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Portland Evergreens #3
On Thin Ice
Finn has lived with the pressure of hockey’s expectations since he was old enough to understand his father was one of the greatest the sport had ever known.
He’s changed positions. Changed plans. Changed colleges. But he’s never managed to outrun the pressure.
When it starts ruining his performance on the ice, he knows he needs to find a way to conquer it once and for all.
Desperation sends him running to the one man he thinks can help him. Jacob Braun, a goalie who played against his father.
It doesn’t matter that they hated each other, Finn will use him—use everything—to figure out how to beat this mental block. Even seduce his father’s greatest enemy.
What Finn wasn’t expecting was that they don’t just burn hot in bed, but on the ice, too. And that, ultimately, it isn’t Jacob’s brain he wants to pick apart, it’s his heart he wants to own.
He’s changed positions. Changed plans. Changed colleges. But he’s never managed to outrun the pressure.
When it starts ruining his performance on the ice, he knows he needs to find a way to conquer it once and for all.
Desperation sends him running to the one man he thinks can help him. Jacob Braun, a goalie who played against his father.
It doesn’t matter that they hated each other, Finn will use him—use everything—to figure out how to beat this mental block. Even seduce his father’s greatest enemy.
What Finn wasn’t expecting was that they don’t just burn hot in bed, but on the ice, too. And that, ultimately, it isn’t Jacob’s brain he wants to pick apart, it’s his heart he wants to own.
413 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 15, 2025
340 people are currently reading
542 people want to read
About the author
Beth Bolden
76 books677 followersA lifelong Oregonian, Beth Bolden has just recently moved to North Carolina with her supportive husband and their sweet kitten, Earl Grey. Beth still believes in Keeping Portland Weird, and intends to be just as weird in Raleigh.
Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published fourteen novels and five short stories.
Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published fourteen novels and five short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
April 8, 2025
This is a beautiful age gap romance where the age gap is actually pretty irrelevant because Finn and Jacob just click even when the older man doesn't want that to happen.
Finn's the son of a famous ice hockey player, they don't play the same position but that doesn't mean he hasn't got a tonne of expectations playing on his shoulders. He's up in his own head and can't seem to find a way through when he bumps into his dad's old rival on the ice, ex-goalie Jacob Braun.
Jacob's the only man who ever managed to rattle Finn's dad on the ice and so he figures that if he can get him to coach him and offer some advice, it might stop the almost panic attacks he's dealing with.
Of course, the fact he thinks Jacob's drop dead gorgeous as well is just an added bonus!
I think what I enjoyed the most about this book is that it's mainly centred around Jacob's own journey towards his life after ice hockey, his debate about coming out, and how he needs to deal with the sudden end of his career through injury rather than retirement on his terms.
The two of them have sparks from the off, Jacob's worried for multiple reasons, the age gap being the least of them. His rivalry with Morgan Reynolds, Finn's dad, is the biggest cause for concern because he knows what he feels for Finn, after the initial lustful attraction, could be something really special.
Watching these two navigate the tricky waters of trying to just been friends and player/coach is a wonderful journey as it becomes clear to both that sometimes things are worth the risk of a major blowout.
There are some absolutely hilarious moments in this book too, no spoilers but the final quarter of the book is brilliant as Jacob navigates an unexpected development in his relationship with his former rival Morgan and Finn and his dad work through some painful home truths in their own family dynamic.
Overall though, this is a joy from start to finish and I'm delighted to see Morgan's getting his own spin-off story after this series completes.
Next up though is the one I've been waiting for - Coach Gavin and his assistant Zach!
#ARC kindly received from the author via Neon Rainbow ARC Reviews, I am voluntarily leaving a review
Finn's the son of a famous ice hockey player, they don't play the same position but that doesn't mean he hasn't got a tonne of expectations playing on his shoulders. He's up in his own head and can't seem to find a way through when he bumps into his dad's old rival on the ice, ex-goalie Jacob Braun.
Jacob's the only man who ever managed to rattle Finn's dad on the ice and so he figures that if he can get him to coach him and offer some advice, it might stop the almost panic attacks he's dealing with.
Of course, the fact he thinks Jacob's drop dead gorgeous as well is just an added bonus!
I think what I enjoyed the most about this book is that it's mainly centred around Jacob's own journey towards his life after ice hockey, his debate about coming out, and how he needs to deal with the sudden end of his career through injury rather than retirement on his terms.
The two of them have sparks from the off, Jacob's worried for multiple reasons, the age gap being the least of them. His rivalry with Morgan Reynolds, Finn's dad, is the biggest cause for concern because he knows what he feels for Finn, after the initial lustful attraction, could be something really special.
Watching these two navigate the tricky waters of trying to just been friends and player/coach is a wonderful journey as it becomes clear to both that sometimes things are worth the risk of a major blowout.
There are some absolutely hilarious moments in this book too, no spoilers but the final quarter of the book is brilliant as Jacob navigates an unexpected development in his relationship with his former rival Morgan and Finn and his dad work through some painful home truths in their own family dynamic.
Overall though, this is a joy from start to finish and I'm delighted to see Morgan's getting his own spin-off story after this series completes.
Next up though is the one I've been waiting for - Coach Gavin and his assistant Zach!
#ARC kindly received from the author via Neon Rainbow ARC Reviews, I am voluntarily leaving a review
April 15, 2025
Dad's enemy? College Hockey? Goalies? Yes please! This was so entertaining and I found myself laughing so hard at the chirping between Jacob and Finn's dad 😂
I also absolutely fangirled when Asher Dalton from the Sadenverse was mentioned twice! I adore Asher, he's my favourite character in that story universe so it was so fun to see him mentioned, along with La Bouche from Brigham Vaughn's hockey story universe!
Finn and Jacob were so great together. I loved the tension that was building, I loved Finn wearing The Burberry in his seduction plan, and I loved how sweet and supportive they were for each other.
Ramsey being Ramsey was also great - I cannot wait for him to finally get a book! The wider cast of teammates were so supportive of Finn and encouraged him gently to remember his confidence on the ice. I really enjoy how these friendships are going from strength to strength with each book in this series.
I'm also very excited to see that Finn's dad, Morgan, will be getting a book too. His personality is so big so I can't wait to see what's in store for him. I'm also really looking forward to the final book in this series with Coach B and Zach!
I also absolutely fangirled when Asher Dalton from the Sadenverse was mentioned twice! I adore Asher, he's my favourite character in that story universe so it was so fun to see him mentioned, along with La Bouche from Brigham Vaughn's hockey story universe!
Finn and Jacob were so great together. I loved the tension that was building, I loved Finn wearing The Burberry in his seduction plan, and I loved how sweet and supportive they were for each other.
Ramsey being Ramsey was also great - I cannot wait for him to finally get a book! The wider cast of teammates were so supportive of Finn and encouraged him gently to remember his confidence on the ice. I really enjoy how these friendships are going from strength to strength with each book in this series.
I'm also very excited to see that Finn's dad, Morgan, will be getting a book too. His personality is so big so I can't wait to see what's in store for him. I'm also really looking forward to the final book in this series with Coach B and Zach!
July 15, 2025
I'm giving this book a strong 3.75⭐, but I won't round it up, simply because I wouldn't read it again and I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it either, but it was quite a good book, much better than the first two.
Everything's improving and I actually did like a lot of things. The book was still too long (400 pages, could've been 280 - 300), but gave me a good side character whose book I'm looking forward to (Finn's dad).
🔵 Goalie / Ex all-star goalie
🟡 Father's rival
🟢 Both gay
🟣 Age gap 21/35 (good)
🟠 Coming out
🟢 Romantic, gentle, nice love story
🔵 I like the cover
🌶️ Some sex on-page, half of it off-page, but all good; 2 penetrative scenes; oral; kissing; t/b
Finn you've already met in previous books, he's the goalie who has low confidence on ice, simply because he has a very famous dad, who was also a hockey player and their relationship, even though tight, is oftentimes tense and makes Finn uncomfortable.
All of that changes when Finn convinces Jacob, his father's biggest rival and enemy, but a stellar goalie in retirement, to coach him. Jacob doesn't want anything to do with that, but Finn wears him down and they really start making progress, Finn's getting better and better at his game, but at the same time they can't deny the attraction simmering between them.
"He wasn’t here for sex, even though it felt like it had crawled, uninvited, into every moment of silence that fell between them."
The relationship developed at a slower pace, giving it space and time for feelings to grow, which I appreciated, it was more natural and realistic, Jacob was careful and held back, not only because of who Finn was, but also because of the age gap. They talked everything out and Jacob wasn't your underfucked, in the closet, sexually frustrated hockey player, no, Jacob's a romantic and ready for a relationship at this point in his life, and Finn turns out to be the one he wants to be with.
Overall it's a sweet love story, but it dragged on for too long. Not as many side characters and subplots in this one, which works, the story is more focused on the main characters and you're aware of them at all times in the book, so, much better done than in the last two installments, but still not as engaging as I would've liked.
There's also not as much intimacy on-page, that dampened the mood a little bit for me, they took it a bit too fast in the beginning, talking about love and telling Finn's dad, when there wasn't much to tell, so the author then backpedals and tries to tell us they'll wait for this to become something more, so that was a bit confusing. Not that I don't think they can be crazy about each other right off the bat and fall in love in 3 weeks, of course they can, only don't talk about big plans before your first hook-up, you know?
That initial chemistry was strong and it should've been developed into something even stronger, give them a few hot hook-ups (on-page) and really cement the whole thing.
I did like this dialogue and this is the dynamic that should've been heavily emphasized throughout the whole book
“I should’ve told him I had a date,” Finn continued.
Jacob made a face. “And he’s just going to let you leave it at that? He’s not gonna want to meet the guy?”
“Oh, no, he would. And then . . .” Finn paused for dramatic effect. “Surprise!”
Jacob frowned. “We’re trying not to get murdered here.”
“No, you’re trying not to get murdered.”
“I’d think you’d have a vested interest in that too,” Jacob said dryly.
“I do. I do. You can’t fuck me breathless if you’re dead.”
Jacob raised an eyebrow.
“Or uh, be there to be sweet and gentlemanly and treat me right,” Finn revised with a smirk."
but this was just a small snippet, so more of these dialogues and funny, sexy interactions and you would've had me, this would've been really, really worth a higher rating.
Morgan, Finn's dad - was a great addition to the series and I really can't wait for his book. His relationship with Finn drastically improves and Morgan and Jacob's friendship comes out of all this mess and that was really funny and good to read about, I loved it.
The book is better than the last two and the last one is Coach's book, so I'm heading over there. I'm really hoping with the way this author's storytelling has evolved over the last three books, that I'll be getting a really good one with Coach and Zach.
Everything's improving and I actually did like a lot of things. The book was still too long (400 pages, could've been 280 - 300), but gave me a good side character whose book I'm looking forward to (Finn's dad).
🔵 Goalie / Ex all-star goalie
🟡 Father's rival
🟢 Both gay
🟣 Age gap 21/35 (good)
🟠 Coming out
🟢 Romantic, gentle, nice love story
🔵 I like the cover
🌶️ Some sex on-page, half of it off-page, but all good; 2 penetrative scenes; oral; kissing; t/b
Finn you've already met in previous books, he's the goalie who has low confidence on ice, simply because he has a very famous dad, who was also a hockey player and their relationship, even though tight, is oftentimes tense and makes Finn uncomfortable.
All of that changes when Finn convinces Jacob, his father's biggest rival and enemy, but a stellar goalie in retirement, to coach him. Jacob doesn't want anything to do with that, but Finn wears him down and they really start making progress, Finn's getting better and better at his game, but at the same time they can't deny the attraction simmering between them.
"He wasn’t here for sex, even though it felt like it had crawled, uninvited, into every moment of silence that fell between them."
The relationship developed at a slower pace, giving it space and time for feelings to grow, which I appreciated, it was more natural and realistic, Jacob was careful and held back, not only because of who Finn was, but also because of the age gap. They talked everything out and Jacob wasn't your underfucked, in the closet, sexually frustrated hockey player, no, Jacob's a romantic and ready for a relationship at this point in his life, and Finn turns out to be the one he wants to be with.
Overall it's a sweet love story, but it dragged on for too long. Not as many side characters and subplots in this one, which works, the story is more focused on the main characters and you're aware of them at all times in the book, so, much better done than in the last two installments, but still not as engaging as I would've liked.
There's also not as much intimacy on-page, that dampened the mood a little bit for me, they took it a bit too fast in the beginning, talking about love and telling Finn's dad, when there wasn't much to tell, so the author then backpedals and tries to tell us they'll wait for this to become something more, so that was a bit confusing. Not that I don't think they can be crazy about each other right off the bat and fall in love in 3 weeks, of course they can, only don't talk about big plans before your first hook-up, you know?
That initial chemistry was strong and it should've been developed into something even stronger, give them a few hot hook-ups (on-page) and really cement the whole thing.
I did like this dialogue and this is the dynamic that should've been heavily emphasized throughout the whole book
“I should’ve told him I had a date,” Finn continued.
Jacob made a face. “And he’s just going to let you leave it at that? He’s not gonna want to meet the guy?”
“Oh, no, he would. And then . . .” Finn paused for dramatic effect. “Surprise!”
Jacob frowned. “We’re trying not to get murdered here.”
“No, you’re trying not to get murdered.”
“I’d think you’d have a vested interest in that too,” Jacob said dryly.
“I do. I do. You can’t fuck me breathless if you’re dead.”
Jacob raised an eyebrow.
“Or uh, be there to be sweet and gentlemanly and treat me right,” Finn revised with a smirk."
but this was just a small snippet, so more of these dialogues and funny, sexy interactions and you would've had me, this would've been really, really worth a higher rating.
Morgan, Finn's dad - was a great addition to the series and I really can't wait for his book. His relationship with Finn drastically improves and Morgan and Jacob's friendship comes out of all this mess and that was really funny and good to read about, I loved it.
The book is better than the last two and the last one is Coach's book, so I'm heading over there. I'm really hoping with the way this author's storytelling has evolved over the last three books, that I'll be getting a really good one with Coach and Zach.
April 14, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ I’ve been dying to read Finn’s story and it was spectacular. The push and pull and all that delicious resistance from Jacob makes the pages crackle with chemistry right off the bat. Finn needs to get out of his head, step away from his dad’s looming shadow and he’s hit on the perfect plan (and that plan comes with a gorgeous side of Jacob hehehe).
Jacob is on his own journey to reclaim parts of his life that he had put aside for Hockey. He is also dealing with re-establishing his identity after the sudden halt in his career and that’s a tough one for him to stomach and adapt to, specially with the iconic status he enjoyed. Finn, surprisingly mature for his age is just the one provide ease and confidence that Jacob needs. There is also the whole issue with Morgan’s extreme rivalry with Jacob that these two have to deal with not just from a professional PoV but also the very personal (cough cough) turn their relationship has taken. I found it very sweet that they realise early on that this isn’t a fling for either of them when they finally give into the pull.
The way Beth Bolden writes is phenomenal, transporting you on to the ice in the middle of all the action, but also the incendiary chemistry on fire between the two protagonists that keeps you hooked completely while reading this story. There is so much growth and evolution that the characters see and their HEA isn’t an easy one. Also why do I sense something with Morgan and Ramsey, (I did peek at the Morgan’s book blurb though)
Excited about Coach Gavin and Zack’s book next
Expect:
* Hockey Romance
* Hurt Comfort
* Forbidden Vibes
* Slow burn
* Coach x Player
* Dad’s rival
* Age gap
* Coming out
* Recalibrating after a major life change
* Chronic pain and injury
Jacob is on his own journey to reclaim parts of his life that he had put aside for Hockey. He is also dealing with re-establishing his identity after the sudden halt in his career and that’s a tough one for him to stomach and adapt to, specially with the iconic status he enjoyed. Finn, surprisingly mature for his age is just the one provide ease and confidence that Jacob needs. There is also the whole issue with Morgan’s extreme rivalry with Jacob that these two have to deal with not just from a professional PoV but also the very personal (cough cough) turn their relationship has taken. I found it very sweet that they realise early on that this isn’t a fling for either of them when they finally give into the pull.
The way Beth Bolden writes is phenomenal, transporting you on to the ice in the middle of all the action, but also the incendiary chemistry on fire between the two protagonists that keeps you hooked completely while reading this story. There is so much growth and evolution that the characters see and their HEA isn’t an easy one. Also why do I sense something with Morgan and Ramsey, (I did peek at the Morgan’s book blurb though)
Excited about Coach Gavin and Zack’s book next
Expect:
* Hockey Romance
* Hurt Comfort
* Forbidden Vibes
* Slow burn
* Coach x Player
* Dad’s rival
* Age gap
* Coming out
* Recalibrating after a major life change
* Chronic pain and injury
August 24, 2025
5 stars for the narration; 3.75 stars for the story.
Some of the events in On Thin Ice, the third book in Beth Bolden’s Portland Evergreens series of college-set hockey romances, overlap slightly with some of the things happening in the previous book ( Cold as Ice: Portland Evergreens, Book 2 ), but the storylines are entirely separate, so you could listen to this one as a standalone. That said, I didn’t find the romance in this one quite as compelling in the previous book; the character development is well done, especially when it comes to the relationship between goaltender Finn Reynolds and his father, but the romance feels a bit rushed and is pretty much a done deal by the halfway point so the second half can focus more on the father/son story.
Finn Reynolds, goalie for the Evergreens, is the son of hockey legend Morgan Reynolds and has lived with the pressure of expectations ever since he was old enough to understand them. He played a variety of positions before realising that his true talent lay in goaltending, but no matter how hard he works or how well he plays, nothing he does is ever good enough for his dad who has never once told Finn how good he is or that he’s proud of him. The constant pressure of Morgan’s expectations is starting to get to Finn to the extent that it’s starting to affect his play – and, with an eye on a career in the NHL, he simply can’t afford to let that happen.
Jacob Braun was one of the finest goalies in the league but retired from professional hockey six months earlier owing to a serious hip injury. While he was playing, he was Morgan Reynolds’ nemesis; Finn knows his dad hates Braun because he could never score when Braun was in the net, and their emnity – which sometimes ended with punches thrown – was legendary.
Finn knows he’s not playing well and his mental health is taking a bit of a beating over his dad’s constantly being on his case. He asks Jacob for help, knowing he’s one of the very few people who never gave a shit about what Morgan thought of him, and Finn needs to learn how to do the same – but Jacob turns him down. A few weeks later, however, Jacob realises he could use some help on a project of his own. He’s planning to start a charitable foundation to encourage LGBTQ kids to play sports – which is going to raise eyebrows. He’s gay and spent his entire career in the closet, and now he’s retired he’s going to come out. His manager and publicist are on board with this, and think he should do that before announcing anything about the foundation, but Jacob realises he hasn’t the faintest idea about how to go about it – or how to live as an out, gay man – and that it would be useful to have another perspective. Maybe he and Finn can help each other out.
There’s just one potential problem. Finn and Jacob are desperately attracted to one another from the start, and as they spend time together on and off the ice, that attraction finds a foundation in friendship and understanding. I liked that they acknowledge how they feel even though they agree to keep things professional, reasoning that jumping each other’s bones isn’t worth messing up what they’re trying to achieve together. Except that maybe what they’re building is more than a working relationship. Jacob worries that he’s too old for Finn (he’s thirty-five to Finn’s twenty-one) but Finn knows what – and who – he wants and is having none of that. As the tension between them reaches boiling point Finn decides he’s had enough of fighting it – and he’s pretty sure Jacob has, too.
Their chemistry burns bright from the start although I did find some of the ‘mental lusting’ a bit overdone. I appreciated that Finn and Jacob are upfront about what they want from a relationship (and that they both want to BE in a relationship rather than just hooking up), BUT that also means that the emotional side of their romance goes from zero to sixty very quickly, and I couldn’t quite buy that. They know Morgan is going to be an issue and that they won’t be able to hide that they’re a couple forever, and are secure enough in their feelings for each other to know that they’ll be able to weather that particular storm. Despite my reservations about the speed of their emotional connection, I really liked Finn and Jacob together. They’re intutive and supportive and clearly want the best for each other, and I enjoyed listening to Jacob coming to terms with retirement and working out what his future life will look like and Finn working through his insecurities and finding his confidence on the ice.
I’ve read quite a few m/m romances featuring an arsehole dad who has screwed up his son by making him feel he’s not good enough and tries to pressure him to be and do what he (dad) wants rather than living his own life. Those stories often end with the son having to cut the father out of his life, but the dad is such an awful character that we know the son is better off without him. Beth Bolden seems to be setting Morgan up to be one of those pushy-father types – and he is (to an extent) – but she also does an excellent job of showing why he is the way he is and why he’s behaved to Finn the way he has. Not that any of that is an excuse, but she does show Morgan realising he’s been a dick to Finn, vowing to do better and making a concerted effort to fulfil that promise. Jacob and Morgan have never got on and there’s still a lot of animosity between them, but by the end of the book they’re on a much better footing; they’ll never stop needling each other, but their sniping becomes more good-natured as they bond (sort of) over wanting the best for Finn and are quite possibly on the way to friendship of sorts (although they’d probably die before admitting it!) I ended up actually liking him by the end and was pleased to learn he’s going to get his own book (strong hints are dropped as to who his love interest will be.)
Darcy Stark does a fabulous job with the narration, getting to the the emotional heart of the story and the characters, bringing out the deadpan humour and displaying a great range of vocal characterisations across the board. His portrayal of the two leads is terrific and they’re very well contrasted and easy to tell apart; Jacob’s dialogue has a deeper, slightly gravelly tone where Finn’s is slightly higher-pitched and full of charm and good-humour. He’s upbeat most of the time, but his vulnerability and frustration over his on-ice insecurities are right there in his voice, as is Jacob’s inner turmoil as he tries to squash his attraction to Finn.
On Thin Ice is a strong addition to the Portland Evergreens series; the book isn’t my favourite of the series, but the story - with its look at how expectations can be crushing and how hard it can be to find a new purpose in life after retirement from a job that has dominated your life – certainly has a lot going for it. But I enjoyed it, and the superb narration is more than worth the price of admission.
Some of the events in On Thin Ice, the third book in Beth Bolden’s Portland Evergreens series of college-set hockey romances, overlap slightly with some of the things happening in the previous book ( Cold as Ice: Portland Evergreens, Book 2 ), but the storylines are entirely separate, so you could listen to this one as a standalone. That said, I didn’t find the romance in this one quite as compelling in the previous book; the character development is well done, especially when it comes to the relationship between goaltender Finn Reynolds and his father, but the romance feels a bit rushed and is pretty much a done deal by the halfway point so the second half can focus more on the father/son story.
Finn Reynolds, goalie for the Evergreens, is the son of hockey legend Morgan Reynolds and has lived with the pressure of expectations ever since he was old enough to understand them. He played a variety of positions before realising that his true talent lay in goaltending, but no matter how hard he works or how well he plays, nothing he does is ever good enough for his dad who has never once told Finn how good he is or that he’s proud of him. The constant pressure of Morgan’s expectations is starting to get to Finn to the extent that it’s starting to affect his play – and, with an eye on a career in the NHL, he simply can’t afford to let that happen.
Jacob Braun was one of the finest goalies in the league but retired from professional hockey six months earlier owing to a serious hip injury. While he was playing, he was Morgan Reynolds’ nemesis; Finn knows his dad hates Braun because he could never score when Braun was in the net, and their emnity – which sometimes ended with punches thrown – was legendary.
Finn knows he’s not playing well and his mental health is taking a bit of a beating over his dad’s constantly being on his case. He asks Jacob for help, knowing he’s one of the very few people who never gave a shit about what Morgan thought of him, and Finn needs to learn how to do the same – but Jacob turns him down. A few weeks later, however, Jacob realises he could use some help on a project of his own. He’s planning to start a charitable foundation to encourage LGBTQ kids to play sports – which is going to raise eyebrows. He’s gay and spent his entire career in the closet, and now he’s retired he’s going to come out. His manager and publicist are on board with this, and think he should do that before announcing anything about the foundation, but Jacob realises he hasn’t the faintest idea about how to go about it – or how to live as an out, gay man – and that it would be useful to have another perspective. Maybe he and Finn can help each other out.
There’s just one potential problem. Finn and Jacob are desperately attracted to one another from the start, and as they spend time together on and off the ice, that attraction finds a foundation in friendship and understanding. I liked that they acknowledge how they feel even though they agree to keep things professional, reasoning that jumping each other’s bones isn’t worth messing up what they’re trying to achieve together. Except that maybe what they’re building is more than a working relationship. Jacob worries that he’s too old for Finn (he’s thirty-five to Finn’s twenty-one) but Finn knows what – and who – he wants and is having none of that. As the tension between them reaches boiling point Finn decides he’s had enough of fighting it – and he’s pretty sure Jacob has, too.
Their chemistry burns bright from the start although I did find some of the ‘mental lusting’ a bit overdone. I appreciated that Finn and Jacob are upfront about what they want from a relationship (and that they both want to BE in a relationship rather than just hooking up), BUT that also means that the emotional side of their romance goes from zero to sixty very quickly, and I couldn’t quite buy that. They know Morgan is going to be an issue and that they won’t be able to hide that they’re a couple forever, and are secure enough in their feelings for each other to know that they’ll be able to weather that particular storm. Despite my reservations about the speed of their emotional connection, I really liked Finn and Jacob together. They’re intutive and supportive and clearly want the best for each other, and I enjoyed listening to Jacob coming to terms with retirement and working out what his future life will look like and Finn working through his insecurities and finding his confidence on the ice.
I’ve read quite a few m/m romances featuring an arsehole dad who has screwed up his son by making him feel he’s not good enough and tries to pressure him to be and do what he (dad) wants rather than living his own life. Those stories often end with the son having to cut the father out of his life, but the dad is such an awful character that we know the son is better off without him. Beth Bolden seems to be setting Morgan up to be one of those pushy-father types – and he is (to an extent) – but she also does an excellent job of showing why he is the way he is and why he’s behaved to Finn the way he has. Not that any of that is an excuse, but she does show Morgan realising he’s been a dick to Finn, vowing to do better and making a concerted effort to fulfil that promise. Jacob and Morgan have never got on and there’s still a lot of animosity between them, but by the end of the book they’re on a much better footing; they’ll never stop needling each other, but their sniping becomes more good-natured as they bond (sort of) over wanting the best for Finn and are quite possibly on the way to friendship of sorts (although they’d probably die before admitting it!) I ended up actually liking him by the end and was pleased to learn he’s going to get his own book (strong hints are dropped as to who his love interest will be.)
Darcy Stark does a fabulous job with the narration, getting to the the emotional heart of the story and the characters, bringing out the deadpan humour and displaying a great range of vocal characterisations across the board. His portrayal of the two leads is terrific and they’re very well contrasted and easy to tell apart; Jacob’s dialogue has a deeper, slightly gravelly tone where Finn’s is slightly higher-pitched and full of charm and good-humour. He’s upbeat most of the time, but his vulnerability and frustration over his on-ice insecurities are right there in his voice, as is Jacob’s inner turmoil as he tries to squash his attraction to Finn.
On Thin Ice is a strong addition to the Portland Evergreens series; the book isn’t my favourite of the series, but the story - with its look at how expectations can be crushing and how hard it can be to find a new purpose in life after retirement from a job that has dominated your life – certainly has a lot going for it. But I enjoyed it, and the superb narration is more than worth the price of admission.
December 5, 2025
Safety info, content warnings and tropes down below.
While there wasn't anything really *wrong* with this book, it just didn't work for me. It never fully captured my attention, and I just felt bored for most of it. A book with the ‘dad’s enemy’ trope should be exciting, forbidden and angsty, but I didn't feel either. While the narrator isn’t bad, he didn’t do the writing any favors for me. Or maybe it’s the other way around. 🐓🥚Probably both, tbh.
I was a bit weirded out by the choice to create fake team names, yet include names of real players – especially the several mentions of Thatcher Demko and how one of the MCs thinks he’s hot. That just strikes me as icky and unnecessary.
Don’t get me started on the book with two goalies having a player stick on the cover.
Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Dad's enemy
Age gap
Hockey romance
Closeted MC
Goalie/retired goalie
⚠️ Spice menu ⚠️
Hot tub fun
Phone sex
Coming hands free
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Alcohol consumption
Explicit sexual content
On-page intoxication
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, dual
Genre: Sports romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: 21 and 35
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 413
Happy ending: Yes
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
While there wasn't anything really *wrong* with this book, it just didn't work for me. It never fully captured my attention, and I just felt bored for most of it. A book with the ‘dad’s enemy’ trope should be exciting, forbidden and angsty, but I didn't feel either. While the narrator isn’t bad, he didn’t do the writing any favors for me. Or maybe it’s the other way around. 🐓🥚Probably both, tbh.
I was a bit weirded out by the choice to create fake team names, yet include names of real players – especially the several mentions of Thatcher Demko and how one of the MCs thinks he’s hot. That just strikes me as icky and unnecessary.
Don’t get me started on the book with two goalies having a player stick on the cover.
Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Dad's enemy
Age gap
Hockey romance
Closeted MC
Goalie/retired goalie
⚠️ Spice menu ⚠️
Hot tub fun
Phone sex
Coming hands free
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Alcohol consumption
Explicit sexual content
On-page intoxication
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, dual
Genre: Sports romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: 21 and 35
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 413
Happy ending: Yes
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
April 16, 2025
Rating: 4
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 3rd person
Genre: sport romance, MM
Tropes / tags: age gap, father's rival, secret relationship
On Thin Ice was a perfect mix of sexual tension, forbidden romance and hockey!
Finn and Jacob were the kind of couple that shouldn't work, but they really brought out the best in each other and fit together perfectly. They had a lot of odds stacked against them, with the coach / player situation, their age gap, and the long history of rivalry between Jacob and Finn's father. Finn had a lot to either gain or lose by going after Jacob...
I liked the focus on hockey and Finn's insecurities, he was in his head a lot and the pressure from his dad didn't help him either. Finn wanted Jacob as his coach, and he wasn't going to take no for an answer. I loved seeing Finn going after what he wanted, and the interactions between him and Jacob were entertaining and filled with sexual tension. So. Much. Sexual. Tension!
There were a lot of layers to the story and while Finn were working through his insecurities and trying to find his confidence on the ice, Jacob was still trying to come to terms with his retirement and what to do with his life. They were good at helping and supporting each other though, and I really liked their training sessions and how they slowly got to know each other.
The tension kept building between them, and I quite enjoyed the way Finn 'tormented' Jacob before he gave in. Jacob's feeble attempts of talking himself into resisting Finn, while Finn was doing his best to seduce Jacob had me laughing out loud at times. Their PoVs were entertaining and I really liked both of them - their amazing chemistry certainly didn't hurt either.
I really enjoyed Finn and Jacob's story, and it was a treat being back with the Portland Evergreens! The tension and build up between Finn and Jacob was fantastic, they were sizzling hot together and I loved the push and pull. I'm also super excited about getting Coach and Zach's story next, I've been so curious about them ever since the start of this series!
-
I received an advanced copy of this book, and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 3rd person
Genre: sport romance, MM
Tropes / tags: age gap, father's rival, secret relationship
On Thin Ice was a perfect mix of sexual tension, forbidden romance and hockey!
Finn and Jacob were the kind of couple that shouldn't work, but they really brought out the best in each other and fit together perfectly. They had a lot of odds stacked against them, with the coach / player situation, their age gap, and the long history of rivalry between Jacob and Finn's father. Finn had a lot to either gain or lose by going after Jacob...
I liked the focus on hockey and Finn's insecurities, he was in his head a lot and the pressure from his dad didn't help him either. Finn wanted Jacob as his coach, and he wasn't going to take no for an answer. I loved seeing Finn going after what he wanted, and the interactions between him and Jacob were entertaining and filled with sexual tension. So. Much. Sexual. Tension!
There were a lot of layers to the story and while Finn were working through his insecurities and trying to find his confidence on the ice, Jacob was still trying to come to terms with his retirement and what to do with his life. They were good at helping and supporting each other though, and I really liked their training sessions and how they slowly got to know each other.
The tension kept building between them, and I quite enjoyed the way Finn 'tormented' Jacob before he gave in. Jacob's feeble attempts of talking himself into resisting Finn, while Finn was doing his best to seduce Jacob had me laughing out loud at times. Their PoVs were entertaining and I really liked both of them - their amazing chemistry certainly didn't hurt either.
I really enjoyed Finn and Jacob's story, and it was a treat being back with the Portland Evergreens! The tension and build up between Finn and Jacob was fantastic, they were sizzling hot together and I loved the push and pull. I'm also super excited about getting Coach and Zach's story next, I've been so curious about them ever since the start of this series!
-
I received an advanced copy of this book, and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.
April 29, 2025
A "Dad's ex-rival" Gay Forbidden romance with Hockey players, Mentor-Mentee dynamic, Age gap (~14yrs), ✨Seduction✨, irresistible love; a story that was fun, a bit emotional, & made me say "Damn, that's good" twice out loud.
I'd been excited for this story, read my #ARC in around 9hrs (over 3 days, due to tests). Loved Finn & Jacob!
Finn (21) is the goalie in his College Hockey team. He's got tons of pressure on him. While F's confident off-ice, on-ice F can't fully trust his gut. For these flaws, F wants Jacob to coach him. F's charming, bold, driven, likes to tease & deflect but also it's cute to see his nervous & wanting side.
Jacob (35) is the recently retired NHL goalie. J feels un-tethered, hurt & bored. Its finally his chance to live his truth & wants to make a lgbtq+ kids friendly foundation. J def can't coach his ex-rival's son...but F's persistant 🤣. J's so cautious not wanna take advantage of F, firm, supportive, nice with a dry humor & easy to blush 🤭.
J+F's attraction was sparky from the start! But what do they want more? Their careers, their truths or eachother? Omg the "Hate to want you" & push/pull were fun 😩🤣. Made the eventual "All in" even sweeter! The tension & chemistry is HOT! It was cool to see their coaching, F's learning & being better on Ice, J's finally getting the love he deserves 🥰.
Tbh, I wanted more of off-page scenes on-page!! 🥺 F's love growed organically but J's felt fast due to the time gap in b/w. Plus, no acknowledgement of that nickname?! I hadn't expected Morgan (Finn's Dad) to have soo much on-page time but it was lovely to see the mistakes realisations & made confrontation so much fun! I'm glad we got to spend lots of time with J+F as a couple 🥰. Cute ending & epilogue! So excited for Coach's & Morgan's books!!
Story Ratings:
POV: 3rd person, Dual POV
1) Enjoyed? —> Yup 5/5
2) The Characters: 5/5
3) Top feels: 🥺😁😳🤭😅😤🤯😢😍😩🤨🥳🥰☺️🏒
4) Steamy scenes: 3/5
5) Levels: Cute+Swoon: 4.25/5
Angst: 2.75/5
Dark: 1/5
6) Creativity + world: 4.6/5
7) Plot arc: (Forbidden Love, Hockey) 4.25/5
8) Writing style + pace: 4.5/5
I'd been excited for this story, read my #ARC in around 9hrs (over 3 days, due to tests). Loved Finn & Jacob!
Finn (21) is the goalie in his College Hockey team. He's got tons of pressure on him. While F's confident off-ice, on-ice F can't fully trust his gut. For these flaws, F wants Jacob to coach him. F's charming, bold, driven, likes to tease & deflect but also it's cute to see his nervous & wanting side.
Jacob (35) is the recently retired NHL goalie. J feels un-tethered, hurt & bored. Its finally his chance to live his truth & wants to make a lgbtq+ kids friendly foundation. J def can't coach his ex-rival's son...but F's persistant 🤣. J's so cautious not wanna take advantage of F, firm, supportive, nice with a dry humor & easy to blush 🤭.
J+F's attraction was sparky from the start! But what do they want more? Their careers, their truths or eachother? Omg the "Hate to want you" & push/pull were fun 😩🤣. Made the eventual "All in" even sweeter! The tension & chemistry is HOT! It was cool to see their coaching, F's learning & being better on Ice, J's finally getting the love he deserves 🥰.
Tbh, I wanted more of off-page scenes on-page!! 🥺 F's love growed organically but J's felt fast due to the time gap in b/w. Plus, no acknowledgement of that nickname?! I hadn't expected Morgan (Finn's Dad) to have soo much on-page time but it was lovely to see the mistakes realisations & made confrontation so much fun! I'm glad we got to spend lots of time with J+F as a couple 🥰. Cute ending & epilogue! So excited for Coach's & Morgan's books!!
Story Ratings:
POV: 3rd person, Dual POV
1) Enjoyed? —> Yup 5/5
2) The Characters: 5/5
3) Top feels: 🥺😁😳🤭😅😤🤯😢😍😩🤨🥳🥰☺️🏒
4) Steamy scenes: 3/5
5) Levels: Cute+Swoon: 4.25/5
Angst: 2.75/5
Dark: 1/5
6) Creativity + world: 4.6/5
7) Plot arc: (Forbidden Love, Hockey) 4.25/5
8) Writing style + pace: 4.5/5
April 17, 2025
Another very good read by this author. I loved Finn and Jacob together and their chemistry was off the scale. I also liked that there was no big issue made of their age gap. It was just a fact and did not really mess up with the story.
I am very intrigued by Morgan though, so I can't wait for his book to come out.
I am very intrigued by Morgan though, so I can't wait for his book to come out.
September 1, 2025
Cute and sweet
April 3, 2025
The pressure that Finn carries for hockey expectations is one that has become heavier every day. And he is about to break. So he throws out a Hail Mary to see if he can save himself and his future in hockey. And that is to ask (or beg just a bit) former NHL goalie, Jacob, to coach him. He is also the one guy that Finn’s dad hates for being so good because he was never able to score on him. They had a rivalry and who better to teach him to tune out his father and everyone else on the ice than the man who seemed to do it with ease? Retiring earlier than planned, Jacob hasn’t really taken it that well. While he has some ideas now for what comes next, he didn’t expect to step back on the ice anytime soon. Especially when Morgan Reynolds’s son comes to him asking for help. At first it’s a hard no. But when he comes back, well Jacob’s willpower is only so much. There is a strong attraction between them but he won’t cross the line. It has bad idea written all over it, especially if he is agreeing to coach Finn. But their connection is so much stronger than either expected and it’s only a matter of time before they can no longer resist. Really loved Finn and Jacob’s story! Loved how these two formed this really strong connection and knew that being together would be tough but worth it. It was clear how much they cared. And it only got stronger the more they got to know one another and be there for one another through some tough things. I also was delightfully surprised that though it seemed like Finn and his dad had a tough relationship, Finn’s dad wasn’t a total jerk to the point where you hate him. I actually was rooting for them to figure out how to be a better father and son duo. And how everything was gonna turn out once Morgan found out about Jacob and Finn. Gotta say, pretty entertaining everyone’s dynamic. Another great book in this series! Can’t wait for more!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 16, 2025
I was so excited to be back with the Evergreens and this book did not disappoint. I was also really excited to get Finn's story and it really felt like Jacob was the best partner for him. Yes, there is an age gap between Finn and Jacob, but that felt irrelevant because their connection was so good, and you couldn't feel the difference in their ages. Both of them had things they needed to overcome to be in a better place. Jacob had to come to grips with having to retire early, and had discover what he liked and what he could do post hockey career. It's not easy accepting having to step back from playing, but I was really happy to see that Jacob had a really good circle of people who could have him. Finn was struggling with feelings of inadequacy, stemming from his father's treatment of him. I was very happy to see him start to try and get his father to see his point of view.
I really enjoyed the fact that Jacob and Finn communicated. They had serious conversations about their issues and they were honest about their interest in each other from the get go. I loved the push and pull and the tension between them before things escalated. I really enjoyed Finn's seduction tehnique.
The book was more focused on Finn and Jacob(but that was what needed to happen), so we didn't get to see a lot of the other players fron the team, but I really enjoyed what we got.
This was low angst, and a truly great read. It was beautifully written, and I felt for Finn and Jacob working on overcoming their issues.
If you like hockey romances with age gap, two goalies(one is a coach, the other is a college hockey player), that are a good time and also beutifully written, then this is the book for you
I really enjoyed the fact that Jacob and Finn communicated. They had serious conversations about their issues and they were honest about their interest in each other from the get go. I loved the push and pull and the tension between them before things escalated. I really enjoyed Finn's seduction tehnique.
The book was more focused on Finn and Jacob(but that was what needed to happen), so we didn't get to see a lot of the other players fron the team, but I really enjoyed what we got.
This was low angst, and a truly great read. It was beautifully written, and I felt for Finn and Jacob working on overcoming their issues.
If you like hockey romances with age gap, two goalies(one is a coach, the other is a college hockey player), that are a good time and also beutifully written, then this is the book for you
June 20, 2025
Thank you, Beth & Neon Rainbow, for my audiobook of On Thin Ice. This is the 3rd Portland Evergreens book and is part of Beth's wider universe. On Thin Ice focuses on Finn a college Goalie & son of NHL star Morgan Reynolds who feels this pressure deeply. Then enters Jacob, an ex NHL goalie & Finn's Dads nemesis, whom is struggling since retiring due to an injury. The pining between Finn & Jacob made me want to scream, but when they got together 🫠🥵🔥 I loved how they were honest with each other & supported each other with truths.
Darcy Stark brought Finn & Jacob alive, and I felt both of their struggles deeply. Darcy Stark is quickly becoming one of my favourite narrators.
🏒 College Hockey
🏒 Fathers Rival
🏒 Age Gap
🏒 Pining
🏒 Forbidden Romance
🏒 Coaching
🏒 Goalie/Ex Goalie
🏒 Map
🏒 Dual POV
🏒 Epilogue
Darcy Stark brought Finn & Jacob alive, and I felt both of their struggles deeply. Darcy Stark is quickly becoming one of my favourite narrators.
🏒 College Hockey
🏒 Fathers Rival
🏒 Age Gap
🏒 Pining
🏒 Forbidden Romance
🏒 Coaching
🏒 Goalie/Ex Goalie
🏒 Map
🏒 Dual POV
🏒 Epilogue
July 30, 2025
Crushes it every time!
I’ve been so wrapped up in PLL that I lowkey forgot how good it feels to read a really freakin’ good sports romance. Beth Bolden is going to deliver every single time!
ON THIN ICE’s dynamic was beyond fun. Imagine having a crush on your biggest rival’s son?! The drama. The angst. The name-calling! Oh, I had so much fun.
And YEEEEEESH, the chemistry between Jacob and Finn? My god, I thought I would choke on it. Jacob was such a steady, big, brawny protector and Finn was the firecracker that lit Jacob’s life right up. I love mutual obsession and the way Finn and Jacob fell in love was just chef’s kiss!!!!
I really enjoy Beth’s smutty scenes. They never feel too gratuitous or weird and they’re always soooo romantic. An author who understands pace SO intimately, Beth does suuuuuch a good job at slowing down the scene and zooming in to where the reader can fully immerse into the scene. It’s Magic, I swear.
Definitely excited for Coach and Zach’s book, but, I REALLY need Morgan’s book. RAMSEY?!?!?!
I’ve been so wrapped up in PLL that I lowkey forgot how good it feels to read a really freakin’ good sports romance. Beth Bolden is going to deliver every single time!
ON THIN ICE’s dynamic was beyond fun. Imagine having a crush on your biggest rival’s son?! The drama. The angst. The name-calling! Oh, I had so much fun.
And YEEEEEESH, the chemistry between Jacob and Finn? My god, I thought I would choke on it. Jacob was such a steady, big, brawny protector and Finn was the firecracker that lit Jacob’s life right up. I love mutual obsession and the way Finn and Jacob fell in love was just chef’s kiss!!!!
I really enjoy Beth’s smutty scenes. They never feel too gratuitous or weird and they’re always soooo romantic. An author who understands pace SO intimately, Beth does suuuuuch a good job at slowing down the scene and zooming in to where the reader can fully immerse into the scene. It’s Magic, I swear.
Definitely excited for Coach and Zach’s book, but, I REALLY need Morgan’s book. RAMSEY?!?!?!
May 24, 2025
The least successful of these so far for me. It wasn't even that I thought it was bad, I actually really liked Finn and Jacob together. It was just that the ~feelings~ of it all happened too quick for me. There was some kind of disconnect with it because I could absolutely buy that they had feelings, even that it happened quick for both of them, but it was like an instant thing for both of them and that didn't quite ring true.
Anyhow, I still really enjoyed it overall; looking forward to the next. 3.5 stars.
Anyhow, I still really enjoyed it overall; looking forward to the next. 3.5 stars.
May 5, 2025
DNF. They had three conversations. Three. Then Finn seduces whomever by wearing a bespoke suit and they have feelings. Feelings. After one week. One week, one game, one training session. I hate age gap. It is almost never done well. This is unsexy. There is no tension, no excitement, no nothing. Blah.
April 10, 2025
On Thin Ice gives us a wonderful age gap story which takes us through the struggles one can have when you're retired because of an injury or when the expectations are so high they almost cripple you.
Finn is the goalie for the Portland Evergreens. He's up in his head, his perfomance on the ice is suffering because of the pressure he puts on himself to be as good a player as his dad was even though his father played a different position. Unfortunately his dad isn't helping, instead only pointing out the negative parts. He's at his wits end and has only one thing left he can do.. ask Jacob, once his father's greatest rival, for help when he meets him at an event.
At first Jacob refuses. He's struggling enough himself trying to come to terms with the fact that an injury pushed him into early retirement. He feels an immediate attraction to Finn, but keeps his distance. Both because Finn is more than a decade younger and because of Finn's father Morgan who wouldn't be pleased finding out about his feelings.
Finn however isn't giving up, he needs his help desperately. Jacob has always wanted to come out, and now being retired he knows it's time. When Finn finds out they strike a deal: Jacob helps him with his performance on the ice and Finn gives him useful ideas for coming out at his own terms.
What starts out as a friendship between coach and player becomes so much more when they realise that their feelings go a lot deeper. Even though there was a significant age gap it felt all natural, Finn was very mature for his age and it was great to see their relationship develop.
There were also some great moments trying to hide everything from Finn's teammates and especially his father. And it was hilarious seing Jacob and Morgan starting a careful friendship albeit through banter. A nice surprise was that apparently Morgan is keeping his own secret and it was great to see that he'll be getting his own story.
All in all, this was yet again another great entry in a series that quickly becoming one of my favorite. I can't wait for the next book to be released. We'll finally get Gavin and Zach's story, now there's one I'm looking forward to!
*ARC kindly received from the author via Neon Rainbow Reviews. This is my honest opinion.*
Finn is the goalie for the Portland Evergreens. He's up in his head, his perfomance on the ice is suffering because of the pressure he puts on himself to be as good a player as his dad was even though his father played a different position. Unfortunately his dad isn't helping, instead only pointing out the negative parts. He's at his wits end and has only one thing left he can do.. ask Jacob, once his father's greatest rival, for help when he meets him at an event.
At first Jacob refuses. He's struggling enough himself trying to come to terms with the fact that an injury pushed him into early retirement. He feels an immediate attraction to Finn, but keeps his distance. Both because Finn is more than a decade younger and because of Finn's father Morgan who wouldn't be pleased finding out about his feelings.
Finn however isn't giving up, he needs his help desperately. Jacob has always wanted to come out, and now being retired he knows it's time. When Finn finds out they strike a deal: Jacob helps him with his performance on the ice and Finn gives him useful ideas for coming out at his own terms.
What starts out as a friendship between coach and player becomes so much more when they realise that their feelings go a lot deeper. Even though there was a significant age gap it felt all natural, Finn was very mature for his age and it was great to see their relationship develop.
There were also some great moments trying to hide everything from Finn's teammates and especially his father. And it was hilarious seing Jacob and Morgan starting a careful friendship albeit through banter. A nice surprise was that apparently Morgan is keeping his own secret and it was great to see that he'll be getting his own story.
All in all, this was yet again another great entry in a series that quickly becoming one of my favorite. I can't wait for the next book to be released. We'll finally get Gavin and Zach's story, now there's one I'm looking forward to!
*ARC kindly received from the author via Neon Rainbow Reviews. This is my honest opinion.*
September 20, 2025
Beth Bolden once again delivers. I love May/December hockey romance, and I thoroughly enjoyed this one 😊
Jacob and Finn both have problems they need to overcome before they can fulfil their ambitions. Jacob, a retired NHL player, finds himself unexpectedly drawn to Finn, a college hockey goalie, who just happens to be the son of his past nemesis, Finn is also attracted to Jacob, but Jacob is fighting the draw between them because of Finn's father, and the age difference.
Jacob is a masterclass in gruff shy charm. He was forced to retire due to injury, and isn't coping very well. His initial resistance to the troubled, ambitious Finn, is palpable. You feel his internal struggle, the push and pull between his doubts, and burgeoning attraction. Finn for his part, despite his youth, is driven, and unafraid to challenge Jacob, which makes their dynamic all the more gripping.
From when Jacob agrees to coach Finn, I loved the slow burning chemistry that crackles between them. Beth's writing is seamless, she successfully weaves the hockey into the story, using it as a metaphor for the characters' emotional journeys.
What truly sets this book apart, however, is the emotional depth. It's not just about the age gap and issues between Finn and Jacob; it's about two individuals finding connection and support in unexpected places. The unwavering belief they have in one another is both touching and inspiring. I appreciated the gradual development of their relationship. It felt realistic and earned. The secondary characters, a mix of quirky teammates, (it was great catching up with Elliot and Mal, what a couple of smitten kittens they are 🥰), and supportive friends, add humour and warmth.
Overall, this is a delightful read for anyone looking for a sweet, sexy, and ultimately satisfying May/December romance. It flows beautifully, the romance is both believable and sweet, and the ending is so uplifting ❤️😊
Jacob and Finn both have problems they need to overcome before they can fulfil their ambitions. Jacob, a retired NHL player, finds himself unexpectedly drawn to Finn, a college hockey goalie, who just happens to be the son of his past nemesis, Finn is also attracted to Jacob, but Jacob is fighting the draw between them because of Finn's father, and the age difference.
Jacob is a masterclass in gruff shy charm. He was forced to retire due to injury, and isn't coping very well. His initial resistance to the troubled, ambitious Finn, is palpable. You feel his internal struggle, the push and pull between his doubts, and burgeoning attraction. Finn for his part, despite his youth, is driven, and unafraid to challenge Jacob, which makes their dynamic all the more gripping.
From when Jacob agrees to coach Finn, I loved the slow burning chemistry that crackles between them. Beth's writing is seamless, she successfully weaves the hockey into the story, using it as a metaphor for the characters' emotional journeys.
What truly sets this book apart, however, is the emotional depth. It's not just about the age gap and issues between Finn and Jacob; it's about two individuals finding connection and support in unexpected places. The unwavering belief they have in one another is both touching and inspiring. I appreciated the gradual development of their relationship. It felt realistic and earned. The secondary characters, a mix of quirky teammates, (it was great catching up with Elliot and Mal, what a couple of smitten kittens they are 🥰), and supportive friends, add humour and warmth.
Overall, this is a delightful read for anyone looking for a sweet, sexy, and ultimately satisfying May/December romance. It flows beautifully, the romance is both believable and sweet, and the ending is so uplifting ❤️😊
April 20, 2025
This is the third book in the Portland Evergreens series. It can be enjoyed as a standalone read. This is the story of Finn Reynolds and Jacob Braun. Finn is a goaltender at university and is working towards being drafted to the NHL. While Finn is a good goaltender he is having mental problems. The constant pressure of upholding the family name is eroding Finn's confidence. Having a hockey star for a father adds to the pressure. While his father is trying to be supportive in his own way, Finn takes every text and suggestion as negative reinforcement. Finn knows that he needs help training himself to be as confident on the ice as he is off the ice. Jacob is a goaltender who has just retired from the NHL. His hip injury doesn't let him play as well as he would like, so he retired at the top. He is just as lost as Finn but about finding himself now that he is no longer a world class goaltender. Both are carrying a lot of baggage with them. Finn has decided that if Jacob was good enough to rattle his famous father, then he is the man to help him get better. Jacob is not interested in coaching. Especially the son of the man who created a rivalry between himself and Jacob. No thanks. He has enough problems to deal with. But now that Finn has decided that he needs Jacob, he puts a full court press on to get him to agree. Reluctantly Jacob agrees. Finn is happy but now all he is thinking about is how hot and wonderful Jacob the man is vice Jacob the coach. Can Finn and Jacob get everything that they really want? This is their story. The book is very well written and easy to read. I really enjoyed the chemistry and spark between Jacob and Finn. Especially they way that they slowly built their relationship. This is a great read. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
I received a complementary advanced review copy of this book from Neon Rainbow ARC Reviews and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a complementary advanced review copy of this book from Neon Rainbow ARC Reviews and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 16, 2025
This is book three of the author’s Portland Evergreens series and features Finn who we met in the previous book, a tightly wound goalie under extreme pressure from his retired, famous dad and Jacob, a famous goalie forced to retired due to an injury—and his dad’s biggest enemy—from whom Finn was asking for coaching assistance.
There was nothing about this book that I didn’t absolutely love—this whole series in fact, was amazing. I loved Finn so much! His struggles with self worth, made worse by his perfectionistic dad broke my heart and made me want to give him the biggest hug…he was just so dang sweet! And Jacob, he had struggles of his own but he had such a tender heart…I loved him too. Together, they were perfect. Heck, I even ended up loving Morgan, Finn’s dad, after not being able to stand him from the previous book!
This book CAN be read as a standalone but you’ll get so much more enjoyment if you read the previous books first. You’ll know exactly who Elliott and Mal (who appeared quite often) were (as well as all the other guys) and why the parts about them were so hot.
I honestly can’t recommend this book highly enough, the whole series really, and hope you’ll give it a chance. 5+ stars!
I received a copy of this book for free but am voluntarily leaving a review.
There was nothing about this book that I didn’t absolutely love—this whole series in fact, was amazing. I loved Finn so much! His struggles with self worth, made worse by his perfectionistic dad broke my heart and made me want to give him the biggest hug…he was just so dang sweet! And Jacob, he had struggles of his own but he had such a tender heart…I loved him too. Together, they were perfect. Heck, I even ended up loving Morgan, Finn’s dad, after not being able to stand him from the previous book!
This book CAN be read as a standalone but you’ll get so much more enjoyment if you read the previous books first. You’ll know exactly who Elliott and Mal (who appeared quite often) were (as well as all the other guys) and why the parts about them were so hot.
I honestly can’t recommend this book highly enough, the whole series really, and hope you’ll give it a chance. 5+ stars!
I received a copy of this book for free but am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 31, 2025
It was a little disappointing realizing that Jacob was already attracted to Finn at the very start of the book. I wish we would've seen that attraction start rather than have it be established.
I thought it was weird that Jacob asked Finn to sit with him at the dinner where he was at to talk about his he was going to come out to the public. It seemed like a very forced invitation since there wasn't really a reason for Finn to be there (and Jacob saying that he wanted Finn to represent his beliefs was too unbelievable considering they'd only spent like three days total with each other). Them professing their love for each other also felt a bit too early on spite of the meaningful conversations they'd had. I feel like the L word should only come in the resolution when the MCs had already worked through their individual battles. Here, it sort of happens mid conflict where there wasn't a real reason to have evolved their attraction to love.
The romance was pretty decent. I liked how Jacob was able to help Finn with his mentality around hockey and his dad. I also really liked how Finn's dad wasn't just the standard irredeemable villain (he just sucked at being supportive) and that Jacob also pointed out Finn's negativity wasn't helping. Finn helping Jacob be more comfortable coming out was a bit less developed though since they sort of just had the same conversation over and over again about how Jacob coming out was inevitably going to draw attention but that Jacob needed to remember why he needed to do it. There wasn't much in the way of development there because it was sort of just a binary: Jacob was scared and didn't want to do it vs Jacob was still scared but now is resolved into coming out.
Ramsey's character has proven to still be annoying three books in. Nobody likes a meddling, know-it-all and him being painted as this almost infallible, super intuitive guy who tries to control the situation to help people was eye roll inducing. He added nothing to the story other than to be an explicit sounding board for Finn's thoughts (which meant that it wasn't really any better than being internal dialogue because Finn just always expo dumped with him whenever he was in a scene)
Not gonna lie, I don't think the author did a good job of making it clear that Jacob and Finn's dad, Morgan, weren't attracted to each other. One of the first things Jacob thought about Finn was that he looked just like his dad did at that age + the sheer amount of emotion between them really felt like a strong enemies-to-lovers setup.
Things post felt like too much of an extended epilogue. There weren't really any stakes left but there was still 15% of the book to go.
TL;DR: Story was pretty good. Ignoring the fact that the MCs were already attracted tp each other before the start of the story and that they said their "I love you's" two months into a new relationship, the romance was really sweet with both Finn and Jacob supporting each other through their own personal conflicts (thought Jacob supporting Finn was more successful than the other way around imo). Finn's dad was a decent villain who wasn't one dimensional (though he and Jacob felt a bit like they were going to be paired up). 3.5 rounded up!
I thought it was weird that Jacob asked Finn to sit with him at the dinner where he was at to talk about his he was going to come out to the public. It seemed like a very forced invitation since there wasn't really a reason for Finn to be there (and Jacob saying that he wanted Finn to represent his beliefs was too unbelievable considering they'd only spent like three days total with each other). Them professing their love for each other also felt a bit too early on spite of the meaningful conversations they'd had. I feel like the L word should only come in the resolution when the MCs had already worked through their individual battles. Here, it sort of happens mid conflict where there wasn't a real reason to have evolved their attraction to love.
The romance was pretty decent. I liked how Jacob was able to help Finn with his mentality around hockey and his dad. I also really liked how Finn's dad wasn't just the standard irredeemable villain (he just sucked at being supportive) and that Jacob also pointed out Finn's negativity wasn't helping. Finn helping Jacob be more comfortable coming out was a bit less developed though since they sort of just had the same conversation over and over again about how Jacob coming out was inevitably going to draw attention but that Jacob needed to remember why he needed to do it. There wasn't much in the way of development there because it was sort of just a binary: Jacob was scared and didn't want to do it vs Jacob was still scared but now is resolved into coming out.
Ramsey's character has proven to still be annoying three books in. Nobody likes a meddling, know-it-all and him being painted as this almost infallible, super intuitive guy who tries to control the situation to help people was eye roll inducing. He added nothing to the story other than to be an explicit sounding board for Finn's thoughts (which meant that it wasn't really any better than being internal dialogue because Finn just always expo dumped with him whenever he was in a scene)
Not gonna lie, I don't think the author did a good job of making it clear that Jacob and Finn's dad, Morgan, weren't attracted to each other. One of the first things Jacob thought about Finn was that he looked just like his dad did at that age + the sheer amount of emotion between them really felt like a strong enemies-to-lovers setup.
Things post felt like too much of an extended epilogue. There weren't really any stakes left but there was still 15% of the book to go.
TL;DR: Story was pretty good. Ignoring the fact that the MCs were already attracted tp each other before the start of the story and that they said their "I love you's" two months into a new relationship, the romance was really sweet with both Finn and Jacob supporting each other through their own personal conflicts (thought Jacob supporting Finn was more successful than the other way around imo). Finn's dad was a decent villain who wasn't one dimensional (though he and Jacob felt a bit like they were going to be paired up). 3.5 rounded up!
April 12, 2025
Copy received from Neon Rainbow Reviews for an honest review
Oh, how good it was getting back into Evergreens world
Yes, this is an age gap romance, but really, except when it is actually brought up by the characters, it didn't feel like it.
It felt like two men dealing with the trials and tribulations of where their lives are at the moment, whilst falling in love.
Oh Finn, my heart hurt for him as he is feeling crushed by the weight of living up to his father's success, his expectations.
Jacob trying to find his way since retirement.
But how they are with each other, how the support each other, how they are drawn to each other will have you smiling.
There were snippets of the previous couples from the Evergreens series, and as much as I liked them I wish we had more.
Though I am looking forward to the next installment, which we got a glimpse of in this story.
Oh, how good it was getting back into Evergreens world
Yes, this is an age gap romance, but really, except when it is actually brought up by the characters, it didn't feel like it.
It felt like two men dealing with the trials and tribulations of where their lives are at the moment, whilst falling in love.
Oh Finn, my heart hurt for him as he is feeling crushed by the weight of living up to his father's success, his expectations.
Jacob trying to find his way since retirement.
But how they are with each other, how the support each other, how they are drawn to each other will have you smiling.
There were snippets of the previous couples from the Evergreens series, and as much as I liked them I wish we had more.
Though I am looking forward to the next installment, which we got a glimpse of in this story.
April 13, 2025
Finn Ryenolds in a college hockey player who is under pressure and lacking confidence. His father was a hockey legend and Finn never feels good enough, and it is affecting his confidence on the ice. He devises a plan to get help and goalie tips from an older player. And that happens to be his father's longtime rival.
Jacob Braun has retired after a stellar goalie career, but is a bit lost. He is a reclusive, broody loner. He has ideas to start a foundation, but that would also mean coming out himself. When Finn asks for help, his first instinct is to avoid it due to complications and fear.
But Finn convinces him to coach him and then proceeds to wear down his defenses regarding their physical attraction. But it is not just physical with these two and even from the beginning they seem to have this sense of understanding, attraction, and know how to support the other.
Things are okay in their little secret bubble. But to be more, they will eventually have to face the public, their future, and ...Finn's father.
I liked Finn and Jacob together. They actually fit together well despite their differences and issues. I liked seeing them both be able to grow individually and help each other find their own way with the right kind of support.
This is a rival's son, age gap, hockey romance about a young player finding his self-worth, confidence, and making his own mark in hockey. But it is also about two retired players coming to terms with the end of their hockey careers, healing, and trying to move on to a better future. It brings back the other couples and teases a spin-off story.
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Jacob Braun has retired after a stellar goalie career, but is a bit lost. He is a reclusive, broody loner. He has ideas to start a foundation, but that would also mean coming out himself. When Finn asks for help, his first instinct is to avoid it due to complications and fear.
But Finn convinces him to coach him and then proceeds to wear down his defenses regarding their physical attraction. But it is not just physical with these two and even from the beginning they seem to have this sense of understanding, attraction, and know how to support the other.
Things are okay in their little secret bubble. But to be more, they will eventually have to face the public, their future, and ...Finn's father.
I liked Finn and Jacob together. They actually fit together well despite their differences and issues. I liked seeing them both be able to grow individually and help each other find their own way with the right kind of support.
This is a rival's son, age gap, hockey romance about a young player finding his self-worth, confidence, and making his own mark in hockey. But it is also about two retired players coming to terms with the end of their hockey careers, healing, and trying to move on to a better future. It brings back the other couples and teases a spin-off story.
April 19, 2025
Bolden has done it again with this latest tale in her Portland Evergreens series, this time with Finn, the team’s troubled goalie on center ice, to speak. Desperate to get his mental focus where it should be, he turns to Jacob Braun, newly retired NHL superstars goalie, to coach him.
Jacob agrees to coach Finn, reluctantly, because he already realizes that Finn is someone he’s attracted too, and indeed it doesn’t take long for the two of them to get together. Of course, it doesn’t help when Finn is pulling out all the stops to seduce Jacob. It’s an interesting relationship as the two of them have scorching chemistry together. I don’t normally enjoy age gap romances all that much but I bought it here in this story, finding the two of these men believable in this situation.
And the situation with Malcolm, Finn’s father and Jacob’s former rival, was quite entertaining and an interesting twist. In fact, some of the best scenes involved Jacob and Morgan. Bolden does a great job here in the book of examining a number of aspects of retirement from hockey here, and by extension retirement in general, through these characters and their ups and downs. There are a lot of incisive observations here that I wasn’t quite expecting, making for an intriguing contrast between Jacob, who’s just finished a hockey career and Finn, who’s just getting ready to start his.
My main quibble with the story is that I didn’t feel that there was enough time spent on the actual coaching of Finn by Jacob. There’s an early part that deals with this, then a few mentions later, but the story then switches almost completely to their romance. I felt that a continued focus on how Finn actually put in the hard work could have made the book even better.
Still, it’s an immensely enjoyable sports romance. I’m definitely looking forward to the next entry in the series with Zach and Galvan. There may be a glut of hockey romances on the market now, but Bolden is managing to break away from the pack with this series for her own power play.
Jacob agrees to coach Finn, reluctantly, because he already realizes that Finn is someone he’s attracted too, and indeed it doesn’t take long for the two of them to get together. Of course, it doesn’t help when Finn is pulling out all the stops to seduce Jacob. It’s an interesting relationship as the two of them have scorching chemistry together. I don’t normally enjoy age gap romances all that much but I bought it here in this story, finding the two of these men believable in this situation.
And the situation with Malcolm, Finn’s father and Jacob’s former rival, was quite entertaining and an interesting twist. In fact, some of the best scenes involved Jacob and Morgan. Bolden does a great job here in the book of examining a number of aspects of retirement from hockey here, and by extension retirement in general, through these characters and their ups and downs. There are a lot of incisive observations here that I wasn’t quite expecting, making for an intriguing contrast between Jacob, who’s just finished a hockey career and Finn, who’s just getting ready to start his.
My main quibble with the story is that I didn’t feel that there was enough time spent on the actual coaching of Finn by Jacob. There’s an early part that deals with this, then a few mentions later, but the story then switches almost completely to their romance. I felt that a continued focus on how Finn actually put in the hard work could have made the book even better.
Still, it’s an immensely enjoyable sports romance. I’m definitely looking forward to the next entry in the series with Zach and Galvan. There may be a glut of hockey romances on the market now, but Bolden is managing to break away from the pack with this series for her own power play.
April 20, 2025
I am obsessed with Beth Bolden, and am loving her foray into hockey!
Finn is desperate to get his father's voice out of his head. Being the son of a legendary hockey player is enough pressure on a person, but when you're a goalie, the mental game is extremely important, and he can't figure out how to conquer it on his own. So, he decides to go to the one person who always seemed able to shut his dad out--both on and off the ice. Jacob Braun, a recently retired goalie who wouldn't let Finn's dad score on him--which has led to a very public hockey feud.
Finn and Jacob were a really cute couple. I enjoyed how they were very up front about their mutual attraction from the get-go, instead of one person trying to pretend like they don't actually feel anything. It made the scenes where they are being "just professional" even more sexually charged, because we know (and the characters know) that they both are totally into it. Their banter at the beginning is great, and I really loved how they were on equal footing once they did get together, despite the fifteen year age gap. Finn didn't feel like the subordinate one in the relationship, and since in a lot of ways they were both on equal ground in regards to having a relationship, it all really worked.
I also liked how each character had their own journey outside of the relationship to travel. Jacob's journey to figure out what came next after being forced to retire from hockey was really well done, and showed that just because you made millions of dollars while you played doesn't mean you're going to be fine when it's all over. And Finn having to figure out how to be his own man and get out from the shadow of his father was fantastic. I also liked the bits of Finn's father we got to see, and how he had been struggling with his own demons his entire life (cannot wait for that book, by the way).
The only thing that bugged me about this book was the very beginning. It seemed to just throw us into the middle of an event to get these two together, and it assumes the reader knows that both of these characters are into each other. From previous books it was kind of obvious Finn had a thing for Jacob, but getting the first chapter from Jacob's point of view to realize he was already attracted to Finn before they'd really interacted was a little abrupt and felt kinda odd. The rest of the book is fantastic, but that little bit did throw me off.
CW: sexual content, anxiety, therapy, discussion of past injuries
Finn is desperate to get his father's voice out of his head. Being the son of a legendary hockey player is enough pressure on a person, but when you're a goalie, the mental game is extremely important, and he can't figure out how to conquer it on his own. So, he decides to go to the one person who always seemed able to shut his dad out--both on and off the ice. Jacob Braun, a recently retired goalie who wouldn't let Finn's dad score on him--which has led to a very public hockey feud.
Finn and Jacob were a really cute couple. I enjoyed how they were very up front about their mutual attraction from the get-go, instead of one person trying to pretend like they don't actually feel anything. It made the scenes where they are being "just professional" even more sexually charged, because we know (and the characters know) that they both are totally into it. Their banter at the beginning is great, and I really loved how they were on equal footing once they did get together, despite the fifteen year age gap. Finn didn't feel like the subordinate one in the relationship, and since in a lot of ways they were both on equal ground in regards to having a relationship, it all really worked.
I also liked how each character had their own journey outside of the relationship to travel. Jacob's journey to figure out what came next after being forced to retire from hockey was really well done, and showed that just because you made millions of dollars while you played doesn't mean you're going to be fine when it's all over. And Finn having to figure out how to be his own man and get out from the shadow of his father was fantastic. I also liked the bits of Finn's father we got to see, and how he had been struggling with his own demons his entire life (cannot wait for that book, by the way).
The only thing that bugged me about this book was the very beginning. It seemed to just throw us into the middle of an event to get these two together, and it assumes the reader knows that both of these characters are into each other. From previous books it was kind of obvious Finn had a thing for Jacob, but getting the first chapter from Jacob's point of view to realize he was already attracted to Finn before they'd really interacted was a little abrupt and felt kinda odd. The rest of the book is fantastic, but that little bit did throw me off.
CW: sexual content, anxiety, therapy, discussion of past injuries
April 16, 2025
I love everything Beth Bolden writes, and this series is no exception.
We've met Finn in the first two books and gotten glimpses of the pressure-cooker world he lives in. He is trying to live up to his legendary father's name while barely holding onto his own identity. He can't escape it, and the psychological toll it's taking is palpable -- so real and raw that you can't help but pull for him as he struggles to hold himself together under the crushing weight of expectation. Enter Jacob Braun - gruff, guarded, and sharp-tongued - a former rival of Finn's father who agrees to mentor Finn.
They should stay away from each other - Jacob is 14 years older than Finn, Finn's dad hates Jacob, and this is a recipe for disaster. Except that they're actually exactly what the other needs. Every interaction crackles with chemistry - both emotional and physical - but it's the deeper emotional unraveling between them that really shines. This book is about more than just heat, it's about healing.
I'm not going to cover the whole plot of the book - trust me, you'll want to read it yourself. But what makes this book a five star read is how beautifully the author handles vulnerability. Watching Finn fight through his mental blocks and his insecurities, seeing Jacob do the work to be comfortable with finally allowing himself the freedom to love publicly - both of them grow so beautifully and satisfyingly, it makes you believe in their HEA.
This is more than just a romance - this challenges the reader to ask themselves what it means to be seen, to be vulnerable, and to risk everything for the chance at something real. It's about rewriting your story, reclaiming your future, and choosing love even when history tells you not to.
[I received an advanced copy of this book. All reviews and ratings are my own.]
We've met Finn in the first two books and gotten glimpses of the pressure-cooker world he lives in. He is trying to live up to his legendary father's name while barely holding onto his own identity. He can't escape it, and the psychological toll it's taking is palpable -- so real and raw that you can't help but pull for him as he struggles to hold himself together under the crushing weight of expectation. Enter Jacob Braun - gruff, guarded, and sharp-tongued - a former rival of Finn's father who agrees to mentor Finn.
They should stay away from each other - Jacob is 14 years older than Finn, Finn's dad hates Jacob, and this is a recipe for disaster. Except that they're actually exactly what the other needs. Every interaction crackles with chemistry - both emotional and physical - but it's the deeper emotional unraveling between them that really shines. This book is about more than just heat, it's about healing.
I'm not going to cover the whole plot of the book - trust me, you'll want to read it yourself. But what makes this book a five star read is how beautifully the author handles vulnerability. Watching Finn fight through his mental blocks and his insecurities, seeing Jacob do the work to be comfortable with finally allowing himself the freedom to love publicly - both of them grow so beautifully and satisfyingly, it makes you believe in their HEA.
This is more than just a romance - this challenges the reader to ask themselves what it means to be seen, to be vulnerable, and to risk everything for the chance at something real. It's about rewriting your story, reclaiming your future, and choosing love even when history tells you not to.
[I received an advanced copy of this book. All reviews and ratings are my own.]
April 12, 2025
I loved this addition to the Portland Evergreens series - Finn and Jacob’s story was unexpected, but incredibly sweet in a way I never imagined.
Finn Reynolds has grown up playing hockey in the shadow of his all-star NHL player father; he’s switched positions and switched colleges to try to find his groove as a goalie but his mental hang ups have him questioning his ability to make it as a professional player. To get out of his head, he finds himself tracking down Jacob Braun - a retired NHL goalie who went out at the top of his game after a hip injury, struggling to accept retirement and what comes next for him in all aspects of his life.
Not only is Jacob older than Finn, but he’s also his father’s rival with a well-documented history to go along with it from their playing years. Jacob is one of the only people not affected by Morgan’s mind games, making him the perfect person to help Finn hone his skills and block out his father’s distractions. What neither of them anticipate is how strong their chemistry is and how undeniable their pull is toward each other.
These two shouldn’t work together, but they bring each other to life - Finn becoming more confident in himself and less hurt by his father’s words and Jacob working up the courage to come out and to enjoy what retirement has to offer. The sweet moments between them between training and meetings were what got me. They’re perfect for each other.
I wish we got to see more of the rest of the Portland Evergreens team, but the little glimpses were so perfect. I’m so excited for Coach and Zach’s story next and am unbelievably excited that Morgan got stuck in Beth’s head and is getting a book of his own too! Bring on more hockey stories!
Finn Reynolds has grown up playing hockey in the shadow of his all-star NHL player father; he’s switched positions and switched colleges to try to find his groove as a goalie but his mental hang ups have him questioning his ability to make it as a professional player. To get out of his head, he finds himself tracking down Jacob Braun - a retired NHL goalie who went out at the top of his game after a hip injury, struggling to accept retirement and what comes next for him in all aspects of his life.
Not only is Jacob older than Finn, but he’s also his father’s rival with a well-documented history to go along with it from their playing years. Jacob is one of the only people not affected by Morgan’s mind games, making him the perfect person to help Finn hone his skills and block out his father’s distractions. What neither of them anticipate is how strong their chemistry is and how undeniable their pull is toward each other.
These two shouldn’t work together, but they bring each other to life - Finn becoming more confident in himself and less hurt by his father’s words and Jacob working up the courage to come out and to enjoy what retirement has to offer. The sweet moments between them between training and meetings were what got me. They’re perfect for each other.
I wish we got to see more of the rest of the Portland Evergreens team, but the little glimpses were so perfect. I’m so excited for Coach and Zach’s story next and am unbelievably excited that Morgan got stuck in Beth’s head and is getting a book of his own too! Bring on more hockey stories!
April 15, 2025
ON THIN ICE is the third installment in the Portland Evergreens series. It can be read as a standalone without issue but reads much better if read in the order that the author intended.
Finn has a famous hockey father. He's retired but the pressure just having the same last name is rough on Finn. He's switched schools and moved across the country to get some distance from his father but it's still not enough. When Finn has a run in with the only player that ever got under his father's skin he knows it's the answer to his problems. Jacob Braun was a goalie, the same as Finn, but an injury cut his time on the ice short. A little bitter he was forced to retire way before he was ready. Finn approaches Jacob asking for help not only to get better as a player but to learn to tune out his father not letting him get to him. Jacob immediately declines. But Finn is persistent and Jacob reluctantly agrees to help even though he finds Finn extremely attractive but knows he can't cross that line. Jacob decides if he can help Finn can confidence than maybe Finn can help him also gain the confidence to come out and finally live the life he's always dreamed about. >
I loved the relationship between Finn and Jacob. There was an instant connection as much as Jacob tried to fight the attraction between them. When Jacob finally gives in their chemistry was explosive together. Finn's father...I had mixed feelings on his character. While I ended up liking him and his approval of the relationship he still got on my nerves. Which I guess was the point. So he was written very well.
I can't wait to see what's next for this series!
I was given a free copy of this book to read and review for Neon Rainbow.
Finn has a famous hockey father. He's retired but the pressure just having the same last name is rough on Finn. He's switched schools and moved across the country to get some distance from his father but it's still not enough. When Finn has a run in with the only player that ever got under his father's skin he knows it's the answer to his problems. Jacob Braun was a goalie, the same as Finn, but an injury cut his time on the ice short. A little bitter he was forced to retire way before he was ready. Finn approaches Jacob asking for help not only to get better as a player but to learn to tune out his father not letting him get to him. Jacob immediately declines. But Finn is persistent and Jacob reluctantly agrees to help even though he finds Finn extremely attractive but knows he can't cross that line. Jacob decides if he can help Finn can confidence than maybe Finn can help him also gain the confidence to come out and finally live the life he's always dreamed about. >
I loved the relationship between Finn and Jacob. There was an instant connection as much as Jacob tried to fight the attraction between them. When Jacob finally gives in their chemistry was explosive together. Finn's father...I had mixed feelings on his character. While I ended up liking him and his approval of the relationship he still got on my nerves. Which I guess was the point. So he was written very well.
I can't wait to see what's next for this series!
I was given a free copy of this book to read and review for Neon Rainbow.
April 20, 2025
MY OPINION: I’m a big fan of Beth Bolden, and this didn’t disappoint. This is certainly an MM Hockey romance, but there was a lot of depth to the characters, and I found myself drawn into the book, wanting to see how their story ended up.
This is an age gap (thirteen years) romance where Jacob falls for his rival’s son. This, of course, is not an ideal situation for either party, but there are a whole lot of other things that need to be worked out. For Jacob, he had to embrace retirement and come out. Finn has to stop letting his father drag him down, and stop trying to live up to the name, but to his own abilities.
Even though they knew they shouldn’t pursue the attraction between them, these two couldn’t help themselves, especially when Finn pulled out all the stops to get Jacob to give in. They are in different places in their lives, but together figure out how they fit together. Having to explain to his father is a whole other challenge. This book was good, continually pulling you back to the story, making it feel like a quick read. The characters are well-rounded and entertaining, and you really want them to figure out what they are going to do. There is some spice, but it’s very thoughtful and cozy. (even though it’s not necessarily that type of spice) Overall, I love this couple and really feel like I know what they want and where they are going. Seeing them both grow with the help of the other is heartwarming, and there are some humorous moments with the Dad that were great. If you love Beth Bolden, this holds up to her style, and you will enjoy it for sure. If you don’t know this author, this series is great, and you should pick it up if you like a good college hockey romance; this delivers for sure.
This is an age gap (thirteen years) romance where Jacob falls for his rival’s son. This, of course, is not an ideal situation for either party, but there are a whole lot of other things that need to be worked out. For Jacob, he had to embrace retirement and come out. Finn has to stop letting his father drag him down, and stop trying to live up to the name, but to his own abilities.
Even though they knew they shouldn’t pursue the attraction between them, these two couldn’t help themselves, especially when Finn pulled out all the stops to get Jacob to give in. They are in different places in their lives, but together figure out how they fit together. Having to explain to his father is a whole other challenge. This book was good, continually pulling you back to the story, making it feel like a quick read. The characters are well-rounded and entertaining, and you really want them to figure out what they are going to do. There is some spice, but it’s very thoughtful and cozy. (even though it’s not necessarily that type of spice) Overall, I love this couple and really feel like I know what they want and where they are going. Seeing them both grow with the help of the other is heartwarming, and there are some humorous moments with the Dad that were great. If you love Beth Bolden, this holds up to her style, and you will enjoy it for sure. If you don’t know this author, this series is great, and you should pick it up if you like a good college hockey romance; this delivers for sure.
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