Blurb:

After last season’s heartbreaking loss to his hockey team’s archrival, Jacksonville Sea Storm goalie Riley Hunter is ready to let go of the past and focus on a winning season. His new roommate, Ethan Kennedy, is a loud New Yorker with a passion for social justice that matches his role as the team’s enforcer. The quieter Riley is attracted to Ethan and has no idea what to do about it.

Ethan has no hesitations. As fearless as his position demands, he rushes into things without much thought for the consequences. Though they eventually warm to their passionate new bond, it doesn’t come without complications. For their relationship to work, Ethan will need to learn when to keep the gloves on and let someone help him—and Riley will have to learn it’s okay to let someone past his defenses.

Stats:

Rating:     ????????.5

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Review:

Y’all. This is my second Avon Gale book, and I’ve got all kinds of heart eyes for her right now.

Book two in the Scoring Chances series totally rocked my face.

Have I said how much I love hockey? I love hockey. Love. It.

And ALL of Avon’s characters? I LOVE THEM!

I think I liked this one more than the first book. By a slim margin. ‘Cause that one rocked too.

Super sexy, quiet goalie + smart-mouth, tattooed New Yorker?

Both virgins to the ways of man-on-man sex?

The quiet one having a bit of a dominant streak?

Ohhhh myyyy.

Riley and Ethan are so perfect for each other once the walls come down.

So…these guys aren’t gay. Can’t be. One never thought of being with a man before. (Or maybe he did a little bit, that one time. Or that other time.) The other, probably less. Neither ever shunned the idea entirely. Just kind of….eh, it could happen.

Then ka-pow.

Well…sort of.

More like awkward, fumbling, how does the man-on-man sex work, exactly?

That was spectacular and sooo much fun as the reader watching them find their way with the sexy times and the first blossoms of a relationship. Brawny athletes probably wouldn’t like me using the word “blossoms”…whatever–they were adorable.

It’s not all sunshine and roses. There are hockey games to win. A Championship to earn. Family issues. Money squabbles. Futures to consider–because the league and contracts are unpredictable. And ohmigod whose sister did what?

This has boat-loads of heart and kindness. And I think that’s what packs the biggest punch along with the wonderful storytelling and wit.

Also, the side characters elevate this to a whole ‘nother level of goodness. Coach Spencer is a riot of a grump and mixed metaphors. He loves his players, though. We also get some little visits with the socially inept Lane and his man Jared from book one. Even Lane’s BFF, Zoe, is still around to inject her brand of wisdom.

There’s not quite as much hockey action in this book as the first. But certainly enough to keep me happy.

If you haven’t tackled this series yet I fully recommend it. This has been loads of fun so far.

I can’t wait for book three releasing this summer. Something taking place in Spartanburg, SC. I have some familial ties there, so *woot*.

Erm…..Avon? Hi. Are you by chance working your way up the coast of the ECHL with this series? I have a team here that’s been around awhile and my boys are HOT and have an adorable mascot. Ooooo a mascot/player hookup could be fun [subliminal plot-bunny]. Don’t mind me, but…just sayin’…

This review also posted on GoodReads.