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Relationship Goals #3
The Waiting Game
Fans Have Mixed Reactions to Engagement of Fisher Cats’ Hale and Brewer
On the eve of their first playoff game this post-season, the Toronto Fisher Cats organization sent out a press release announcing the engagement of their top d-pair.
The release insinuates the childhood friends may have been involved as far back as college and makes it clear the front office supports the relationship. “We are confident that such a longstanding relationship will be nothing but beneficial to Felix in his recovery.”
Reactions are mixed.
An anonymous inside source stated, “Legit? No way. This whole thing’s a PR stunt to soften the public’s perception of Hale.”
One fan commented, “Hale & Brewer have always been so adorable together! It’s great they finally feel comfortable being out about their relationship!”
While many fans are similarly supportive, others speculate that the announcement is tied to the Cats’ shaky play of late. “We all know they’re not gonna make it past the first round,” one fan stated. “It’s just an attempt to distract from how weak the team is.”
Adding fuel to the controversy, Hale shared an image of the players naked in bed together and captioned, “Pre-game nap with Jonah before we take on the Montreal Lynx. Go, Cats!”
PR stunt or happily engaged couple? Only time will tell.
TRIGGER WARNING: Frank discussion of alcoholism, past death of parents, and emotionally neglectful parents.
On the eve of their first playoff game this post-season, the Toronto Fisher Cats organization sent out a press release announcing the engagement of their top d-pair.
The release insinuates the childhood friends may have been involved as far back as college and makes it clear the front office supports the relationship. “We are confident that such a longstanding relationship will be nothing but beneficial to Felix in his recovery.”
Reactions are mixed.
An anonymous inside source stated, “Legit? No way. This whole thing’s a PR stunt to soften the public’s perception of Hale.”
One fan commented, “Hale & Brewer have always been so adorable together! It’s great they finally feel comfortable being out about their relationship!”
While many fans are similarly supportive, others speculate that the announcement is tied to the Cats’ shaky play of late. “We all know they’re not gonna make it past the first round,” one fan stated. “It’s just an attempt to distract from how weak the team is.”
Adding fuel to the controversy, Hale shared an image of the players naked in bed together and captioned, “Pre-game nap with Jonah before we take on the Montreal Lynx. Go, Cats!”
PR stunt or happily engaged couple? Only time will tell.
TRIGGER WARNING: Frank discussion of alcoholism, past death of parents, and emotionally neglectful parents.
565 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 29, 2024
234 people are currently reading
507 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 204 reviews
February 28, 2024
- best friends to lovers
- fake engagement
Best friends since they were five, Jonah and Felix have been each other’s constants through all the major ups and downs life has thrown their way. From Felix’s DUI and stint in rehab, now to Jonah’s grandmother’s health scare, Jonah and Felix have weathered it all.
In fact, despite everything that’s happened to him in the last year, the one permanently good thing in Felix’s life has been Jonah. & with Jonah’s grandmother harping on him to settle down, and Felix missing the intimacy that relationships bring, suggests they kill two birds with one stone & say they’re engaged.
Only Felix isn’t aware that Jonah has been in love with him since they were teenagers, and Jonah isn’t aware that Felix has started seeing him in a new light since he got home from rehab. The lines quickly blur between what’s real and what’s pretend, and these two oblivious besties fall head first into their happily ever after.
I’ve been waiting on Jonah and Felix’s story since book one, and it did not disappoint at all. These two have loved each other so deeply for so long and seeing their (mostly Felix’s) feelings shift to more was so sweet.
Felix though, man!! He has been through it, and I loved that his character journey was full of growth and healing. Jonah also had a lot of baggage and trauma to work through as well, and I loved his vulnerability with Felix knowing that there would never be judgment. They have always and will always be each other’s person, and I loved seeing them grow as a couple.
- fake engagement
Best friends since they were five, Jonah and Felix have been each other’s constants through all the major ups and downs life has thrown their way. From Felix’s DUI and stint in rehab, now to Jonah’s grandmother’s health scare, Jonah and Felix have weathered it all.
In fact, despite everything that’s happened to him in the last year, the one permanently good thing in Felix’s life has been Jonah. & with Jonah’s grandmother harping on him to settle down, and Felix missing the intimacy that relationships bring, suggests they kill two birds with one stone & say they’re engaged.
Only Felix isn’t aware that Jonah has been in love with him since they were teenagers, and Jonah isn’t aware that Felix has started seeing him in a new light since he got home from rehab. The lines quickly blur between what’s real and what’s pretend, and these two oblivious besties fall head first into their happily ever after.
I’ve been waiting on Jonah and Felix’s story since book one, and it did not disappoint at all. These two have loved each other so deeply for so long and seeing their (mostly Felix’s) feelings shift to more was so sweet.
Felix though, man!! He has been through it, and I loved that his character journey was full of growth and healing. Jonah also had a lot of baggage and trauma to work through as well, and I loved his vulnerability with Felix knowing that there would never be judgment. They have always and will always be each other’s person, and I loved seeing them grow as a couple.
January 20, 2025
Definitely enjoyable but I kind of expected more...
I'm not always the biggest fan of friends to lovers because I like a supersized dose of angst, enemies to lovers is my favourite, but the eventual relationship between Felix and Jonah was sweet, if a little convenient.
I think what really bothered me is that I didn't really understand the logic behind the fake engagement, which was basically the entire plot line, and I was even more confused when other characters claimed they did understand. I still don't get it! Fake relationships usually make some kind of sense, but I just didn't get this one at all.
Also, there was a LOT of focus on the Grandma and her health battles, the actual hockey, and the sexual side of the relationship, but I didn't feel like they really talked about anything to each other. Even though they've been best friends since they were five, surely you have to at least talk about something with each other that isn't just what position you want to try next?! It was weird because they definitely talk about their feelings for each other, but not to each other until almost the end of the book, which really didn't make any sense.
I was expecting more heart to hearts between the two main characters, a little emotional turmoil maybe. I wanted to see them working through their issues together, but they did everything separately and then are magically together forever after a really brief conversation about their true feelings. I understand that Felix is going to talk to his sponsor, but he seemed to have ALL of his important conversations with the sponsor and not Jonah. Whereas Jonah had all of his conversations with his online friend, his team captain and his Grandma. It felt weird to me that their relationship is figured out by talking to other people and not to each other...
For me this wasn't really a romance, but a story about a Grandma's health issues and a mediocre hockey season, where two friends end up together finally. BUT I always enjoy the amount of actual hockey content in Brigham Vaughn's books, and I like how each book builds on the story universe. I also really enjoyed seeing the little set ups for Matty's story (I can't wait and I've wanted his story since Book 1), plus the mentions of Dustin and Charlie, and Nico and August.
I think if there had been more conversations between the two, and the fake relationship made sense to begin with, I could have rated this higher.
Excited for the next book and I have high expectations for Matty especially because he's Demisexual so it hopefully wont be constant sex scenes to begin with and there'll be more focus on building a connection with his partner (in theory anyway!)
I'm not always the biggest fan of friends to lovers because I like a supersized dose of angst, enemies to lovers is my favourite, but the eventual relationship between Felix and Jonah was sweet, if a little convenient.
I think what really bothered me is that I didn't really understand the logic behind the fake engagement, which was basically the entire plot line, and I was even more confused when other characters claimed they did understand. I still don't get it! Fake relationships usually make some kind of sense, but I just didn't get this one at all.
Also, there was a LOT of focus on the Grandma and her health battles, the actual hockey, and the sexual side of the relationship, but I didn't feel like they really talked about anything to each other. Even though they've been best friends since they were five, surely you have to at least talk about something with each other that isn't just what position you want to try next?! It was weird because they definitely talk about their feelings for each other, but not to each other until almost the end of the book, which really didn't make any sense.
I was expecting more heart to hearts between the two main characters, a little emotional turmoil maybe. I wanted to see them working through their issues together, but they did everything separately and then are magically together forever after a really brief conversation about their true feelings. I understand that Felix is going to talk to his sponsor, but he seemed to have ALL of his important conversations with the sponsor and not Jonah. Whereas Jonah had all of his conversations with his online friend, his team captain and his Grandma. It felt weird to me that their relationship is figured out by talking to other people and not to each other...
For me this wasn't really a romance, but a story about a Grandma's health issues and a mediocre hockey season, where two friends end up together finally. BUT I always enjoy the amount of actual hockey content in Brigham Vaughn's books, and I like how each book builds on the story universe. I also really enjoyed seeing the little set ups for Matty's story (I can't wait and I've wanted his story since Book 1), plus the mentions of Dustin and Charlie, and Nico and August.
I think if there had been more conversations between the two, and the fake relationship made sense to begin with, I could have rated this higher.
Excited for the next book and I have high expectations for Matty especially because he's Demisexual so it hopefully wont be constant sex scenes to begin with and there'll be more focus on building a connection with his partner (in theory anyway!)
March 16, 2024
* 3 stars *
I had high expectations for Jonah and Felix's story. I was rooting for them to get together and was very excited when their book was announced, but sadly the end result wasn't what I was hoping for.
First of all, their story felt exceptionally long for some reason. At around 60% I was surprised there was still so much story left, and that's never a good thing.
I liked the connection between the characters and how close their friendship was. I liked that Felix felt Jonah's family as his own and how Jonah's grandmother treated him.
All in all, I think that the story could have been shorter without missing any integral parts. I liked both characters a lot and I was glad with the appearance of previous MCs.
~ I read an ARC of this book. ~
I had high expectations for Jonah and Felix's story. I was rooting for them to get together and was very excited when their book was announced, but sadly the end result wasn't what I was hoping for.
First of all, their story felt exceptionally long for some reason. At around 60% I was surprised there was still so much story left, and that's never a good thing.
I liked the connection between the characters and how close their friendship was. I liked that Felix felt Jonah's family as his own and how Jonah's grandmother treated him.
All in all, I think that the story could have been shorter without missing any integral parts. I liked both characters a lot and I was glad with the appearance of previous MCs.
~ I read an ARC of this book. ~
February 29, 2024
When best friends to lovers are done right, you have this beautiful story of healing and growth. Jonah & Felix have been each other's unbreakable bond and companionship since they were five years old. Felix has made many poor decisions in his life that lead him to a stint in rehab that leads him to self-discovery and to be able to be free of his past. Jonah has loved Felix his whole life yet never thought he had a chance until one hair brained idea allows him to be open with Felix.
And once they two allow their feelings to blossom its pure magic. They are so sweet to each other even before dating that when they are free to show their affections, you can not help but smile at them. As with previous installments, the team dynamics are perfection in a way you wish all teams were that they can confide and rely on each other when you stumble. When you triumph, they celebrate all the victories, small and big, just simply put beautiful.
Now, for Jonahs grandma, can I have her? No, seriously, that woman is a wrecking ball in the best possible way. She does everything and anything to make her grandson (blood and not blood) feel wanted and loved at all times. I am looking forward to seeing Matty, our loveable Teddy bear, find his person with the next installment.
And once they two allow their feelings to blossom its pure magic. They are so sweet to each other even before dating that when they are free to show their affections, you can not help but smile at them. As with previous installments, the team dynamics are perfection in a way you wish all teams were that they can confide and rely on each other when you stumble. When you triumph, they celebrate all the victories, small and big, just simply put beautiful.
Now, for Jonahs grandma, can I have her? No, seriously, that woman is a wrecking ball in the best possible way. She does everything and anything to make her grandson (blood and not blood) feel wanted and loved at all times. I am looking forward to seeing Matty, our loveable Teddy bear, find his person with the next installment.
April 29, 2025
I aboslutely adore this book and I love Jonah & Felix! They're childhood BFFs who grow up to be pro hockey players on the same team. Jonah grew up with his Korean grandparents who are landscapers/gardeners and also were/are social justice warriors (love them, love the grandma so much). They inspired Jonah to develop a love for plants and flowers and support him when he came out as gay. I love how the author weaves in aspects of Korean-Canadian culture throughout the book. Felix grew up very much close by to Jonah's house but with cold, distant parents. Jonah and Felix's friendship is so strong that it survives into adulthood and so Jonah is there to support Felix during his time of need. Somehow, during this time, they end up in a fake relationship and during this time, they spend lots and lots of time together. And wouldn't you know...feelings being to emerge. This is definitely a slow burn romance with lots of feelings, lots of love, lots of nice details. I love Felix's bi-awakening and the realization of his feelings for Joanh - "it was always you" just melts me. In addition to their relationship development, we get lots of hockey and lots of time with past and future MCs as well as time with Grandma, who is just a fantastic side character. This is comfort read for me and I have come back to it a few times already. Definitely recommend.
Audiobook update: I enjoyed James Edward Jones narrating the first 2 books of this series and I enjoyed him here as well! Already looking forward to a relisten.
Audiobook update: I enjoyed James Edward Jones narrating the first 2 books of this series and I enjoyed him here as well! Already looking forward to a relisten.
March 3, 2024
Another great addition to the Relationship Goals series with a friends-to-lovers story. I love these stories so much, they are exceptional and each relationship is unique with each character having different personalities, quirks, likes/dislikes, or flaws. You can go into these series with the mindset that these books would be repetitive or overlapping in similarities, but they are not.
Jonah and Felix were so special and I felt there was such sweetness and care for them that I loved in their relationship. The first 50% is them building up to their romantic relationship which felt more natural and the buildup was great. Then the nature of their relationship changing was great, not without issues uphearing but they made it through their struggles together with love.
I think with these books, you can go into thinking "damn these are long" but the reasoning is that the author provides this beautiful, organic experience when reading. They could be 100 pages short but they still are enjoyable to read because you get so much context about the characters, the couple, the sport, and the found family that the players have. I will say out of the three, this couple did not move to my favorite couple but I still enjoyed their story. I am starving for Matty's story, he seems like such a sweet guy who needs to be loved for all his goofiness/sensitive self. I am still waiting for cameos from the other book series so fingers crossed.
Jonah and Felix were so special and I felt there was such sweetness and care for them that I loved in their relationship. The first 50% is them building up to their romantic relationship which felt more natural and the buildup was great. Then the nature of their relationship changing was great, not without issues uphearing but they made it through their struggles together with love.
I think with these books, you can go into thinking "damn these are long" but the reasoning is that the author provides this beautiful, organic experience when reading. They could be 100 pages short but they still are enjoyable to read because you get so much context about the characters, the couple, the sport, and the found family that the players have. I will say out of the three, this couple did not move to my favorite couple but I still enjoyed their story. I am starving for Matty's story, he seems like such a sweet guy who needs to be loved for all his goofiness/sensitive self. I am still waiting for cameos from the other book series so fingers crossed.
April 18, 2025
3.5 stars
I'm fairly new to Brigham Vaughn's work and I've really enjoyed the books of hers I've read so far, but this one didn't work as well for me. Jonah and Felix have been best friends since they were five years old, and apart from a few years when they played for different teams, have been pretty much inseparable for all that time. Jonah lost his parents when he was young and was brought up by his loving grandparents, and Felix's parents never cared much for him so Jonah's grandparents became his family, too.
The theme running through this series is fake-relationships, but the rationale for this one didn't make a lot of sense. Jonah and Felix are so in tune with each other that everyone who knows them thinks they're dating anyway - they're one of those romance couples who are actually a couple in just about every way apart from the sex - and Felix proposes that they get fake-engaged to make Jonah's elderly grandmother happy (and get her off Jonah's case about finding a nice man to settle down with) and to help him to maintain his newly-acquired sobriety because he worries that he's so lonely, he'll go and hook up with someone and he's not supposed to and it might send him back to the bottle? And also, he's been seeing and thinking about Jonah differently lately, but doesn't want to risk saying something that will ruin their relationship so being fake-together will mean Felix - who has always thought he was straight until recently - can work out if he can be the man Jonah deserves. Or something?
Anyway. While Felix and Jonah are cute together, their chemistry is luke-warm and the story is a bit uneventful - and for two guys who know each other really well and are generally good at communicating, their lack of communcation around how they really feel seems out of character.
The book is well-written, the leads are engaging and I like the camaraderie among the team members, but ultimately The Waiting Game didn't grab me like The Head Game did. I'm planning to read the rest of the series, but this one was, sadly, a bit of a disappointment.
I'm fairly new to Brigham Vaughn's work and I've really enjoyed the books of hers I've read so far, but this one didn't work as well for me. Jonah and Felix have been best friends since they were five years old, and apart from a few years when they played for different teams, have been pretty much inseparable for all that time. Jonah lost his parents when he was young and was brought up by his loving grandparents, and Felix's parents never cared much for him so Jonah's grandparents became his family, too.
The theme running through this series is fake-relationships, but the rationale for this one didn't make a lot of sense. Jonah and Felix are so in tune with each other that everyone who knows them thinks they're dating anyway - they're one of those romance couples who are actually a couple in just about every way apart from the sex - and Felix proposes that they get fake-engaged to make Jonah's elderly grandmother happy (and get her off Jonah's case about finding a nice man to settle down with) and to help him to maintain his newly-acquired sobriety because he worries that he's so lonely, he'll go and hook up with someone and he's not supposed to and it might send him back to the bottle? And also, he's been seeing and thinking about Jonah differently lately, but doesn't want to risk saying something that will ruin their relationship so being fake-together will mean Felix - who has always thought he was straight until recently - can work out if he can be the man Jonah deserves. Or something?
Anyway. While Felix and Jonah are cute together, their chemistry is luke-warm and the story is a bit uneventful - and for two guys who know each other really well and are generally good at communicating, their lack of communcation around how they really feel seems out of character.
The book is well-written, the leads are engaging and I like the camaraderie among the team members, but ultimately The Waiting Game didn't grab me like The Head Game did. I'm planning to read the rest of the series, but this one was, sadly, a bit of a disappointment.
March 3, 2024
4 stars
Finally Felix's story!
We met him in the first book of the series (The Husband Game): he was in a long-time relationship with Withney, but then they broke up, he started drinking and had a terrible accident with his car. After that, Felix went to rehab and came back at the end of the second book (The Head Game).
Felix and Jonah had known each other their whole lives: Jonah lost his parents and went to live with his grandparents, he became fast friend with a boy who lived in the same neighbourhood.
Felix and Jonah spent a lot of time together, the were each other best friend and family, they bonded over their love for hockey and throughout the years their friendship grew stronger. During all those years, Jonah has been able to keep his feelings for himself and never let Felix know he was in love with him.
I think Felix's bisexual awakening was handled very well in this story: Felix didn't started feeling asttraction for Jonah out of the blue, but after his long months in therapy he was able to clear his head, to see the things he had buried inside him and he could finally be himself outside his parents' expectations.
Jonah was obviously both excited and scared about Felix's revelation of being interested in men. He wanted to finally have that physical connection with him, but he also feared that would be the end of their friendship.
Another thing I loved was Felix's recovering journey. He does a lot of introspection, he faces his mistakes and he's not scared to reach out for help when he needs it.
What prevented me from giving a higher rate:
Jonah and Felix were more than friends: they grew up together, they were each other's biggest supporter, they never let anything or anyone come between them. And yet they were incapable of being truly honest about what they really wanted and kept postponing a very much needed conversation.
This book is very very long and I struggled to keep my attention focused sometimes.
As always, I love how supportive the guys are of each other and I'm very curious about next book, Matty's story. In this one he confessed to be demiexual so I can't wait to see what the author has in store for him.
Recommended.
I received an ARC of this book from Neon Rainbow and this is my honest review.
Finally Felix's story!
We met him in the first book of the series (The Husband Game): he was in a long-time relationship with Withney, but then they broke up, he started drinking and had a terrible accident with his car. After that, Felix went to rehab and came back at the end of the second book (The Head Game).
Felix and Jonah had known each other their whole lives: Jonah lost his parents and went to live with his grandparents, he became fast friend with a boy who lived in the same neighbourhood.
Felix and Jonah spent a lot of time together, the were each other best friend and family, they bonded over their love for hockey and throughout the years their friendship grew stronger. During all those years, Jonah has been able to keep his feelings for himself and never let Felix know he was in love with him.
I think Felix's bisexual awakening was handled very well in this story: Felix didn't started feeling asttraction for Jonah out of the blue, but after his long months in therapy he was able to clear his head, to see the things he had buried inside him and he could finally be himself outside his parents' expectations.
Jonah was obviously both excited and scared about Felix's revelation of being interested in men. He wanted to finally have that physical connection with him, but he also feared that would be the end of their friendship.
Another thing I loved was Felix's recovering journey. He does a lot of introspection, he faces his mistakes and he's not scared to reach out for help when he needs it.
What prevented me from giving a higher rate:
Jonah and Felix were more than friends: they grew up together, they were each other's biggest supporter, they never let anything or anyone come between them. And yet they were incapable of being truly honest about what they really wanted and kept postponing a very much needed conversation.
This book is very very long and I struggled to keep my attention focused sometimes.
As always, I love how supportive the guys are of each other and I'm very curious about next book, Matty's story. In this one he confessed to be demiexual so I can't wait to see what the author has in store for him.
Recommended.
I received an ARC of this book from Neon Rainbow and this is my honest review.
March 18, 2024
2.5 stars
I'm sorry! I wanted to love this. I really did because I love Jonah and Felix and I was really looking forward to getting a best friends to lovers romance. I guess the whole curve ball of it being a best friends to fake lovers to real lovers romance threw me. I also wasn't a fan of the unnecessary miscommunication particularly when these two have known each other for as long as they have. It just drove me crazy. Obviously my opinion is completely subjective and YMMV. I'm any case I'm looking forward to Matty's story next (but from the epilogue it looks like it might be a single dad he maybe ends up with and I thought he'd be getting together with the guy he had the threesome with ngl).
I'm sorry! I wanted to love this. I really did because I love Jonah and Felix and I was really looking forward to getting a best friends to lovers romance. I guess the whole curve ball of it being a best friends to fake lovers to real lovers romance threw me. I also wasn't a fan of the unnecessary miscommunication particularly when these two have known each other for as long as they have. It just drove me crazy. Obviously my opinion is completely subjective and YMMV. I'm any case I'm looking forward to Matty's story next (but from the epilogue it looks like it might be a single dad he maybe ends up with and I thought he'd be getting together with the guy he had the threesome with ngl).
February 28, 2024
4.5 stars
This series has been my favourite and I was waiting for the next book in this series, Felix and Jonah were the best of friends and their story was so wonderful to read, I enjoyed it very much.
Felix and Jonah were best friends for a long time, but the recent events in Felix's life have made him insecure about his worth in others' lives and also a disappointment to his best friend and his team.
Jonah had lost his parents at a very young age and then moved to stay with his grandparents where he met Felix and they became best friends. Jonah had a crush on Felix since they were young but never acted on it.
To repair Felix's image after his rehab stint and also after Grandma Ji-min's emergency health scare he suggests to be in a fake engagement with Jonah, but Felix also starts to have feelings towards Jonah and to test if he is enough for Jonah, he suggests the idea of fake engagement.
This story was slow-burn but it was so amazingly written that we got glimpses of their younger self and how close they were to each other. Their relationship development from best friends to lovers was smooth but they were still hesitant. I liked how they didn't want to lose each other and they fought against the trauma that was holding them back.
I enjoyed their moments with the core members, and how they supported them and their banter was amazingly written.
I liked how the author has done thorough research on the topics she has noted and that's one of the things I like about the author's writing style, which has me enjoying the book more.
I am highly obsessed with this series and all the characters and I am looking forward to Matty's book. Also, I recommend starting this series if you haven't already.
* I received an ARC copy from Neon Rainbow Reviews and this is my honest review *
This series has been my favourite and I was waiting for the next book in this series, Felix and Jonah were the best of friends and their story was so wonderful to read, I enjoyed it very much.
Felix and Jonah were best friends for a long time, but the recent events in Felix's life have made him insecure about his worth in others' lives and also a disappointment to his best friend and his team.
Jonah had lost his parents at a very young age and then moved to stay with his grandparents where he met Felix and they became best friends. Jonah had a crush on Felix since they were young but never acted on it.
To repair Felix's image after his rehab stint and also after Grandma Ji-min's emergency health scare he suggests to be in a fake engagement with Jonah, but Felix also starts to have feelings towards Jonah and to test if he is enough for Jonah, he suggests the idea of fake engagement.
This story was slow-burn but it was so amazingly written that we got glimpses of their younger self and how close they were to each other. Their relationship development from best friends to lovers was smooth but they were still hesitant. I liked how they didn't want to lose each other and they fought against the trauma that was holding them back.
I enjoyed their moments with the core members, and how they supported them and their banter was amazingly written.
I liked how the author has done thorough research on the topics she has noted and that's one of the things I like about the author's writing style, which has me enjoying the book more.
I am highly obsessed with this series and all the characters and I am looking forward to Matty's book. Also, I recommend starting this series if you haven't already.
* I received an ARC copy from Neon Rainbow Reviews and this is my honest review *
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February 29, 2024Sometimes changing your life means evaluating everything about yourself, including your sexuality... Both Jonah and Felix have had to overcome difficult childhoods, with each other, Jo's grandmother and hockey holding them together... and so much more going on around them.
On the same team, with Felix managing his alcoholism and seeing his world differently, speared on by a health scare for Jonah's grandmother and things take a decidedly 'fake' relationship turn that quickly turns spicy...
The found family, the personal angst, and Grandma Ji-min all make this bisexual awakening story come to life. I also like that the author gives us outside stresses to test the relationship and doesn't just keep the guys hiding in the hammock.
Emotional and sweet, you can tell that this author took care in creating this world and ensuring that Jonah's bi-racial Canadian/Korean heritage was on point.
I can't wait for the next book in the Relationship Goals series.
On the same team, with Felix managing his alcoholism and seeing his world differently, speared on by a health scare for Jonah's grandmother and things take a decidedly 'fake' relationship turn that quickly turns spicy...
The found family, the personal angst, and Grandma Ji-min all make this bisexual awakening story come to life. I also like that the author gives us outside stresses to test the relationship and doesn't just keep the guys hiding in the hammock.
Emotional and sweet, you can tell that this author took care in creating this world and ensuring that Jonah's bi-racial Canadian/Korean heritage was on point.
I can't wait for the next book in the Relationship Goals series.
March 10, 2024
Rating: 4.5
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 3rd person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Main tropes: friends to lovers, hurt / comfort, fake relationship
The Waiting Game was a great addition to the Relationship Goals series, and I loved to see Felix and Jonah go from childhood best friends to lovers!
I love books with friends to lovers, especially with some pining and a sexual discovery - and this story had it all. Jonah, who have had feelings for Felix since they were kids, but never wanted to jeopardise their friendship… and Felix, who started seeing his best friend in new light after spending some time at rehab.
Their story was a slow burn romance, but once their little fake engagement arrangement was in place, the lines started to blur pretty quickly. They were so close and had already been through a lot together, so the development from friends to lovers felt very natural, and a little inevitable. They were such a sweet couple!
Felix’s issues and spiralling had been shown in the previous books, and I liked that I got to see him from a different perspective here. His character development was great, and I loved how he tried to work through his past trauma and baggage. Both Felix and Jonah had quite a few ups and downs throughout the book, but it was lovely to see the comfort they found in each other and how deep their connection was.
I was completely hooked on their story, and I really enjoyed to see these two loveable idiots realise that some of their feelings towards each other weren’t very friendship-y. I’m ridiculously fond of this little found family of hockey players and their endless shenanigans and banter, and I can’t wait for more books in this series!
-
Thanks to Neon Rainbow ARC Reviews for the opportunity to read and review this book. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 3rd person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Main tropes: friends to lovers, hurt / comfort, fake relationship
The Waiting Game was a great addition to the Relationship Goals series, and I loved to see Felix and Jonah go from childhood best friends to lovers!
I love books with friends to lovers, especially with some pining and a sexual discovery - and this story had it all. Jonah, who have had feelings for Felix since they were kids, but never wanted to jeopardise their friendship… and Felix, who started seeing his best friend in new light after spending some time at rehab.
Their story was a slow burn romance, but once their little fake engagement arrangement was in place, the lines started to blur pretty quickly. They were so close and had already been through a lot together, so the development from friends to lovers felt very natural, and a little inevitable. They were such a sweet couple!
Felix’s issues and spiralling had been shown in the previous books, and I liked that I got to see him from a different perspective here. His character development was great, and I loved how he tried to work through his past trauma and baggage. Both Felix and Jonah had quite a few ups and downs throughout the book, but it was lovely to see the comfort they found in each other and how deep their connection was.
I was completely hooked on their story, and I really enjoyed to see these two loveable idiots realise that some of their feelings towards each other weren’t very friendship-y. I’m ridiculously fond of this little found family of hockey players and their endless shenanigans and banter, and I can’t wait for more books in this series!
-
Thanks to Neon Rainbow ARC Reviews for the opportunity to read and review this book. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
August 11, 2024
Ugh! I don't know how I get to reading pining friends to lovers, they are not my favorite books but I keep looking for a gem anyway.
Here, it was going o.k until the engagement came totally, sloppily out of the blue. And then they practically have to talk themselves into doing it, instead of being honest. This is why I don't like these f to l stories.
Aaaaand DNF@50%
It's not you , it's me. I don't enjoy step by step fumbling and awakening and realizing attraction. It feels silly and forced to me. I'm sure the best parts of the book are just about to come (pun intended?) But I won't be here for it. I've already been just skimming through the book to get any good part. I can't handle cluelessness.
This book truly is a waiting game.
Here, it was going o.k until the engagement came totally, sloppily out of the blue. And then they practically have to talk themselves into doing it, instead of being honest. This is why I don't like these f to l stories.
Aaaaand DNF@50%
It's not you , it's me. I don't enjoy step by step fumbling and awakening and realizing attraction. It feels silly and forced to me. I'm sure the best parts of the book are just about to come (pun intended?) But I won't be here for it. I've already been just skimming through the book to get any good part. I can't handle cluelessness.
This book truly is a waiting game.
dnf
March 19, 2024DNF. I may come back to it. Not sure. This book was boring me quite a bit and has now been stuck at 38% for so long I have lost interest.
April 28, 2024
Quite enjoyed this one. Lovely friends-to-lovers romance.
March 8, 2024
OMG!!! I love this book so much
I want Jonah's home and I want a Jonah in my life.
Felix and Jonah are so great together since childhood and I keep saying : Felix you love him , open your eyes!
It's really an amazing book and I love his teammates keeps showing up to tease them
I recommend this book
I want Jonah's home and I want a Jonah in my life.
Felix and Jonah are so great together since childhood and I keep saying : Felix you love him , open your eyes!
It's really an amazing book and I love his teammates keeps showing up to tease them
I recommend this book
March 6, 2024
3.75
They were so sweet!
They were so sweet!
February 1, 2025
This could have been so much better. It wasn't. I feel the author got worried about showing the representation it ended up being stilted and weird. Friends to lovers is great but this wasn't. The fake engagement made absolutely no sense and ended up just being... weird. Also they are grown men but acted so immaturely? The other two books were better. Gonna read something else before jumping into the next book so I don't feel as negatively as I do now.
March 5, 2024
THE WAITING GAME was a cute friends to lovers romance with a bisexual awakening and plenty of hockey game play. I liked both Jonah and Felix and they have such a supportive and caring friendship and I loved how Felix was a part of Jonah and his grandmother's family. The team surrounding these guys was also great and I enjoyed the hints at Matty's book which is next. Jonah and Felix take a little bit to get into a physical relationship as Felix is working through his newfound bisexuality but once things start they were very spicy. Felix jumps right in and I think a lot of his comfort comes from how close these two are as friends.
I do feel there could have been a little more focus on developing the change from friends to lovers. There's a lot of history between Felix and Jonah, especially considering Jonah's long standing crush on Felix, but Vaughn relied too heavily on their friendship to advance the romantic relationship. The only thing that seems to change in their interactions is they start having sex with each other and all the romantic feelings seem to already be there from their friendship.
That being said, I was thoroughly entertained and engaged and Vaughn is one of my favorite authors for hockey romances.
Content Warning: MC who is a recovering alcoholic; on page health crisis of a grandparent (resolved); past death of parents
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
“But you’re straight,” Jonah protested.
Felix looked away. “Maybe not like … 100%.”
“What?” Jonah rasped. He had to be hallucinating that.
Felix shrugged. “I mean … I think there’s a little wiggle room somewhere in there.”
I do feel there could have been a little more focus on developing the change from friends to lovers. There's a lot of history between Felix and Jonah, especially considering Jonah's long standing crush on Felix, but Vaughn relied too heavily on their friendship to advance the romantic relationship. The only thing that seems to change in their interactions is they start having sex with each other and all the romantic feelings seem to already be there from their friendship.
That being said, I was thoroughly entertained and engaged and Vaughn is one of my favorite authors for hockey romances.
Content Warning: MC who is a recovering alcoholic; on page health crisis of a grandparent (resolved); past death of parents
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
“But you’re straight,” Jonah protested.
Felix looked away. “Maybe not like … 100%.”
“What?” Jonah rasped. He had to be hallucinating that.
Felix shrugged. “I mean … I think there’s a little wiggle room somewhere in there.”
June 6, 2025
I’m a huge friends to lovers fan, especially if it’s childhood F2L, so was really looking forward to Felix and Jonah. It was a bit of a different set up than I thought it was going to be, but still really enjoyed it.
After getting out of rehab, and with some health issues that Jonah’s grandma is suffering, Felix suggests that he and Jonah pretend to be engaged. Jonah has been in love with Felix since they were kids, but Felix had only started feeling like he might be attracted to Jonah since he came out of rehab (lots of feelings that he didn’t allow himself to feel).
After Felix’s unfortunate stumble into their hotel room with Jonah jacking himself off, turns into a mutual masturbation session, they agree to a physical relationship during their fake engagement. You see where this is going…lol
Felix’s struggles with sobriety (no relapses, and lots of support rep!), and Jonah struggling with the thought of losing his only living blood relative it’s not an easy journey.
Grandma Ji-min was the absolute star right here, I loved her so much!
After getting out of rehab, and with some health issues that Jonah’s grandma is suffering, Felix suggests that he and Jonah pretend to be engaged. Jonah has been in love with Felix since they were kids, but Felix had only started feeling like he might be attracted to Jonah since he came out of rehab (lots of feelings that he didn’t allow himself to feel).
After Felix’s unfortunate stumble into their hotel room with Jonah jacking himself off, turns into a mutual masturbation session, they agree to a physical relationship during their fake engagement. You see where this is going…lol
Felix’s struggles with sobriety (no relapses, and lots of support rep!), and Jonah struggling with the thought of losing his only living blood relative it’s not an easy journey.
Grandma Ji-min was the absolute star right here, I loved her so much!
February 28, 2024
A friends to lovers story, but it's so much more than that: It is a childhood best friend to lovers. This makes everything more risky with the potential to ruin so much. Boundaries definitely get blurred and this leads to miscommunication and feeling unsure of how each other are feeling. When high feelings are involved, pressure is high. The pressure has to escape somewhere and usually aimed at the one you love. I loved how positive the storyline was with Felix and his alcohol issues. His AA sponsor was a really great addition to the story. Family is the main focus and Jonah's grandmother features heavily. She bought a lot of fun to the story. I'm really enjoying this series and I am already looking forward to Matty's story. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 22, 2024
this was one of the slowest “slow burns” to ever slow burn. so much so that it just felt unnecessarily slow. 565 pages is crazy for a sports romance. i understand that we were dealing with addiction and recovery here and i appreciate how much effort and sensitivity it was dealt with, but it still could have been 100 pages shorter and achieved the same thing. i feel like nothing happened in the 1st half to almost 3/4 of the book. we were just getting to know our MCs but by that point, i felt like i didn’t want to know anymore about them.
anyways, i appreciate the effort that probably went into writing this and there wasn’t really anything wrong other than it being super boring at times. the last 30%ish saved it for me so 3⭐️ i guess.
anyways, i appreciate the effort that probably went into writing this and there wasn’t really anything wrong other than it being super boring at times. the last 30%ish saved it for me so 3⭐️ i guess.
February 29, 2024
A really cute friends to lovers/fake engagement romance between Jonah and Felix. While this book does address Felix's alcoholic past and Jonah's death of his parents and grandfather, both are delicately handled that does not take away from the sweetness of the romance. While Jonah's character growth took a lot longer than Felix's growth, they both ended up in a happily ever after.
June 27, 2024
The two D-men, who have been BFFs since they were eight, fall in love. It’s both inevitable and a surprise for the two men, one of whom considered himself straight, and the other who is gay and has pined for his BFF for years. It all felt pretty convoluted and manufactured, but I just went with it. I like these characters and their stories. Looking forward to Matty’s story next.
November 21, 2024
Cute besties to lovers story. I kinda feel like this would have worked without the kinda forced fake engagement but idc in the end because it was so stinking cute. I loved Grandma. Loved the team dynamic. Love seeing Felix recognize his feelings. Loved Jonah pinning away. Loved seeing them finally get together. Cute!
March 4, 2024
I love Brigham Vaughn’s Relationship Goals and Rules of the Game series and the overlap of characters. This one didn’t disappoint — BFF’s, Felix is figuring life out after rehab and Jonah is a solid support (and has been in love with Felix since they were kids). Sweet and pretty low angst.
April 21, 2025
The Waiting Game is the third book in the Relationship Goals series and can be read as a standalone.
In the prologue, we see Jonah and Felix as children making their marriage pact that made me giggle with how cute and innocent they are. We then skip to present day, I really liked how this book didn’t just immediately jump into the fake engagement. Brigham Vaughn did such a great job with the plot of this book and their friendship, it felt so authentic.
Jonah lost his parents at an early age and was raised by his grandma and granddad. I loved the Korean culture and learnt so much about it! Can I just say how amazing Jonah’s grandparents were?
Jonah and Felix have been best friends since they was five years old and are both playing for the Toronto Fishers Cats in present day. When Felix proposes a fake engagement; it seems like a good idea, but there’s the problem of Jonah being in love with him for years…
Vaughn’s character development in this book was top notch. The little intricacies in Felix and Jonah’s characters (like Jonah loving plants and always be late, and Felix’s love of Korean food and reading) made me not only feel like I had known them for years, but also made me love them that much more.
Felix’s maturity and self awareness made me feel so proud of him, it was really beautiful to see him overcome his struggles with his alcoholism and his parents.
Both of these characters has had a really tough time and I felt like Vaughn made them so emotionally vulnerable to the reader, which I applaud as that’s not easy to write. Their story was so unlike any fake engagement book I’ve read which is so rare since this is such a popular trope.
The interaction with Jackson (you’ll meet him if you read the book) was so adorable and endearing. I felt like everything in this book fitted there perfectly. All the side characters were great, I love this team so much and am really excited for the next two!
A deliciously dirty fake to forever, best friends to lovers romance that brought all the HEAT and the SWOON. I think this is the hottest MM ever written by Brigham Vaughn and her best to date.
This book contains triggering content such as alcoholism, past death of parents (plane crash) and grandparent, racism/ homophobia/ insensitive comments, mention of brain tumour/ surgery and emotionally neglectful parents.
Plot: 📚📚📚📚📚
Character rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sexiness: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Feels: 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Writing style: 🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊
Audiobook review - 4.5 stars
James Edward Jones has an enjoyable and relaxing voice that propels you into the story. He manages to capture Felix’s incredible bravery, his story brought tears to my eyes when I read it for the first time months ago and Jones managed to represent this in the audio version as well.
I liked that he adapted his voice for certain characters and I could hear emotion in his voice at certain high-angst scenes, but I would have liked to hear even more of this. I will probably re-listen to this audiobook, but I don’t know if it will be anytime soon.
Plot: 📚📚📚📚
Character rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sexiness: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Feels: 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Narration by James Edward Jones: 🌕🌕🌕🌕
Read
April 29, 2025This review is for the Audiobook of this story.
4.5 stars!
This review and much more can be found at Love Bytes Reviews
Note: This is the third book in this series and it does take place after events of the previous books with the same characters. As such there are major spoilers for the prior couples. It’s recommended to consume the series in order, but this can be read as a standalone. Missing will be the context of the rest of the team, events of the past that include Felix’s difficulties and his team’s reaction and support.
Jonah Brewer lost his parents when he was a small child. He moved to Toronto to live with his maternal grandparents who were immigrants from Korea. He had a good life with them and his neighborhood best friend Felix Hale. They were inseparable. Jonah had major abandonment issues due to his losses and so when they were kids, Felix promised that he would marry Jonah when they were 30 if they weren’t already settled. His promise was really to never leave Jonah because in Jonah’s world, everyone leaves him 😉
Fast forward 20+ years. They are both professional hockey players and Felix had been traded to Toronto the previous season so he and Jonah are now teammates again for the first time in years. But he went through a bad breakup with his GF Whitney and then he started drinking to numb the pain he was in – physically and psychologically and emotionally. He was arrested for driving drunk – luckily before he hurt anyone – and has now been through rehab. He’s doing well and is very much relying on his sponsor when he needs to. The team is doing ok and may even make the playoffs. They’ve lost one of their players to a non-hockey related health issue and Felix has had some aches and pains as well. He has played through pain when he probably shouldn’t have in the past and he’s also closing in rapidly on 30. He needs to get it together if the team is going to have a shot at the post season .
Jonah, his best friend is there to make sure he has what he needs. In fact he gets pretty protective of Felix, especially when players from otehr teams are pretty awful about Felix’s drinking. He’s not gonna tolerate that kind of stuff against his best friend. Even Jonah’s grandmother has been more of a mother than Felix’s own mother is there too, providing a safe place to land. Jonah is worried about Felix and all the pressure he’s under even though Felix is doing all the hard work of rehab, therapy, meetings and keeping in touch with his sponsor.
While Jonah lost his parents, Felix has never really had the support of his parents. They were never in favor of Felix pursuing Hockey as a career – but more of a hobby and not a “real job”. They want him to do something more “respectable” when he’s done with hockey. Jonah and his grandparents were always in Felix’s corner – coming to his games, cheering him on, thrilled he was back in Toronto, etc. They are spending a lot of time together which is great except for one little problem. Jonah has always been secretly in love with his straight best friend. No guy he’s every tried to date has been able to live up to that relationship. But Jonah knows how stupid it is to fall for Felix. Too bad it’s about 15 years too late on that one 😉
For his part, Felix is feeling a little unsteady. He’s been noticing Jonah a lot more lately. In ways he never did before. He comes up with the idea for them to get fake engaged to keep potential issues away during the post season. Jonah is shocked, but they figure it’ll be good publicity for the team, will keep away hangers on and also make Jonah’s grandmother happy that Jonah is settled since she tries to set him up at every turn. Ultimately, despite Jonah’s worry that he could end up with a very broken heart, he knows that he and Felix will always be friends, so he agrees.
Felix isn’t sure what he’s feeling, but he recognizes that it’s more than friendship. He’s confused though and talks to his sponsor since relationships in the first year of sobriety aren’t recommended. But this is a 20 year friendship, not a new relationship. Felix knows that he and Jonah will always been friends no matter what. Felix’s sponsor helps him see that maybe he’s been repressing his feelings for a long time because of the way he was raised. His parents weren’t outwardly homophobic, but it was clear that they would not be happy with a gay son. On the other hand, Jonah’s grandmother is thrilled which is exactly what they had hoped for.
When Jonah’s grandmother has a health crisis just at the beginning of the playoffs, things are looking more complicated than ever. And the pressure comes to a boiling point in Buffalo. Jonah lashes out and Felix attempts to be there for him, but it doesn’t go well. In fact Felix is feeling like everything is in doubt for him. Will Felix and Jonah be able to get things back on track? Is this going to be more than a broken engagement? Like broken hearts instead?
Oh my goodness! These two were so adorable. It took them a while to get out of their own way and finally recognize what was in front of them all along 🙂 I loved loved loved Jonah’s grandmother who was truly wise Felix’s sponsor was so helpful to him. Felix was doing the hard work here and it was good that everyone recognized that and did their best to support him and give him what he needed. His parents were not good. It’s too bad that some people have kids when truly they seem to want employees. It was good that both boys had Jonah’s grandparents when they were growing up or I’m not sure what would have happened to Felix. I also loved the Felix didn’t flip out about his attraction to Jonah. He was surprised more than anything, but not in a bad way. Having a lot of other out players on their team was truly helpful. It was great to see the rest of the team as well and have their support for both Felix’s recovery as well as the new relationship between him and Jonah. I love this series and I can’t wait for the next audio 🙂 I’m sure Matty’s story is going to be worth the wait.
If you haven’t picked up this series yet, I heartily recommend the audios. I didn’t read the books first, but I have thoroughly enjoyed the performance of Mr. Jones on these stories. His ability to convey so many emotional notes in this one – from Jonah’s fear and despair and Felix’s confusion and burgeoning attraction for his best friend – were all believable without being over the top. The rest of the hockey team and the front office folks were consistent with the other books. I particularly liked his accent for Jonah’s grandmother which was again true to her background and not a caricature. There are many heartfelt moments here between Jonah and Felix as they navigate this completely new dynamic between them and I though that this narrator did a super job of making the story come alive. Highly recommended.
4.5 stars!
This review and much more can be found at Love Bytes Reviews
Note: This is the third book in this series and it does take place after events of the previous books with the same characters. As such there are major spoilers for the prior couples. It’s recommended to consume the series in order, but this can be read as a standalone. Missing will be the context of the rest of the team, events of the past that include Felix’s difficulties and his team’s reaction and support.
Jonah Brewer lost his parents when he was a small child. He moved to Toronto to live with his maternal grandparents who were immigrants from Korea. He had a good life with them and his neighborhood best friend Felix Hale. They were inseparable. Jonah had major abandonment issues due to his losses and so when they were kids, Felix promised that he would marry Jonah when they were 30 if they weren’t already settled. His promise was really to never leave Jonah because in Jonah’s world, everyone leaves him 😉
Fast forward 20+ years. They are both professional hockey players and Felix had been traded to Toronto the previous season so he and Jonah are now teammates again for the first time in years. But he went through a bad breakup with his GF Whitney and then he started drinking to numb the pain he was in – physically and psychologically and emotionally. He was arrested for driving drunk – luckily before he hurt anyone – and has now been through rehab. He’s doing well and is very much relying on his sponsor when he needs to. The team is doing ok and may even make the playoffs. They’ve lost one of their players to a non-hockey related health issue and Felix has had some aches and pains as well. He has played through pain when he probably shouldn’t have in the past and he’s also closing in rapidly on 30. He needs to get it together if the team is going to have a shot at the post season .
Jonah, his best friend is there to make sure he has what he needs. In fact he gets pretty protective of Felix, especially when players from otehr teams are pretty awful about Felix’s drinking. He’s not gonna tolerate that kind of stuff against his best friend. Even Jonah’s grandmother has been more of a mother than Felix’s own mother is there too, providing a safe place to land. Jonah is worried about Felix and all the pressure he’s under even though Felix is doing all the hard work of rehab, therapy, meetings and keeping in touch with his sponsor.
While Jonah lost his parents, Felix has never really had the support of his parents. They were never in favor of Felix pursuing Hockey as a career – but more of a hobby and not a “real job”. They want him to do something more “respectable” when he’s done with hockey. Jonah and his grandparents were always in Felix’s corner – coming to his games, cheering him on, thrilled he was back in Toronto, etc. They are spending a lot of time together which is great except for one little problem. Jonah has always been secretly in love with his straight best friend. No guy he’s every tried to date has been able to live up to that relationship. But Jonah knows how stupid it is to fall for Felix. Too bad it’s about 15 years too late on that one 😉
For his part, Felix is feeling a little unsteady. He’s been noticing Jonah a lot more lately. In ways he never did before. He comes up with the idea for them to get fake engaged to keep potential issues away during the post season. Jonah is shocked, but they figure it’ll be good publicity for the team, will keep away hangers on and also make Jonah’s grandmother happy that Jonah is settled since she tries to set him up at every turn. Ultimately, despite Jonah’s worry that he could end up with a very broken heart, he knows that he and Felix will always be friends, so he agrees.
Felix isn’t sure what he’s feeling, but he recognizes that it’s more than friendship. He’s confused though and talks to his sponsor since relationships in the first year of sobriety aren’t recommended. But this is a 20 year friendship, not a new relationship. Felix knows that he and Jonah will always been friends no matter what. Felix’s sponsor helps him see that maybe he’s been repressing his feelings for a long time because of the way he was raised. His parents weren’t outwardly homophobic, but it was clear that they would not be happy with a gay son. On the other hand, Jonah’s grandmother is thrilled which is exactly what they had hoped for.
When Jonah’s grandmother has a health crisis just at the beginning of the playoffs, things are looking more complicated than ever. And the pressure comes to a boiling point in Buffalo. Jonah lashes out and Felix attempts to be there for him, but it doesn’t go well. In fact Felix is feeling like everything is in doubt for him. Will Felix and Jonah be able to get things back on track? Is this going to be more than a broken engagement? Like broken hearts instead?
Oh my goodness! These two were so adorable. It took them a while to get out of their own way and finally recognize what was in front of them all along 🙂 I loved loved loved Jonah’s grandmother who was truly wise Felix’s sponsor was so helpful to him. Felix was doing the hard work here and it was good that everyone recognized that and did their best to support him and give him what he needed. His parents were not good. It’s too bad that some people have kids when truly they seem to want employees. It was good that both boys had Jonah’s grandparents when they were growing up or I’m not sure what would have happened to Felix. I also loved the Felix didn’t flip out about his attraction to Jonah. He was surprised more than anything, but not in a bad way. Having a lot of other out players on their team was truly helpful. It was great to see the rest of the team as well and have their support for both Felix’s recovery as well as the new relationship between him and Jonah. I love this series and I can’t wait for the next audio 🙂 I’m sure Matty’s story is going to be worth the wait.
If you haven’t picked up this series yet, I heartily recommend the audios. I didn’t read the books first, but I have thoroughly enjoyed the performance of Mr. Jones on these stories. His ability to convey so many emotional notes in this one – from Jonah’s fear and despair and Felix’s confusion and burgeoning attraction for his best friend – were all believable without being over the top. The rest of the hockey team and the front office folks were consistent with the other books. I particularly liked his accent for Jonah’s grandmother which was again true to her background and not a caricature. There are many heartfelt moments here between Jonah and Felix as they navigate this completely new dynamic between them and I though that this narrator did a super job of making the story come alive. Highly recommended.
May 29, 2024
I loved Jonah and Felix! It was a bit of a slow-burn but definitely worth the wait. The Fisher Cats are dealing with a tough season from Felix’s struggles and Nico still out for the season. When Jonah’s grandma gets sick, they decide making her happy is the best plan so faking an engagement is the way to go. Only problem is neither of them want it to be fake.
Reasons I Recommend:
1) Jonah and Felix’s childhood pact and the absolute amazing friendship they have
2) The constant ribbing and jokes from teammates about the “fakeness” and
3) How Felix’s struggles with sobriety helps him learn the importance of communication and how despite Jonah being in love with Felix for most of his life, they took the time to think the plan through and talk things over. Very well done and highly recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Quote: "Sure. Nico's grown up since he had some of his brain removed, but he started off at such a low bar he's still only half an adult," Felix said, chuckling as he sprawled in the passenger seat.
#briereads #brierecommends #2024goodreadsreadingchallenge #reviewedongoodreads #reviewedoninstagram #bookworm #lovetoread #idratherbereading #mmromance #hockeyseries #relationshipgoalsseries #torontofishercats #thewaitinggame #brighamvaughn @brighamvaughn
Reasons I Recommend:
1) Jonah and Felix’s childhood pact and the absolute amazing friendship they have
2) The constant ribbing and jokes from teammates about the “fakeness” and
3) How Felix’s struggles with sobriety helps him learn the importance of communication and how despite Jonah being in love with Felix for most of his life, they took the time to think the plan through and talk things over. Very well done and highly recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Quote: "Sure. Nico's grown up since he had some of his brain removed, but he started off at such a low bar he's still only half an adult," Felix said, chuckling as he sprawled in the passenger seat.
#briereads #brierecommends #2024goodreadsreadingchallenge #reviewedongoodreads #reviewedoninstagram #bookworm #lovetoread #idratherbereading #mmromance #hockeyseries #relationshipgoalsseries #torontofishercats #thewaitinggame #brighamvaughn @brighamvaughn
October 16, 2024
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