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Finding JT DiMara : The Final Book in the Once Upon a Time in Bridgeport Series
DISCLAIMER: READ AND HEED THE TRIGGER AND CONTENT WARNINGS!!!!
“For that moment, he didn’t have to obsess over the fact that, having been orphaned at the age of 15, then sent away and shoved into an intensive hockey program with little time for anything else, he effectively had no clue who the hell he even was.”
Twenty-year-old Jacob Tyler DiMara’s list of struggles is a mile long: anger and abandonment issues, guilt over his parents’ deaths, academic inadequacy, social and legal issues, and uncertainty about his sexuality, to name a few.
Despite all that, one area in which he’s never struggled is being an elite hockey defenseman. After barely making it through juniors due to several legal troubles, JT enters into Penn State University’s NCAA D1 hockey program as an academic redshirt, where he’s determined not to let anyone get too close.
What’s the point when everyone he loves only ends up dead or hurt?
Through unexpected bonds with his polar opposite teammate/roommate and his much older female English tutor, he’s been given the chance to learn what it means to love and be loved unconditionally.
Will JT let down his walls and form new connections that might finally allow him to find himself, or will he run like he always does?
This is the conclusion to CH Maddington’s Once Upon a Time in Bridgeport hockey series.
“For that moment, he didn’t have to obsess over the fact that, having been orphaned at the age of 15, then sent away and shoved into an intensive hockey program with little time for anything else, he effectively had no clue who the hell he even was.”
Twenty-year-old Jacob Tyler DiMara’s list of struggles is a mile long: anger and abandonment issues, guilt over his parents’ deaths, academic inadequacy, social and legal issues, and uncertainty about his sexuality, to name a few.
Despite all that, one area in which he’s never struggled is being an elite hockey defenseman. After barely making it through juniors due to several legal troubles, JT enters into Penn State University’s NCAA D1 hockey program as an academic redshirt, where he’s determined not to let anyone get too close.
What’s the point when everyone he loves only ends up dead or hurt?
Through unexpected bonds with his polar opposite teammate/roommate and his much older female English tutor, he’s been given the chance to learn what it means to love and be loved unconditionally.
Will JT let down his walls and form new connections that might finally allow him to find himself, or will he run like he always does?
This is the conclusion to CH Maddington’s Once Upon a Time in Bridgeport hockey series.
- GenresEbooks
357 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2024
2 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
C.H. Maddington
4 books26 followersCH Maddington is the pen name of a woman who loves hockey, loves hockey boys, and loves writing, so she decided to put all three together. Having always wanted to publish a book. she's proud to say she's FINALLY done it...and an entire series at that! Her Once Upon a Time in Bridgeport hockey series (featuring book one, Breaking Ryan Baylor; book two, Taming Tyler Hayes; and book three, Finding JT DiMara) is available on both Kindle Unlimited (ebook) and Amazon (paperback).
When she's not writing about troubled hockey boys, she can be found working her full-time day job, spending time with family, reading (For the Fans by Nyla K. is one of her absolute FAVORITE books), running/exercising, cheering on her Flyers and Phantoms, or working on her next book.
She so appreciates all of the love and support she receives from you, the readers, and she could never thank you enough! Please feel free to contact her any time.
Instagram: author_chmaddington
Facebook: CH Maddington
When she's not writing about troubled hockey boys, she can be found working her full-time day job, spending time with family, reading (For the Fans by Nyla K. is one of her absolute FAVORITE books), running/exercising, cheering on her Flyers and Phantoms, or working on her next book.
She so appreciates all of the love and support she receives from you, the readers, and she could never thank you enough! Please feel free to contact her any time.
Instagram: author_chmaddington
Facebook: CH Maddington
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 1, 2024
This is the third and final book in the Once Upon a Time in Bridgeport Series, if you have not read the previous books...GO READ THEM!! Just a warning: the second book will completely rip your heart out and leave you sobbing on the floor (or maybe that's just me?). If you like reading stories about broken boys (and girls), this series will not disappoint.
On the surface, JT is a smart-mouthed, angry, arrogant young man. Below the surface, he is a hurt, grieving boy that just wants to be chosen and loved. JT experienced the death of both of his parents and carries with him strong attachment and abandonment wounds. He keeps people at an arm's length and will not allow anyone to get close because people he loves either leave or die.
JT lives with Ryan and Hayes (from the previous books in this series). Hayes and JT struggle to get along with one another due to their similarities but luckily, they have Ryan to be the voice of reason and the calm in their chaos. Underneath the chaos is fierce love, which ultimately prevails.
JT goes off to Penn State to be a part of their hockey team; however, due to failing grades he is only able to practice with the team and unable to play in games. JT meets his (much older) English tutor, Audrey, that he quickly develops a friendship with. As they spend more time together, those feelings grow as he feels safe and comfortable with her. During this time, JT also establishes a tight bond with his roommate and teammate, Ryker. Ryker is someone that he can be his true self with, a person that keeps him grounded.
JT initially struggles with understanding and accepting his intense feelings for both people until learning more about polyamorous relationships, specifically poly vee relationships. This was my first book with a poly vee relationship, I liked that we were also able to see the relationship between Ryker and Audrey. While different from their relationships with JT it was also incredibly sweet and special.
Through his relationships with others, he learns to better understand himself. The evolution of JT throughout this book is quite profound. There are struggles and setbacks; however, JT continuously worked to improve himself, heal his wounds, breathe through his anger, and feel worthy of love.
This book, as well as the others in the series, is emotionally heavy. It deals with many real-life struggles that can be difficult to read...please pay attention to the trigger warnings. The author's depiction of these struggles is so incredibly raw and real, there is no shying away from the pain and hurt.
On the surface, JT is a smart-mouthed, angry, arrogant young man. Below the surface, he is a hurt, grieving boy that just wants to be chosen and loved. JT experienced the death of both of his parents and carries with him strong attachment and abandonment wounds. He keeps people at an arm's length and will not allow anyone to get close because people he loves either leave or die.
JT lives with Ryan and Hayes (from the previous books in this series). Hayes and JT struggle to get along with one another due to their similarities but luckily, they have Ryan to be the voice of reason and the calm in their chaos. Underneath the chaos is fierce love, which ultimately prevails.
JT goes off to Penn State to be a part of their hockey team; however, due to failing grades he is only able to practice with the team and unable to play in games. JT meets his (much older) English tutor, Audrey, that he quickly develops a friendship with. As they spend more time together, those feelings grow as he feels safe and comfortable with her. During this time, JT also establishes a tight bond with his roommate and teammate, Ryker. Ryker is someone that he can be his true self with, a person that keeps him grounded.
JT initially struggles with understanding and accepting his intense feelings for both people until learning more about polyamorous relationships, specifically poly vee relationships. This was my first book with a poly vee relationship, I liked that we were also able to see the relationship between Ryker and Audrey. While different from their relationships with JT it was also incredibly sweet and special.
Through his relationships with others, he learns to better understand himself. The evolution of JT throughout this book is quite profound. There are struggles and setbacks; however, JT continuously worked to improve himself, heal his wounds, breathe through his anger, and feel worthy of love.
This book, as well as the others in the series, is emotionally heavy. It deals with many real-life struggles that can be difficult to read...please pay attention to the trigger warnings. The author's depiction of these struggles is so incredibly raw and real, there is no shying away from the pain and hurt.
October 15, 2024
*I received an ARC of this book, the review and all the thoughts are my own.
*This review does not contain any spoilers
*Please read the content warnings of this book and take them very seriously.
Pairing - MM and MF(There is also a threesome and a weird group thing)
Genre- Darkish Contemporary Hockey Romance (Open Door)
HEA/HFN - Yes
POV - Third Person (Multiple Characters, Sometimes it changes mid chapter)
Series - Yes. Third and final Book of "Once upon a Time in Bridgeport" Series.
*Review*
This one may be my favourite from the series, maybe. It's a toss up between this and Tyler Hayes. I really loved all three MCs here. This one is by far the lightest and fluffiest one in the series. And just to be clear, that is only when comparing the books in this series. This is still a little darkish when it comes to some themes and scenes.
I still don't like Amara, which is ironic because I had no problems with her when she was making questionable decisions in the first book. But her decisions in the second novel (where she was a minor character) were what put me off her, and this book (she had been dead for 5 years by this point) did not change that perception. She might have been a good mom, friend and wife. But she definitely wasn't the selfless person that everyone(in the books) thinks she is. But that's not the point of this book. (Sorry about the tangent)
Audrey, in comparison is a saint. Although she is in a similar situation, she is a genuinely nice person and does not do morally reprehensible things despite having her boat load of traumas. She seems to actually be a grown up with decision making capabilities. JT, despite his own trauma and anger issues is a good person and tries to do right by the people he cares about. And in a full circle moment, the youngest person here, Ryker is the most stable and put together out of the three.
P.S. I follow the Montessori method, so my reviews are based on completion without ratings. If I didn’t like a book, I probably wouldn’t finish it and hence won’t review it.
*This review does not contain any spoilers
*Please read the content warnings of this book and take them very seriously.
Pairing - MM and MF(There is also a threesome and a weird group thing)
Genre- Darkish Contemporary Hockey Romance (Open Door)
HEA/HFN - Yes
POV - Third Person (Multiple Characters, Sometimes it changes mid chapter)
Series - Yes. Third and final Book of "Once upon a Time in Bridgeport" Series.
*Review*
This one may be my favourite from the series, maybe. It's a toss up between this and Tyler Hayes. I really loved all three MCs here. This one is by far the lightest and fluffiest one in the series. And just to be clear, that is only when comparing the books in this series. This is still a little darkish when it comes to some themes and scenes.
I still don't like Amara, which is ironic because I had no problems with her when she was making questionable decisions in the first book. But her decisions in the second novel (where she was a minor character) were what put me off her, and this book (she had been dead for 5 years by this point) did not change that perception. She might have been a good mom, friend and wife. But she definitely wasn't the selfless person that everyone(in the books) thinks she is. But that's not the point of this book. (Sorry about the tangent)
Audrey, in comparison is a saint. Although she is in a similar situation, she is a genuinely nice person and does not do morally reprehensible things despite having her boat load of traumas. She seems to actually be a grown up with decision making capabilities. JT, despite his own trauma and anger issues is a good person and tries to do right by the people he cares about. And in a full circle moment, the youngest person here, Ryker is the most stable and put together out of the three.
P.S. I follow the Montessori method, so my reviews are based on completion without ratings. If I didn’t like a book, I probably wouldn’t finish it and hence won’t review it.
September 19, 2024
5⭐️ & 1.5🌶️
Once Upon a Time in Bridgeport comes to an end and I’m emotional.
In the third book, you get to meet JT, Amara’s son.
I connected with his character because I used to have so much anger inside—that’s what loss does to you sometimes.
He meets Aud (way older than JT), who will tutor him so he improves his grades and can continue playing hockey, and Ryker (a 18 yo baby), his roommate. I won’t tell you much not to spoil the plot, but let’s say that Ryk is an astrophysics nerd and very very hot.🥵
This story walks you through loss, self worth, and the challenges of navigating polyamory.
It’s the second book I beta read for CH Maddington and I truly don’t see the point cause she doesn’t need a beta, maybe just a extra pair of eyes to proofread because she’s an amazing story teller and her writing is impeccable. Usually I can contribute spotting plot holes, timelines errors, inconsistent character development, issues with the pace…with CH Maddington? Nothing. By the time I pick up the document it literally could be the final printed book.
I can’t wait to see what she writes next!!!!
PS. I’d wished when I was in my 20s guys were like JT ❤️ Also, I wanna say hi to all the Auds out there, the ones who are kind and are such great advisors/listeners but are unable to truly see their worth and be kind to themselves.
Once Upon a Time in Bridgeport comes to an end and I’m emotional.
In the third book, you get to meet JT, Amara’s son.
I connected with his character because I used to have so much anger inside—that’s what loss does to you sometimes.
He meets Aud (way older than JT), who will tutor him so he improves his grades and can continue playing hockey, and Ryker (a 18 yo baby), his roommate. I won’t tell you much not to spoil the plot, but let’s say that Ryk is an astrophysics nerd and very very hot.🥵
This story walks you through loss, self worth, and the challenges of navigating polyamory.
It’s the second book I beta read for CH Maddington and I truly don’t see the point cause she doesn’t need a beta, maybe just a extra pair of eyes to proofread because she’s an amazing story teller and her writing is impeccable. Usually I can contribute spotting plot holes, timelines errors, inconsistent character development, issues with the pace…with CH Maddington? Nothing. By the time I pick up the document it literally could be the final printed book.
I can’t wait to see what she writes next!!!!
PS. I’d wished when I was in my 20s guys were like JT ❤️ Also, I wanna say hi to all the Auds out there, the ones who are kind and are such great advisors/listeners but are unable to truly see their worth and be kind to themselves.
October 13, 2024
This was exactly the ending to this series that I needed.
My heart was shattered at the end of the last book and I knew this one was also going to hurt. It did, but it also helped to mend it.
Poor JT broke my heart. I cried so hard for that kid. Both with his heartbreak, but also his trauma.
I liked the learning disability detail and him coming into his own and finding his true calling.
Watching Hayes and Ryan as dads was freaking awesome and seeing them as adults with adults struggles but also matured love after the last 2 books was healing.
I adored Ryker so much. He was the ride or die JT needed and seeing him come into his own was a joy.
Audrey’s struggles hit me close to home so were hard to read, but ultimately worth it.
The dynamic between those 3 was exactly the ending I needed to see.
This series is one that will stick with me for a very long time and will make me cry when I think about it for a while yet.
My heart was shattered at the end of the last book and I knew this one was also going to hurt. It did, but it also helped to mend it.
Poor JT broke my heart. I cried so hard for that kid. Both with his heartbreak, but also his trauma.
I liked the learning disability detail and him coming into his own and finding his true calling.
Watching Hayes and Ryan as dads was freaking awesome and seeing them as adults with adults struggles but also matured love after the last 2 books was healing.
I adored Ryker so much. He was the ride or die JT needed and seeing him come into his own was a joy.
Audrey’s struggles hit me close to home so were hard to read, but ultimately worth it.
The dynamic between those 3 was exactly the ending I needed to see.
This series is one that will stick with me for a very long time and will make me cry when I think about it for a while yet.
September 24, 2024
Finding JT DiMara is a fantastic ending to the Once Upon a Time in Bridgeport series. I will always be a Tyler Hayes girlie, but JT DiMara is such a relatable character for those who experience complex trauma in a different way than Tyler’s and Ryan’s stories. Each story brings a different view of how trauma impacts people, and I really appreciate that this author does not shy away from these difficult topics. On the surface, JT is just an angry kid who is mad at the world for his circumstances, but really he’s lost and confused and just wants to love and be loved. He wants a chance, but he builds walls to prove that he doesn’t actually deserve a chance until he meets Audrey and Ryker who truly see him and help him tear down years of trauma. Along the way we see glimpses of Ryan and Tyler’s lives as adults and see how they’ve grown but how they also continue to be impacted by their pasts. The implication is that JT is lost and needs saving, but ultimately the story is about JT finding himself. This story is beautifully written and is a beautiful goodbye to Bridgeport.
September 13, 2024
The growth C.H. Maddington has had since her debut novel is incredible. The way she writes is captivating. I’m pretty sure I have read all 3 of her books in a 24 hour period. Her character growth is unmatched.
If you are looking for an unconventional hockey series this is the one to take a chance on. They have to be ready in order but they are so good and you get to see the first MC’s all the way through the series.
C.H. You have wrecked me emotionally over and over again but there will never be a book of yours that I will not read. Perfection!
5/5 stars
2.5/5 spice
Your characters have such depth to them and it makes me love them even more. I cannot believe the series is over. I don’t want to say goodbye to these characters…
If you are looking for an unconventional hockey series this is the one to take a chance on. They have to be ready in order but they are so good and you get to see the first MC’s all the way through the series.
C.H. You have wrecked me emotionally over and over again but there will never be a book of yours that I will not read. Perfection!
5/5 stars
2.5/5 spice
Your characters have such depth to them and it makes me love them even more. I cannot believe the series is over. I don’t want to say goodbye to these characters…
September 24, 2024
CH Maddington knows how to take your heart, rip it out, piece it back together and make you melt into a puddle of goo😭
JT is a mouthy piece of work, sounds a lot like another hockey boy we all know and love from The Once Upon a Time in Bridgeport Series 😉, but he also has the ability to read people. He had to grow up way too fast and has immense trauma and anger issues as a result. The growth from page 1 to the end is amazing and the epilogue pulled everything together! I feel like I can leave this world behind and I’m not left wondering if I missed something. I’m a sucker for series where I get to “catch up” with past characters and CH does this amazingly well. You will want to slap JT and in the next sentence want to hug him!
JT is a mouthy piece of work, sounds a lot like another hockey boy we all know and love from The Once Upon a Time in Bridgeport Series 😉, but he also has the ability to read people. He had to grow up way too fast and has immense trauma and anger issues as a result. The growth from page 1 to the end is amazing and the epilogue pulled everything together! I feel like I can leave this world behind and I’m not left wondering if I missed something. I’m a sucker for series where I get to “catch up” with past characters and CH does this amazingly well. You will want to slap JT and in the next sentence want to hug him!
October 11, 2024
Oh JT so young and already been through so much. When I read the intro about JT getting close to one of his teammates AND Audrey Winston, his tutor, I figured this was going to be a male traid. Come to find out Audrey is an older female, I almost screamed with excitement. I have nothing against the guy on guy scenes, I read the 1st two books and enjoyed them. But if I’m being honest scenes with Amara were my favorite. So needless to say I was so happy to see an older female in the mix.
I loved the ups and downs and obstacles of everyday life the characters faced and enjoyed navigating life with JT while he found his passion.
My only complaint was how often JT said “like” it got a little on my nerves, but that was just his character speech I guess.
I loved the ups and downs and obstacles of everyday life the characters faced and enjoyed navigating life with JT while he found his passion.
My only complaint was how often JT said “like” it got a little on my nerves, but that was just his character speech I guess.
September 24, 2024
C.H. Maddington has done it again! Wow. What a sad—beautiful ending to the Once Upon a Time in Bridgeport series. First of all, the callbacks and parallels to the first two books were amazing. 100% full circle with that ending.
The themes of loss, finding yourself, anger issues and other struggles were perfectly tackled in this book. I lost track of how many times I teared up while reading JT’s journey, and it’s not easy for a book to make me cry! Truly a testament to how C.H. Maddington’s writing pulls you in and makes you feel a rollercoaster of emotions. This one’s definitely my favorite in the series !! A must read.
4-7-8 ♾️⭐️
The themes of loss, finding yourself, anger issues and other struggles were perfectly tackled in this book. I lost track of how many times I teared up while reading JT’s journey, and it’s not easy for a book to make me cry! Truly a testament to how C.H. Maddington’s writing pulls you in and makes you feel a rollercoaster of emotions. This one’s definitely my favorite in the series !! A must read.
4-7-8 ♾️⭐️
October 15, 2024
Great read! If you love hockey romance, the third and final installment of the Bridgeport series is perfect for you. It was sad to say goodbye to Ty, Ryan and JT for good but the finale was worth the wait. This book will give you all the feels, make you laugh and maybe cry. JT learning to love himself and discovering what truly makes him happy warmed my insides. Ryker will steal your heart and you’ll adore Audrey with her sass and protectiveness of JT. JT finally learns to let his walls down for the loves of his life. And of course your girl brought the spice in this one too! CH 5 stars on this one!
September 30, 2024
OHHHHHH my!!!! This book guys!!!
First, CH Maddington gets straight to the point with the spice! This book makes you cackle! Makes you tear up! Makes you happy! Makes you go through it all!
Loved seeing our boys Ryan and Hayes in their 40’s.
JT DiMara is the real MVP!!!! That boy needs the biggest hug!!!
What a good way to end the series!
Giving it INFINITY stars!
Spice 3
4-7-8
Thank you CH Maddington for giving me the opportunity to read Finding JT DiMara in advance!
First, CH Maddington gets straight to the point with the spice! This book makes you cackle! Makes you tear up! Makes you happy! Makes you go through it all!
Loved seeing our boys Ryan and Hayes in their 40’s.
JT DiMara is the real MVP!!!! That boy needs the biggest hug!!!
What a good way to end the series!
Giving it INFINITY stars!
Spice 3
4-7-8
Thank you CH Maddington for giving me the opportunity to read Finding JT DiMara in advance!
October 12, 2024
There’s something so special about a full-circle moment at the end of a series, and CH Maddington nailed it. This was such a sweet book about discovering yourself, and how it’s never too late to find your calling. Really excellent end to the series - it’s always fun to watch both the characters and authors grow and develop over the course of a series.
November 9, 2024
I liked this one, and I think it wrapped up the series pretty good. I would like to note that the growth here and catching up to Ryan and friends later on was pretty darn good. All in all, this was a good read and while I'm sad to leave Bridgeport, I'm happy that they all seemed to have gotten their proper HEA.
October 10, 2024
A satisfying end to the Bridgeport trilogy!! I so loved this series. C H Maddington has such a way with character development, story development and the spice is the icing on the cake!!! Completely fell in love with all these characters and their journeys! I’m sad it’s over 😪
September 25, 2024
O my god! The emotions this book put me through! It was beautiful to see everything come full circle! If you haven’t read these books i definitely recommend!
October 16, 2024
Oh my goodness, you guys! The last book in "Once Upon a Time in Bridgeport" is going to absolutely tug at your heartstrings and take you on an emotional rollercoaster you'll never forget! Seriously, it wraps up this amazing trilogy in the most perfect way possible. If I could just wipe my memory and dive back into this incredible story for the first time, I would jump at the chance! Trust me, it's a journey you'll want to be part of!
October 31, 2024
I can’t believe I have to say goodbye to this series. I’ve read all 3 of these as ARC’s and have loved them all. I get ragey mad, I cry, I swear at my book, but man do I fall deep for the characters. They aren’t your typical hockey romances so please be sure to check all trigger warnings!
The mouthy little punk I couldn’t help but love! The excitement I had for this book was beyond words. Jt had a rough go of things as a child and obviously has a unique way of acting out. He falls fast and hard for not 1 but 2 people. Both of whom have their own battles and bring so much to the table. The dynamic of these 3 was special. They all cared so much and struggled in their own ways.
The mouthy little punk I couldn’t help but love! The excitement I had for this book was beyond words. Jt had a rough go of things as a child and obviously has a unique way of acting out. He falls fast and hard for not 1 but 2 people. Both of whom have their own battles and bring so much to the table. The dynamic of these 3 was special. They all cared so much and struggled in their own ways.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews