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In Every Universe

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Zacky Porter had a lump on the back of his head, a concussion the size of the sun and…three years of missing memories. Well, they weren’t missing exactly. He just had three years of memories from a different version of his life. One where he quit hockey after Cameron Vesper, his liney and eventual husband, sustained a career ending injury. He had a nice life outside of Toronto post-hockey. He was going to be a gym teacher.

Now, he was in a strange apartment in Texas, and Cameron was telling him that they not only were not married and had never been romantic, they were still playing hockey. Cameron and Zacky were playing on the same line in the NHL.

Cameron Vesper would do anything for his best friend, including nurse him back to health after hitting his head hard on the ice. But Zacky didn’t just have normal concussion symptoms. He was convinced he’d lived a parallel life, where the two of them were both retired and married. Cameron couldn’t stop thinking about the two of them being married. He could picture it.

But as Cameron warmed up to the idea of their friendship becoming something more, Zacky became more determined to leave him behind and get back to his own universe. To his actual husband. Their friendship had always been simple, straightforward, steadfast. Now it was something neither of them recognized.
In Every Universe is a friends-to-lovers MM standalone romance novel with an amnesia plot and an HEA.

224 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 19, 2024

45 people are currently reading
243 people want to read

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Hannah Henry

19 books96 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
Profile Image for Jamie.
779 reviews123 followers
November 20, 2024
I am so disappointed because I was really looking forward to this book. Its not often I make a point to read a book the day it is released, but I did with this one because it just sounded so good.
The blurb mentions amnesia and also waking up in a parallel universe. I was really excited for some type of sci-fi/paranormal love story about waking up in an alternate universe and trying to find your love.

But - that isn't what happened and the parallel universe is barely touched on. Zacky wakes up with memories of three years from a "parallel universe" and no memories of this last three years, and no one ever questions it, everyone accepts it so easily. Zacky never freaks out and tries to test theories about the universe. He never tries to see if there are things he knows that are only possible to know if he really is from another universe. He never even does a google search about the school he remembers working at. There is really nothing about the alternate universe in the book, its such a non-factor. And the blurb even says that he gets desperate to return to his original universe, but that never happens at all in the book. He never questions or tries to get back. And Cameron just accepts it like "you're from another universe, ok cool." And the NHL isn't concerned about letting someone with significant memory loss play hockey. No teammates question it.

The romance itself was meh, but I was honestly too disappointed about the amnesia/alternate universe part that I barely gave it much thought.

Sorry this is turning into a rant. And I should have known, knowing this author is known for her short and sweet low angst books- but I still was let down. I'm now desperate for a "trapped in another universe" romance novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sarah.
992 reviews87 followers
November 21, 2024
For a book about a parallel universe this is painfully one dimensional. There was so much potential and the blurb promised a lot but the story didn’t deliver. Extremely low angst amnesia/alternative universe trope. There was very minimal depth to the plot, to the characters and to the romance. Zacky also cried a lot. About 13 times.

Despite all that crying this is the most lowest angst story I’ve read with that kind of premise. Zacky and Cameron don’t question anything about the alternate universe thing, they just accept it. They don’t think to seek medical help, they just accept it. The team, their friend and family, everyone just accepts his memory loss and their relationship and them suddenly being gay and together as NHL players. Zacky is totally cool with suddenly waking up gay and Cameron who identified as totally straight the day before jumps straight into spooning and forehead kisses like a pig in mud. Everything is super easy and sweet.

Skimmed from 60%, probably would have dnf’d if wasn’t buddy reading with a friend.

Profile Image for martina (the life of a chaotic reader).
772 reviews414 followers
November 21, 2024
maybe it’s my fault but i wanted way more angst. dude has another set of memories and it’s kind of a non issue????? i would freak the fuck out. like i genuinely don’t get how it isn’t a huge problem for everyone
Profile Image for The Secret Librarian.
683 reviews99 followers
November 24, 2024
Rating: 4
Steam: 2
PoV: dual, 3rd person
Genre: sports romance, MM
Tropes / tags: friends to lovers, sexual discovery, amnesia

I was super intrigued by the premise of this story, and while it wasn't fully what I expected, it still ended up being an adorable and enjoyable read!

Zacky and Cam's friendship was very precious, I loved how touchy-feely and affectionate they were, and it was clear that they cared deeply for each other. My heart hurt so much for Zacky at first, his confusion at waking up and not being married to Cam, and the way he missed his husband while technically living with the same person. His confusion and feelings were well written and I really felt for him, being thrown into a life he couldn't remember the last three years of.

Cam was great with everything going on though, he was very supportive and quickly adjusted to Zacky's need for touch and comfort while healing. Them going from best friends and roommates to lovers felt like a natural progression, starting with sleeping in the same bed and Cam slowly starting to realise he might feel more for Zacky. Zacky was initially a little cautious, considering everything going on, and also not wanting to get hurt since he'd been pining for Cam for years.

While I enjoyed the story, I thought it was a bit odd how quickly Cam accepted the part with the alternative universe, and I wish there was a bit more depth to that plot. It felt a bit too shallow with everything going on, and I wouldn't have minded getting a bit more insight to their relationship and future - the ending was a little too abrupt for my liking.

In Every Universe was definitely an interesting and unique story, and these guys had me smiling a lot while reading! If you're looking for a sweet romance with low angst, hockey players and best friends to lovers that's not like something else you've read, I recommend checking this one out!

-
Thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for the opportunity to read and review this book. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Profile Image for Alexis.
816 reviews23 followers
November 7, 2024
omggggg get ready for an incoherent review because there’s no way I can be normal about this book.

This was simply put, beautiful. The way that Zacky and Cameron loved each other was so pure and unconditional. There was never for one moment where Cameron didn’t believe Zacky about his other life. It was real to Zacky and that was enough for it to be taken seriously. I loved how Zacky was allowed to be emotional. I think he cried like at least 5 times and each time was met with such comfort from Cameron. He never let Zacky feel like he was alone in this really scary situation.

“You found our house, too. In my world. My Cameron.” 
“Zacky Porters need to be taken care of,” Cameron said. At this point, Zacky knew Cameron took that seriously.


The progression from friends to lovers was seamless. Mostly because they were basically dating already only without the sex. Cameron and Zacky knew each other in a way that was more than just friendship. They were so intertwined with each other, Cameron realizing that he felt more for Zacky barely registered as being surprising. It was more of an “ah ha” moment for him which I just thought was very nice.

I also like that Cameron respected other Cameron. Zacky was grieving the loss of his other life while also falling for this universes Cameron and it was done really nicely of allowing Zacky to have all these big feelings and not actually take away from the romance that was blossoming or the friendship to lovers transition.

Cameron calling Zacky “Zachary” during sex also just itched something in my brain I don’t know how to explain it but it worked for me.

Also ima need 100k of the Zacky and Cameron in the other universe pls and thank you

“How do you know the exact right thing to say constantly?”
“I am very, very good at loving Zachary Porter. It is my life’s work.”
Profile Image for Book Binge: Reviews by Melissa DaSilva.
934 reviews91 followers
November 8, 2024
3.5 stars. When I read the blurb for this story I was so intrigued I knew I wanted to read it ASAP. My friend started it and was super excited about it so I couldn’t wait. The concept and beginning of the story was so cool.

My heart hurt so much for Zacky upon awakening from his concussion. I could not imagine how that would feel! One thing I appreciated about Cameron is how he believed Zacky completely. He never made him feel bad and even asked him about “husband” Cameron and their life together. He was always totally supportive.

Overall I really enjoyed the first say 80% of the story. Even the end was fine too but I wanted more! I wanted total confirmation if this was an alternate universe or not. I wanted more discussion on them retiring and wanting kids. Seemed like some things stayed as is in the universe and others changed completely to match the other universe but we never really knew why.

If you are looking for a story with a cool concept that doesn’t deep dive into it and has everything pretty surface level then I recommend (and you don’t mind medical inaccuracies which the author does mention before the story as well). This is my first book by this author but I would probably try another one.
Profile Image for Maya Jean.
Author 8 books94 followers
October 29, 2024
I am extraordinarily lucky that I received an arc of this beyond special book. Hannah is a go to for many readers when it comes to sweet, soft, and low angst love stories. Now she has taken her trademark sweetness and applied it to the well loved amnesia trope but with a delightful, heart wrecking spin.

I loved both Cameron and Zacky from the start. Who can’t get behind best friends and teammates to lovers? The way Cameron treated Zacky was beautiful and tugged at all my heart strings. And sweet, sad Zacky that so desperately just missed the Cameron that is gone in the new world he’s woken up in. Their journey is beautiful and made me smile, made me laugh, made me tear up, and most importantly made me root so deeply for their happy ending.

I think this book is for the true romance fans. Those that want to believe that our person is our person In Every Universe. Because I truly know that Zacky and Cameron will find another always, and that in and of itself is why I read romances, to be reminded that love will always find me if only I leave the door open.

And yeah. If Zacky was a fish, Cameron would be a fish right along with him.
Profile Image for Precious.
156 reviews5 followers
November 6, 2024
And yeah. If Zacky was a fish, Cameron would be a fish right along with him. They would be CameronandZacky in every universe.

Throw in amnesia, touchy besties and an alternate universe and you get one heck of a story.

Zacky hits his head on the ice and get amnesia. During this occurrence, he gets switched with a Zacky from another universe. When he wakes up, new Zacky is confused but thanks to Cameroon, his best friend, but also husband in the other universe, he is able to accept his circumstances, regardless of it being a tough pill to swallow.

This notebook was the last thing he had preserving the Cameron he left behind. But the Cameron he was with now deserved to be written down and kept too.

At first I thought that Zacky really had amnesia and because of the hit to his head his memories got all jumbled up, creating new memories. But as the story progressed it turns out Zacky was actually not from there. So, it felt like he was cheating on his husband but at the same time he wasn't. I enjoyed that mind trick, though self-inflicted.

“You are such a good man, Cameron Vesper.”

“Only for you.”

“No. You’re good to everyone. But I get to benefit from it the most. And I am so fucking lucky for it.”

Zacky is sweet. Shame, the inner turmoil he was experiencing was sad to see. He felt guilt but at the same time, rightness when it came to loving Cameroon who wasn't his husband. There were many instances where I just wanted to give him a hug. Being in a different universe alone coupled with a head injury must have been horrible but luckily he had Cameroon who was ready to help, to listen and to love him.

Cameroon is so perfect. He is so patient and open to new experiences as long as it has Zacky in it. He is in deep. The love he has for Zacky, at first "platonic", then romantic wasn't different at all. He was still crazy about his best friend the same amount as he was before going out with him. I personally loved how he was open to hearing Zacky's alternate universe story/reality and how there wasn't any hesitance in believing in him. But, man, I felt for him when his thoughts took a slightly dark turn.

In any case, if you are looking for a low angst, quick read with touchy obsessed best friends who live together and can't function without each other, with a hint of water sports (the actual activity) then what are you waiting for?
Profile Image for Jordan Fischer | julietfoxreads.
688 reviews156 followers
July 16, 2025
Recently I was asked what my perfect book would look like, in terms of genre, tropes, stuff like that. And I wrote up a little paragraph saying that it would be an mm romance involving time travel, hockey, caretaking (preferably with soup), friends to lovers with soulmates vibes... and maybe a surprise werewolf. I then had a few people slip into my DMS to recommend In Every Universe, saying that it fit quite a few of these tropes. Y'ALL. It's LIKE HANNAH HENRY WROTE MY PERFECT BOOK. While there are not surprise werewolves, and it involves parallel universes rather than actual time travel, it is otherwise eerily perfect and I am OBSESSED. It's angsty but hopeful, sweet with the perfect amount of spice, and I DEVOURED IT. If you want to know what the perfect Jordan book is - HIGHLY recommend checking this one out.

Cameron and Zacky were EVERYTHING. The story revolves around the fact that Zacky wakes up after getting a concussion with three years of memories from a totally different life. In that life, he's married to his best friend Cameron - but in his present, he and Cameron are "just" VERY codependent best friends. While Cameron accepts the situation immediately, he and Zacky have never been more than friends, so he has to watch Zacky as he mourns the life he lost. Despite all this, Cameron is INCREDIBLE. There is SO much caretaking (including a soup scene), so many sweet moments, you'd forget that these men AREN'T in love - which leads Cameron to start wondering if maybe he actually IS in love with Zacky. And while Zacky struggles with his new reality, it quickly becomes obvious that they really are meant to be together no matter what timeline they are on. Total soulmates vibes - I EAT THIS STUFF UP Y'ALL.

If you are looking for an unconventional hockey romance or if you want a primer on what my ideal book is (minus werewolves), you need to read In Every Universe. I'm SO excited I found this book and a new favorite author, THANK YOU to everyone who recommended it to me!
Profile Image for Jenni.
115 reviews14 followers
November 20, 2024
I swear I’ve never met a Hannah Henry book I haven’t loved and oh wow, this one is a top tier pick.

I was a bit hesitant going in, having not read many amnesia tropes or alternative universe, but it far exceeded my expectations. I laughed. I cried. I wanted so much more of them. They’re perfect.

Zacky wakes up after a concussion and everything is wrong. He’s in an unknown bed, his husband isn’t next to him, and everything is different. He goes into the kitchen to find his husband cooking. But there are no wedding rings. They’re not married in this universe, just best friends and platonic soulmates. They’re still playing hockey, they’ve even made it to the NHL now. But when he went to sleep he was married to his best friend, living in their house, with their hockey careers behind them.

We get to see from both Cameron’s and Zacky’s view as they navigate this new life. One that includes hockey for Zacky, but at the loss of his husband. Having to grieve in a way when his husband is in front of him, but off limits. That the life he built for the last 3 years doesn’t exist anymore.

I adored this book and it kept me hooked the entire time. Highly recommend for everyone. A perfect soulmate romance, a hockey romance, a grieving story and a hopeful, falling in love story.

They would be CameronandZacky in every universe.
Profile Image for Joyfully Jay.
9,022 reviews515 followers
December 2, 2024
A Joyfully Jay review.

3 stars


The plot here sounded amazing and I couldn’t wait to learn more about the situation that Zacky and Cameron find themselves in. Zacky has lost three years of memories and his life now is not what he thought. He and Cameron are still best friends and people always think they are together, but in this universe, they are platonic roommates. And…. that’s the story.

Their relationship and this book never took off for me. First, Zacky has to orient himself to this new life. Then, he has to let Cameron know about his memories and they have to figure out who else to tell. Then, Cameron wonders if maybe they should be together. The story didn’t feel grounded to me at all. As Cameron and Zacky reevaluated their relationship once again, it felt unnatural and forced due to their circumstances. The story almost felt too slow and incredibly rushed all at the same time.

Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
Profile Image for Shawna (endemictoearth).
2,324 reviews33 followers
November 19, 2024
4.5 stars, rounding up - This was a really sweet and swoony book. I think the choice to have Cameron just absolutely accept Zacky's insistence that his memories are real for him was fantastic, and I did end up believing that these two would find each other and end up together in every universe.

I did briefly wish we'd gotten more with Cameron confronting his family, but I quickly forgot that as I got swept back into the main story. Also, I am skeptical of a lot of epilogues, but this one was perfect. Appropriately placed in the future, short, to the point, involving no side characters getting set up for their own books, and not necessary for the HEA. And, as a result, I was happy to read it and savor a bit more time with these two.

Hannah Henry is quickly becoming an author I want to read on (or before) release day. (Thanks to GRR for the advanced review copy!)
Profile Image for Bess.
282 reviews8 followers
November 21, 2024
I really enjoyed this! Hannah Henry has grown on me a lot with every book I've read, and I love the premise of this book. There were a couple of tiny writing quirks that were not my cup of tea (constantly repeating both MC's names, sometimes Zacky would be written a dozen times in a couple of paragraphs), but the story was so sweet and different from other amnesia trope books that I've read in the past. I liked that the couple slipped into the relationship and there wasn't some dramatic overnight change. It was also nice to see how loving and respectful Cameron was toward Zacky about the alternate universe that he was dreaming of before "waking up" in this one. I cannot wait to read more books from Hannah, and I'm hoping to see more in this universe even though this seems to be a standalone!
Profile Image for Maggie.
331 reviews10 followers
November 3, 2024
HANNAH FREAKIN HENRY!!!

the thing about me is that i’m a hannah henry fan!! i’ve read, and loved, all of her books, but this is by far her best! i’m usually a hater of amnesia storylines but this was done PERFECTLY. zacky & cameron fit so well, both as best friends & as partners. their story was so heartbreakingly beautiful

i have nothing else important to say except i hope everyone reads this <333

thank you hannah for the arc!!
177 reviews1 follower
November 21, 2024
I liked this book and am rounding up from 3.5 stars. It is very sweet and perfect for someone like me who wakes up in the night with anxiety. But I was really disappointed in the ending. I felt like when this idea of thinking you are from an alternate universe after a head injury is brought up, it needs a little more resolution than oh well, now I’m here and life is good. I kept going to see what that resolution would be and it just wasn’t.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lea Branov.
611 reviews14 followers
November 7, 2024
4.75*

I’ve read a few books with the amnesia trope but I’ve never read one quite like this. I really enjoyed it! I loved the idea of there being an alternate universe being brought in to the amnesia trope. I thought that was very creative. Zachy and Cameron were super cute and I loved how they worked through their situation and developed their relationship. This was super sweet and emotional and it’s definitely my new favourite Hannah Henry book.
Profile Image for F..
Author 5 books28 followers
November 11, 2024
This was very sweet but a little confusing at times. I still don't know if the alternative universe was a real thing or just the head injury talking.
Bit repetitive also, mostly in the first half.
To be a sport romance, the hockey felt kinda unnecessary too lol

*I was given an ARC for my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Amy Malek Concepcion.
1,486 reviews70 followers
November 21, 2024
In Every Universe

3.5 stars

I enjoyed this storyline but I couldn’t get over the name Zacky. To me it sounds too much like a name for a 5 year old, not a grown man. And since it’s written in third person, his name appears like 1000 times. Especially in the spicy scenes- it was too distracting. I know that’s mostly a me thing so hopefully others will enjoy this book more.
Profile Image for verlorenimbuecherregal.
278 reviews26 followers
April 21, 2025
Sweet & short friends to lovers story with a gorgeous basic setting!

The base setting, with one friend losing his memories about the last three years in a hockey accident and remembering a life where he is married to his best friend and roommate instead, is drop down gorgeous. Medical accuracy or dipping into fantasy waters aside, I've loved the setting.
Through this, you have an almost basic grief trope, because Zacky lost his planned life with Cameron, and now being back to being just friends with the other world's straight Cameron isn't easy at all. But there's the twist - Cameron still exists in arm's reach, so it's neither a classic grieving setting nor a Second Chance trope. That's really outstanding in the otherwise quite oversaturated MM romance genre. I've liked Zacky and Cameron as main characters, but they were a bit pale - I don't really remember their character traits minutes after finishing reading. But 200 pages are quite short to really dive into a setting, so it's just a logical consequence that neither the main nor the side characters were really elaborated. But that's fine, because that is - in my eyes - not needed to have a good, short time reading a cute friends to lovers story. Not every book needs to be 400 pages and have you crying every 10 pages.

The writing style was fluent, especially for it being third person, what is usually not my cup of tea. Hockey as main setting was also really interesting with this premise, because Zacky also lost his memories to starting playing hockey professionally, and I really liked this twist beside the romance.

I also liked some of the more philosophical takes about the whole parallel universe thing! Overall a sweet friends to lovers story!
Profile Image for Capreacula.
298 reviews
July 18, 2025
A gentle story - I loved it!

The premise is great - Zacky wakes up with a nightmare of a headache, only to learn that he's not a PE teacher anymore, living with his ex-hockey player husband Caneron in the GTA anymore. But that instead both of them are still active players in the NHL and he got a severe concussion. He's lost his life as he used to have it in the one universe and in the other universe, he's lost his memories and his husbsnd is no longer his husband, but his platonic best friend since childhood.
It's a great premise, executed brilliantly.
The pace is sedate - as one would expect in dealing with a concussed guy. But that's just the right pace - it takes time for them both to process everything, to heal, to come to grips with their new reality, and for Cameron to realize how he himself feels about the shifted dynamic of their friendship.
I f*cking LOVE when stories incorporate the every day life details and here it's an important part of the story. And don't get me started on the intimate scenes. Swooooon.
Profile Image for Caroline  Griffith.
242 reviews6 followers
November 12, 2024
Wow, just wow! This was such an unexpected story and so well done. I have only read one another book with an amnesia element to it and while I loved it, the experience with amnesia was cut and dry but Zacky and Cameron have many obstacles to overcome and it is so beautiful to watch them evolve in this universe.

Zacky and Cameron play hockey together and have been best friends from their first encounters with one another. They come from wildly different families who are supportive but one is unconditionally and the other is very conditional. Zacky is hurt in a game and it comes with an extreme consequence, an amnesia but he's sure of who he is, what he does and who he loves, however in this universe none of that is true, in fact it couldn't be further from the truth. In this universe he plays hockey and he's a single gay man and has a best friend named Cameron. In his universe, he's working toward his education degree to be a gym teacher, he lives, loves and is married to Cameron and he gave up hockey for his husband.

Cameron is thrown for an absolute loop when his best friend wakes up not only thinking they don't play hockey anymore but they are not only married, they've been together for years and have an extremely active sex life together. However Cameron is straight and while he loves his best friend he doesn't think he's in love with Zacky. However as we watch Cameron's actions unfold throughout caring for Zacky, this is love far beyond friendship.

Both men have a difficult time coming to grips with the present universe. Zacky doesn't understand a world in which he doesn't have all of Cameron all the time and how over the last 3 years they have had amazing accomplishments together they he cannot remember. Cameron is having a hard time understanding this evolved relationship with Zacky and that their life is so unbelievably different over the last 3 years so much so that neither man plays hockey.

As Zacky is recovering in Cameron's home, they are relearning each other, likes and dislikes and eventually what it would mean to be together fully as a couple. While being mindful of Zacky's condition they explore what it would mean to move beyond friendship and beyond the assumption that Cameron is straight. He connects with Zacky like no one else and it's truly only natural that they would evolve into these new roles. Zacky struggles with this Cameron but soon realizes that any Cameron is a perfect Cameron for him. Cameron struggles that he doesn't have the same relationship with this Zacky as he's not the husband that he knows and loves. But he loves this Zacky and in if in every universe there's love between them, they will be okay.

This was a seriously beautiful story and loved these guys so much. When they get together their connection is strong and hot but full of depth. Zacky and Cameron embody everlasting love that transcends time and space. We were even given a bonus look into their married life and truly if that was fleshed out to a longer story I would definitely read it because Zacky and Cameron are end game no matter their life and it's circumstances.
Profile Image for NitaBee.
220 reviews22 followers
November 17, 2024
Ooh I do love a good amnesia plot so I’m excited to read this, especially with the alternate universe twist. I haven’t read from this author before.

What would you do if you woke up in alternate universe? Where your husband is not your husband but your straight best friend.

Zacky wakes up from a concussion and is confused because Cameron isn’t his husband and his life is not what he remembers.

Cameron or other Cameron as Zacky thinks of him as, is his straight best friend / room mate.

Zacky tries to navigate life after waking up but is feeling intense grief and missing his husband . He’s not sure how to wake up from this head injury or how to get back home. My heart aches for poor Zacky.

“However, the rules were different when the man you were hugging, who looked, acted, smelled, and sounded exactly like your husband, was actually your platonic best friend from a parallel universe. Not that he was clear on what those rules were. He let Cameron go. “

Cameron and Zacky friendship is honestly dating without the fucking. Everyone teases and assumes that they are in a secret relationship. They are very close and now with Zacky suffering from amnesia they are becoming even closer.

“He was married. And if that didn’t count right now, then he was in an unhealthy codependent friendship, which meant his heart wasn’t exactly accepting new applicants. Only hockey players named Cameron Orion Vesper.”

They are super cute together, Cameron is so supportive of Zacky’s other timeline memories - he even tries to rationalise it. Honestly, it must be because Cameron put himself in the straight category that they aren’t married in this timeline. Cameron is coming to some self realisations now with Zacky’s amnesia.

“He’d like to touch Zacky’s dick now. Fuck. Did that come out of nowhere or had it been there for a while? He loved the feeling of being close to Zacky, and he loved making him feel good. He loved taking care of him. Making Zacky come was a different way to accomplish those goals.”

Cameron and Zacky start a emotionally complicated relationship. There’s love but Zacky is also in love with alternate universe husband Cameron. Zacky has 3 years of very detailed memories that make even me question if he isn’t really from another time space continuum.

“Cameron was doing a delicate dance of falling in love with someone who was grieving…him.

It was hard to know that the person he loved looked at him and saw…him of course. And also someone else. “

I gave this book 4 stars because although I enjoyed it I felt the ending was a bit abrupt. It’s a HEA ending, don’t worry. I was enjoying reading it and couldn’t put it down but I had questions/ observations and I thought the ending could’ve had something more. Would I recommend this book? Yes, definitely. It’s sweet and I really loved the concept of finding the one in whatever universe / timeline you’re in.

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Abigail Beckwith.
1,608 reviews
November 20, 2024
I had caught up with all of my ARCs, requested a toooon more, and proceeded to avoid them. Oops. Here's Hannah Henry's "In Every Universe."

["Zacky Porter had a lump on the back of his head, a concussion the size of the sun and…three years of missing memories. Well, they weren’t missing exactly. He just had three years of memories from a different version of his life. One where he quit hockey after Cameron Vesper, his liney and eventual husband, sustained a career ending injury. He had a nice life outside of Toronto post-hockey. He was going to be a gym teacher.

Now, he was in a strange apartment in Texas, and Cameron was telling him that they not only were not married and had never been romantic, they were still playing hockey. Cameron and Zacky were playing on the same line in the NHL.

Cameron Vesper would do anything for his best friend, including nurse him back to health after hitting his head hard on the ice. But Zacky didn’t just have normal concussion symptoms. He was convinced he’d lived a parallel life, where the two of them were both retired and married. Cameron couldn’t stop thinking about the two of them being married. He could picture it.

But as Cameron warmed up to the idea of their friendship becoming something more, Zacky became more determined to leave him behind and get back to his own universe. To his actual husband. Their friendship had always been simple, straightforward, steadfast. Now it was something neither of them recognized."]

This book was a glorious combination of heart-aching and beautifully sweet annnd filled with promise and hope. It was hard, for both of them, living in this "new" universe, but it gave them another way to bond, grow, and deepen their relationship.

And sad. This book was soooooooo sad. Zacky kept comparing this Cameron to his Cameron, and Cameron kept reevaluating his life and how their friendship wasn't like normal friendships. I cried..quite a few times.

It wasn't easy. Nothing just switched back or clicked into place. It was a lot of healing and pining and angst. But CameronandZacky realized that they're "it" for each other in every universe.

This book isn't like any amnesia story I've read before (and as the author said, this isn't how head injuries go, or should be treated), but it was amazing and wonderful in such a Hallmark kinda way. And I looooove how these two loved each other through each and every universe.

Trigger Warnings: head injury and aftermath

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Profile Image for Amanda Winter.
783 reviews22 followers
November 21, 2024
Wow...just wow!! I love anything by Hannah Henry and this was no exception. In Every Universe was such a beautifully unexpected story. The amnesia trope was new to me, and I loved watching Zacky and Cameron navigate their obstacles, evolving in a universe that challenges everything they thought they knew.

Zacky and Cameron, best friends and hockey teammates, come from very different families—one unconditionally supportive, the other far less so. When Zacky suffers a game injury resulting in amnesia, his memories don’t align with reality. In his mind, he’s a married man who left hockey to pursue an education degree and a life with his husband, Cameron. But in reality, Zacky is single, still plays hockey, and Cameron is his best friend—straight and very much not his spouse.

Cameron is stunned when Zacky wakes up believing they’re married and have shared years of intimacy. While Cameron initially sees their bond as purely platonic, his actions reveal a deeper love for Zacky, even as he struggles to reconcile his best friend’s altered reality with their current life.

The story dives deep into their evolving relationship as Zacky recovers at Cameron’s home. The two relearn each other—likes, dislikes, and what it means to move beyond friendship. Cameron begins questioning his own identity and feelings, while Zacky comes to terms with a Cameron who is both familiar and different from the one in his memories. Their journey is filled with tender moments, internal conflict, and an undeniable connection that transcends time and circumstance.

This was a stunning portrayal of love and resilience. Zacky and Cameron’s relationship is heartwarming, passionate, and rich with depth. Their bond proves that love, in any universe, will always find a way. If this was expanded into a longer story, I’d devour it without hesitation. Zacky and Cameron are truly endgame, no matter the challenges or timelines they face.
Profile Image for Claire Melanie.
523 reviews11 followers
November 17, 2024
The premise of this book is ludicrous and I am absolutely here for it. In Every Universe is the story of Zacky and Cameron. In one universe they’re happily married, and in another Zacky wakes up after a concussion to discover he doesn’t remember the last three years of playing professionally in the NHL and he and Cameron are not married.

As a reader who adores angst and pining, this book delivers and in a unique manner. Henry does a great job of conveying Zacky’s longing for his own universe Cameron and confusion about how to relate to the one in this world. I also loved the way Cameron was so careful and respectful of Zacky’s feelings while working through his own developing realisations about his feelings for his best friend.

Apart from the amnesia storyline, this is a conventional and tropey offering in a very satisfying fashion. There is a decent amount of tension created in not knowing whether married Zacky will be able to find his way back to his own universe. Other than that element, In Every Universe is a very sweet, joyful, and spicy (if predictable) read.

What didn’t really work for me was the length of the book – it could have easily been double the pages and I think that could have allowed for some more romantic speculation and further relationship development (both in terms of Zacky and Cameron but also for Zacky and the team). The length also meant the hockey elements were very light on – this falls more on the romance side of the spectrum, with the hockey very much in the background.

All in all, I enjoyed In Every Universe and would recommend it to other hockey romance fans.

3.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you to the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for ivanareadsalot.
774 reviews253 followers
November 21, 2024
I would like to thank GRR for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Ahhhh this was so good!! Super sad and achy and i definitely choked up a few times. poor sweet lovable Zachy woke up from a head injury only to discover that his beloved was now JUST his best friend, that they're NOT married and 3 years of his blissful life as husband to Cameron was NOT his present reality. I cry it hurt so hard!!

Cam was so supremely lovely and patient and such a comfort while Z navigated such a terrible loss!! I'm teary eyed rn just remembering! Henry's narrative was charming and tender at times, drawing me into Z's emotions and Cam's compassion and empathy. But it was also fun and warmhearted, especially when it came to the lighter stuff, hockey life and ofc their awesome teammates!

And even though they're 4th liners on a team from Texas, CameronandZacky were Ontario boys and i felt the maple love in this one for sure! Shout out to Toronto, Mississauga and Newmarket!! I love it when hockey romances bring it close to home!! Makes me feel all snuggly and seen!

The loving was hot hot hot, and because the intimacy was deeply rooted in abiding love and respect, i appreciated how it added meaningful dimension to their love story.

This is my first Hannah Henry but i thought In Every Universe was wonderful! Hockey romances are life, and i'm beyond gleeful that i've found another smushy author who can deliver the soft sweet achies with a generous helping of spicy spice and a heartwarming HEA. So happy her style of storytelling works for me because I've had her entire Delay of Game series for a while now, just waiting for me to get some ARC breathing room so i can gobble them all up in one shot! When i say "i can't wait", believe that!
Profile Image for Julia Toth.
398 reviews8 followers
November 19, 2024
This 200 page book wrecked me in the best ways(and also put me back together). I was not prepared for how emotional this will be and that I would be teary eyed/crying quite a bit.

Zacky suffers a concussion and wakes up remembering the last 3 years differently than his best friend Cameron. In Zacky's alternate universe they have been together for years and are not playing hockey, while also being married. They try to piece together their different memories of the last 3 years maybe also in hope that something will jog Zacky's memory, but that doesn't happen. In the end Zacky lets go of that other universe and goes all in on this one, because he has Cameron by his side and they're playing hockey in the NHL.

Every time Zacky was thinking about his other Cameron and longing for him I would have tears in my eyes. I really felt his longing and I loved that! I loved that Cameron started to slowly see Zacky in a different light, and also that some things that they have been doing for years kind of clicked into place for him. It was also sad to see Zacky have to let go of his other Cameron and also forget his other memories too, but he had this Cameron who was also his and wanted forever with him. As long as Zacky had Cameron(in any universe) things would be okay. I loved Cameron's caretaking a lot and enjoyed them together, you could really feel that they really knew each other.

So, if you want a shorter book that packs an emotional punch, but will put you back together and is also sweet and swoony, then this book is for you.

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Pontiki.
2,499 reviews9 followers
November 11, 2024
After a concussion while playing on his NHL team, Zacky wakes up thinking he’s married to Cameron, his best friend. He has a clear image of a whole life with Cam, which isn’t true, and he has to work through the loss while adjusting to getting back into hockey again.

Cameron will do anything for his best friend to help him get better. He listens to their married life, understands when Zacky is missing him as his husband, and cares for him as he’s healing physically.

Eventually, Cam begins to see his best friend in a new light, and once they kiss, their close relationship makes sense in a way Cameron never thought about.

No one is particularly surprised when they find out the boys are together, and Zacky starts letting go of the alternate life he remembers as his current one makes more sense, being with Cameron is all he needs in any universe.

This was an interesting premise, but the execution was a bit confusing, I wasn’t sure which universe was which at times in Zacky’s mind. I did like that he didn’t suddenly remember everything.

As well, There’s no reference to Cameron’s discovery of his bisexuality, and things went smoothly with the team and public knowing too, which rings false.

Lastly, with all that happened, I was surprised no therapy was mentioned. The journaling of the alternate life Zacky recalled was good, but it seems both he and Cameron fumbled through a lot with no guidance.

I received this ARC for free and am glad to provide my honest review with appreciation.
Profile Image for Lindsey.
484 reviews27 followers
November 16, 2024
I'm not even going to try to pretend that this book didn't make me fucking cry, because holy hell it 100% did.

I couldn't even IMAGINE the absolute heartbreak and grief you'd feel at knowing the universe you'd been living in, falling in love with someone and creating a life with, is no longer available to you and instead you're thrust into a different plane? Alternate plane? GOD.

The way Cameron fully stepped up and supported and believed Zachy the entire time though? God that was so perfect and wonderful. I loved how he believed him from the first moment to the end of the book and how he understood that while he *was* Cameron, there was also another him out there that his bestie had fallen in love with, and understood how heartbroken he was.

GOD the notebook though! And how Zachy started to lose his memories of the past. How they absolutely happened, but started to fade from his mind? Tears.

I adored how obsessed these two were and how seamless it was for them to slip from teammates, to friends, to lovers in Zachy's world, but also in the world Zachy and Cameron now share together.

It hurt so much to think about how much pain Alternate Universe (AU) Cameron would be in when he realized his husband was no longer his husband, and instead the Zachy then, just thought they were best friends. So, I was absolutely THRILLED when I saw that Hannah solved that issue by writing a tiny lil short showing what that universe looks like now. I'm so glad we got to see what AU Zachy thought of his best friend and how he absolutely gets the Cameron as well.
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