Jackson Reed has been a thorn in my side since the day we met–always running his mouth, always itching for a fight. Our rivalry on the ice has left us bruised and bloodied countless times.
When our teams end up at the same hotel for the Regional Championships, the brutal Titan gets under my skin in a whole new way. A fight turns into a chase through the woods, and when I’m caught, it ignites a forbidden fire within me that can’t be stifled.
Our secret encounters grow more intense, and I find myself craving his touch, his taste, his infuriating smirk that both turns me on and makes me want to punch him in his perfect face.
As captain of the South Shore Serpents, getting involved with the star of our rival team is reckless. A betrayal.
Forbidden.
But Jackson Reed doesn't stop until he gets what he wants, and this time–it's me.
Falling for the brutal Titan was never part of the plan.
Except he's the most addictive bad idea I've ever had, and I can't get enough.
*Brutal Titan is the second in a five book standalone MM college hockey romance series featuring an over the top alpha hockey player and his biggest rival on the ice. This is a romance with bullying behaviors, bi-awakening and two protective/possessive alpha main characters.*
I'm a romance author who loves Over The Top alpha males who are possessive and completely obsessed with their person or mate. Nothing will get in their way from claiming what's theirs. I enjoy writing darker type romances whether in the contemporary world, PNR worlds, or even post-apocalyptic worlds.
Brutal Titans is a great entry in this highly entertaining series. I thoroughly enjoyed the love/hate dynamic between Jackson and Killian. They have an intense rivalry that is 2nd to their amazing chemistry. I loved getting to see these two battle one another for dominance on and off the ice. Their connection quickly turns rabid and possessive, which are two of my favorite character traits in a story.
Overall I loved getting to be back with these entertaining characters. They are unhinged, rather unpredictable, and completely addicting. I'm looking forward to the next entry!!!
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
Seriously enemies to lovers, rivals on the ice but can’t explain attraction to another and after a prank they beat each other….. then things get spicy! I’m not too much into MM, I want to see FMC get some action too but this one was really good. Short, but impactful and not rushed.
3.5⭐ as soon as jackson started beating up killian in the previous book, bc they're both dumbasses🤣, i just knew who the next one will be about oop- enemies to lovers, but they still love beating the shit out of each other? that's a new trope ig not that i'm complaining 🤷🏼♀️ but i do feel like this novella would've been much more fun as a full-length novel tho that whole shark scene towards the end was so unexpected and extreme omg, but i gotta say that it was satisfying bc that pathetic excuse of a man had it coming 👏🏼 unhinged, ridiculous and silly, but i loved it anyway
"Were past hate. But, it's not love. He's just mine or some shit. " 🤭 OK, Eli, giving Jackson bottom advice RIGHT after, HAD ME GIGGLING. "Apricot oil..... "It's for your butthole" 😂
They're all rude assholes. Super ott. So friggen hot. Only complaint is how short they are. I can't wait for the next books.
"So desperate for me. Don't worry, I remember the way you fucked me. Time to return the favor. Make you my bitch"
Filthy mouths. I loved them.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Brutal Titan is book two in the North Shore Titans series. This MM college hockey romance story is about Jackson and Killian.
I have to start by saying I was hesitant to read this story. Book one was just okay and I was disappointed with how it ended. Thank goodness I gave in because I really loved this book. Jackson and Killian were rivals/enemies since childhood, and I just loved seeing them give into their attraction for each other. Their chemistry was amazing and they were so hot together. I couldn’t get enough of their dirty talk and possessiveness. I loved Jackson and Killian’s banter and their overall dynamic. I really enjoyed this story and would have loved for it to be longer so that I could get more of Jackson and Killian.
I'm giving it 2 stars in the context of it being better than the first book. It was still really corny, bordering on ridiculous if I'm being honest, but it had a pretty solid plotline that I know I would have loved if it was a full book instead of a novella. I wasn't able to really get into the characters yk??
♡pre-read♡ i didn't like the first book at all but I already have this one in my library so I might as well read it too
Tropes: rivals to lovers, hockey romance, forbidden relationship, hurt/comfort Feels: 2/5 Steam*: 2.5/5 Kinks: Primal play, impact play, choking, piercings, voyeurism Angst: low HEA: yes (but more of a HFN) Pairing: MM Triggers/potential icks/content warnings/representation: violence, physical assault, homophobia, financial struggles, minor character with permanent disability, injuries, reference to minor character suicide attempt, double bi awakening Cheating between MCs: No Any cheating: No Other person drama: once they start having interest in each other, neither of them are interested in anyone else. There are references to past wild sexual exploits
3.5 stars (novella standards)
Jackson and Killian are hockey players on rival teams. They have competed against each other since they were kids and they have always had an antagonistic relationship. Both are dark morally gray characters. They are both 21 and they want to make it to the NHL. Jackson comes from a wealthy family and Killian comes from a poor family that he's had to help provide for because his mom has an illness and is wheelchair bound. One day a hockey fight between them continues outside of the rink and they realize they have some kinks in common and are attracted to each other. This book doesn't span long period of time, and they have a fast and furious fall from lust to touch him and die and quickly label their relationship boyfriends.
They have decent heat between them and a strong base of dislike. I am biased against novellas I admit, because they are too short to do well, a lot of authors can't quite pull it off. Can't tell enough story well within the pages. I try not to judge novellas too hard. This was a decent novella, it captured a fair amount of history and feeling. Though it was unbelievable how fast they were in love. And there were some stupid moments, like them having sex roughly after Jackson fractured multiple ribs and the roommates being absent coincidentally when they were hooking up. And the random violence/murder thrown in when it's not terribly believable for them to do such risky things when they care about a future so much. I would have liked to see a epilogue in the future that gave us some kind of hint that this couple would be more than just happy for now, because they're both going to probably end up going to separate NHL teams.
Some notable moments:
I like that there's a hint of feeling here, liking the other person for who they are. "But that scared look he’s got going on doesn’t suit him. Killian’s never backed down from me and this new development is sucking all the fun away. I want him fighting back, giving as good as he gets. That's our rhythm, our dance. Time to kick it up a notch, get under his skin a bit. I lean in close, until the ragged warmth of his breath hits my cheek. The scent of him—clean sweat and generic hotel shampoo—fills my nostrils. Slowly, deliberately, I drag my teeth over his earlobe, biting down just hard enough to pierce the skin. The coppery tang of blood hits my tongue and Killian makes a sound somewhere between a gasp and a growl, his hands flexing against the carpet. The noise goes straight to my dick."
"“What was it like when you realized you were into Eli?” Alexei’s dark eyes narrowing dangerously. "Why?" "I'm just curious—" "Eli is mine. Don't even think about it." And because I’m an asshole at heart, I smirk and poke the bear. “Oh, please. I can easily steal him away from you. I’m way more charming and I know what he likes.” He lunges at me and slams me against the wall, his forearm pressed against my throat. "Stop watching us fuck, or I'll rip your dick off and feed it to you.""
*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.
Definitely liked this more than book one, but again they didn't really get to know each other before they're declaring they love each other!
These two had a long history of being rivals, which made it easier to believe they could go from hate to love, but I still would have preferred more actual relationship development.
The whole assistant coach subplot was weird though, and I'm all for these guys being a murderous little bunch, but honestly I can't understand how Jackson recovered so quickly!
Nobody told me this was narrated by Corvin King and Anthony Palmini?! They made this so tolerable and oh so fun. Narration so good I had an awakening.
Anyway, I liked this better than the first book. It still has the same corny OTT writing style and a rushed plotline that could’ve used a few more chapters. But I was entertained and that’s all that matters at this moment in time.
This was a brutal beauty. I enjoyed it. The rivalry was real even though the falling was kind of sudden. But I guess mistaking lust for hate is a thing. If over the top alpha males is your thing, this is for you. Sweet, dark and dirty.
I actually hated this book with a burning passion, if I could give it one star and burn it I would. Reading it felt like I was reading fanfiction on wattpad written by a sixth grader. Actually no, a sixth grader could write better than that. It was pathetic. I actually loath this. It was cringy and the writing had no plot whatsoever I’m actually so mad and it’s supposed to be rivals to lovers and how do you do that within 137 pages??? Please answer, oh wait! You didn’t.
The way this book could’ve had potential too if you had the characters interact with other people other than just the two main characters.
Or had them interacting with their coach. Or went more into their struggles and coming to terms with the fact that they were gay. Maybe having Jackson turn to Pervco or whatever his name was and Eli for advice. Maybe make it a bit more rivals to lovers.
You could’ve had them fighting more on the ice. And sooo much more. I’m actually not even disappointed I just cannot believe the time I wasted reading this absolute garbage of a book.
[Marzo 2025: 1 reread] Diossss, este libro daba para masssss. Lo amé.
[Mayo 2024] Insisto, lo único malo de estos libros es que sean muy cortosssss.
Amé muchísimo esta historia, Killian y Jackson estuvieron preciosos, me hubiera encanto ver más de sus encuentros amorosos porque la autora aborda temas muy interesantes👀.
MUEOR POR LEER LA HISTORIA VIKTOR, WALSH Y KNIGHT!!!!
A Rivals to Lovers, MM Hockey romance! It's dark, violent with unhinged college students, double Bi-awakening, kinky spice & a fast pace that sucked me in! I knew it's short but still, it's the fastest I've read a book in a while 😍. Devoured it in around 2hrs! I started as just checking it out, then got hooked & continued till end. Maybe, I'll circle back to read book •1 too 😉. I had a feeling it'll be Insta-Love but I'm not even mad as I loved Killian & Jackson 😂, it's low-key believable.
I actually just watched Heated Rivalry ep 4 (crazy ahh, the wait's excruciating 🥹. Edit: I enjoyed whole series!), & noticed similar plot points. This book hit the the void left behind! It's got the rivals part (not forbidden tho, acceptance is sweetly easy), "it's a bad idea" but can't resist 🤭, even better that it's NOT a slowburn, is kinky, dark too 😳. TW! I would've loved if it was longer & some parts more fleshed out, but eh I enjoyed it. I'll gush, be warned!
🏒Jackson is of the Titans college hockey team. I loved his parents dynamics, such a kickass pair! J's a mouthy asshole, who's "brutal" & loves to taunt his Hockey arch-rival Killian 🤭. But such a consent king too! 🏒Killian is a more responsible (with his family situation & all) so he's more reactive to J than picking fights out right (atleast, off ice). I liked K's snark & his worrying too 🥹. I liked his mom, wish we could've gotten her on page! Btw, I thought I won't be able to distinguish their personalities for my review, but I actually got it, cool.
These 2 have been at eachother's throats since hockey camp as kids, damn long. Such a thin line between hate & love! They cross it hard. That good ol' chase kink/primal play, so hot 🥵. They may've been gay curious before or adrenaline hard but obliterated any straight-ness to Bi-ness in that hotel (forced proximity at play 😂).
I absolutely LOVE them being vers, dominating eachother 🥵. The kicking out room bit made me lol. Their feelings went high gear FAST, I adored their possessive protectiveness 😍. Fighting as foreplay hot af, especially when they won't let anyone else mark eachother! Other than initial worry, it's pretty low angst relationship development. Loved when they were vulnerable & forward! They can't hide their feelings for eachother lol, refreshing.
The secondary plot, wow what an action-y surprise. I was scared for J, like the fuck he doing so much with hurt ribs?! I thought he'll poke a lung. Take care bro! 😤 Also, that other coach WAS SUCH AN ASSHOLE. I love the OTT revenge 😂. I don't think I've seen sharks used in book before. Cute epilogue 🥰. I like this friend group, will def check the other books out!
Story ratings: Enjoyed—> Yes!! POV: 1st Person, Dual POV 1) The Characters: 5/5 2) The feels: 😆😅🥵😮💨🫡🥺😍😳🥹🥰😤😩😈😉🏒 3) Sexy/Steamy scenes: 3/5 4) Levels: Lowish Angst, Kinda Cute, Moderate Dark 5) Build up & Style: 4.5/5
ALC Review. Corvin King & Anthony Palmini did amazing with this one!!
MM hockey romance. Rivals to lovers & protective MMC. Yes, please. I was nervous going into this, because I wasn’t a huge fan of book one. This one redeemed the series for me! I still think some of it was rushed like the last, but it’s a novella, so can’t really expect a a lot in a short time. Still really enjoyed this one! Jackson & Killian were great together
I saw it was narrated by Anthony Palmini and Corvin King, and I just couldn't not listen.
Jackson and Killian have been rivals since they were kids, so the hate to love dynamic made sense, but I wish there had been more time to develop their relationship. It would've worked better as a full-length book. The ending got a little too cheesy and ridiculous for me, but overall, I still enjoyed it. Super quick read, literally.
1 star I’m convinced E.V. Olsen has never: - watched a hockey game - engaged with anything related to gay men that isn’t gay Wattpad smut by 14 year old girls - had a single conversation with a man in her life
dnf 13% yeah im really not into the 'make him run in fear so u could chase him' trope also the cover is so misleading it looks cute and maybe even ya while some ya books can look for adults. I hate when this happens