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The Games We Play
Love of the Game
Drake Williams was the up-and-coming young player on the Pittsburgh Lions, racking up points like a star. Now in his third season, his star has fallen and his scoring touch is gone. The puck hates his stick, and he’s more liability than asset. No other team in the major league wants him. When the Lions waive him, he’s sent to the Greensburg Otters—proof of how far he’s dropped.
Greensburg feels like a million miles from Pittsburgh rather forty. But when Drake unexpectedly finds a queer biker bar off the beaten path, he thinks he might survive his time in the minors, especially when Jon, the bar’s sexy owner, flirts with him. That is, until the next morning, when he’s re-introduced to Jon as Jonny Eriksson, team captain of the Otters.
Jon Eriksson’s got the hockey IQ but not the hands or the wheels for the big league, and that’s fine. He likes the Otters. Of course he knows who Drake is, and he’s intrigued by the distraught, young player. Jon knows Drake’s the real deal—a star in the making—and will only be on the Otters long enough to recapture his game. It’s Jon’s duty to help rekindle that love for the game.
That’s not all that gets ignited, though. Soon enough, they’re tangled into each other’s life in a way Jon’s never felt before. But what happens to their smoldering love once Drake is recalled to the Lions?
The Games We Play is a multi-author minor league hockey romance series! All titles run concurrently through the same hockey season, and the books can be read in any order, so jump in anywhere!
Greensburg feels like a million miles from Pittsburgh rather forty. But when Drake unexpectedly finds a queer biker bar off the beaten path, he thinks he might survive his time in the minors, especially when Jon, the bar’s sexy owner, flirts with him. That is, until the next morning, when he’s re-introduced to Jon as Jonny Eriksson, team captain of the Otters.
Jon Eriksson’s got the hockey IQ but not the hands or the wheels for the big league, and that’s fine. He likes the Otters. Of course he knows who Drake is, and he’s intrigued by the distraught, young player. Jon knows Drake’s the real deal—a star in the making—and will only be on the Otters long enough to recapture his game. It’s Jon’s duty to help rekindle that love for the game.
That’s not all that gets ignited, though. Soon enough, they’re tangled into each other’s life in a way Jon’s never felt before. But what happens to their smoldering love once Drake is recalled to the Lions?
The Games We Play is a multi-author minor league hockey romance series! All titles run concurrently through the same hockey season, and the books can be read in any order, so jump in anywhere!
228 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 14, 2024
About the author
Anna Zabo
26 books715 followersAnna Zabo (they/them) writes contemporary and paranormal romance for all colors of the rainbow. They live and work in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which isn’t nearly as boring as most people think.
Anna is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns and prefers Mx. Zabo as an honorific.
Anna grew up in the wilds of suburban Philadelphia before returning to their ancestral homelands in Western Pennsylvania. They can be easily plied with coffee.
Anna has an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, where they fell in with a roving band of romance writers and never looked back. They also have a BA in Creative Writing from Carnegie Mellon University.
Anna is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns and prefers Mx. Zabo as an honorific.
Anna grew up in the wilds of suburban Philadelphia before returning to their ancestral homelands in Western Pennsylvania. They can be easily plied with coffee.
Anna has an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, where they fell in with a roving band of romance writers and never looked back. They also have a BA in Creative Writing from Carnegie Mellon University.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
August 16, 2024
DNF @ 57%
When they say 'I love you' but they've only known each other for a couple of weeks and only talk about hockey or childhood.... When did they fall in love because I failed to see that, they're still getting to know each other and they keep emphasising that fact but then turn around and say that... I gave up literally right as they said it because it's entirely unbelievable and if I roll my eyes any harder they'll fall out of my head.
This is also full of errors, like not just spelling but completely wrong words. I've had to stop and figure out what word it's meant to be more than a handful of times and that's a bad omen for things to come in my opinion. There are also sentences that make no sense, like they started to rewrite but then got distracted so now it doesn't make any sense at all.
When they say 'I love you' but they've only known each other for a couple of weeks and only talk about hockey or childhood.... When did they fall in love because I failed to see that, they're still getting to know each other and they keep emphasising that fact but then turn around and say that... I gave up literally right as they said it because it's entirely unbelievable and if I roll my eyes any harder they'll fall out of my head.
This is also full of errors, like not just spelling but completely wrong words. I've had to stop and figure out what word it's meant to be more than a handful of times and that's a bad omen for things to come in my opinion. There are also sentences that make no sense, like they started to rewrite but then got distracted so now it doesn't make any sense at all.
Read
September 27, 2024Update Sept 27th 2024: The book has been re-proofread. The first proofreader was awful (It was me. I rushed the job to try to meet the deadline, rather than pushing the release back. Lesson learned.) but this should be much better. If you've downloaded the book, please download the update. If you bought a paperback, LMK, and I'll replace it.
Releasing on Aug 14th. Grumpy-ish/Sunshine. Age gap. Low angst.
Update 7/20: ~58,000 words. This is the lowest angst book I've ever written. No 3rd act breakup. It's... fluffy? I think? Just two guys falling for each other and navigating stuff.
Rep: Drake is gay, Jon is queer. Jon also is neurodivergent.
Content warnings for small instances of harassment from bio-father.
Additional content notes: On page sex, use of alcohol (scenes in a bar), mentions of betting, hockey fight, hockey injury, scene in a hospital, character loopy from pain medication, some mentions of queerphobia and worry about violence but nothing on-scene, on-page mental therapy session.
Releasing on Aug 14th. Grumpy-ish/Sunshine. Age gap. Low angst.
Update 7/20: ~58,000 words. This is the lowest angst book I've ever written. No 3rd act breakup. It's... fluffy? I think? Just two guys falling for each other and navigating stuff.
Rep: Drake is gay, Jon is queer. Jon also is neurodivergent.
Content warnings for small instances of harassment from bio-father.
Additional content notes: On page sex, use of alcohol (scenes in a bar), mentions of betting, hockey fight, hockey injury, scene in a hospital, character loopy from pain medication, some mentions of queerphobia and worry about violence but nothing on-scene, on-page mental therapy session.
December 27, 2025
I suppose this book goes on my feel good, very low angst list because besides being an easy read, any and all problems get resolved pretty quickly making them non-issues. The falling in love is pretty much instantaneous, so there is never any doubt that Drake and Jon were made for each other. Just very easy, very convenient and very satisfying reading. A Sunday afternoon tea book.☕🫖📖🏒🍻🏍️
Moral of the story is you never know where life's bumps will lead you, perhaps to the love of your life.✨
Moral of the story is you never know where life's bumps will lead you, perhaps to the love of your life.✨
August 25, 2024
2.75 stars rounded up
OMG the instant love is very STRONG in this one! I mean, only in matter of DAYS, Drake was able to shake his slumps, moved in with Jon, made friends with Jon's cats ... and in few months ready to planning their marriage. My eyes were rolling very hard for this
BUT I actually liked the friends and families here - especially, the parents. The parents were awesome, both Jon's and Drake's. So I decided to feel gracious and rounded the stars to my so-so 3-stars rating.
OMG the instant love is very STRONG in this one! I mean, only in matter of DAYS, Drake was able to shake his slumps, moved in with Jon, made friends with Jon's cats ... and in few months ready to planning their marriage. My eyes were rolling very hard for this
BUT I actually liked the friends and families here - especially, the parents. The parents were awesome, both Jon's and Drake's. So I decided to feel gracious and rounded the stars to my so-so 3-stars rating.
Read
August 16, 2024DNF, stopping at 8% when even skimming couldn't get me anywhere I wanted to be. This one is just really not for me.
October 22, 2024
A cozy, low-angst romance from one of the few I trust to get the hockey right. It was just the thing when I was sidelined with a cold and wanted a novella-sized package of warm and fuzzy.
October 23, 2024
Could not suspend disbelief for a nanosecond because the two lead characters were unbelievably mature, well spoken and emotionally intelligent for their ages. They fall in love super quickly, there are no obstacles (not even the fact that their ages are 22 and 31 is an iota of a problem), their homes are like magazine spreads, and everyone is smiling all the time. There are also two cats, but obviously no litter box smells or hairballs.
I like cozy and low angst, but this felt like cozy and low angst on Valium in la la land. Fantasy isn’t fun for me unless it has some sort of backbone of truth.
I like cozy and low angst, but this felt like cozy and low angst on Valium in la la land. Fantasy isn’t fun for me unless it has some sort of backbone of truth.
December 22, 2025
Drake Williams is sent down from the Lions to the Otters after having a real shit beginning of his season. His first night in town he happens across a queer friendly biker bar and inadvertently flirts with the owner.....and the captain of the Otters to boot.
I didn't love how insta love this book was. I did like
Jon in general. Drake felt really cookie cutter. Their relationship was cute despite the insta love of it all.
I didn't love how insta love this book was. I did like
Jon in general. Drake felt really cookie cutter. Their relationship was cute despite the insta love of it all.
August 14, 2024
I love beautiful stories like this where there are no annoying mis-understandings or secrets that cause the book to extend a thousand pages. This book was perfect in every single way.
May 6, 2026
DNF @ 57%
Gotta admit it was a bit refreshing reading about a hockey team so casually talking about inter-player relationships without making a big deal about the whole "but we're teammates!" thing.
I liked the running "does this count as a date" question. It was funny and showed that both Drake and Jon were still interested in each other without making things too explicit.
Not quite sure I liked how strongly Drake seemed to take his biological father's put downs. Seemed a little weird for the comments of a pratical strangers to affect him so heavily when there hadn't been any other indication that Drake was otherwise seeking approval from others. I think I'd have believed his internal distress more of we'd seen more evidence of him having a low internal sense of worth (through people bullying him or TONS of explicit scenes of others only valuing him for his skills) OR the story needed to show that Drake was someone who was seeking approvalfrom his dad (which would then make his dad spewing hateful words at him appropriately devastating). As it is, it kinda just seemed like an otherwise well adjusted adult was seriously affected by mean words from a single stranger on the internet.
I don't really understand how Jon went from "he'll be fun to hookup with" to "I'm serious about him" in the time he and Drake spent. As far as the story showed, there was nothing particularly special/unique about the time they spent together that could justify such intense sentimental feelings on such a short amount of time. Sure, they got along well and were very clearly into each other, but what exactly set Drake apart from all the other men that Jon had been with? It's heavily implied that Jon gets around a lot, so it's not like he's running short on attractive partners, nor was taking care of a troubled hockey player a new situation, so he should've been used to building up the confidence of younger players. I needed there to be an extraordinarily meaningful act from Drake to Jon to really have sold the jump from simple physical attraction to intense affection. Jon helping Drake out with his hockey and self esteem issues gave Drake that justification, but there wasn't anything on that level the other way around. Like what specifically pushed Jon into the "He's the first one you've ever looked at like he's the moon and the sun for your sky" level of feelings?
Ok, yeah. Called it quits when Job straight up told Drake he loved him 57% in. How long had they known each other? It felt like just a couple of months tbh and they'd been in a relationship for like what? A few weeks? I already took issue with how strongly Jon felt for Drake without anything sentimental to back it up, so him declaring love was way too much. And even if it wasn't, what the heck is supposed to happen for the rest of the book? The romance has essentially been finished now that these two were all in with each other. I can only imagine it's going to pull the "Drake goes back to majors and Jon tells him to leave him behind" thing but they don't even live that far away from each other to make that a true conflict.
TL;DR: Had some good parts but was ultimately super super fluffy. Not instalove BUT these two did fall for each other HARD very quickly. 2 stars.
Gotta admit it was a bit refreshing reading about a hockey team so casually talking about inter-player relationships without making a big deal about the whole "but we're teammates!" thing.
I liked the running "does this count as a date" question. It was funny and showed that both Drake and Jon were still interested in each other without making things too explicit.
Not quite sure I liked how strongly Drake seemed to take his biological father's put downs. Seemed a little weird for the comments of a pratical strangers to affect him so heavily when there hadn't been any other indication that Drake was otherwise seeking approval from others. I think I'd have believed his internal distress more of we'd seen more evidence of him having a low internal sense of worth (through people bullying him or TONS of explicit scenes of others only valuing him for his skills) OR the story needed to show that Drake was someone who was seeking approvalfrom his dad (which would then make his dad spewing hateful words at him appropriately devastating). As it is, it kinda just seemed like an otherwise well adjusted adult was seriously affected by mean words from a single stranger on the internet.
I don't really understand how Jon went from "he'll be fun to hookup with" to "I'm serious about him" in the time he and Drake spent. As far as the story showed, there was nothing particularly special/unique about the time they spent together that could justify such intense sentimental feelings on such a short amount of time. Sure, they got along well and were very clearly into each other, but what exactly set Drake apart from all the other men that Jon had been with? It's heavily implied that Jon gets around a lot, so it's not like he's running short on attractive partners, nor was taking care of a troubled hockey player a new situation, so he should've been used to building up the confidence of younger players. I needed there to be an extraordinarily meaningful act from Drake to Jon to really have sold the jump from simple physical attraction to intense affection. Jon helping Drake out with his hockey and self esteem issues gave Drake that justification, but there wasn't anything on that level the other way around. Like what specifically pushed Jon into the "He's the first one you've ever looked at like he's the moon and the sun for your sky" level of feelings?
Ok, yeah. Called it quits when Job straight up told Drake he loved him 57% in. How long had they known each other? It felt like just a couple of months tbh and they'd been in a relationship for like what? A few weeks? I already took issue with how strongly Jon felt for Drake without anything sentimental to back it up, so him declaring love was way too much. And even if it wasn't, what the heck is supposed to happen for the rest of the book? The romance has essentially been finished now that these two were all in with each other. I can only imagine it's going to pull the "Drake goes back to majors and Jon tells him to leave him behind" thing but they don't even live that far away from each other to make that a true conflict.
TL;DR: Had some good parts but was ultimately super super fluffy. Not instalove BUT these two did fall for each other HARD very quickly. 2 stars.
August 16, 2024
Drake has had an amazing first two years playing professional hockey for the Lions. His training weeks went great right before his third season started but then the season did start…and things are bad. He isn’t playing like he used to. And everyone can see it. Something is in his head and he just can’t shake it. Management has no choice but to send him down to the Otters to get his game back. Disappointed about the step down, he isn’t exactly in a great mood. But as he makes his way to the new town, he stops at a queer friendly bar and meets Jon. And though nothing happens between them that night, Drake feels a strong connection to him and hopes they can see one another and have a date. However, when Drake goes to practice the next morning, turns out Jon is the captain of the Otters and knew who he was last night. Jon feels a little bad about not telling Drake he knew who he was but he also wasn’t pretending when it came to flirting back with Drake. He feels that connection too. And he wants to help Drake go back to being the player he was. Drake may be a little put off at first but being around Jon actually helps him. Together, they find his love for the game again and in the process begin to fall in love themselves. A really fun and great story! Jon is this sunshine character who is just the guy everyone wants to be around and looks up to. He knows the minute he meets Drake that things are different. I really enjoyed their dynamic. This was definitely a favorite of mine from this series!
September 7, 2024
Anna Zabo always gives me plenty of character and lots of action in her stories. Hockey is the perfect background for this author to shine. Drake, a young NHL hockey star has been off his game so much this year, his GM sends him to down to the AHL so he can get his head back where it belongs. There he meets Jon Ericcson, a hot guy who runs a local LGBTQ bar in a rural area, one where bikers and others who need a safe place to go can congregate and swap stories. As an aside, the sub-cast of characters who hang out at the bar are all terrific. I enjoyed hanging out there.
The day after they meet, Drake finds out that Jon or Jonny, as he's affectionately called, is the captain of his new hockey team. From that moment until the end, this was a page-turner for me. Not because of drama and angst, but because of humor, friendship, attraction, romance, and hockey. Lots and lots of hockey. This story was so enjoyable, so much fun, and with such great characters it was a pleasure to read. Loved it!
The day after they meet, Drake finds out that Jon or Jonny, as he's affectionately called, is the captain of his new hockey team. From that moment until the end, this was a page-turner for me. Not because of drama and angst, but because of humor, friendship, attraction, romance, and hockey. Lots and lots of hockey. This story was so enjoyable, so much fun, and with such great characters it was a pleasure to read. Loved it!
August 26, 2024
cute and sweet insta-love story
I really adore Anna Zabo’s books. This one I did have to rate this way because it very much read like a shortie. I love insta-love romances but I must admit the build-up to this “I love you” was pretty non-existent. I just can’t see it. Also, Drake’s miraculous instantaneous recovery after one talk felt a little weird too. BUT, I still adored Drake and Jon as a couple. They were wonderful together. Sweet and caring and HOT! Jon’s sunshine was everything. And some good secondary characters too.
I really adore Anna Zabo’s books. This one I did have to rate this way because it very much read like a shortie. I love insta-love romances but I must admit the build-up to this “I love you” was pretty non-existent. I just can’t see it. Also, Drake’s miraculous instantaneous recovery after one talk felt a little weird too. BUT, I still adored Drake and Jon as a couple. They were wonderful together. Sweet and caring and HOT! Jon’s sunshine was everything. And some good secondary characters too.
September 21, 2024
This book was a great read, and both Drake and Jon were very sweet and interesting MC’s, but it all went way too fast. The whole slump could have taken so much more time, just as the development of their love. So by 50% of the book, I felt we read almost 100% of the story. The rest felt a bit like filler.
And I really don’t like it when important parts of the story are described off page (like when Drakes dad finally came to see him). That didn’t happen very often in the book, and I really liked the story and their chemistry, so four stars.
And I really don’t like it when important parts of the story are described off page (like when Drakes dad finally came to see him). That didn’t happen very often in the book, and I really liked the story and their chemistry, so four stars.
November 17, 2024
As a reader who is much more used to kink and/or angst from this author, this book is certainly a departure. What is consistent, however, is the quality of the writing and the depth of the characters Zabo brings to life, regardless of angst level. This isn't an "insta love" romance so much as a story of two men finding a home in each other even when they weren't necessarily looking. Drake's personal struggles bring him into Jon's world, but even though Jon acts like he doesn't have many struggles at all, these are both fully three-dimensional characters that I can easily see existing in western Pennsylvania. Together, they are sheer perfection.
September 19, 2024
Drake & Jon
I enjoyed this book so much. Sweet guys, hockey, low-angst. Drake needed his mojo back and Jon, the definition of sunshine, was there to help. As captain of the Otters, it was Jon’s job to help a new player, work the teams’ magic and get them back up to the Lions. His quiet approach was exactly what Drake needed. The attraction on both sides was real and helped to move Drakes comeback and Jon’s along. Really good story.
I enjoyed this book so much. Sweet guys, hockey, low-angst. Drake needed his mojo back and Jon, the definition of sunshine, was there to help. As captain of the Otters, it was Jon’s job to help a new player, work the teams’ magic and get them back up to the Lions. His quiet approach was exactly what Drake needed. The attraction on both sides was real and helped to move Drakes comeback and Jon’s along. Really good story.
December 23, 2024
This was not the book I thought it was - I thought it was the third book in the author's hockey series. Regardless, this was enjoyable if a little thin. Drake gets sent down to the minors to regroup as he suddenly can't play hockey. However, he has one bad practice, one bad game, one conversation with the other MC and all his hockey problems are fixed. Very low angst but the characters are charming.
April 1, 2026
🎧 the narrator wasn't right for this book. he's too flowery. I didn't like the motorcycle club aspect because it confused me, like why..., and I once dated the son of a Hell's Angel and he always smelled like motorcycle grease and it's disgusting.
Anyway I guess this is a 2.5⭐ but I don't round up. Nothing bad happens. they were like barely dating when the ILYs popped up which was weird. idk, it's definitely a skippable book I literally have zero idea what their names are.
Anyway I guess this is a 2.5⭐ but I don't round up. Nothing bad happens. they were like barely dating when the ILYs popped up which was weird. idk, it's definitely a skippable book I literally have zero idea what their names are.
October 12, 2024
It is very sweet and short, but not really memorable. To me it also felt like insta-love.
Jon is the sweetest, but Drake's 180 in attitude at the drop of a hat felt as sudden as the 'I love you's 5 minutes after they decided that they are boyfriends.
Not bad, it can be a nice way to spend your time.
Jon is the sweetest, but Drake's 180 in attitude at the drop of a hat felt as sudden as the 'I love you's 5 minutes after they decided that they are boyfriends.
Not bad, it can be a nice way to spend your time.
February 17, 2026
4.5 ★
Loved this. Very low angst, almost no miscommunication. Just two people who meet and fall in love and find ways to make their lives work together. Felt a little rushed at the end, but that's my only complaint. The hockey was exceptional—everything felt very realistic and even the small details seemed accurate.
Loved this. Very low angst, almost no miscommunication. Just two people who meet and fall in love and find ways to make their lives work together. Felt a little rushed at the end, but that's my only complaint. The hockey was exceptional—everything felt very realistic and even the small details seemed accurate.
August 20, 2024
Sue.55
I loved this book. A very feel good storyline but beautifully written. I loved the instant chemistry between Jon and Drake and the support of their friends, families and coaches. I was actually sad when it finished.
I loved this book. A very feel good storyline but beautifully written. I loved the instant chemistry between Jon and Drake and the support of their friends, families and coaches. I was actually sad when it finished.
August 14, 2024
Short, sweet, fluffy. Bit too instalovey for my taste.
August 16, 2024
Cute but a bit slow moving and uneventful , super low angst
August 16, 2024
3.75 stars
September 5, 2024
Sweet sports romance with minimal angst. The story had some entertaining moments, and the characters were charming.
September 20, 2024
Comforting fluff.
December 26, 2024
Obvious plot. Too instant. Boring. DNF @ 25%.
February 4, 2025
Pretty much insta love but I’m okay with that. My biggest gripe is that the two MC’s read exactly the same so I’d often forget whose head we were in.
February 7, 2025
A short, sweet instalove story. I liked Jonny a lot, even though I was a bit skeptical that he could .
April 5, 2025
Cute story, loved the connection they make through hockey and everything else. Loved the cats too!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews