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Off the Ice
How do you forgive the person who crushed your dreams and left you a crippled wreck? Ethan Russell doesn’t know, and he doesn’t want to find out. He’s too busy trying to rebuild something resembling a life from the ruins of what remains after defenseman Tanner McCoy shattered his hip and ended his career as the most promising goalie for the Miami Spirit in twenty years. His grandfather’s small hobby farm seems the perfect thing to distract him from what he’s lost, even if he can’t tell a llama from an alpaca.
Tanner knows he doesn’t deserve forgiveness. It’s never occurred to him as an option. With his own career destroyed by the panic attacks that hit him every time he laces up his skates, nightmares plaguing him, and his face too recognizable in his hometown, he gets in his car and runs from it all.
Neither Tanner nor Ethan are expecting to meet again. But when a favor for a mutual friend brings them together, they’re forced to navigate a relationship fraught with pitfalls that threaten to swallow them both whole. And maybe, just maybe, the broken man and the man who broke him can learn how to heal each other.
Tanner knows he doesn’t deserve forgiveness. It’s never occurred to him as an option. With his own career destroyed by the panic attacks that hit him every time he laces up his skates, nightmares plaguing him, and his face too recognizable in his hometown, he gets in his car and runs from it all.
Neither Tanner nor Ethan are expecting to meet again. But when a favor for a mutual friend brings them together, they’re forced to navigate a relationship fraught with pitfalls that threaten to swallow them both whole. And maybe, just maybe, the broken man and the man who broke him can learn how to heal each other.
239 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 30, 2021
62 people are currently reading
468 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
November 3, 2021
This is not the best book I've read from Michaela but as always they have their charm.
Off the Ice was the least hockey themed of all of them, it centered more in a farm and in the recovery of Ethan after a fatal injury and also of Tanner after the trauma. It was warm, very heartbreaking and at the same time heartwarming.
As always the love didn't transition well, Ethan didn't really like Tanner at the beginning, then they were kissing and I was like whuuuut???? Where the hell did that come from? But I'm kind of used to that with this author and she writes the rest in a very solid way I enjoyed it. 🥰🥰
Overall, an enjoyable read. ❤
Off the Ice was the least hockey themed of all of them, it centered more in a farm and in the recovery of Ethan after a fatal injury and also of Tanner after the trauma. It was warm, very heartbreaking and at the same time heartwarming.
As always the love didn't transition well, Ethan didn't really like Tanner at the beginning, then they were kissing and I was like whuuuut???? Where the hell did that come from? But I'm kind of used to that with this author and she writes the rest in a very solid way I enjoyed it. 🥰🥰
Overall, an enjoyable read. ❤
November 13, 2022
I really liked this!!!!
The relationship was sweet and there were no pointless side characters or additional drama that didn't matter. There could have been more of an emotional build up instead of going from 'enemies' to lovers but I did like them together.
The only negatives I have are that we didn't get to see either of the guys fully overcome their issues, and the epilogue seemed a little random - I'd have rather seen their life on the farm than talking about an offhand comment made right near the start of the book!
The relationship was sweet and there were no pointless side characters or additional drama that didn't matter. There could have been more of an emotional build up instead of going from 'enemies' to lovers but I did like them together.
The only negatives I have are that we didn't get to see either of the guys fully overcome their issues, and the epilogue seemed a little random - I'd have rather seen their life on the farm than talking about an offhand comment made right near the start of the book!
July 12, 2024
May I interest you in:
🏒 MM sport romance
🏒 enemies to lovers
🏒 opposites attract
🏒 hockey player and former hockey player (whose career ended because of the former)
🏒 farm life 🐕🐎🐖🦚
🏒 steam 🧖🏽♂️🧖🏽♂️🧖🏽♂️ (less graphic than other MM sport romances though)
🏒 dual POV
🏒 but also, so many things are left unresolved or simply dismissed.
🏒 MM sport romance
🏒 enemies to lovers
🏒 opposites attract
🏒 hockey player and former hockey player (whose career ended because of the former)
🏒 farm life 🐕🐎🐖🦚
🏒 steam 🧖🏽♂️🧖🏽♂️🧖🏽♂️ (less graphic than other MM sport romances though)
🏒 dual POV
🏒 but also, so many things are left unresolved or simply dismissed.
September 13, 2023
It’s an MM hockey romance - my favourite.
Goaltender Ethan breaks his hip when opposing d-man Tanner crashes the net during a game. Ethan’s career is over so he ends up working on his own on a farm that his grandfather left him. Tanner needs to escape his life and his nightmares about the accident so he gets in his car and drives. Through a massive coincidence Tanner ends up at the farm not knowing it is Ethan’s. Tanner finds Ethan ill and in need of help so of course he moves in.
It’s a short book and there were big leaps from the main characters not getting along to the first kiss to the first sex. The development of their relationship wasn’t shown as much as I would have liked, but they were both likeable characters and I wanted them to work out.
The epilogue was a little disappointing and didn’t add much to the book. I wanted more about how they overcame their issues and how they worked out their relationship together longer term.
There is a content warning at the start about the graphic injury that happens right at the start of the book. Ethan’s injury and the PTSD that both main characters experience is a theme throughout the book.
Goaltender Ethan breaks his hip when opposing d-man Tanner crashes the net during a game. Ethan’s career is over so he ends up working on his own on a farm that his grandfather left him. Tanner needs to escape his life and his nightmares about the accident so he gets in his car and drives. Through a massive coincidence Tanner ends up at the farm not knowing it is Ethan’s. Tanner finds Ethan ill and in need of help so of course he moves in.
It’s a short book and there were big leaps from the main characters not getting along to the first kiss to the first sex. The development of their relationship wasn’t shown as much as I would have liked, but they were both likeable characters and I wanted them to work out.
The epilogue was a little disappointing and didn’t add much to the book. I wanted more about how they overcame their issues and how they worked out their relationship together longer term.
There is a content warning at the start about the graphic injury that happens right at the start of the book. Ethan’s injury and the PTSD that both main characters experience is a theme throughout the book.
November 3, 2021
Enjoyable, I got sucked in early and it kept my attention till the end. I loved the hurt/comfort.
May 25, 2024
For 75% of this book I was along for the ride, even with irregularities in the timeline and plenty of things that just didn't mesh with reality , because I enjoyed the writing style so much and I loooooove hurt/comfort. Unfortunately, the dramatics that happen around that mark
There is plenty to like here if you're able to gloss over things that don't make sense, but this book really pushed my upper limits of it haha. Enjoyable read that I don't regret and not too long :)
There is plenty to like here if you're able to gloss over things that don't make sense, but this book really pushed my upper limits of it haha. Enjoyable read that I don't regret and not too long :)
April 4, 2024
Nooo... to było na pewno interesujące 😁
Mogłoby nawet być i świetne, gdyby było przynajmniej o połowę dłuższe, bo jednak były pewne dziury w historii, pewne rzeczy zdarzyły się zbyt szybko bądź bez zbytniego wyjaśnienia. Ale historia dwóch młodych mężczyzn - jednego, którego kariera i zdrowie zostały złamane oraz drugiego, który tę karierę i zdrowie pierwszego złamał, niszcząc przy okazji swoje zdrowie psychiczne, była warta mojego czasu. I, przede wszystkim, była takim zarąbistym czytaniem po Boy Next Door, że daję cztery, choć być może powinno być 3+ - ale co tam, raz się żyje, a ocenia się przeczytane książki w konkretnym czasie, kontekście i w danej (swojej własnej) formie psychicznej 😉 😁
Mogłoby nawet być i świetne, gdyby było przynajmniej o połowę dłuższe, bo jednak były pewne dziury w historii, pewne rzeczy zdarzyły się zbyt szybko bądź bez zbytniego wyjaśnienia. Ale historia dwóch młodych mężczyzn - jednego, którego kariera i zdrowie zostały złamane oraz drugiego, który tę karierę i zdrowie pierwszego złamał, niszcząc przy okazji swoje zdrowie psychiczne, była warta mojego czasu. I, przede wszystkim, była takim zarąbistym czytaniem po Boy Next Door, że daję cztery, choć być może powinno być 3+ - ale co tam, raz się żyje, a ocenia się przeczytane książki w konkretnym czasie, kontekście i w danej (swojej własnej) formie psychicznej 😉 😁
November 22, 2021
This was a nice, easy read to finish off my Kindle Unlimited subscription! I don't have a pastoral fantasy bone in my body, so the fact that so many M/M romance novels are set on farms is kind of a bummer to me, but I thought this was a sort of charming take on it. These leads were compelling enough, but I just think so much romance relies on trope that I end up feeling like I just don't know anything about who the characters are supposed to be and no sense of their inner life even though I'm seeing the world directly through their POVs. Despite that, I still had a decent time! Grey's books are quick and pleasant and I'm sure I'll continue to look for them in the future.
March 30, 2022
That was SO good! It was the first sports themed book that I have read that dealt with the psychological side of the game. This was my first book by Ms. Grey and what an introduction! On the softer side, I loved the names of Ethan's animals. Rhonda was an awesome girl and friend. I highly recommend for anyone who craves all the feels.
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November 14, 2021SO many feels. SO many man tears!
October 30, 2021
Ethan's character is too good to be true! I expected him to be jaded, bitter and broken, yes he was having anxiety but somehow he managed that and accept that what Tanner did was just an accident, easily adapt to his new life and their romance IMO happened quite fast.
The one who had difficulties was Tanner. It was harder for him to skate again, he was afraid to hurt someone like he hurt Ethan even though that was an accident and he felt somewhat guilty to Ethan. He still can play, having a career meanwhile Ethan's dream was crushed and he would never be a goalie again. Ethan is a great guy (even too good to be true), encouraged Tanner and forgave him and made Tanner's life easier and finally he can skate again because of Ethan's endless support.
The reason Tanner was mean to Ethan because he has a crush on him and will do anything to make Ethan sees him so he acted like he owned the world to make Ethan glance his way.
The one who had difficulties was Tanner. It was harder for him to skate again, he was afraid to hurt someone like he hurt Ethan even though that was an accident and he felt somewhat guilty to Ethan. He still can play, having a career meanwhile Ethan's dream was crushed and he would never be a goalie again. Ethan is a great guy (even too good to be true), encouraged Tanner and forgave him and made Tanner's life easier and finally he can skate again because of Ethan's endless support.
The reason Tanner was mean to Ethan because he has a crush on him and will do anything to make Ethan sees him so he acted like he owned the world to make Ethan glance his way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2021
Gorgeous enemies to lovers
Sooo much character growth and the chemistry between the MC's is so strong.
I love how both MC's are there for each other, it's lovely to read that balance.
Sooo much character growth and the chemistry between the MC's is so strong.
I love how both MC's are there for each other, it's lovely to read that balance.
March 16, 2022
3.5 ⭐
I really liked this story, it was super cute and sad and steamy.
Loved Tanner way more than Ethan, but still, those two belong together.
I do think the writing needs a bit more work though, the relationship jumped from 0 to 60 in no time at all, I think it needed at least one more chapter developing the jump into the relationship part. Plus, the epilogue was incredibly short and didn't give us much of an insight into their future, I honestly hope it's because there's going to be a sequel or they'll appear again in a series, otherwise the end was quite abrupt and not quite enjoyable.
I really liked this story, it was super cute and sad and steamy.
Loved Tanner way more than Ethan, but still, those two belong together.
I do think the writing needs a bit more work though, the relationship jumped from 0 to 60 in no time at all, I think it needed at least one more chapter developing the jump into the relationship part. Plus, the epilogue was incredibly short and didn't give us much of an insight into their future, I honestly hope it's because there's going to be a sequel or they'll appear again in a series, otherwise the end was quite abrupt and not quite enjoyable.
December 13, 2021
These just keep getting better!
This author is so freaking talented. I loved the first one of hers I read (Blindside Hit) and have pretty much loved them all since, but this one might be my new favorite of them. The MCs are just so SWEET and supportive of each other (once they get over the initial animosity). I adored it.
This author is so freaking talented. I loved the first one of hers I read (Blindside Hit) and have pretty much loved them all since, but this one might be my new favorite of them. The MCs are just so SWEET and supportive of each other (once they get over the initial animosity). I adored it.
November 2, 2021
4.5 stars rounded down.
I love this world Gray has created — where her hockey players have to deal with very real issues, but homophobia isn’t one of them
I thought this was a really good length. Enough time to buy the characters’ relationship and their growth, but not so long it felt like it was beating on
Interesting choice to make the journey of forgiving the other person faster and easier than the journey of forgiving yourself. I liked that.
Thought the bit about the crush before this summer was a bit underbaked
Overall, I really like it! I’m a big fan of Gray and will keep my eye out for her next work.
Contains: enemies to lovers, both hockey players, hideaway, farm, forced retirement
CW: anxiety/panic attacks, graphic description of broken bone
Steam: 2.5 (one or two briefish scenes; I’ll be honest I finished this 12 hours ago and can’t remember any other than their first time, but feel like they were more)
I love this world Gray has created — where her hockey players have to deal with very real issues, but homophobia isn’t one of them
I thought this was a really good length. Enough time to buy the characters’ relationship and their growth, but not so long it felt like it was beating on
Interesting choice to make the journey of forgiving the other person faster and easier than the journey of forgiving yourself. I liked that.
Thought the bit about the crush before this summer was a bit underbaked
Overall, I really like it! I’m a big fan of Gray and will keep my eye out for her next work.
Contains: enemies to lovers, both hockey players, hideaway, farm, forced retirement
CW: anxiety/panic attacks, graphic description of broken bone
Steam: 2.5 (one or two briefish scenes; I’ll be honest I finished this 12 hours ago and can’t remember any other than their first time, but feel like they were more)
November 9, 2021
Excellent
One can never go wrong with a hockey book by Ms. Grey.
KU, contemporary, professional athlete, hockey, hurt comfort, non American characters, non American setting.
One can never go wrong with a hockey book by Ms. Grey.
KU, contemporary, professional athlete, hockey, hurt comfort, non American characters, non American setting.
December 29, 2021
I really really liked this, but I wish their relationship hadn’t gone from zero to sixty
March 20, 2023
Intense first chapters, horrible logical holes.
Tanner breaks goalie Ethan's hip on the ice, ending his career for good. PTSD follows as he's got a crush on the icy red-head for years and knows that he ruined his life.
Ethan tries to re-build his life as a farmer, the house and land inherited from his homophobic grandfather. His help: a wonderful border collie named Mac.
Tanner ends up (by a very big coincidence) at Ethan's, helps him in a crisis, they collide, stick together, help each other to survive - HEA.
The writing style is great, and to incorporate the toll freak accidents can have on the players bodies and minds is highly interesting/fascinating. But at the same time playing loose with the medical details is... harumph... disappointing.
Seriously... a broken hip, torn ligaments, dislocated joint and then only three months afterwards (or less) Ethan is toiling on his farm, hip at least workable, but no need to do lengthy physiotherapy???
My wobbly knees (no trauma, just overuse) took longer to function kind of reliably again.
And strangely, Ethan still can manage sex acrobatics gracefully without a good hip...
That's only the biggest point of annoyance, I won't point out other minor plot holes.
It's a pity - the writing really is great otherwise.
So I gave Ms Grey another chance and continued with Double Shifting. Again getting sucked into the story. There the medical details were less wobbly - not perfect, but at least the MC with concussion dearly paid for trying to read before being healed properly...
Tanner breaks goalie Ethan's hip on the ice, ending his career for good. PTSD follows as he's got a crush on the icy red-head for years and knows that he ruined his life.
Ethan tries to re-build his life as a farmer, the house and land inherited from his homophobic grandfather. His help: a wonderful border collie named Mac.
Tanner ends up (by a very big coincidence) at Ethan's, helps him in a crisis, they collide, stick together, help each other to survive - HEA.
The writing style is great, and to incorporate the toll freak accidents can have on the players bodies and minds is highly interesting/fascinating. But at the same time playing loose with the medical details is... harumph... disappointing.
Seriously... a broken hip, torn ligaments, dislocated joint and then only three months afterwards (or less) Ethan is toiling on his farm, hip at least workable, but no need to do lengthy physiotherapy???
My wobbly knees (no trauma, just overuse) took longer to function kind of reliably again.
And strangely, Ethan still can manage sex acrobatics gracefully without a good hip...
That's only the biggest point of annoyance, I won't point out other minor plot holes.
It's a pity - the writing really is great otherwise.
So I gave Ms Grey another chance and continued with Double Shifting. Again getting sucked into the story. There the medical details were less wobbly - not perfect, but at least the MC with concussion dearly paid for trying to read before being healed properly...
November 24, 2021
4.5 stars
I really want to give this book 5 stars because I've loved it so so so much, however I do have a little complaint towards the end of the book which is what makes me drop it by half a point.
So... I've been in the mood for funny and fluffy stories in the last few weeks so this was quite a departure from that. I mean, it's got funny and fluffy moments but the overall feel from my point of view is more of a hurt/comfort theme.
Ethan and Tanner... *sigh*... I'm so in love with them. Their painful journey felt so real. Both of them needed help but the fact that this help came from the least person they were expecting it from is what makes it even more beautiful - because it was raw and heart-wrenching.
Ethan's physical pain was tough to see, how he was struggling in the farm, however it was his simmering anger (although he claims that he never hated Tanner) that was hard to swallow. And you feel for him, for what was taken away from him.
And Tanner's pain - how his anxiety and mental health were chipping away at his happiness - but how he also came through for Ethan at the farm. It was so fucking charming.
So what's my complain?
I just didn't like how at the end Tanner found how he was ok going back to playing hockey and how unclear it was when he'd be going back home to Ethan. It's so ambigous! And I kept thinking, "ok, so Tanner seems to have got over his fear of skating and hurting people, but perhaps he'll decide to quit professional hockey and go and train the little team in St Jerome instead?". I didn't like it too much. I would have preferred him coaching the little team and partnering with Ethan to run the farm together, perhaps doing something with horses instead? he kept saying horses made him happy, always came up first on his list.
Even in the 8-months-later epilogue, it is not clear if Tanner is at the farm because it's summer break again, or whether he's there for real or what. So yeah, because of that niggle, I can't give the book 5 stars :( But listen, it was beautiful and I have absolutely loved it. And the fact that the action takes place "off the ice" and there isn't such a big focus on hockey as with other Michaela Grey's books was ok with me.
I really want to give this book 5 stars because I've loved it so so so much, however I do have a little complaint towards the end of the book which is what makes me drop it by half a point.
So... I've been in the mood for funny and fluffy stories in the last few weeks so this was quite a departure from that. I mean, it's got funny and fluffy moments but the overall feel from my point of view is more of a hurt/comfort theme.
Ethan and Tanner... *sigh*... I'm so in love with them. Their painful journey felt so real. Both of them needed help but the fact that this help came from the least person they were expecting it from is what makes it even more beautiful - because it was raw and heart-wrenching.
Ethan's physical pain was tough to see, how he was struggling in the farm, however it was his simmering anger (although he claims that he never hated Tanner) that was hard to swallow. And you feel for him, for what was taken away from him.
And Tanner's pain - how his anxiety and mental health were chipping away at his happiness - but how he also came through for Ethan at the farm. It was so fucking charming.
So what's my complain?
I just didn't like how at the end Tanner found how he was ok going back to playing hockey and how unclear it was when he'd be going back home to Ethan. It's so ambigous! And I kept thinking, "ok, so Tanner seems to have got over his fear of skating and hurting people, but perhaps he'll decide to quit professional hockey and go and train the little team in St Jerome instead?". I didn't like it too much. I would have preferred him coaching the little team and partnering with Ethan to run the farm together, perhaps doing something with horses instead? he kept saying horses made him happy, always came up first on his list.
Even in the 8-months-later epilogue, it is not clear if Tanner is at the farm because it's summer break again, or whether he's there for real or what. So yeah, because of that niggle, I can't give the book 5 stars :( But listen, it was beautiful and I have absolutely loved it. And the fact that the action takes place "off the ice" and there isn't such a big focus on hockey as with other Michaela Grey's books was ok with me.
January 9, 2022
While I think Ethan and Tanner might be my favorite protagonists out of all of Michaela Greys hockey romances, I have to admit that this book in general was a bit of a miss for me. I felt everything between them happened a bit fast and especially with the character's history I would have preferred more of a slow burn.
December 5, 2021
So many emotions and I was THERE for it.
February 6, 2022
Sports Romance
Loved this story with the memorable MCs and the farm premise. Quite a bit of angst is there considering the plot, but it felt right and not too heavy.
Loved this story with the memorable MCs and the farm premise. Quite a bit of angst is there considering the plot, but it felt right and not too heavy.
January 16, 2025
4.75 ⭐ rounded up
ridiculous premise, beautiful romance. tender hurt/comfort story with raw characters and gently treated mental health content.
ridiculous premise, beautiful romance. tender hurt/comfort story with raw characters and gently treated mental health content.
November 25, 2021
DNF @ 59%.
Romance progressed way too fast considering the fact that Ethan was meant to hate Tanner... and supposedly DID at the beginning. Then all of a sudden they decide they have actually liked each other all along and have been crushing on each other since their rookie days etc... the pacing and narrative was all over the place. A shame because I was invested in Tanner's road to recovery but just couldnt stick with it due to everything else.
Romance progressed way too fast considering the fact that Ethan was meant to hate Tanner... and supposedly DID at the beginning. Then all of a sudden they decide they have actually liked each other all along and have been crushing on each other since their rookie days etc... the pacing and narrative was all over the place. A shame because I was invested in Tanner's road to recovery but just couldnt stick with it due to everything else.
November 18, 2021
This book has so many elements that I love in stories. It could well have been written for me. Hockey, hurt/comfort, enemies to lovers, farming/ranching, dealing with a new disability, starting over, scene stealing animals and a journey to love that is so beautiful it hurts. I loved all of it and cannot recommend it enough. Easily my favorite read of 2021.
November 7, 2021
This was heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time, these guys truly need one another. Fate truly brought Ethan and Tanner together to heal one another and find love. I loved everything about this book! And the dang peacock with no name lol
April 14, 2025
4.5* von 5*
Ethan Russells Karriere ist unwiderruflich zu Ende. Ein Unfall auf dem Eis lässt eine Rückkehr in den aktiven Sport nicht zu. Nur mühsam quält er sich durch den Tag und übernimmt von seinem verstorbenen Großvater eine kleine Farm. Mit dem Toten verbindet ihn nichts und von der Arbeit hat er auch keine Ahnung. Und dann steht ausgerechnet der Mann vor ihm, der alles verschuldet hat: Tanner McCoy.
Während Ethan durch den Unfall körperliche Beeinträchtigungen mit gravierenden Folgen erlitten hat, leidet Tanner auf eine andere Weise. Seit diesem schicksalshaften Tag und den daraus resultierenden Folgen ist er ein mentales Wrack. Tanner ist es kaum möglich mit dieser Schuld zu leben und ihm graut vor dem Gedanken wieder aufs Eis zu gehen um zu spielen. Seine Familie ist überfürsorglich und seine Mitspieler, das Team und die Trainer besorgt. Doch Tanner lässt alles hinter sich und setzt sich im Sommer, in der spielfreien Zeit, einfach ab. Das Schicksal ist wirklich grausam, als es ihn unerwartet auf die Farm von Ethan spült ….
Das Wiedersehen ist natürlich jetzt keine glückliche Begegnung. Doch Ethan geht es schlecht und ausgerechnet jetzt wird er auch noch krank. Ihm fehlt die Kraft Tanner zu verscheuchen. Und Tanner fühlt sich verantwortlich. Außerdem hat er Ahnung von Farmarbeit und kümmert sich um alles, während Ethan krank im Bett liegt.
Es ist schwierig zwischen ihnen. Und es braucht viel Zeit, dass Wut und Zorn seitens Ethans etwas verblassen. Er erkennt, dass auch Tanner leidet und sich in einer höchst gefährlichen Abwärtsspirale befindet. In seinem mentalen Zustand ist es fraglich, ob seine Karriere als Profispieler überhaupt noch weitergehen wird.
Was für ein Buch und was für eine Geschichte. Zwei Männer, mit denen es das Schicksal es nicht unbedingt freundlich gemeint hat. Der Unfall hat tiefe Narben hinterlassen. Körperlich und eben auch seelisch. Dieser Sommer ist für Ethan und Tanner die Zeit zu heilen und einen Neuanfang zu wagen. Umso überraschender ist es, dass es ein gemeinsamer Neuanfang wird. Die Geschichte ist wunderschön geschrieben und die Beziehung entwickelt sich natürlich nur sehr langsam. Das ist der Geschichte geschuldet, aber auch den beiden Persönlichkeiten, die wirklich einen großen Ballast mit sich herumschleppen.
Tanner und Ethan lernen sich ja auf verschiedenen Ebenen kennen und schätzen. Das braucht Zeit und diese Zeit gibt ihnen die Autorin auch, die mich mit diesem Buch durchaus überzeugen konnte.
Ethan Russells Karriere ist unwiderruflich zu Ende. Ein Unfall auf dem Eis lässt eine Rückkehr in den aktiven Sport nicht zu. Nur mühsam quält er sich durch den Tag und übernimmt von seinem verstorbenen Großvater eine kleine Farm. Mit dem Toten verbindet ihn nichts und von der Arbeit hat er auch keine Ahnung. Und dann steht ausgerechnet der Mann vor ihm, der alles verschuldet hat: Tanner McCoy.
Während Ethan durch den Unfall körperliche Beeinträchtigungen mit gravierenden Folgen erlitten hat, leidet Tanner auf eine andere Weise. Seit diesem schicksalshaften Tag und den daraus resultierenden Folgen ist er ein mentales Wrack. Tanner ist es kaum möglich mit dieser Schuld zu leben und ihm graut vor dem Gedanken wieder aufs Eis zu gehen um zu spielen. Seine Familie ist überfürsorglich und seine Mitspieler, das Team und die Trainer besorgt. Doch Tanner lässt alles hinter sich und setzt sich im Sommer, in der spielfreien Zeit, einfach ab. Das Schicksal ist wirklich grausam, als es ihn unerwartet auf die Farm von Ethan spült ….
Das Wiedersehen ist natürlich jetzt keine glückliche Begegnung. Doch Ethan geht es schlecht und ausgerechnet jetzt wird er auch noch krank. Ihm fehlt die Kraft Tanner zu verscheuchen. Und Tanner fühlt sich verantwortlich. Außerdem hat er Ahnung von Farmarbeit und kümmert sich um alles, während Ethan krank im Bett liegt.
Es ist schwierig zwischen ihnen. Und es braucht viel Zeit, dass Wut und Zorn seitens Ethans etwas verblassen. Er erkennt, dass auch Tanner leidet und sich in einer höchst gefährlichen Abwärtsspirale befindet. In seinem mentalen Zustand ist es fraglich, ob seine Karriere als Profispieler überhaupt noch weitergehen wird.
Was für ein Buch und was für eine Geschichte. Zwei Männer, mit denen es das Schicksal es nicht unbedingt freundlich gemeint hat. Der Unfall hat tiefe Narben hinterlassen. Körperlich und eben auch seelisch. Dieser Sommer ist für Ethan und Tanner die Zeit zu heilen und einen Neuanfang zu wagen. Umso überraschender ist es, dass es ein gemeinsamer Neuanfang wird. Die Geschichte ist wunderschön geschrieben und die Beziehung entwickelt sich natürlich nur sehr langsam. Das ist der Geschichte geschuldet, aber auch den beiden Persönlichkeiten, die wirklich einen großen Ballast mit sich herumschleppen.
Tanner und Ethan lernen sich ja auf verschiedenen Ebenen kennen und schätzen. Das braucht Zeit und diese Zeit gibt ihnen die Autorin auch, die mich mit diesem Buch durchaus überzeugen konnte.
March 2, 2025
I am devastated. From the blurb and the start I could tell how much potential (for me) this plot could have. Two characters who had a horrible accident, Tanner accidentally hurting Ethan so much that Ethan's career was over. Tanner's anxiety, his guilt, and his fear of hockey were beautifully described, and so was Ethan's struggle and pride, and desire for rebuilding his life.
The plot was a bit ridiculous (Tanner finding Ethan in the farm he inherited and just staying with him to help him, because Ethan is sick) but I did not care because I was there for the angst! I wanted to see how this realistically strained relationship would progress, and how these two characters would slowly move closer and at the same time move away from both the guilt and the resentment.
And then... time skip?? The book only brings Ethan and Tanner to a certain point of their development before giving up and jumping forward in time, for us to believe that the two are now lovey-dovey in love. I tried to stick by it, but I felt like I was robbed of the main plot point of the story and I was now stuck with a text/phone relationship while Tanner returned to play hockey.
The plot was a bit ridiculous (Tanner finding Ethan in the farm he inherited and just staying with him to help him, because Ethan is sick) but I did not care because I was there for the angst! I wanted to see how this realistically strained relationship would progress, and how these two characters would slowly move closer and at the same time move away from both the guilt and the resentment.
And then... time skip?? The book only brings Ethan and Tanner to a certain point of their development before giving up and jumping forward in time, for us to believe that the two are now lovey-dovey in love. I tried to stick by it, but I felt like I was robbed of the main plot point of the story and I was now stuck with a text/phone relationship while Tanner returned to play hockey.
January 1, 2022
This is one of those times when I wish Goodreads had an option for a 3.5 rating. There was a lot about this book that I liked--the leads both had compelling emotional wounds that needed fixing and they certainly had an intense conflict between them that needed to be overcome. However, a lot of that heavy lifting felt rushed or absent from the story, and that made their initial coming together as well as their love and happy-ever-after feel unearned. In a few places I had to back up and read again because the stated conflict resolved so quickly I thought I accidentally skipped forward in the book. I wanted more of their conflict on the page, as well as more of their struggle and their surrender to their feelings.
March 5, 2023
This book was literally such a good time. Mac was the real MVP. I loved all the characters and the plot was A+. This was one of this author's deeper, more emotional books that I've read and I really liked her execution. It did feel like Ethan got over his career-ending, life-altering injury pretty quickly, but other than that the romance was fantastic. I liked how both people had obstacles they had to conquer and they were there for each other through it. A lot of the books I read have the couple splitting up to figure their shit out and then getting back together when they are in a healthier place. I found it cool that this showed a way where the characters could support each other without enabling or being a crutch.
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