Wearing an oversized foam head and being the mascot of an NHL team might not have been his childhood dream, but Miles Gillespie likes his job with the Bangor Blue Bangers. He just wished that, occasionally, people would remember his name isn’t actually Blue. A PR executive with the Bangers, Scott Delgado feels a certain responsibility to monitor all of Blue’s activities and appearances, even if he isn’t possibly, technically, his boss. And it must be that sense of responsibility that has him flying across the country when Miles gets injured. As Scott gets to know the man inside the suit, will he be able to handle falling for the man with eyes as blue as the synthetic hair of the mascot he plays or will he let their work roles get in the way? This is a 35K word novella, set within the hockey world of Shae Michaels' Stick Handling series. There are mentions of other characters and events from the series, but this can be read as a complete stand-alone work.
Tropes: workplace romance, animosity to lovers Feels: 2/5 Steam*: 2.5/5 Kinks: n/a Angst: low HEA: yes Pairing: MM Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: minor injury
Miles is approximately 27. He works as an NHL mascot and a part-time dance instructor. He's been doing the mascot thing since high school.
Scott is around the same age, maybe a little older. He works in PR for the NHL team that Miles is the mascot for. He's only been with the company for less than a year whereas Miles has been doing his job for 5ish years.
Scott starts sending emails to Miles trying to give him suggestions for how to do his job. But one he starts off emailing the wrong email address and then getting aggressive about not getting replies and then two the suggestions that he sends come off as bossy interference to Miles. This starts off an animosity filled relationship between the two of them as colleagues. Then Miles gets hurt at work and Scott jumps in to help him out and spend time with him. Next thing they know they're in bed.
I think the author made a poor decision with how they wrote this novella. This is a novella and it only has limited pages to it. I get that the author wanted to build up the sense of antagonism between the two characters, rather than drop them immediately into a sexual relationship. But the author should have laid the bread crumbs for the sexual tension between Miles and Scott. But she didn't, like, at all. We got to the 41% mark and they are still basically strangers at that point. The author didn't show Miles thinking of Scott in any personal, romantic, sexual way at all until the 45% mark. He's thinking of him as an annoying fly. We finally got the first hint of sexual attraction between them at the 45% mark and the first kiss at 65%. I am completely fine with even more slow burn than this book was, but I needed to see the bread crumbs of chemistry between the characters earlier!
Putting that aside, once they started having sexual tension between them, they had a nice dynamic. Not fully developed of course because this is only a novella and they were already basically halfway through. But there were some decent moments. I liked the humor of their colleagues reaction to them coming out with their relationship.
Some notable moments:
"“Dude, you know Miles is, like, one of the best mascots in the business, right?” She shook her head and continued to reprimand me. “I mean, I know why my PR guy is always up on my ass. I’m pretty much the cause of all his recent gray hair and I definitely owe the dude money to pay for his ulcer medication. But Miles… Man, he really doesn’t need you sticking your nose into how he mascots. Seriously.”"
"Finally, Carina looked away from her phone and up at me. A few blinks and then… “Oh. Are we supposed to be surprised by this? I figured you’d get around to telling us sooner or later.” It was my turn to show all the shock that they weren’t. My mouth dropped open as the words ‘what the hell?’ resounded in my head. “Oh, yeah. We’re so superdy-duper surprised, Scott,” Arved stated sarcastically. Then he added, “Actually, wait. I am a little surprised…by the fact that Blue…uh, Miles, is into you, Scott. I mean, I think everybody in the damned building was aware that you had a thing for him, but for him to actually reciprocate and to be willing to date you… That surprises me a little.”"
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
3.5 stars. This is the first book I have read in this series and I didn’t feel like I missed anything so can definitely be a standalone. I haven’t read many books where an MC is a mascot so that was fun. Loved hearing about the mascot games!
I really liked Miles from the start. He just seemed like a fun character. Scott was a lot harder to like. I didn’t really follow his infatuation with Miles so I had trouble connecting with the story.
Around 60% thought I got a lot more invested in the story. Even though I couldn’t see their chemistry at all until that point they had absolutely amazing chemistry in the bedroom. The sex scenes were absolutely the star of the show for me in this book.
If you’ve enjoyed this author in the past and like fun books with awesome heat this may be for you!
Until this book, I really didn't think too much about team mascots. Add to that how seriously they take their role and you've got Miles. He is confident and isn't afraid to stand his ground. Add Scott, a man who sends far too many emails and takes his role a bit too seriously and you've got a sweet couple who just work, even though they possibly shouldn't. There is chemistry and some steam to this book. The emails between them started out quite polite and professional and then build up to full on hilarious and snarky. You can see how Scott doth protest too much about Blue, but at the time it is just funny to read Miles' responses. Shae always adds humour to her books and this one is full of banter and fun. A great addition to the Stick Handling series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Aww, this was an adorable hockey story and the first story i have read involving a hockey team's mascot. Miles is more known as Blue. He keeps getting pestered by the new pr manager Scott who tries to change how Miles does his job and keeps calling him Blue, which annoys Miles. It turns out Scott has a crush on Miles and is keen to spend time with him. When Miles gets hurt, Scott insists on staying with him and they inevitably grow closer. It was a sweet and sassy story.
I guess this could be seen as cute/fluffy, but not for me. There's no plot, no relationship beats, and the first 50ish percent is before they even know each other. That's not great pacing for a novella.
Baby Blue by Shae Michaels is novella in the Stick Handling series. It’s the story of Scott and Miles. It is a low-angst story perfect when you’re in the mood for something light and feel-good.
Miles is the Bangor Blue Bangers NHL team’s mascot, Blue, and it brings a fun and different vibe to the story. It’s a character you don’t see every day, and a part of the hockey world without being overwhelming. Scott is a PR executive with the Bangers and he's kind of in charge of Blue's activities.
Miles is confident, happy, fun… while Scott is the serious one, focused on his job (and sending emails). But they somehow fit. Sure, they have their share of misunderstandings and there’s some lack of communication, but watching them figure things out and learn to really see each other just makes their relationship that much sweeter.
I’ve always liked team mascots, and I’ve always wondered who’s the person inside the costume, what they think when they perform the character, what they feel, how are they… Miles has given me a little insight in this job. Clearly that’s one of the aspects why I’ve enjoyed this book.
Baby Blue is a short read, but it hits hard, with instant chemistry and a bit of that “love at first sight” magic. I read it in one sit and I found myself smiling a lot. It’s got fun, spice and heartwarming moments. I recommend it if you look for an enjoyable short read with hockey and romance.
I received an ARC from the author for free, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
"The guy was hot. Like I'd want him to try really, really hard to give me babies hot. But that didn't negate the fact that he was also a Grade A, meddling, annoying dick."
I totally loved how this novella starts off! The passive-aggressive emails between Miles (Blue) and PR exec Scot were entertaining as hell. Miles is a snarky little shit and I adored that about him. He may be surrounded by buff hockey players and "manly" men on the daily, but that didn't ever stop him from sticking up for himself or speaking his mind. He truly was a firecracker with his quick temper and it was completely adorable. (Sorry Miles!)
Scott is our oblivious MC. It took me a bit to figure that out. It took Miles a bit too. All I gotta say is thank the goddess for maple syrup folks 🔥🔥. I really enjoyed their dynamic. How Miles is sort of petite, but has this big personality. Then we have Scott who is a bigger guy, but who definitely has some insecurity issues and is much more subdued in personality. They had great chemistry between the sheets too.
There were a lot of humorous moments in this book. The part about the nuns had me laughing out loud. There was also a completely evil bomb dropped right at the end. I am NOT happy Miss Michaels. You know what you did. And I know why because I am now chomping at the bit for that story. Please don't break my heart too badly, but if you do, please put it back together again.
**3.5** This is actually my first book from this author and series, and something I'm definitely interested in reading more from. I do love a good hockey romance, and another first reading about a team's mascot. The two characters are entertaining, especially as they battle back and forth in email, seeming to get more and more frustrated with each other, Scott definitely not helping his own case with Miles who has been the main Blue mascot for over four years. I liked Scott's act of forwardness, travelling cross country to see if an injured Miles was ok but then it loses me a little in just how fast things progress, not necessarily physically but emotionally, between the two men. Yes, I understand it's a novella but you can still skip time whereas this is over the span of less than twenty four hours in which they don't get to know each other much better except in the bedroom. From there it picks up for me again, getting entertaining again and invested in the outcome of them as a couple. A good short story and has me wanting to read others by this author. I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
The mascot is uncovered in this quick novella. What starts as miscommunication (or perhaps terrible communication) ends in an odd but also perfect pairing.
I loved Scott. He’s very organized and diligent and eager to do his job to the best of his ability which isn’t welcomed by Blue err Miles. I can picture Scott in his well-meaning ways and being utterly flummoxed as to why they aren’t welcomed.
Miles is a bit of a jerk to be truthful. Rude and sharp. He was hard to put a finger on… at times sweet and sad from his dreams that didn’t really come to be, but he was really abrasive too. But I have to admit they were cute once they got together and did feel like a great couple.
I’m a big fan of Shae and I’m looking forward to more of this Stick Handling world.
This book was so much fun. The characters were so...different. I loved how Scott didn't realize how obsessed with Miles he was until they were trying to out their relationship - talk about a hoot.
Miles is great - and seeing the inside take on that mascot, and others, was hilarious. I loved seeing their interactions. When Miles gets injured and Scott takes off to care for him, you can just see it coming. I love how Miles takes care of the 'power at work' issue when they first get together - you'll see.
This novella is fun, and heartwarming, and is a side of a hockey that really needed a light. The heat is definitely there, but you'll keep reading for the characters. Definitely recommend. Having reading nearly all of the hockey romance on the market, this is one I'd easily recommend to anyone.
I received a free copy of this book via Indie Author Creative and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I've read every book Shae Michaels has released to date, now including this one. Her style of writing is so nice, her characters are amazing, and she takes the time to give them back stories.
I really enjoyed this book, I don't know a lot about hockey but what was depicted seemed believable enough to me. I enjoyed Miles's POV and how he described how he feels being a mascot for an NHL team. I thought that was cool! I haven't read very many books where someone's a mascot for a team.
Scott's character was.. well meaning but I feel like him and Miles was always miscommunicating with one another. Thankfully they were able to work that out and put their differences aside.
The writing I thought was done well, the characters were great, overall a short and steamy romance book. I will say that this book definitely gives some insta-love vibes, the two MC's hook up and then they decide they want to be in a relationship... Other than that though a cute short read!
4.5 stars I'll admit this one surprised me. I wasn't expecting a lot when I started reading because I don't usually love short works, but this was a huge amount of fun. Scott and Miles are sweet, hot and seriously funny. They got off to a bit of a shaky start, but once these two got going they had great banter and chemistry. Definitely recommended as a sweet and hilarious short.
Shae Michaels does it again - taking a topic that we don't think of often and turning it into a novella with humour, a pinch of drama and some steam to give us what seems to be an insta-love novella that's actually been built up over time...
If you're looking for a fun, quick read to cap off 2023 and put a smile on your face, I highly recommend checking out Baby Blue.
Who really thinks about the mascot?? Not me, at least not much before this book. I just loved seeing things from Miles POV of how people treat him, as the mascot and not really a person. I could not put this book down and loved how these two took so long to realize what they really had.
This was absolutely super cute and had me grinning so much while reading. Miles was so snarky and so entertaining. Quick storyline. Great read! Plus the epilogue hints hopefully for the next book to come which, I really need to read now. So excited.
The PR executive and the mascot. Now that's a fun story to read. These two men get to know each when one decides to be there for each other when our mascot needs help. This is a novella that's part of a series but can be read as a standalone.
This is a modern queer romance set in a sports world, it is a part of the “Stick handling” series, though I’m not sure which order to read it in. I thought this was an adorably snarky love story between co-workers and it was a great afternoon read! 💜💜💜💜💜
I liked the fact we got the "insider" perspective of a game mascot. I can't say it's something I'd ever given much thought to until i read this story. Now, I have a whole new found respect for any mascot!
A sexy hockey romance featuring mascot Miles, and the very professional Scott, who becomes Miles new boss. It's fun, cute, quirky and I enjoyed the story
Baby Blue by Shae Michaels is novella in the Stick Handling series. It’s the story of Scott and Miles. It is a low-angst story perfect when you’re in the mood for something light and feel-good.
Miles is the Bangor Blue Bangers NHL team’s mascot, Blue, and it brings a fun and different vibe to the story. It’s a character you don’t see every day, and a part of the hockey world without being overwhelming. Scott is a PR executive with the Bangers and he's kind of in charge of Blue's activities.
Miles is confident, happy, fun… while Scott is the serious one, focused on his job (and sending emails). But they somehow fit. Sure, they have their share of misunderstandings and there’s some lack of communication, but watching them figure things out and learn to really see each other just makes their relationship that much sweeter.
Baby Blue is a short read, but it hits hard, with instant chemistry and a bit of that “love at first sight” magic. I read it in one sit and I found myself smiling a lot. It’s got fun, spice and heartwarming moments. I recommend it if you look for an enjoyable short read with hockey and romance.
I received an ARC from the author for free, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.