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Rules of the Game #3
Changing the Rules
Rule #1: Don’t fall in love with the coach.
Gabriel Theriault’s been skating on thin ice for the past two seasons with Toronto but his arrest following an off-ice fight is the final straw.
His only shot at redemption is to start over in Evanston and prove that he still has what it takes to be a pro player.
No more fights. No more drinking. No more random hookups.
Rule #2: The team always comes first.
Years ago, Lance Tate’s on-ice injury ended his career and marriage.
His long road to recovery led to a job he loves as assistant coach with the Evanston Otters, and he wouldn’t dream of giving that up.
Until he meets Gabriel.
The French-Canadian is fifteen years younger, burdened by too much responsibility, and the most intriguing man Lance has ever met.
He’s also the absolute last man Lance should get involved with.
The draw between them is impossible to resist—even if it could cost them the game they love.
Their only chance at winning it all is to change the rules.
Gabriel Theriault’s been skating on thin ice for the past two seasons with Toronto but his arrest following an off-ice fight is the final straw.
His only shot at redemption is to start over in Evanston and prove that he still has what it takes to be a pro player.
No more fights. No more drinking. No more random hookups.
Rule #2: The team always comes first.
Years ago, Lance Tate’s on-ice injury ended his career and marriage.
His long road to recovery led to a job he loves as assistant coach with the Evanston Otters, and he wouldn’t dream of giving that up.
Until he meets Gabriel.
The French-Canadian is fifteen years younger, burdened by too much responsibility, and the most intriguing man Lance has ever met.
He’s also the absolute last man Lance should get involved with.
The draw between them is impossible to resist—even if it could cost them the game they love.
Their only chance at winning it all is to change the rules.
10 pages, Audible Audio
First published April 28, 2022
301 people are currently reading
675 people want to read
About the author
Brigham Vaughn
80 books745 followersBrigham Vaughn is on the adventure of a lifetime as a full-time writer. She devours books at an alarming rate and hasn’t let her short arms and long torso stop her from doing yoga. She makes a killer key lime pie, hates green peppers, and loves wine tasting tours. A collector of vintage Nancy Drew books and green glassware, she enjoys poking around in antique shops and refinishing thrift store furniture. An avid photographer, she dreams of traveling the world and she can’t wait to discover everything else life has to offer her.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 200 reviews
May 5, 2022
2.5 rounded down
This should have been right up my alley, and it was fine, but something about it left me feeling a little unsatisfied.
First off, I didn't realize that the older MC, Lance, was going to be so inexperienced with men. Which isn't generally a problem for me, but the author just went *really* hard on the "practically a virgin" trope, and coming from a nearly 50-year-old man, who'd had plenty of sex with women/isn't exactly new to sex/intimacy in general, something about it just felt a little off for me and it prevented me from really loving the dynamics.
And then the pacing was a bit off. For all that this isn't a short book, I feel like once the characters decide to be together, they move really quick to love confessions and thoughts of forever, and I didn't feel like I actually saw that development happen on the page, so it seemed really fast.
This is also *very* clearly set within a larger world of the author's, most of which I'm barely or not at all familiar with, and it was incredibly distracting to have multiple couples and characters crop up that I was clearly supposed to already be familiar with. I wasn't lost without that context by any means, but there were at least three couples from different books (and even series!) from this author, if not more, and they all had way too much screentime.
I did enjoy the hockey aspect, which wasn't overdone, but was present enough to actually make it feel like a hockey book. While I didn't totally feel the characters' connection, I did enjoy them individually. I don't know, I feel like even with my issues I should have enjoyed it more than I did, but something about it just didn't quite connect for me, and I'm not particularly interested in reading more in this series.
This should have been right up my alley, and it was fine, but something about it left me feeling a little unsatisfied.
First off, I didn't realize that the older MC, Lance, was going to be so inexperienced with men. Which isn't generally a problem for me, but the author just went *really* hard on the "practically a virgin" trope, and coming from a nearly 50-year-old man, who'd had plenty of sex with women/isn't exactly new to sex/intimacy in general, something about it just felt a little off for me and it prevented me from really loving the dynamics.
And then the pacing was a bit off. For all that this isn't a short book, I feel like once the characters decide to be together, they move really quick to love confessions and thoughts of forever, and I didn't feel like I actually saw that development happen on the page, so it seemed really fast.
This is also *very* clearly set within a larger world of the author's, most of which I'm barely or not at all familiar with, and it was incredibly distracting to have multiple couples and characters crop up that I was clearly supposed to already be familiar with. I wasn't lost without that context by any means, but there were at least three couples from different books (and even series!) from this author, if not more, and they all had way too much screentime.
I did enjoy the hockey aspect, which wasn't overdone, but was present enough to actually make it feel like a hockey book. While I didn't totally feel the characters' connection, I did enjoy them individually. I don't know, I feel like even with my issues I should have enjoyed it more than I did, but something about it just didn't quite connect for me, and I'm not particularly interested in reading more in this series.
May 8, 2022
RTC but I quite enjoyed this one. It was super sweet and I really loved all of the tropes in the story. I just found the book to be dragging a little and it was harder for me to get into some parts of the book. But I really enjoyed the romance in this one and how they got together. Also, one of the main characters in this book, Gabriel, is French-Canadian and I'm saying this as someone who's also French-Canadian, but I just loved him so much, he was basically my spirit animal with how typically French-Canadian he sounded. I thought that he was done in a great way, he was very much a stereotype of what it's like to be French-Canadian but I didn't even mind that, I thought it was fun to read about.
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest opinion.
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest opinion.
May 9, 2022
1 star for Murphy and Hartinger from the prequel of this serie. I can’t wait for their full length novel.
Dnf at 20%
I wanted to like this really but there was way too much talk about Gabriel’s hook ups with too much informations and details.
I knew beforehand that he was a manwhore and use to cope with what he was going through but I could’ve dealt with it if it hasn’t been mentioned a millionths time in every single page, every single monologue and dialogue. I couldn’t take it anymore.
Besides he was more than a just a manwhore, he was an A grade dirty whore and he was very proud of it.
I didn’t need to know he has a high sex drive and he fucked everything that moves. I didn’t need to know he bottomed for the 1st time because he was angry at his dad who said to him man or woman it’s the same thing. A hole is a hole.
I didn’t need to know he sipped champagne on a woman’s back when her husband was fucking him. I didn’t need to know that he fucked his teammates while their wives were watching and he fucked their wives with his teammates approval. Because he was a honorable man, he always ask for permission because he didn’t like cheating “roll eyes” ! I didn’t need to know that he fucked many bag dicks that were better than the one with who his wife’s teammates cheated on him with,
And he was Noah (he’s a second character in the prequel in this serie and he has his own book in another serie) fuckbuddy. I’m skipping Noah’s book.
And on and on and on ..
He’s his father son. Alain used to be a manwhore that’s how he got Gabriel’s mother a random hook up pregnant and they abandoned him.
DEAR AUTHORS, us readers we don’t want to read about MCs sleeping with other people and certainly not in every page and certainly not explicit !! And we don’t need MF scenes in our MM books. If we want te read about pussies and boobs we would be reading MF books.
Please take all this in consideration.
And I didn’t like his dirty flirting with Lance. He’s 50 years old, a very sweet and a very caring man. I loved him from the start. He was inexperienced with man and I didn’t like how Gabriel took advantage of that in their first date when Lance wanted to take things very slowly and get to know him better.
I haven’t feel any chemistry and no connection.
Lance is genuine, a keeper and a very romantic person, definitely not a hook up person. He deserved much much better.. He has feelings for Gabriel but but I don’t think it’s reciprocated, Gabriel was mostly interested in the physical side of the relationship. He will most likely be back to his whoring days sonner or later.
I highly don’t recommend if you don’t like to read too much informations about MCs sexcapades every 3 sentences.
Dnf at 20%
I wanted to like this really but there was way too much talk about Gabriel’s hook ups with too much informations and details.
I knew beforehand that he was a manwhore and use to cope with what he was going through but I could’ve dealt with it if it hasn’t been mentioned a millionths time in every single page, every single monologue and dialogue. I couldn’t take it anymore.
Besides he was more than a just a manwhore, he was an A grade dirty whore and he was very proud of it.
I didn’t need to know he has a high sex drive and he fucked everything that moves. I didn’t need to know he bottomed for the 1st time because he was angry at his dad who said to him man or woman it’s the same thing. A hole is a hole.
I didn’t need to know he sipped champagne on a woman’s back when her husband was fucking him. I didn’t need to know that he fucked his teammates while their wives were watching and he fucked their wives with his teammates approval. Because he was a honorable man, he always ask for permission because he didn’t like cheating “roll eyes” ! I didn’t need to know that he fucked many bag dicks that were better than the one with who his wife’s teammates cheated on him with,
And he was Noah (he’s a second character in the prequel in this serie and he has his own book in another serie) fuckbuddy. I’m skipping Noah’s book.
And on and on and on ..
He’s his father son. Alain used to be a manwhore that’s how he got Gabriel’s mother a random hook up pregnant and they abandoned him.
DEAR AUTHORS, us readers we don’t want to read about MCs sleeping with other people and certainly not in every page and certainly not explicit !! And we don’t need MF scenes in our MM books. If we want te read about pussies and boobs we would be reading MF books.
Please take all this in consideration.
And I didn’t like his dirty flirting with Lance. He’s 50 years old, a very sweet and a very caring man. I loved him from the start. He was inexperienced with man and I didn’t like how Gabriel took advantage of that in their first date when Lance wanted to take things very slowly and get to know him better.
I haven’t feel any chemistry and no connection.
Lance is genuine, a keeper and a very romantic person, definitely not a hook up person. He deserved much much better.. He has feelings for Gabriel but but I don’t think it’s reciprocated, Gabriel was mostly interested in the physical side of the relationship. He will most likely be back to his whoring days sonner or later.
I highly don’t recommend if you don’t like to read too much informations about MCs sexcapades every 3 sentences.
May 8, 2022
Gabriel is a top hockey player, but his life and his play have been affected the last couple of years by a problem he's promised to keep a secret. He's been angry, fighting on the ice, taking bad penalties, and sleeping with random people. Changing teams is his time for redemption, for rededicating himself to his game and keeping his nose clean. But the problem he's dealing with and hiding hasn't gone away with the move. And then he finds himself falling for the team's offensive coach - Lance is much older, stable, kind, and definitely off-limits for a player on the same team, even a defenseman like Gabriel.
Lance is fifteen years older than his players, divorced with adult kids, and settled with his team. He's bisexual, but hasn't really done much with men, but now that he's single, that interest is nagging at him. And he's never seen someone who appealed more than Gabriel. One of the team's players is obviously off-limits, but when he discovers what Gabriel is coping with in his life, and tries to help, what grows is not just sexual attraction, but something much more.
This was plausibly slow-burn, and I liked that the emotional connection mainly came before the physical. The topic of family responsibilities, of what we owe to people who both helped and damaged us, was well done and made the story unique. There's enough hockey action to ground the story in the sport, without overwhelming it.
I enjoyed the story a lot. There were some secondary characters who were probably from other books by this author, but I didn't feel that I missed much by not knowing who they were. The ending was warm and satisfying although I'm not sure it was 100% realistic. But I definitely liked the story and have the next one on my TBRs.
Lance is fifteen years older than his players, divorced with adult kids, and settled with his team. He's bisexual, but hasn't really done much with men, but now that he's single, that interest is nagging at him. And he's never seen someone who appealed more than Gabriel. One of the team's players is obviously off-limits, but when he discovers what Gabriel is coping with in his life, and tries to help, what grows is not just sexual attraction, but something much more.
This was plausibly slow-burn, and I liked that the emotional connection mainly came before the physical. The topic of family responsibilities, of what we owe to people who both helped and damaged us, was well done and made the story unique. There's enough hockey action to ground the story in the sport, without overwhelming it.
I enjoyed the story a lot. There were some secondary characters who were probably from other books by this author, but I didn't feel that I missed much by not knowing who they were. The ending was warm and satisfying although I'm not sure it was 100% realistic. But I definitely liked the story and have the next one on my TBRs.
May 27, 2024
RECENSIONE A CURA DI BARBARA
Dolcezza e impotenza!
Forse potrei riassumere così questo nuovo capitolo della Serie “Le Regole del Gioco“, un volume delicatamente intimo che racchiude moltissime emozioni. Una storia che affronta con rispetto tematiche importanti senza perdere nulla della sensualità narrativa dell’autrice Brigham Vaughn, una voluttuosità morbida e ricca di sentimento. Un sentimento che è già amore, che sostiene e supporta, che unisce due anime nella lotta per il loro futuro assieme, per viversi e amarsi in ogni difficoltà e ostacolo.
“Un cambio alle regole” ci parla di Gabriel e Lance, ci narra di seconde occasioni e possibilità, ma soprattutto si concentra su tristezza e sconforto, solitudine e impotenza, emozioni che ci accompagnano lungo tutta la narrazione. Sensazioni che ci lasciano un senso di amarezza e perdita, paura e rabbia.
Continua sul nostro blog!
Dolcezza e impotenza!
Forse potrei riassumere così questo nuovo capitolo della Serie “Le Regole del Gioco“, un volume delicatamente intimo che racchiude moltissime emozioni. Una storia che affronta con rispetto tematiche importanti senza perdere nulla della sensualità narrativa dell’autrice Brigham Vaughn, una voluttuosità morbida e ricca di sentimento. Un sentimento che è già amore, che sostiene e supporta, che unisce due anime nella lotta per il loro futuro assieme, per viversi e amarsi in ogni difficoltà e ostacolo.
“Un cambio alle regole” ci parla di Gabriel e Lance, ci narra di seconde occasioni e possibilità, ma soprattutto si concentra su tristezza e sconforto, solitudine e impotenza, emozioni che ci accompagnano lungo tutta la narrazione. Sensazioni che ci lasciano un senso di amarezza e perdita, paura e rabbia.
Continua sul nostro blog!
June 26, 2024
Gabriel and Lance
2.5 stars rounded up because there's no miscommunication.
Age gap MM hockey romance with some heat, low angst, and a happy ending.
This series seems to be, for me, an 'I really want to like it so much more than I actually like it' situation and yet I like enough of it to keep coming back and reading the next in the series probably because there're characters from the series of hers I really do like (Relationship Goals) that keep cropping up and it keeps pulling me back in.
2.5 stars rounded up because there's no miscommunication.
Age gap MM hockey romance with some heat, low angst, and a happy ending.
This series seems to be, for me, an 'I really want to like it so much more than I actually like it' situation and yet I like enough of it to keep coming back and reading the next in the series probably because there're characters from the series of hers I really do like (Relationship Goals) that keep cropping up and it keeps pulling me back in.
July 10, 2022
This was tense and beautiful. There was so much at stake for these two and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time waiting, worrying, and hoping they get the ending they deserve.
Gah, these two were lovely, they both have had some blows in their lives (some literally) and neither have really had the support and love they needed. But Gabriel especially has had to figure out and deal with life on his own, and not always successfully. When he’s given a second chance, he’s ready to take it, and along the way learns it’s better to let people in.
I love how their relationship progressed, how sweetly they cared for each other. They were so strong and steady, and they were definite couple goals.
Gah, these two were lovely, they both have had some blows in their lives (some literally) and neither have really had the support and love they needed. But Gabriel especially has had to figure out and deal with life on his own, and not always successfully. When he’s given a second chance, he’s ready to take it, and along the way learns it’s better to let people in.
I love how their relationship progressed, how sweetly they cared for each other. They were so strong and steady, and they were definite couple goals.
September 28, 2025
I enjoyed every word of this. I fell in love with both Gabriel and Lance. Things were both raw and emotional between them, but together they're actually quite cute. It is however, a poignant read in places, both guys are not without their problems. I especially felt for Gabriel, his lack of self confidence, and the need to do what he considered the right thing were heartbreaking. When the two were together, I loved how Lance showed how much he cared for Gabriel. It's a great addition to the series, and I certainly hope for more. If you love romance (definitely not always straightforward), this is for you! The audible version is definitely worth a listen, the narration does a really good job at bringing the MCs to life.
October 13, 2022
Better than book 1
This book was a bit too long but it was a lot better than book 1.
Gabriel having to take care of a father who never took care of him is heartbreaking. Lance becomes his shoulder to lean on.
I wasn’t sure how it would all work out and some of the secondary characters were a bit annoying like can Malone go away for good. He takes the enjoyment out of every scene he’s in. Blech.
I’ll take a break before reading book 3. The storylines are a bit repetitive and I need a break from that. Over all this was a good book but a lot of filler that could have been edited out to make it a tighter story was needed.
This book was a bit too long but it was a lot better than book 1.
Gabriel having to take care of a father who never took care of him is heartbreaking. Lance becomes his shoulder to lean on.
I wasn’t sure how it would all work out and some of the secondary characters were a bit annoying like can Malone go away for good. He takes the enjoyment out of every scene he’s in. Blech.
I’ll take a break before reading book 3. The storylines are a bit repetitive and I need a break from that. Over all this was a good book but a lot of filler that could have been edited out to make it a tighter story was needed.
March 11, 2023
4.5⭐️
Changing the Rules by Brigham Vaughn is book 3 in the Rules of the Game series.
In the previous book, Bending the Rules, I was intrigued by the character of Gabriel who always seemed to be in a dark mood and held back a lot of anger. After hitting another player on and off the ice, he was traded to the Evanston River Otters. I was really looking forward to learning more about him and to understanding better what was behind the mystery that surrounded him.
I loved getting to know Gabriel and seeing the dedicated man that he was, both to his sport and to his ailing father. His character arc and story of redemption was captivating. I loved the forbidden aspect of his relationship with Lance, the assistant coach for the River Otters. Stakes were high on both sides if their relationship was discovered and it brought a lot of tension throughout the book. I didn't want to stop reading for a moment as I wanted to know how they would get out of this situation. Lance and Gabriel were made for each other, there is no doubt about it.
Since both MCs were members of the team it stands to reason that there was a lot of hockey. I think that's one of the reasons I enjoyed Changing the Rules so much. You can tell that Brigham Vaughn has a good grasp of the subject and has done her research. There is an authenticity that comes through in every scene where the game is involved and also through what happens in the locker room behind the scenes.
I love all the players on this team (maybe not Malone 😂) and I feel like I'm going to have a lot of fun getting to know each of their stories.
Changing the Rules by Brigham Vaughn is book 3 in the Rules of the Game series.
In the previous book, Bending the Rules, I was intrigued by the character of Gabriel who always seemed to be in a dark mood and held back a lot of anger. After hitting another player on and off the ice, he was traded to the Evanston River Otters. I was really looking forward to learning more about him and to understanding better what was behind the mystery that surrounded him.
I loved getting to know Gabriel and seeing the dedicated man that he was, both to his sport and to his ailing father. His character arc and story of redemption was captivating. I loved the forbidden aspect of his relationship with Lance, the assistant coach for the River Otters. Stakes were high on both sides if their relationship was discovered and it brought a lot of tension throughout the book. I didn't want to stop reading for a moment as I wanted to know how they would get out of this situation. Lance and Gabriel were made for each other, there is no doubt about it.
Since both MCs were members of the team it stands to reason that there was a lot of hockey. I think that's one of the reasons I enjoyed Changing the Rules so much. You can tell that Brigham Vaughn has a good grasp of the subject and has done her research. There is an authenticity that comes through in every scene where the game is involved and also through what happens in the locker room behind the scenes.
I love all the players on this team (maybe not Malone 😂) and I feel like I'm going to have a lot of fun getting to know each of their stories.
March 14, 2024
Ok, I loved CHANGING THE RULES and I was not expecting Gabriel to be so swoony! His relationship with Assistant Coach Lance Tate was unexpected for both of them but so sweet. I adored that their love was almost more about the emotional connection than the physical side of things (though there were plenty of steamy moments). Gabriel has long used casual hookups as a crutch to fight his loneliness and anger but since getting booted from the Toronto Fisher Cats he's really turned his life around. I loved how flirty and tender he was with Lance, who discovered his bisexuality later in life so he's not very experienced with men. They fell quickly but it was emotional and beautiful. The hockey scenes continue to be great and I loved seeing past couple Zane and Ryan as well as other queer couples making waves in the sports world. This series is definitely going on my favorites list!
Content Warning: on page parent with dementia; past traumatic brain injury
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Favorite Quotes:
"My life has been chaos for so long. The other day was chaos. And then you were there, and I could breathe. I could lean on you. I felt safe and like the world wasn’t crumbling around my ears."
Content Warning: on page parent with dementia; past traumatic brain injury
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
"My life has been chaos for so long. The other day was chaos. And then you were there, and I could breathe. I could lean on you. I felt safe and like the world wasn’t crumbling around my ears."
April 13, 2025
Zaczęłam przygodę z tym tomem od audiobooka, bo zakochałam się w akcencie lektora. Niestety, przy rozdziale trzecim musiałam się poddać i wrócić do e-booka. Naprawdę tak długie przerwy pomiędzy zdaniami i akapitami nie są potrzebne. A na przyspieszeniu nie słucham.
Wracając jednak do samej historii... Dobrze, że dałam książce szansę, mimo negatywnych recenzji, bo było warto. I muszę, bo się uduszę, choć piszę po polsku, więc pewnie nikt tego nie przeczyta. W wielu recenzjach widziałam zarzut, że jest tu zbyt wiele opisów Gabriela z innymi osobami. I mam wrażenie, że osoby, które to pisały, nie czytają obecnie wydawanych książek, bo niestety, to co tu mieliśmy, blednie w porównaniu z innym. I tak były wspomniane sytuacje, ale dla mnie były one pokazaniem, kim był Gabriel zanim go poznaliśmy oraz jak ojciec wpłynął na jego rozwój.
Uczciwie spodziewałam się więcej niepotrzebnej dramy i ostatecznie byłam mile zaskoczona. Lektura tej książki, mimo trudnej tematyki, była jak leżenie pod kocykiem. Pomiędzy głównymi bohaterami było tyle ciepła, zrozumienia i czułości. Cudownie czyta się o dorosłych, którzy zachowują się jak dorośli.
Co mi najbardziej przeszkadzało, to tempo rozwoju związku. Mam wrażenie, że po zostaniu parą, relacja Lance'a i Gabriela rozwinęła się szybko. I tak, wspominano nie raz, że minęły dwa-trzy tygodnie, ale zabrakło mi jakoś pokazania tego kiełkującego się uczucia. Mowa była o rozmowach, wiadomościach, których jednak nie mogliśmy doświadczyć.
Mimo wszystko cieszę się, że jeszcze trzy tomy z tej serii przede mną.
Wracając jednak do samej historii... Dobrze, że dałam książce szansę, mimo negatywnych recenzji, bo było warto. I muszę, bo się uduszę, choć piszę po polsku, więc pewnie nikt tego nie przeczyta. W wielu recenzjach widziałam zarzut, że jest tu zbyt wiele opisów Gabriela z innymi osobami. I mam wrażenie, że osoby, które to pisały, nie czytają obecnie wydawanych książek, bo niestety, to co tu mieliśmy, blednie w porównaniu z innym. I tak były wspomniane sytuacje, ale dla mnie były one pokazaniem, kim był Gabriel zanim go poznaliśmy oraz jak ojciec wpłynął na jego rozwój.
Uczciwie spodziewałam się więcej niepotrzebnej dramy i ostatecznie byłam mile zaskoczona. Lektura tej książki, mimo trudnej tematyki, była jak leżenie pod kocykiem. Pomiędzy głównymi bohaterami było tyle ciepła, zrozumienia i czułości. Cudownie czyta się o dorosłych, którzy zachowują się jak dorośli.
Co mi najbardziej przeszkadzało, to tempo rozwoju związku. Mam wrażenie, że po zostaniu parą, relacja Lance'a i Gabriela rozwinęła się szybko. I tak, wspominano nie raz, że minęły dwa-trzy tygodnie, ale zabrakło mi jakoś pokazania tego kiełkującego się uczucia. Mowa była o rozmowach, wiadomościach, których jednak nie mogliśmy doświadczyć.
Mimo wszystko cieszę się, że jeszcze trzy tomy z tej serii przede mną.
July 16, 2024
Another beautiful book in this series. Beautifully written. A low-ish angst interesting story. Touching on the problems caused by caring for a parent with dementia (CTE) and integrating that into the story showing Gabriel's struggles and how Lance effortlessly fell in to help them was a lovely thing to watch. Falling in love for them was never the problem. It happened like jigsaw pieces falling into place. The age gap was a non issue and the drama caused by the coach-player conflict was just enough and believable and handled with care resulting in a great HEA. I loved this book.
All the stars.
All the stars.
April 24, 2023
The chemistry!
Fun, steamy and sweet. This is a great hockey romance with secrets, lust filled glances and new discoveries.
I loved Lance and Gabriel!
The narrator has done a fantastic job with this one and the different accents. Their french is so sexy!
I loved the emotional depth of these characters and their growth over the story. I also felt it was a bit more honest of what could happen in and with a relationship like this one, rather than no talking and all the unnecessary drama. I also totally loved the special cameos of characters from her previous books!!!
Fun, steamy and sweet. This is a great hockey romance with secrets, lust filled glances and new discoveries.
I loved Lance and Gabriel!
The narrator has done a fantastic job with this one and the different accents. Their french is so sexy!
I loved the emotional depth of these characters and their growth over the story. I also felt it was a bit more honest of what could happen in and with a relationship like this one, rather than no talking and all the unnecessary drama. I also totally loved the special cameos of characters from her previous books!!!
October 23, 2024
While this still very long for what happens in it, it is still the best paced book in this series so far. I liked both the MCs and the roadblocks to their relationship were legitimate. I sort of wish a little more of time could have been allocated to the aftermath of their forced outing, but over all I really enjoyed this one. There is very little angst and this is once again a case of people becoming happy and then just being happy together. Maybe I want a book that this author is simply not going to write.
May 8, 2022
Not my thing at all, boring, big age difference, Gabriel behaving like the fairy godmother of gay sex....I want Lindy's story.
January 29, 2025
I know we’re all just shocked that the age gap one is my favorite. Whoops.
April 24, 2025
This was cute! I liked it better than my first Brigham Vaughn book (Road Rules), because while it's still looong, it didn't feel as repetitive and long. I was really hyped for the player x coach constellation and would have actually preferred it to be a bit more forbidden or with more drama, the solution was just a bit too favourable or obvious - if this makes sense? But it still was feeling natural overall, especially their getting to know each other.
I really enjoyed that the MCs got together quite early, so we could see some of the relationship and deeper feelings evolving on screen. The whole storyline about Gabriel's father and overall Gabriel's character growth really enhanced the book, I enjoyed seeing him becoming himself! And we love supportive female side characters in MM romance!
Also, the hockey part was very present and I really like that - a lot of hockey romances just call themselves a hockey romance without actually showing the sport - and that's something Brigham really excels at!
I really enjoyed that the MCs got together quite early, so we could see some of the relationship and deeper feelings evolving on screen. The whole storyline about Gabriel's father and overall Gabriel's character growth really enhanced the book, I enjoyed seeing him becoming himself! And we love supportive female side characters in MM romance!
Also, the hockey part was very present and I really like that - a lot of hockey romances just call themselves a hockey romance without actually showing the sport - and that's something Brigham really excels at!
May 1, 2022
hockey time
This was a wonderful journey. I love the way this had some angst to it but not a lot of angst. I love the diversity in the characters and the struggles that some of the characters had because of the diversity and that they actually talked about it but didn’t linger on it. That’s what I’m looking for in a diverse world I want you to have characters who are diverse and understand that in that world they’re going to have struggles because of it but I don’t want it to be a story that only concentrates on those struggles. This author did a really good job at bringing these up, and I hope that this author will even have a few of the diverse characters as the main characters. I love the hurt comfort love that was found here and I love that there’s more to this team. I’m assuming that some of the characters that showed up or were mentioned in this book were previous characters from a different series but you do not have to read those outside how much series to understand this book
This was a wonderful journey. I love the way this had some angst to it but not a lot of angst. I love the diversity in the characters and the struggles that some of the characters had because of the diversity and that they actually talked about it but didn’t linger on it. That’s what I’m looking for in a diverse world I want you to have characters who are diverse and understand that in that world they’re going to have struggles because of it but I don’t want it to be a story that only concentrates on those struggles. This author did a really good job at bringing these up, and I hope that this author will even have a few of the diverse characters as the main characters. I love the hurt comfort love that was found here and I love that there’s more to this team. I’m assuming that some of the characters that showed up or were mentioned in this book were previous characters from a different series but you do not have to read those outside how much series to understand this book
May 24, 2024
The player/coach issue is handled well here. Not only because they both acknowledge it before anything happens, but because in the end (particularly in their statement to the press) they recognize that just because it wasn't an issue for them doesn't mean they're aren't situations where people in positions of power do take advantage.
And I did just like how natural their journey was. I really did buy the friendship they established and then that it grew to be more. And the little things–like Lance cooking for Gabriel and Gabriel letting him know that you're still a perfectly valid bi person even if you don't have a ton of experience—really illustrated it well.
Also, I love how Lance's ex-wife was treated! Their situation was rough, but it was nice to see them be adult about the fact that they'd fallen out of love because of it.
Some little things I can pick at (no, Noah doesn't get the credit for Gabriel second chance, he was a shit friend and Gabriel did the work; I could still have used a few more dating type moments) but mostly I just enjoyed this.
And I did just like how natural their journey was. I really did buy the friendship they established and then that it grew to be more. And the little things–like Lance cooking for Gabriel and Gabriel letting him know that you're still a perfectly valid bi person even if you don't have a ton of experience—really illustrated it well.
Also, I love how Lance's ex-wife was treated! Their situation was rough, but it was nice to see them be adult about the fact that they'd fallen out of love because of it.
Some little things I can pick at (no, Noah doesn't get the credit for Gabriel second chance, he was a shit friend and Gabriel did the work; I could still have used a few more dating type moments) but mostly I just enjoyed this.
April 26, 2022
This was sweet. Not in like a mushy way, but in the way two grown adults who are looking for more than a hookup fall for one another. It was genuine and they really cared about each other. There were definitely some steamy scenes, and the age gap thing wasn't so much an issue. The bigger issues were Lance wasn't really out yet and they had to keep their relationship a secret because of their careers.
Some of my favorite moments were the tender ones, like when Lance makes Gabriel soup, or when Lance had a heart to heart with his son. I'm looking forward to more books in the series, because I loved this one.
Some of my favorite moments were the tender ones, like when Lance makes Gabriel soup, or when Lance had a heart to heart with his son. I'm looking forward to more books in the series, because I loved this one.
April 29, 2022
Ohh Gabriel and Lance!! I sincerely fell in love with Gabriel and Lance!! I loved every word of this story. Their story felt raw and realistic. I especially liked how they weren’t looking for more than a hookup and found so much more. They were sweet together and perfect for one another. I do recommend reading the series on order. Strong world building and character development. Overall, the story was fantastic, kept me glued to the pages! The story was well written with awesome pacing. Highly recommend! I’m voluntarily reviewing from an advanced copy that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.
July 1, 2022
This romance was really sweet. And it made me cry, dammit. Watching these two men slowly grow to trust each other, to let the other in. I really like the way the romance is handled by the two men and the org. Malone is an important character (villain) in this story. I wonder if he will feature in an upcoming book.
KU
KU
July 12, 2022
Read in one morning!
Once I picked up this book, I could not put it down. I was so drawn into Tate and Gabriel that I was sad when the story was over. the emotional attachment these two men developed for one another was pure and sweet. There was no big break up scene which I enjoyed immensely. I did read Road Rules first from the Your Book Boyfriend's Boyfriend giveaway which introduced this world. This series does interact with other books written by Brigham Vaughn that I will definitely be picking up in the future.
Once I picked up this book, I could not put it down. I was so drawn into Tate and Gabriel that I was sad when the story was over. the emotional attachment these two men developed for one another was pure and sweet. There was no big break up scene which I enjoyed immensely. I did read Road Rules first from the Your Book Boyfriend's Boyfriend giveaway which introduced this world. This series does interact with other books written by Brigham Vaughn that I will definitely be picking up in the future.
January 18, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ rounded up
here’s what we’ve got:
-passionate & experienced bad boy (actually sad boy) player
-inexperienced nice guy coach
-age gap (his adult kids are close in age 🙈)
-forbidden vibes but accepting environment
-first time sexual experiences
-family drama
sorry, there was no way I wasn’t gonna like this
here’s what we’ve got:
-passionate & experienced bad boy (actually sad boy) player
-inexperienced nice guy coach
-age gap (his adult kids are close in age 🙈)
-forbidden vibes but accepting environment
-first time sexual experiences
-family drama
sorry, there was no way I wasn’t gonna like this
May 22, 2022
I love it when you get a book that doesn't shy away from delving deep into connecting the characters on multiple levels - not just between the sheets. This story has many layers and each one is gripping and heartfelt. A brilliant read all round and should be shared far and wide!
May 4, 2022
I loved this book! Hockey, hurt/comfort, age gap, super sweet relationship, no unnecessary angst - it checked off all my boxes.
May 14, 2025
Gabriel has my heart and soul. My second favorite lance after Orion!!!
November 30, 2023
This series has just been kinda boring for me. 🤷🏼♀️
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