Playing the Point

Blue Line Hockey #6

by Stephani Hecht

While growing up, Zimon always lived in his older brother's shadow. While his sibling went on to join the military and become a war hero, things grew even worse when Zimon's life spiraled out of control and he found himself in a dark place where he almost lost his life.

Then Zimon's brother fell in love and changed all the rules in their once, nice, neat life and now Zimon finds himself in the role of supporting his brother in his newest dream, opening and running the biggest hockey rink in the metro Detroit area. While Zimon had never envisioned his future being the manager of a front service desk of a rink, it beats working as a shot-boy at the gay club, so he jumps at the chance for the new job.

Bryce never imagined that, while at the height of his NHL career, he'd find himself becoming part owner of a rundown hockey rink. Yet, that's exactly what happens when a group of his friends get it in their crazy heads to start the new business. One day, when he's in town, he decides to check the place out. When he clashes with the bratty, yet cute man running the front desk, Bryce is both annoyed and intrigued.

Will Zimon and Bryce ever be able to get over their differences? Or will the final buzzer sound before they find a way to happiness?

Genres: M M Romance, Sports, Romance, Hockey, Contemporary, M M Sports Romance, LGBT

92 pages, ebook

First published March 15, 2012

About the author

Stephani Hecht is a happily married mother of two. Born and raised in Michigan, she loves all things about the state, from the frigid winters to the Detroit Red Wings hockey team. Go Wings! You can usually find her snuggled up to her laptop, creating her next book or gorging on caffeine at her favorite coffee shop.

When she’s not running around like crazy, trying to get her kids to their various activities, she’s currently working on numerous projects. In the coming months, she has several books coming out with eXtasy Books in both The Lost Shifter Series and Drone Vampire Chronicles, plus a few additional projects that are still in the development stages.

Visit Stephani on the web at:
Email her at:
archangelwriter@yahoo.com

Reviews

[Cole Riann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Same general feeling about this story as all the previous ones. I like this series and I've generally liked all the characters so far.

At first, Zimon (what a name, huh?) and Bryce really got on my nerves, just because they snip at each other so much. While their enemies to lovers theme served to keep the dialogue fresh throughout the story, I did sometimes get a little fed up with them. But that is personal preference. Also, the story is short, so there really isn't time to not like them, or have them really grate on my nerves.

I did wonder about the hospital staff and gloves and attitude near the end. Whether that was fact or Zimon's perception of how he felt among strangers in a clinical setting among his already self-depreciating emotions, makes a big difference, but I wasn't quite sure how to sort it out. It did bother me a bit, feeling like... that must not be how things were done. But, I also can't say for sure that that doesn't happen, as I don't know or have any part of the medical profession. Still, it made me wonder, and not in a good way.

Still, I enjoyed this story, just as I have all the others. It was a nice, quick read.

[Ter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started out really good but then it seemed to move really fast.
Their connection happened really fast. Their seemed to be alot going on for the 87 pages of story. And I agree with another review about the life illness that popped up at the last 10 pages just didn't sit well, to really do that change in the story justice it needed more time.

[jules0623 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dear God, I want to give this a higher rating. I love what there is of it but, as the author has done in every other book in this series, it's not enough. The characters aren't explored quite enough to make me invested in their story, their interactions aren't quite involved enough to be satisfying, the plot threads aren't quite developed enough to be meaty and something you can sink your teeth into. And it's extra frustrating with this book because there were some fantastic opportunities to really explore the MCs relationships - both with each other and the people around them, to get into the difficulty of coming out at the top of your career, how a newly discovered HIV status effects the MCs relationship as well as well as how Zimon copes with the revelation and the fact his secrets are now no longer secrets.

This is the 'not quite' book for me. It was so close to being perfect, but just didn't get there.

[Alina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I skipped this story at first, because I didn't want to deal with such sad topics as HIV and I mostly seek rather light and escapist mm reading. But I enjoy these series, so I decided to read it anyway.

For the most part the story's the same as the others - likeable characters, quick developing relationship, lots of familiar characters from previous books.

As for the ending - I do agree that Zimon's illness was kind of sort of glossed over, but I loved the optimistic speeches from his friends and Bryce's unconditional support, so I wasn't disappointed.

[jaxnsmom · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[AJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Blue Line Hockey series is absolutely entertaining from page one to the very end. Every story is unique and I couldn’t help falling in love with this cast of characters. If you haven’t checked out the Blue Line Hockey Series from Ms. Hecht you are definitely missing out.

Playing the Point is a fun light hearted read that carries a message within its pages. It starts off with Zimon, the younger brother to Nobel who was introduced in the previous book. The poor guy has taken on so much responsibility to help lighten the load for his brother. His world gets taken for a spin when he meets Bryce.

Bryce at first was a character I wanted to hate because of his cocky attitude but as I read I found out more about him. He's dealing with being a gay man and the fear of rejection if he were to come out to the public. But sometimes all you need is love to gain that extra courage you need and Zimon gives that to Bryce.

The ending to this story was quite the shock but made it just that much better. Ms. Hecht should be commended for touching on a subject that still to this very day is taboo. This is a must read. Love, happiness and struggles are all a part of life but it’s how we handle those situations that make us who we are. And everyone deserves to have love and happiness in their lives.

You have hit another one out of the ice rink Ms. Hecht!

[Nic]

This is the story of the relationship between Zimon and Bryce. Zimon is viewed by his brother and others as irresponsible and only out to have fun. But Bryce sees underneath Zimon's exterior and realises there is much more to the man.

This story takes a very unexpected turn. It is great to see the subject (HIV) addressed in this series but I really do think that it deserves more focus. I think a longer book would have added much more to the story. I wanted to see more of Zimon's own response to the situation and much more of the reactions of those around him. The ending just felt too rushed, particularly for such a serious subject.

[Kendra T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this next story in the Blue Line Hockey Series. The only complaint I have about it is that it was way too short! I loved Zimon in the earlier books and was very excited to see him get his story. I feel that there is so much more we could know about Zimon and his struggles and I wish it could have continued a bit. I loved how Zimon's attitude was not really who he is and it was great to see Bryce recognize and appreciate how special Zimon really is. :-)

[Suze · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, a short story that packs in lots of action, though not the best in this series. In the previous book, we met Zimon and I thought great, a real bratty boy. Whilst he still was in this story, I wanted him to be more so. I thought his relationship with Bryce happened quickly, but then it is a short story so it has too. The ending is a bit bittersweet but hopeful for them.

[Melora · Rating 2 out of 5]

★★½ - Okay to pass the time with, but be prepared to roll your eyes.
Zimon's smart, but passes himself off as an underachiever to those around him, namely his brother, when a foray into drugs gets him kicked out of school. Bryce is on suspension and while checking out his new investment (the rink), decides he wants Zimon, HIV diagnosis and all.

[Tam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved twinky Zimon although Bryce was a bit of a weenie. Zimon's illness took me a bit by surprise at the end and Cole's review basically sums it up for me (lazy review from me). Still, these books are fast reads with likable guys.

[Lasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

Until I got to the end, this was a 4 star read. But the illness insertion was glib and not in-depth, extremely glossed over and seemed like a belated thought. Shame, this could have been an awesome book as Zimon was an outstandingly unique character.

[clear skies · Rating 1 out of 5]

A very weak story with an insta-love plot line with a recovering heroin addict and a closeted hockey player. The writing was poor, the characters one dimensional and all the complications the heroes dealt with it was all surface and no depth.

[AyoDollFace · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started out ok but Zimon was not the person he made himself out to be. He was not a 'stick to your guns' type he thought he was, he was still a push over. The love happened way too fast, faster than the other books because it was a shorter book. It was too much, too fast..

[T.C. Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

days later and the plot twist still has me shaking my head in denial. With Zimon's diagnosis, this book should have been much longer. there is no way Zimon accepted this news within 3-4 pages. come on stephani, at least make a sequel to this book featuring the same MCs

[andrea moran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blue line hockey 6

Z would like everyone to think that he is just some airhead twink who can’t be trusted but hockey enforcer B sees behind the mask and sarcasm to who he truly is and despite his new HIV diagnosis vows to stay with him

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish this would have been just a bit longer!

[Natalija · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the sizzling chemistry between Zimon and Bryce. Their story touched my heart, it made me smile and it kept my attention throughout. Hands down, one of the most unexpected endings ever.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Raevyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Lena · Rating 1 out of 5]

Kind of hilariously bad.

And needed more hockey.

[Angel Pedroza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy sport stories. This was one of the better ones.

[Tailtiu · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,6*

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded to 3. Not my favorite of the series by far and yet I still want to read more.