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Puck & Pen #1
Light the Lamp
"Where do your ideas come from then?"
"I don't know. It's this nagging inkling of what-if."
"I understand this nagging feeling." The man took a step closer. "Like, this voice in my head that keeps telling me to kiss you."
Harper's eyes widened slightly. "What? Why?"
"Why?" He sounded surprised. "Why not? You are sexiest person in this bar. You stood out to me right away."
Pietr Ivanov is skating into his 10th pro-hockey season with a new team, in a new city. Fresh off a successful play-off run, he's looking forward to connecting with his teammates and settling in. When he joins his captain for drinks, he doesn't expect the night to change his life.
Harper Wyatt has lived in Manhattan for nearly a decade. As a still-floundering author, they take the little wins where they can and their favorite place to do that is the Mounting Bison. Celebrating the publication of their second book with their besties, they anticipate a couple of drinks, lots of laughs, and then calling it an early night.
When Pietr spies Harper across the bar, he's immediately smitten. He has no idea what "non-binary" means, but he's open minded and willing to learn. Harper typically steers clear of the Osprey players that frequent the bar with their captain, but Pietr has zero qualms about approaching them –in the bar bathroom of all places. And thus, in the first Meet Cute of their life, Harper's quiet, single life is upended.
This slice-of-life romance is sure to thrill romance readers looking for diverse representation and a unique story with cozy vibes. Fans of the Dark Little Town series will love the connections to a New York they've grown familiar with. Light the Lamp features multiple LGBTQ+ characters, alternative relationship structures, and a lot of spice.
"I don't know. It's this nagging inkling of what-if."
"I understand this nagging feeling." The man took a step closer. "Like, this voice in my head that keeps telling me to kiss you."
Harper's eyes widened slightly. "What? Why?"
"Why?" He sounded surprised. "Why not? You are sexiest person in this bar. You stood out to me right away."
Pietr Ivanov is skating into his 10th pro-hockey season with a new team, in a new city. Fresh off a successful play-off run, he's looking forward to connecting with his teammates and settling in. When he joins his captain for drinks, he doesn't expect the night to change his life.
Harper Wyatt has lived in Manhattan for nearly a decade. As a still-floundering author, they take the little wins where they can and their favorite place to do that is the Mounting Bison. Celebrating the publication of their second book with their besties, they anticipate a couple of drinks, lots of laughs, and then calling it an early night.
When Pietr spies Harper across the bar, he's immediately smitten. He has no idea what "non-binary" means, but he's open minded and willing to learn. Harper typically steers clear of the Osprey players that frequent the bar with their captain, but Pietr has zero qualms about approaching them –in the bar bathroom of all places. And thus, in the first Meet Cute of their life, Harper's quiet, single life is upended.
This slice-of-life romance is sure to thrill romance readers looking for diverse representation and a unique story with cozy vibes. Fans of the Dark Little Town series will love the connections to a New York they've grown familiar with. Light the Lamp features multiple LGBTQ+ characters, alternative relationship structures, and a lot of spice.
438 pages, Paperback
First published May 23, 2023
3 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Sam LaRose
14 books31 followersSam LaRose the non de plume of a nonbinary person living in rural Wisconsin. They currently work as a library director.
They live on a defunct Dairy Farm with 7 cats, a dog, and bunny,
They live on a defunct Dairy Farm with 7 cats, a dog, and bunny,
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 10, 2025
DNF 53%
I gave this book a lot of chances but there were just simply too many things that were unbelievable for me to continue. There is no way on earth that a national broadcasting company that has the rights to air NHL games would allow their commentators to call a player's girlfriend fat and continue to employ those commentators. Even if, for some crackhead reason, that company continued to employ those broadcasters/commentators, the company world never allow them to continue to talk about that player's relationship. It simply wouldn't happen.
Also, for Harper to be surprised that their family found out about their book deal when their famous NHL boyfriend regularly tagged them in posts... Come on! Just too much. I quit.
I gave this book a lot of chances but there were just simply too many things that were unbelievable for me to continue. There is no way on earth that a national broadcasting company that has the rights to air NHL games would allow their commentators to call a player's girlfriend fat and continue to employ those commentators. Even if, for some crackhead reason, that company continued to employ those broadcasters/commentators, the company world never allow them to continue to talk about that player's relationship. It simply wouldn't happen.
Also, for Harper to be surprised that their family found out about their book deal when their famous NHL boyfriend regularly tagged them in posts... Come on! Just too much. I quit.
April 9, 2023
This was a low-angst, cozy LGBTQIA+ sports romance wrapped in a blanket of spice. I liked the characters and they truly were perfect for each other. I also liked how the author explored the non-binary character's experiences, and the perception of them from the love interest's perspective. The only negative I had was there was some info dumping in the first chapter, but it was relatively brief and after that chapter, it didn't happen again. So if you like spicy hockey romances and lovable characters, this is a good read.
May 22, 2023
I really enjoyed this story.
Harper is non-binary and hangs out with their friends at a bar where hockey players hang out. Pietr is a hockey player that has just been traded to a new team, in Harpers city. They meet at the bar and enter a relationship.
This book has great non binary rep, hockey talk, and emotions.
Harper is non-binary and hangs out with their friends at a bar where hockey players hang out. Pietr is a hockey player that has just been traded to a new team, in Harpers city. They meet at the bar and enter a relationship.
This book has great non binary rep, hockey talk, and emotions.
October 18, 2024
Loved it, would love to be Harper. A great story with some spice mixed in. Can’t wait to read the next book, great author!
January 1, 2024
Light the Lamp mixes sports romance and queer romance in a deliciously sweet package. Pietr Ivanov is a new transfer to the New York Osprey hockey team and while out with his new Captain, he runs into Harper Wyatt, a non-binary author, who is celebrating the publication of their second novel. While seemingly an unlikely pair, the two hit it off and begin a sweet and spicy romance. I absolutely fell in love with Pietr while reading the book and loved the connection between him and Harper. Harper also felt so real and grounded as a character and gave amazing insight into their non-binary experience. Add in some great spice and wonderful side characters, and you have the perfect start to what will be an amazing series!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews