling into forever would mean facing the past—and redefining the future.

Trade Season

Book 1: Season's Change

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Season's Change is a fabulous hockey romance by Cait Nary. 

Damn! I love this book. 

It's a super hot romance full of tension and steamy moments. 

A player falling for his roommate and teammate; what more could you ask for? 

For Benji, he discovers his bisexual side, with some feelings developing, and a super hot threesome sparking things further. Ollie meanwhile, has plenty of his own issues to deal with, including some past traumatic events. 

The writing is great, as Cait had me both laughing and crying at times, fully pulled into the emotions throughout. There are a bunch of secondary characters who add to the fun. Everyone is fabulous and easy to fall in love. I love a good sports romance and this one is just that. The sports parts of the story are well done, and I adore the relationship. 

Love it all! 

Season's Change is a must read the next time you're in the mood for a sports romance. Cait Nary will not disappoint in this slow burn, bisexual awakening gem. 

The Long Game (Game Changers #6) by Rachel Reid

 

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The sequel is finally here! Shane and Ilya’s story, first seen in Heated Rivalry, continues in this long-awaited hockey romance from Rachel Reid.

"Everything you could want from this magnetic couple! A passionate, sexy, emotional sequel that grips your heart! Shane and Ilya forever!" —#1 NYT Bestseller Lauren Blakely, author of Hopelessly Bromantic

To the world they are rivals, but to each other they are everything.

Ten years.

That’s how long Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov have been seeing each other. How long they’ve been keeping their relationship a secret. From friends, from family…from the league. If Shane wants to stay at the top of his game, what he and Ilya share has to remain secret. He loves Ilya, but what if going public ruins everything?

Ilya is sick of secrets. Shane has gotten so good at hiding his feelings, sometimes Ilya questions if they even exist. The closeness, the intimacy, even the risk that would come with being open about their relationship…Ilya wants it all.

It’s time for them to decide what’s most important—hockey or love.

It’s time to make a call.


Game Changers
Book 1: Game Changer
Book 2: Heated Rivalry
Book 3: Tough Guy
Book 4: Common Goal
Book 5: Role Model
Book 6: The Long Game

My Rating - 5 Stars!

The Long Game is a fabulous addition to the Game Changers series. I love this Rachel Reid romance where we get more of Shane and Ilya from Heated Rivalry.

If you follow sports, you know how tough it is to be an out and proud professional hockey player. This beautiful story perfectly conveys the reasons to sometimes stay closeted, while also tugging at your heartstrings with the unfairness of it all.

Shane and Ilya have been together for ten years. And they're still hiding their love from the world. Their connection is solid and strong, and is well worth the read. 

This is a romance full of hockey, rivalries, sneaking around, and a whole lot of emotion. The chemistry and passion jumps off the pages. And the ups and downs, including the pain of being apart during the season, are felt throughout.

The writing is great, with a compelling storyline and charming characters. Both men are fully brought to life making it easy to fall in love with them; especially Ilya. You just have to love the Russian player. 

The Long Game is a wonderful addition to the Game Changers series. I adore every moment of this Rachel Reid romance and highly recommend it when you're in the mood for a sports romance. 

False Start (Tackled by Love #2) by Quinn Ward

 

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There was no way for them to be together in the past. Now that Lincoln's retired and the world football is more accepting, can he convince Nixon to give them a chance?

Nixon Cross isn’t wired to share his life with anyone. He’d considered a relationship once, but after the one man patient enough to put up with all his quirks shut him down, he committed all of his energy to football and helping his players. Now, one of his players need more help than Nixon can provide and his former flame is the one man who will know what to do.

Retired NAFL player Lincoln Sims had no choice but to stay in the closet; he was a professional athlete at a time when it was impossible to be honest about his sexuality. After retiring, he confessed his secret to his wife and son because he was tired of living a lie. Now, he’s ready to live his life.

Nixon Cross is the man he left behind but could never forget.

Can these men find a way to recover from their false start years earlier?

My Rating - 5 Stars!

False Start is the second book in Quinn Ward's Tackled By Love series. This part of the series takes overlaps with the first book's timeline, with it perfectly following book one. 

In Down By Contact, we met Nix and Linc. Now we get their story, which I simply love. 

Their journey is one of second chances between two men in their forties. Being together now makes them face their pasts and all the pain and fears it involves. 

They fell in love years ago, but were victims of the times, never able to be out and proud together. 

This story also has a very serious side to it, as a secondary character is dealing with the side effects of repeated head injuries during his football career. It's a tough thing to read and definitely has a major impact on the other characters. I appreciate the author tackling such a serious issue in a way that explores how it effects the injured person as well as those around them. 

I love this book. And I love this series. Quinn Ward is fabulous at writing sports romances. Each of Quinn's sports books holds a spot close to my heart, with the characters who have come to feel like family. 

False Start is a great addition to this series. Quinn Ward once again impresses with this look into the locker room and support staff. 

Hot Seat (The Hot Cannolis #1) by Eli Easton & Tara Lain

 

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Wait. Can a Canali be gay?

Hero firefighter, youngest of six macho Italian brothers and—in love with Shane Bower, who never met a unicorn T-shirt he didn’t love? How does that even work?

When Mike Canali meets Shane Bower, his attraction to the guy is off the charts. But then his huge family and intense job full of rules and expectations intrude and he never calls.

Until they both get a medal—
and his mom falls in love with Shane at the ceremony—
and all of a sudden Shane’s all over his life, whether Mike likes it or not.

The butch Canali family face-to-face with sparkly Shane Bower? This is a wildfire of its own.

Shane worked damned hard to be who he is—fantastic, femme and in-your-face. He won’t compromise that, even to have the super-hot man of his dreams. But can he really ask Mike to give up his family and future just to have his fabulous self? Especially when he’s falling in love with the Canali family too?

HOT SEAT is a hot firefighter, big crazy family, coming out, opposites attract, forced proximity, romantic comedy—with all the feels. 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Hot damn! Hot Seat is a fabulous romance by Eli Easton and Tara Lain. The first book in The Hot Cannolis series, this writing duo had me riveted throughout.

Shane and Mike's story is heartbreaking, yet beautiful. 

Shane's and out and proud man that one can't help but to fall in love with. He's femme and owns every moment of it. Mike, meanwhile, is a hot and sexy firefighter, who's sadly closeted. 

The emotions are front and center throughout, with the reader feeling every moment of Mike's worries, doubts, and fears. And omg, does Mike ever have a lot of these. 

Their story is hot, with amazing chemistry, while also being cute and funny at times. Of course, the angsty moments will leave your heart hurting and grabbing for a tissue.

A lot of this story revolves around family and family expectations. But ultimately, isn't it better to risk losing one's family to be happy in love?

The writing is fantastic, as I've come to expect from these authors. The characters fully come to life, are totally lovable, and their storyline will keep you invested throughout. 

Hot Seat is a great read. I love everything about this Eli Easton and Tara Lain gem. I am loving this series and can't wait to see what comes next. 

RELEASE BLITZ, EXCERPT, GIVEAWAY & REVIEW - Egotistical Puckboy (Puckboys #1) by Eden Finley & Saxon James

 

EGOTISTICAL PUCKBOY

Puckboys - Book One

by Eden Finley & Saxon James

Release Blitz

Release Date: February 10, 2022

Cover Design: Story Styling Cover Designs

Photographer: Wander Aguiar Photography

Model: Daniel Macedo

Genre: M/M Sports Romance

Trope: Hate to love

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EZRA

Partying, dudes, and hockey. What more could a gay NHL player want?

If it weren't for Anton Hayes, my life would be perfect.

Not that he affects my life in any way. At all. That would imply I care what the winger from Philly thinks of me.

Which I don't.

Not even a one-night stand with him can thaw his misplaced animosity toward me.

He says I'm the one with the ego, but he can talk. He rivals me for most egotistical puck boy in the league.

I hate him as much as he hates me. Even if I crave a repeat.

ANTON

When it comes to hockey, I'm all about the game.

I've worked for years to be one of the best in the league, and l've done it without splashing my orientation all over the tabloids.

My hockey image is one I've carefully cultivated, and after one night with Ezra Palaszczuk, I risk it all.

He's cocky, obnoxious, and has an ego bigger than Massachusetts. And okay, maybe he's the sexiest man I've ever known.

We'll never get along. Not when we sleep together. Not even when my possessive streak awakens.

That doesn't stop us from falling into bed together over and over again.

____________________________________

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Omg! I absolutely love Egotistical Puckboy. The first book in the Puckboys series by Eden Finley and Saxon James, I was hooked from the first page. 

Everything about this book is amazing. 

The characters.

The storyline. 

The relationship.
The friendships. 

Starting off as enemies, Anton and Ezra are ruthless to one another. And once they are on the same team, watch out. 

This story is full of pranks that had me laughing out loud, sex scenes that had me swooning, and a beautiful progression from enemies to lovers.

This story leans heavily on the aspect of being openly gay in the hockey world. On a positive note, there isn't any homophobia. Instead, it's the desire to not be simply known as the gay hockey player that keeps one closeted. 

The gay support group adds an emotional layer I wasn't expecting. These men have a comaraderie unlike anything you will normally see. There's no need to worry about being afraid of accepted into this group; you just are. And the bonds they have are unbreakable. 

Ezra's issues with his family are tough to read. His father is nothing but a piece of shit. I was so happy to see Ezra find support elsewhere. 

Every scene, every chapter is fabulous. But the ending is the best. Omg, I couldn't stop laughing at the last clubhouse scene!!

Egotistical Puckboy is a must have for fans of hockey romance. This Eden Finley and Saxon James tale is an immediate re-read. I love it all! And I can't wait to see what comes next in this series. Whatever it is, it's sure to be great!!!

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Add to your TBR List!

GOODREADS LINK

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Purchase Link

Amazon Universal ~ https://geni.us/Ntn2

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GIVEAWAY

$25 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter Giveaway

ENTER HERE

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Eden Finley is an Amazon bestselling author who writes steamy contemporary romances that are full of snark and light-hearted fluff.

She doesn't take anything too seriously and lives to create an escape from real life for her readers. The ideas always begin with a wackadoodle premise, and she does her best to turn them into romances with heart.

With a short attention span that rivals her son's, she writes multiple different pairings: MM, MMF, and MF.

She's also an Australian girl and apologises for her Australianisms that sometimes don't make sense to anyone else.

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Connect with Eden

Website:

https://edenfinley.com

Newsletter Sign Up: http://bit.ly/2owAsgY

Facebook Author Page: http://bit.ly/2GMjfag

Facebook Reader Group: http://bit.ly/2t1KqM4

Goodreads Author Page: http://bit.ly/2ouFzya

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2HQnyCv

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Pinterest: https://bit.ly/3gS5aLZ

Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/3qkn0eP

Bookbub Author Page: http://bit.ly/2ouhBDq

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About the Author

Saxon James unapologetically writes happy endings for LGBT+ characters.

While not writing, SM is a readaholic and Netflix addict who regularly lives on a sustainable diet of chocolate and coffee.

Member of SCBWI.

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Connect with Saxon

Facebook Author Page:

http://bit.ly/2QSVCmS

Facebook Reader Group: http://bit.ly/36slT1W

Goodreads Author Page: http://bit.ly/2SYfPKU

Instagram: https://bit.ly/33m1XPb

Amazon Author Page: hhttps://amzn.to/2ZXjp9C

Bookbub Author Page: https://bit.ly/3fKt5MC

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Duplicity (Blue Mountain University #1) by A.E. Madsen

 

Amazon Link - Available in KU  
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Duplicity
Blue Mountain University Book 1

Daniel
When my ex outed me, he also lied about our relationship, and everything changed. Now, I’ve been effectively disowned by my parents, and I haven’t dated anyone in almost nine months since. According to my friend, that’s too much time to waste regretting the actions of a good for nothing jerk. Part of me wants to get back out there, but I’m not sure. She insists on setting me up on a semi blind date with her old study buddy. But when I run into him on campus, he isn’t anything like she said.

Ian
I can count the number of people that I’ve told I’m bi on one hand, make that one finger. I’ve never been the out and proud type. So, when Daniel approached me nervously asking about a date, I was a little surprised, but I was also on my way to soccer practice and had no time to think it through. I gave him my number so we could meet up later and we went on a date the next weekend. It was great, and he kissed me when we were saying goodbye. Then he called me Aiden. That’s my brother’s name. Did I forget to mention I’m a twin?

My Rating - 3.5 Stars!

Duplicity is the first book in the Blue Mountain University series. This AE Madsen book is a new adult romance that's a promising start for this series. 

I absolutely love and crave college romances, so I jumped into this one with both feet. What's not to love about a closeted bisexual athlete falling in love? Add in that he's pretending to be his twin, and oh hell yeah, I'm intrigued. 

Some people might not enjoy that Ian pretends to be his brother, and I understand that complaint. I definitely struggled with this and the way it all started. It just seemed "too easy" for someone who's supposed to be closeted. I'll also add that the twins are so completely different that it seems hard that anyone could ever mistake them for each other. But, damn it, I just didn't care. I was able to overlook that and just enjoy the story for what it is. 

Of course, the secret is looming overhead throughout, as the reader knows that Dani will be mad. This adds plenty of tension and excitement for the reader, as these men are so darn sweet together. And of course, there's plenty of worry about the reveal, as the heartbreak is sure to be real.

Honestly, I'd be upset about the pretending thing if I didn't understand how hard it is for athletes to come out. This was just a good case of getting to be "out" without being "out." If you can overlook that, you'll enjoy the story.

Written in alternating first person pov, the writing flows well and the reader is easily brought into the emotions and thoughts throughout.

Overall, I enjoyed Duplicity. If you enjoy college sports, this AE Madsen tale is worth a try. It's a nice debut book and I'm excited to see what comes next in this series, as the friend group is simply delightful.

Canning the Center (Long Pass Chronicles #2) by Tara Lain

 

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  

Goodreads Link - old link

Is there a closet big enough to hold a football pro and a drag queen?

Jamal -- Posing as straight. Feigning affection for his teammate’s sister. Acting like he doesn’t despise his team’s owner.

Trevor -- Hiding his drag persona. Disguising his IQ. Pretending to be someone he’s not.

Jamal Jones, pro football center, and Trevor Landry, college student and drag queen, both fake their lives to keep from losing what they want. They even go so far as to let Trevor pretend to be a woman to convince Jamal’s team that he has a girlfriend.

If they drop their acts, Jamal can lose the promising football career he’s always wanted and Trevor could lose his scholarship.

But is having their dreams worth living a phony life? Or will they finally admit, what the really want is each other?

CANNING THE CENTER is a hiding the truth, secret enemies, forbidden love, toppy femme, MM romance.

Note: CANNING THE CENTER is a republication of an earlier work. Only the cover has changed.

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Canning the Center is the second book in the Long Pass Chronicles series. I love everything about this Tara Lain sports romance and am thrilled it's being re-released. 

I love Jamal and Trevor. These men have a great story, with plenty of forbidden feelings and emotions throughout. 

Jamal's an NFL player who's bisexual and stuck playing for a homophobic coach. He's definitely stuck in a situation he doesn't want, unable to come out and having to deal with a coach he doesn't like.

And when he meets Trixie/Trevor, his world gets that much more complicated. 

Oh Trixie! Oh Trevor! I love these characters, both in and out of drag. And most of all, I absolutely find myself swooning over the fact that Trixie/Trevor is everything Jamal wants. Seriously, a bisexual man finding himself in love with a drag queen, and getting what he wants from both a female relationship and a male relationship. Omg. Love it!

Obviously, there's a lot going on in this story. It's bad enough that Jamal is closeted, but falling for Trixie/Trevor starts to make things more problematic. 

Canning the Center is a fabulous read. I have nothing but love for this Tara Lain gem. This tale is full of complex situations and is an emotional rollercoaster. It's a long road for these two to get to their happy ending, but don't worry, they do get there.