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Icing on the Cake
One’s a ball of sunshine. The other’s a cloudy day. When a missing hockey stick brings them together, it’s Icing on the Cake.
Gerard Gunnarson, the charming and outgoing right winger of the Berkeley Shore University’s hockey team, is used to being in the spotlight. With the mysterious Ice Queen—a blogger documenting his every move—and a legion of adoring fans, Gerard seems to have it all.
Elliot Montgomery, a grumpy and introverted student, prefers spending his days working in the campus library while everyone else is out in the world, having fun. His life is meticulously planned, with no room for sudden change. So, when Gerard skates in with all the finesse of a bull in a china shop, Elliot doesn’t know what to do or how to feel.
As Gerard and Elliot’s unlikely friendship blossoms into something more, Elliot must confront his own fears and insecurities, while Gerard must come to terms with his sexuality. With the Ice Queen’s all-seeing eye fixed on them, will their relationship even stand a scoring chance? Or will the intense scrutiny from their peers threaten to tear them apart?
Icing on the Cake is a campy, spicy MM grumpy/sunshine sports romance with a guaranteed HEA. While it is the first book in The Barracudas series, it can be read as a standalone.
Gerard Gunnarson, the charming and outgoing right winger of the Berkeley Shore University’s hockey team, is used to being in the spotlight. With the mysterious Ice Queen—a blogger documenting his every move—and a legion of adoring fans, Gerard seems to have it all.
Elliot Montgomery, a grumpy and introverted student, prefers spending his days working in the campus library while everyone else is out in the world, having fun. His life is meticulously planned, with no room for sudden change. So, when Gerard skates in with all the finesse of a bull in a china shop, Elliot doesn’t know what to do or how to feel.
As Gerard and Elliot’s unlikely friendship blossoms into something more, Elliot must confront his own fears and insecurities, while Gerard must come to terms with his sexuality. With the Ice Queen’s all-seeing eye fixed on them, will their relationship even stand a scoring chance? Or will the intense scrutiny from their peers threaten to tear them apart?
Icing on the Cake is a campy, spicy MM grumpy/sunshine sports romance with a guaranteed HEA. While it is the first book in The Barracudas series, it can be read as a standalone.
470 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 14, 2025
341 people are currently reading
945 people want to read
About the author
Christopher J. Brice
3 books66 followersChristopher J. Brice has always loved reading stories and creating his own. After many years of wanting to do so, he finally took the plunge and published a story that had been brewing in his mind for over ten years.
When Christopher is not writing or reading, he’s watching a lot of television and movies, indulging in his favorite foods, and enjoying time with friends, family, and the most adorable cat known to mankind.
When Christopher is not writing or reading, he’s watching a lot of television and movies, indulging in his favorite foods, and enjoying time with friends, family, and the most adorable cat known to mankind.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
January 18, 2025
Okay… I only got 7% into this ARC (thank you to the author, I apologize pls don’t read this DNF explanation) but this book already pissed me off way too many times:
- There are so many weird and unnecessary similes (ex: it clicked like a well-oiled gear)
- The longest description of this guy’s penis (Jesus H. Christ move on)
- The crunchy sock in Gerard’s room 🤢
- Gross sexist lines such as “breasts you could get lost between,” “hump-and-dump,” and my final straw was “I shriek like a girl”
I was very excited to read this but I can’t do it if the rest of the book is anything like the first 7%
- There are so many weird and unnecessary similes (ex: it clicked like a well-oiled gear)
- The longest description of this guy’s penis (Jesus H. Christ move on)
- The crunchy sock in Gerard’s room 🤢
- Gross sexist lines such as “breasts you could get lost between,” “hump-and-dump,” and my final straw was “I shriek like a girl”
I was very excited to read this but I can’t do it if the rest of the book is anything like the first 7%
Read
January 19, 2025I didn't finish this one so I won't leave a star rating but, donkey dick rhapsodizing aside....
There's a very creepy lawsuit baiting student at the uni whose blog routinely encourages other students to do unhinged things like...
'Feel free to drop in the comments your thoughts on Gerard’s ass, pictures you’ve sneakily taken of all the junk in his trunk, and your guesses for who’ll be the first to see what lies beneath. I would love it if we could all unite and share our love for Gerard’s plump rump.'
This is part of a whole blog post on how his ass looks in different clothing, btw.
But......BUT, get this. At first he's a little embarrassed, then he's okay with it and sends the anonymous blogger a thank you email(for appreciating the junk in his trunk) and ATTACHES A PIC OF HIS GIANT PEACH BUTT THAT'S DRIVING EVERYBODY ON CAMPUS WILD.
Soooo.....yay, I guess?
I didn't really understand Gerard. On one hand he's this shy hockey prodigy who happens to be a virgin and on the other he's the guy who thinks things like....
'When they see me, their nipples harden into tight nubs beneath their shirts.'
Lol. This guy has a really big head and I don't mean the dick one.
FYI his dick is 8½ inches. The author felt it was very important we knew what a big dick he had so it would be remiss of me not to include it in the review.
There's nothing offensive about this book and it was a slow burn, which I've been saying I want, but somehow it just didn't work for me.
Gerard had a tendency to go off on internal monologue tangents which at first I thought was the author's way of giving us additional info without it having to be delivered via conversation....but did we REALLY need to know about the crusty sock in his room from his prior masturbatory efforts?
I think not.
That aside, it wasn't just a Gerard issue. Elliot ALSO would go off on thought tangents. There are entire chapters that feel like internal monologues. There's soooooo much told about the side characters too and at a point it started to feel like an ensemble cast.
In summary, nothing wrong with the book but if I'm ALSO starting to go off on unrelated tangents while reading, it's time to close it.
DNF at 43%.
Got an ARC of this via BookSirens.
There's a very creepy lawsuit baiting student at the uni whose blog routinely encourages other students to do unhinged things like...
'Feel free to drop in the comments your thoughts on Gerard’s ass, pictures you’ve sneakily taken of all the junk in his trunk, and your guesses for who’ll be the first to see what lies beneath. I would love it if we could all unite and share our love for Gerard’s plump rump.'
This is part of a whole blog post on how his ass looks in different clothing, btw.
But......BUT, get this. At first he's a little embarrassed, then he's okay with it and sends the anonymous blogger a thank you email(for appreciating the junk in his trunk) and ATTACHES A PIC OF HIS GIANT PEACH BUTT THAT'S DRIVING EVERYBODY ON CAMPUS WILD.
Soooo.....yay, I guess?
I didn't really understand Gerard. On one hand he's this shy hockey prodigy who happens to be a virgin and on the other he's the guy who thinks things like....
'When they see me, their nipples harden into tight nubs beneath their shirts.'
Lol. This guy has a really big head and I don't mean the dick one.
FYI his dick is 8½ inches. The author felt it was very important we knew what a big dick he had so it would be remiss of me not to include it in the review.
There's nothing offensive about this book and it was a slow burn, which I've been saying I want, but somehow it just didn't work for me.
Gerard had a tendency to go off on internal monologue tangents which at first I thought was the author's way of giving us additional info without it having to be delivered via conversation....but did we REALLY need to know about the crusty sock in his room from his prior masturbatory efforts?
I think not.
That aside, it wasn't just a Gerard issue. Elliot ALSO would go off on thought tangents. There are entire chapters that feel like internal monologues. There's soooooo much told about the side characters too and at a point it started to feel like an ensemble cast.
In summary, nothing wrong with the book but if I'm ALSO starting to go off on unrelated tangents while reading, it's time to close it.
DNF at 43%.
Got an ARC of this via BookSirens.
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February 2, 2025
I won’t give a star yet but ya lost me at wanting to suck your own big toe 🫣😵💫
*edited* removing one star
After futher consideration, this book just wasn't for me. I think the overall storyline had potential, but it was weirdly constructed. Some aspects should've been longer, and some should've been shorter. I liked the 'Gossip Girl" vibe, but it didn't fit in with the actual story or the characters.
I usually don't have a problem with college romances, but for some reason this felt reallllllllly immature to me. Not sure if I'll continue the series.
*edited* removing one star
After futher consideration, this book just wasn't for me. I think the overall storyline had potential, but it was weirdly constructed. Some aspects should've been longer, and some should've been shorter. I liked the 'Gossip Girl" vibe, but it didn't fit in with the actual story or the characters.
I usually don't have a problem with college romances, but for some reason this felt reallllllllly immature to me. Not sure if I'll continue the series.
March 22, 2025
This book was obnoxious. Read these spoilers to save yourself some time.
Having an "adoption event" for kids where you just go in and pick one out really was the "icing on the cake" of stupid events (see #9 below).
Here is a list of additonal ridiculousness:
1) Pages and pages discussing penis size - just no.
2) Elliot cleans the bedroom and finds multiple spank socks, which he continues to hold throughout the whole conversation of how it isn't cleanly to have them sitting around the room.
3) Elliot constantly pleasures Gerard who almost never reciprocates. It's like because Elliot doesn't have a big penis the author didn't want to write about those scenes.
4) The noncussing. I'm over reading "fiddlesticks".
5) Gerard's parents knew all about Elliot being the boyfriend but they needed to surprise the 10 year old sister with the news and see her reaction to Gerard's "special friend". Why wouldn't the parents just share the news??
6) Gerard saying he "doesn't see skin color" is really like when white people say they don't see race, or more like they don't have to think about race.
7) The way in which Elliot being temporary unhoused, adopted, and Hispanic where shallow attempts at the author trying to create depth for this character without putting in any effort or expanding on any of these experiences.
8) Elliot never communicates with his mom throughout the entire story, but in the epilogue he uses Gerard's promise from the beginning of the book make Gerard hire mom as his personal assistant and Gerard buys Elliot's mom a house and car. This character doesn't even get a name.
9)The entire epilogue was garbage. Nothing is mentioned about Elliot's career, and only that he never wanted to move back go Boston, but he did (???). They literally walked into an "adoption party" and picked out a sad boy sitting in the corner like they would a puppy to take home. WTF. Also the only relationship with the boy, Gunnar Gunnerson, is with Gerard who he calls Daddy, and no mention of the relationship with Elliot and what he calls him, but luckily they got to adpot him when he was three because Elliot hates babies.
10) The Ice Queen blogger who just outs people in her blog, sexually exploits Gerard with comments on his body, which Gerard then embraces, but is mad and doesn't like that Elliot is targeted around the campus because of the blogger. If the ice queen is a friend of Gerard, then they are pretty shitty friend.
11) Gerard's dad just shares with Elliot how his and the Coach's wife use to watch them (Garard and the Coach) have sex when they were first married is not a plausible conversation, but just a way for the author to try and make this book exciting. Who shares with their son and son's boyfriend how the Coach of the hocky team has great dick-tugging hands?
It's like the author threw all different ingredients into this book; adoption, race, racism, outing someone's sexuality, orgys, online bullying, experiencing homelessness, and so many more concepts and decided that these things would make the book exciting.
Having an "adoption event" for kids where you just go in and pick one out really was the "icing on the cake" of stupid events (see #9 below).
Here is a list of additonal ridiculousness:
1) Pages and pages discussing penis size - just no.
2) Elliot cleans the bedroom and finds multiple spank socks, which he continues to hold throughout the whole conversation of how it isn't cleanly to have them sitting around the room.
3) Elliot constantly pleasures Gerard who almost never reciprocates. It's like because Elliot doesn't have a big penis the author didn't want to write about those scenes.
4) The noncussing. I'm over reading "fiddlesticks".
5) Gerard's parents knew all about Elliot being the boyfriend but they needed to surprise the 10 year old sister with the news and see her reaction to Gerard's "special friend". Why wouldn't the parents just share the news??
6) Gerard saying he "doesn't see skin color" is really like when white people say they don't see race, or more like they don't have to think about race.
7) The way in which Elliot being temporary unhoused, adopted, and Hispanic where shallow attempts at the author trying to create depth for this character without putting in any effort or expanding on any of these experiences.
8) Elliot never communicates with his mom throughout the entire story, but in the epilogue he uses Gerard's promise from the beginning of the book make Gerard hire mom as his personal assistant and Gerard buys Elliot's mom a house and car. This character doesn't even get a name.
9)The entire epilogue was garbage. Nothing is mentioned about Elliot's career, and only that he never wanted to move back go Boston, but he did (???). They literally walked into an "adoption party" and picked out a sad boy sitting in the corner like they would a puppy to take home. WTF. Also the only relationship with the boy, Gunnar Gunnerson, is with Gerard who he calls Daddy, and no mention of the relationship with Elliot and what he calls him, but luckily they got to adpot him when he was three because Elliot hates babies.
10) The Ice Queen blogger who just outs people in her blog, sexually exploits Gerard with comments on his body, which Gerard then embraces, but is mad and doesn't like that Elliot is targeted around the campus because of the blogger. If the ice queen is a friend of Gerard, then they are pretty shitty friend.
11) Gerard's dad just shares with Elliot how his and the Coach's wife use to watch them (Garard and the Coach) have sex when they were first married is not a plausible conversation, but just a way for the author to try and make this book exciting. Who shares with their son and son's boyfriend how the Coach of the hocky team has great dick-tugging hands?
It's like the author threw all different ingredients into this book; adoption, race, racism, outing someone's sexuality, orgys, online bullying, experiencing homelessness, and so many more concepts and decided that these things would make the book exciting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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February 15, 2025DNF 16%
These characters didn’t really exist, they don’t talk like this, and their internal monologues are both offensive and unrealistic.
Also, nobody’s ass is that amazing, and I really hope the author can, despite that, have someone at least moderately excited about his ass.
That said, at least this is a new simile.
“I watch Gerard walk away, and my eyes are immediately drawn to his ass. His hockey butt stretches the thin material of his athletic shorts to their limit. As he takes his first step down to the second floor, his cheeks quiver like two enormous bowls of jello being carried by a clumsy waiter.”
These characters didn’t really exist, they don’t talk like this, and their internal monologues are both offensive and unrealistic.
Also, nobody’s ass is that amazing, and I really hope the author can, despite that, have someone at least moderately excited about his ass.
That said, at least this is a new simile.
“I watch Gerard walk away, and my eyes are immediately drawn to his ass. His hockey butt stretches the thin material of his athletic shorts to their limit. As he takes his first step down to the second floor, his cheeks quiver like two enormous bowls of jello being carried by a clumsy waiter.”
August 15, 2025
“I wouldn’t trust a man with anything, even another man.” “male authors are so evil.” - my friends after I sent them quotes from the first 3% of this book.
Gerard’s an idiot, Elliott’s a jackass, and they’re both awful. The parts I did read were too full of sixth grade humor, with multiple pages detailing the size of this guy’s dick. Not to mention the casual misogyny. Icing on the Cake gives more casual porn than it does romance, as it makes everything sexual for absolutely no reason.
Just more evidence as to why I avoid male authors in the romance genre.
Gerard’s an idiot, Elliott’s a jackass, and they’re both awful. The parts I did read were too full of sixth grade humor, with multiple pages detailing the size of this guy’s dick. Not to mention the casual misogyny. Icing on the Cake gives more casual porn than it does romance, as it makes everything sexual for absolutely no reason.
Just more evidence as to why I avoid male authors in the romance genre.
January 18, 2025
What a phenomal debut. Honestly I loved these two guys. Gerard is peak golden retriever while Elliot is the grumpy kitty. I loved watching this unfold. This was a slow burn that did have some spicy scenes but you had to wait for them. They were worth it though. These two had a grip on my heart. Also who is the Ice Queen? I need to know.
February 16, 2025
Why would you sexualize someone so much on a blog meant for the whole college to read? Was it because itbwas a man's ass? I mean... imagine if the blog described a woman's ass in different clothing and that too in detail. It would cause a huge issue. I hated how dumb this whole book was.
March 14, 2025
??????? don’t read this lmao DNF 62% bc it was kind of cute but not everything needs to be explained with a stupid simile nor does an ass need 5 pages of explanation of how amazing it is
March 19, 2025
Weird
I only give one-star ratings to books that are unethical, plagiarized, or grammatically/technically unreadable. This was none of those but wow it was tough to read. The whole book I just kept thinking, “People don’t talk like this.” All of the dialogue was written in therapy speech and it just felt like all of the characters were constantly preaching at each other. And on a picky note, it seems the author didn’t bother to research anything to do with hockey or football because every detail having to do with either sport was lacking. A marching band for an NFL halftime show??? I literally wrote “lol wut” in my notes. Also, there what was with that weird, overtly sexual random text exchange between Jackson and Gerard? It went far beyond two friends joking around. Points for the first kiss being scored by Black Magic by Little Mix.
I only give one-star ratings to books that are unethical, plagiarized, or grammatically/technically unreadable. This was none of those but wow it was tough to read. The whole book I just kept thinking, “People don’t talk like this.” All of the dialogue was written in therapy speech and it just felt like all of the characters were constantly preaching at each other. And on a picky note, it seems the author didn’t bother to research anything to do with hockey or football because every detail having to do with either sport was lacking. A marching band for an NFL halftime show??? I literally wrote “lol wut” in my notes. Also, there what was with that weird, overtly sexual random text exchange between Jackson and Gerard? It went far beyond two friends joking around. Points for the first kiss being scored by Black Magic by Little Mix.
Read
February 6, 2025DNF'd. I really could not get into this book. The ick was purely because of the descriptions of the mmcs socks and room
Disclaimer: I do not rate DNF books. I only rate books I've read through the entire thing or at least 70%.
Disclaimer: I do not rate DNF books. I only rate books I've read through the entire thing or at least 70%.
February 11, 2025
Gerard Gunnarson, the charming hockey star at Berkeley Shore University, is used to the spotlight—especially with the mysterious Ice Queen documenting his every move. Elliot Montgomery, a quiet, introverted student, prefers a life of routine and solitude. But when their worlds collide, an unexpected friendship turns into something more. As Gerard and Elliot navigate their feelings under the watchful eye of their peers, they must face their own fears and insecurities. Will their relationship survive the pressure, or will it crumble under the scrutiny?
This book was my first ARC, and I’m so grateful to have been chosen! The characters really kept me hooked from start to finish. Their romance, friendships, and genuine care for one another—whether romantic, platonic, or as teammates—were beautifully written. I can’t wait to dive into the rest of the series and find out who the mysterious "Ice Queen" blogger is (I’ve got a few suspects in mind!). Overall, this book was amazing! The intimate scenes were chef’s kiss—perfect and definitely left me needing a few breaks to catch my breath. I highly recommend it, and it’s available on Friday, February 14th, 2025! #IcingOnTheCake #ChristopherJBrice #BookReview #FirstARC #NewRelease #RomanceBooks #HockeyRomance #BookRecommendations #RomanticFiction #FriendshipGoals #CharacterDevelopment #LGBTQReads #IceQueen #CollegeRomance #SportsRomance #Teammates #FallingInLove #SlowBurnRomance #ComingOutStory #MustReadBooks #Bookstagram #BookishLove #BookCommunity #RomanceBookRecommendations #ContemporaryRomance #BookObsessed #February2025Release #ReadingAddict #BookLoversUnite #ARCReview
This book was my first ARC, and I’m so grateful to have been chosen! The characters really kept me hooked from start to finish. Their romance, friendships, and genuine care for one another—whether romantic, platonic, or as teammates—were beautifully written. I can’t wait to dive into the rest of the series and find out who the mysterious "Ice Queen" blogger is (I’ve got a few suspects in mind!). Overall, this book was amazing! The intimate scenes were chef’s kiss—perfect and definitely left me needing a few breaks to catch my breath. I highly recommend it, and it’s available on Friday, February 14th, 2025! #IcingOnTheCake #ChristopherJBrice #BookReview #FirstARC #NewRelease #RomanceBooks #HockeyRomance #BookRecommendations #RomanticFiction #FriendshipGoals #CharacterDevelopment #LGBTQReads #IceQueen #CollegeRomance #SportsRomance #Teammates #FallingInLove #SlowBurnRomance #ComingOutStory #MustReadBooks #Bookstagram #BookishLove #BookCommunity #RomanceBookRecommendations #ContemporaryRomance #BookObsessed #February2025Release #ReadingAddict #BookLoversUnite #ARCReview
March 21, 2025
Oh boy, so first I tried to get as far as I could despite all of the glaring warning signs early on in the book to DNF. I will say I made it 30% through and it was 30% too far. First, the "sunshine" MC had absolutely no depth. He's a blond hockey player that can't swear, and makes stupid jokes with his 30 hockey housemates (no I'm not exaggerating there was a part that said he lived with that many people). Two, I had to sit through a long monologue of how the "grumpy" MC wants to rim the hockey player and possibly be bullied just to "feel alive". Third, let's talk about that blog! For one, posting pictures of someone's ass on a blog dedicated to said person will land you in trouble. And the fact that this is happening at a college where there's usually a no tolerance for this kind of stuff I have to wonder, why??? But what finally did me in was when the "sunshine" MC was having some private time with his hand and DECIDED TO READ AND EMAIL BACK SAID BLOG POSTER. All why doing that. Apologies for my ranting review but this book hit a lot of buttons.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2025
“Icing on the Cake” starts the Barracudas series with a sweet, slow-burn MM romance between a golden-retriever hockey player and a grumpy, bookish loner. Gerard, the star right winger of the Berkeley Shore University hockey team, is sunshine in skates — popular, loud, and always smiling. Elliot, on the other hand, is quiet, thoughtful, and perfectly content to fade into the background. When a case of mistaken identity (and a missing hockey stick) throws them together, they navigate unexpected attraction, personal insecurities, and the scrutiny of a mysterious campus gossip blogger, the Ice Queen.
There’s a lot to enjoy in this opposites-attract story: the campus vibes, the heartwarming moments, and the developing friendship-to-something-more arc. Gerard’s enthusiasm is contagious, and Elliot’s dry humor makes for some great moments of banter. That said, this book didn’t thoroughly sweep me off my feet. While the romance had its charming moments, the pacing felt uneven sometimes, and some scenes dragged more than needed. Though likable, the characters occasionally acted in frustrating or over-the-top ways. It took a while for their chemistry to click believably.
Still, this was a light and cozy read with a few standout moments. It’s a solid setup for what could be a fun series, and I’m looking forward to the next installment — especially if it gives more attention to supporting characters like Alex, who quietly stole the show for me. If you’re in the mood for a cute sports romance with some angst, fluff, and a dash of college gossip drama, Icing on the Cake may be your thing. -3 Stars!
There’s a lot to enjoy in this opposites-attract story: the campus vibes, the heartwarming moments, and the developing friendship-to-something-more arc. Gerard’s enthusiasm is contagious, and Elliot’s dry humor makes for some great moments of banter. That said, this book didn’t thoroughly sweep me off my feet. While the romance had its charming moments, the pacing felt uneven sometimes, and some scenes dragged more than needed. Though likable, the characters occasionally acted in frustrating or over-the-top ways. It took a while for their chemistry to click believably.
Still, this was a light and cozy read with a few standout moments. It’s a solid setup for what could be a fun series, and I’m looking forward to the next installment — especially if it gives more attention to supporting characters like Alex, who quietly stole the show for me. If you’re in the mood for a cute sports romance with some angst, fluff, and a dash of college gossip drama, Icing on the Cake may be your thing. -3 Stars!
April 6, 2025
Going to do a full review bc (I think) this is a debut novel!
SO many wonderful aspects in this one. I think the friendship to relationship pacing was done really well. I loved the friend group and side characters throughout the whole thing. And I thought the next books in the series have been set up well without taking away from our main characters in this one.
For being a lower angst college hockey romance, the book was a tad long for my liking. Some parts got a little hard to lock in to. There were a couple of times the conversation topics between characters got a bit immature and carried longer than needed sometimes. The epilogue wasn’t my favorite and I didn’t like how the favor from the beginning of the book felt like it was thrown in there just to be able to recall it idk it just wasn’t my fav.
All in all I still had a great time reading this and I hope the author continues to write and moves forward with the other players! ❤️
SO many wonderful aspects in this one. I think the friendship to relationship pacing was done really well. I loved the friend group and side characters throughout the whole thing. And I thought the next books in the series have been set up well without taking away from our main characters in this one.
For being a lower angst college hockey romance, the book was a tad long for my liking. Some parts got a little hard to lock in to. There were a couple of times the conversation topics between characters got a bit immature and carried longer than needed sometimes. The epilogue wasn’t my favorite and I didn’t like how the favor from the beginning of the book felt like it was thrown in there just to be able to recall it idk it just wasn’t my fav.
All in all I still had a great time reading this and I hope the author continues to write and moves forward with the other players! ❤️
February 4, 2025
A grumpy sunshine, m/m, hockey romance WHERE THE SUNSHINE ONE IS THE STAR HOCKEY PLAYER???? sign me up.
I know I didn’t give much of a synopsis, but I’ve gotten into reading books without looking at the synopsis, only the main tropes and it’s made my reading so much more fun and diverse.
Either way, I love Gerard and Elliott so much, but I especially love how Brice made Gerard so happy sunshine. I feel like you don’t see that many sunshine mmcs to begin with, but you definitely don’t see sunshine mmcs who are the campus favorite hockey player. It made for such a good plot, really. I loved the relationship those two shared, and the growth and love they found out about themselves and each other. Brice handled figuring out gender identity incredibly well, and that made me so happy.
Thank you so much to the author for sending me an early copy of your book!
I know I didn’t give much of a synopsis, but I’ve gotten into reading books without looking at the synopsis, only the main tropes and it’s made my reading so much more fun and diverse.
Either way, I love Gerard and Elliott so much, but I especially love how Brice made Gerard so happy sunshine. I feel like you don’t see that many sunshine mmcs to begin with, but you definitely don’t see sunshine mmcs who are the campus favorite hockey player. It made for such a good plot, really. I loved the relationship those two shared, and the growth and love they found out about themselves and each other. Brice handled figuring out gender identity incredibly well, and that made me so happy.
Thank you so much to the author for sending me an early copy of your book!
January 21, 2025
This book is way to young for me. I usually stay away from NA and college romances because character immaturity is a type of drama I'm happy to live without. This book had pretty stereotypical frat bro characters but it was also written with young/immature voice that I didn't enjoy
And, oddly enough, this book is somehow extremely dated even though it is only just now being published. By dated, I mean a zillion pop culture references from 10+ years ago. Singing Carley Rae Jepson at karaoke anyone? This book could feel current (and stay that way for the next ten years!) if the pop culture specifics were removed along with the time/date stamps in the emails.
Those were big things that kept me from fully enjoying the book - but I think this is clearly a case of me not being the right audience. There were a few parts that had me chuckling and it was okay overall, I suppose.
I received a free ARC, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
And, oddly enough, this book is somehow extremely dated even though it is only just now being published. By dated, I mean a zillion pop culture references from 10+ years ago. Singing Carley Rae Jepson at karaoke anyone? This book could feel current (and stay that way for the next ten years!) if the pop culture specifics were removed along with the time/date stamps in the emails.
Those were big things that kept me from fully enjoying the book - but I think this is clearly a case of me not being the right audience. There were a few parts that had me chuckling and it was okay overall, I suppose.
I received a free ARC, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 2, 2025
I’ve read my fair share of MM college hockey romances and this one stands out in a few ways. I love a good awakening and grumpy/sunshine vibes by it was interesting to see college age guys being a bit more immature. I lived with a couple guy roommates in college and it brought back memories because yes they can be shameless messy dorks and so this brought a smile to my face.
The interesting decision to not curse as a person in Athletics was bizarre in my experience. Then learning his reasoning was interesting as well. Is it plausible? In some way yes even if it’s not probable but for this story it serves a purpose and it was super cute when the shift happened.
The different dynamics between one who’s a legacy vs one on scholarship put a dynamic that I don’t always see in college whether they’re MM or not. I think the author did a good job of pointing out how some people from a wealthier background can be a bit out of touch but not be terrible people.
The spice served a purpose and it made it so much sweeter. It was open door and surprisingly really informative if you catch my drift and twas thoroughly appreciated. It was also really interesting to see the discoveries happening in real time. Sometimes people know what their into and some just come upon it or in this case, try it and see if you like it. Now kinks are personal and not for everyone but it was super cute to see the characters figure out what worked for them.
The interesting decision to not curse as a person in Athletics was bizarre in my experience. Then learning his reasoning was interesting as well. Is it plausible? In some way yes even if it’s not probable but for this story it serves a purpose and it was super cute when the shift happened.
The different dynamics between one who’s a legacy vs one on scholarship put a dynamic that I don’t always see in college whether they’re MM or not. I think the author did a good job of pointing out how some people from a wealthier background can be a bit out of touch but not be terrible people.
The spice served a purpose and it made it so much sweeter. It was open door and surprisingly really informative if you catch my drift and twas thoroughly appreciated. It was also really interesting to see the discoveries happening in real time. Sometimes people know what their into and some just come upon it or in this case, try it and see if you like it. Now kinks are personal and not for everyone but it was super cute to see the characters figure out what worked for them.
February 11, 2025
3.5 stars. Very appealing characters on the whole, with a very large sunshiny golden retriever hockey player who was incredibly sweet. The grumpy librarian was also very enjoyable, as were the two together. However, the humour didn't always appeal to me (too immature), and there was too much repetition about body parts. The Ice Queen felt a lot like a stalker. As I also enjoyed the other characters, I might try the next in this new series, but I'm not sure yet.
January 17, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I’m not usually a sports romance reader but by the end of this book I’d been converted. I’m always a fan of the grump/ sunshine trope and i thoroughly enjoyed Elliot and Gerard finding their way to each other. Aside from a few minor inconsistencies in small details, the story was beautifully written and it’s perfect for fans of the sport romance genre.
4.5 ⭐️’s
I’m not usually a sports romance reader but by the end of this book I’d been converted. I’m always a fan of the grump/ sunshine trope and i thoroughly enjoyed Elliot and Gerard finding their way to each other. Aside from a few minor inconsistencies in small details, the story was beautifully written and it’s perfect for fans of the sport romance genre.
4.5 ⭐️’s
March 7, 2025
3.5⭐️
cute romance, lots of cringe things/moments but i still had a good time reading it
cute romance, lots of cringe things/moments but i still had a good time reading it
April 4, 2025
Was this a work of art. No. But the vibes were vibing. Fiddlesticks is my new favorite word.
February 9, 2025
I think the authour tried way too hard to be cute and it distracted from what could have been a good story.
I love a grumpy/sunshine trope and I really liked that in this case, it was the hockey player that was the sunshine guy!
That being said, I could have done without all the descriptions of Gerrard's junk and him fawning over himself. Hey, it is great that he likes himself, but we did not need pages and pages of it.
Elliot, the Grump, had more than enough reasons to be grumpy and I did like that he came out of his shell, with Gerrard's love.
The book was way too long-I think a lot of it could have been cut out. The writing style made them seem like they were in high school, not university.
One thing I really did like, was the epilogue, although the jump to 10 years in the future was a surprise. The viewpoint was from Elliot and he sounded more mature, which was welcome.
I would say this more of a 3.5; I did not hate it, but it was a bit hard to get thru.
I received an ARC for my honest review.
I love a grumpy/sunshine trope and I really liked that in this case, it was the hockey player that was the sunshine guy!
That being said, I could have done without all the descriptions of Gerrard's junk and him fawning over himself. Hey, it is great that he likes himself, but we did not need pages and pages of it.
Elliot, the Grump, had more than enough reasons to be grumpy and I did like that he came out of his shell, with Gerrard's love.
The book was way too long-I think a lot of it could have been cut out. The writing style made them seem like they were in high school, not university.
One thing I really did like, was the epilogue, although the jump to 10 years in the future was a surprise. The viewpoint was from Elliot and he sounded more mature, which was welcome.
I would say this more of a 3.5; I did not hate it, but it was a bit hard to get thru.
I received an ARC for my honest review.
February 5, 2025
A sexy warm hug of a book. Funny, real and relevant. Slow burn, steamy and so, so cute!! A must read for all hockey fans!
Gerard Gunnarson, hot hockey player, golden retriever, owner of the perfect hockey butt, falls in love with Elliot, the shy, nerdy librarian. Sounds a bit clichéd, you say? Well, let me tell you something. This author has taken that trope and turned it on its head!
Brimming with fantastic characters, heart warming moments, some hilarious banter and antics, I couldn't put it down. It was great to see Gerard embrace the attention he attracted (loved the idea of the Ice Queen's blog) and to see Elliot become part of and accepted by Hockey House. And Gerard's parents! Sooo cool!!
I am not sure but believe this could be a first novel for this author. If that's the case then this is real talent and I honestly can't wait to read more from him. I believe there's more to come in this series. Can't wait!
I received this as a free arc and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
Gerard Gunnarson, hot hockey player, golden retriever, owner of the perfect hockey butt, falls in love with Elliot, the shy, nerdy librarian. Sounds a bit clichéd, you say? Well, let me tell you something. This author has taken that trope and turned it on its head!
Brimming with fantastic characters, heart warming moments, some hilarious banter and antics, I couldn't put it down. It was great to see Gerard embrace the attention he attracted (loved the idea of the Ice Queen's blog) and to see Elliot become part of and accepted by Hockey House. And Gerard's parents! Sooo cool!!
I am not sure but believe this could be a first novel for this author. If that's the case then this is real talent and I honestly can't wait to read more from him. I believe there's more to come in this series. Can't wait!
I received this as a free arc and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2025
"Icing on the Cake" wasn't too bad of a book, but there was definitely things that were off about it and ultimately made this just a so/so story. The beginning of the book was pretty good and the setup is a potentially great springboard for the rest of the story. But it was like 40% of the way through the book that started too feel too weird or forced. I get that Gerard (one of the MMC's) is supposed to be a sunshine, golden retriever type character. But the author leans him into that so hard and over the top that he comes across as an unbelievable himbo who doesn't seem all that genuine. The book is a contemporary romance, within the MM sports romance subgenre. And there are so many off the wall ways that characters act that I just don't find their behaviors to be believable in a contemporary romance setup. People in general don't really act like either Gerard, Elliot (the other MMC) or any of the side characters really. From all of their mannerisms to the way they casually laugh off really weird interactions and kind of define them as "normal" just isn't how anything would really play off. What could have been a really sweet book most of the time just had me going back and thinking, "wait, what just happened?" ... "they did/said what?" And while there is clearly spice in this story, I don't think it was as detailed or as prevalent as it could have been. There was a lot of insinuation that there might be more at the beginning of the story, especially with how much casual talk there is about fantasies, masterbation, or dicks. But it just doesn't happen in the way that you'd expect or as soon, but not in a novel or good way.
Even though I didn't like the vibes after about halfway through the book - it was still a halfway decent campy, somewhat spicy “grumpy/sunshine sports romance where the characters have a playful dynamic, with a guaranteed HEA, and that's never a bad combination in a book. In my opinion at least. If your goal isn't to be wowed in any sense and you'd like a low stakes MM sports romance, then this is your book.
Even though I didn't like the vibes after about halfway through the book - it was still a halfway decent campy, somewhat spicy “grumpy/sunshine sports romance where the characters have a playful dynamic, with a guaranteed HEA, and that's never a bad combination in a book. In my opinion at least. If your goal isn't to be wowed in any sense and you'd like a low stakes MM sports romance, then this is your book.
Read
January 22, 2025I'm sorry, I can't finish this. (no rating because DNF)
This is my first Book Sirens ARC, and I hope it won't get me blacklisted, lol, but I'm 7% in and I can't continue.
Every third sentence was a useless comparison "Calling me studious is as accurate as saying a hockey puck is soft" - who's the target audience of this?? Talking about how big his dick is for multiple pages? There was reproduction of sexist stereotypes (something with boys liking hockey, the only women on page until 7% were puckbunnies). All talking about jerking off felt super off and didn't make sense, like haven't you heard of tissues instead of socks?? Honestly, ugh! Or if you've got single rooms, why would a fucking bathroom plan include "private time"?
And a lot of flaws in logic where I'm honestly not sure, if it's a me problem and because I did not grow up in the US/I'm familiar with hockey but by far not an expert:
Four people on first line doesn't make sense, it's either 3, 2 (but the defense pairs are usually called pairs, not line/linemates) or if you add them up, 5 people.
If you lose your stick (how tf do you lose a hockey stick?), it might be a problem because it's what you're used playing with, it's taped the way you feel comfortable and so on, but not because your DIVISION ONE FROZEN FOUR CHAMPION coach will be mad? Hockey sticks break, it's not like there's no back up material?
A library associated with a college/uni doesn't have novels - at least in Germany, please correct me if I'm wrong?
I was really looking forward to another college hockey romance, but this wasn't for me.
This is my first Book Sirens ARC, and I hope it won't get me blacklisted, lol, but I'm 7% in and I can't continue.
Every third sentence was a useless comparison "Calling me studious is as accurate as saying a hockey puck is soft" - who's the target audience of this?? Talking about how big his dick is for multiple pages? There was reproduction of sexist stereotypes (something with boys liking hockey, the only women on page until 7% were puckbunnies). All talking about jerking off felt super off and didn't make sense, like haven't you heard of tissues instead of socks?? Honestly, ugh! Or if you've got single rooms, why would a fucking bathroom plan include "private time"?
And a lot of flaws in logic where I'm honestly not sure, if it's a me problem and because I did not grow up in the US/I'm familiar with hockey but by far not an expert:
Four people on first line doesn't make sense, it's either 3, 2 (but the defense pairs are usually called pairs, not line/linemates) or if you add them up, 5 people.
If you lose your stick (how tf do you lose a hockey stick?), it might be a problem because it's what you're used playing with, it's taped the way you feel comfortable and so on, but not because your DIVISION ONE FROZEN FOUR CHAMPION coach will be mad? Hockey sticks break, it's not like there's no back up material?
A library associated with a college/uni doesn't have novels - at least in Germany, please correct me if I'm wrong?
I was really looking forward to another college hockey romance, but this wasn't for me.
March 24, 2025
Ok, I could somewhat handle the mundane exposition about literally everything, as well as the endless similes; lack of understanding that college hockey players go through upwards of 25 hockey sticks a year, so losing one is not the end of the world, nor would your coach be that invested; followed by TMI of penis size, butt size, and day dreaming of ass eating by page 12, but ...
I had to DNF after this "Ice Queen blog" entry:
"Gerard could have any girl he wants. He doesn’t need to chase anyone. So, if he is…for a boy, then this is a big deal. No, scratch that. It’s a huge deal. So, to all my loyal puck bunnies out there, I need you to be my little gossip hounds. Let me know if you see Gerard talking to someone new in the library or walking across campus with someone he usually doesn’t do that with. No matter how small or insignificant a detail may seem, it could be precisely what I need to crack the case wide open."
The Ice Queen blog is gross. Publicly outing someone in this manner is awful. It's over the line, intrusive, and should be litigated into the next ice age. I felt skeevy during every entry. I don't appreciate the author putting those words, in that order to convey... something. Lack of privacy? Objectification? Outing someone? Then old Gerard emails the blogger again and name checks Elliot as the mystery man.
Add in homelessness, poverty, and a lack of an intelligent discussion about race and this book has bitten off way more than it can chew.
I had to DNF after this "Ice Queen blog" entry:
"Gerard could have any girl he wants. He doesn’t need to chase anyone. So, if he is…for a boy, then this is a big deal. No, scratch that. It’s a huge deal. So, to all my loyal puck bunnies out there, I need you to be my little gossip hounds. Let me know if you see Gerard talking to someone new in the library or walking across campus with someone he usually doesn’t do that with. No matter how small or insignificant a detail may seem, it could be precisely what I need to crack the case wide open."
The Ice Queen blog is gross. Publicly outing someone in this manner is awful. It's over the line, intrusive, and should be litigated into the next ice age. I felt skeevy during every entry. I don't appreciate the author putting those words, in that order to convey... something. Lack of privacy? Objectification? Outing someone? Then old Gerard emails the blogger again and name checks Elliot as the mystery man.
Add in homelessness, poverty, and a lack of an intelligent discussion about race and this book has bitten off way more than it can chew.
April 4, 2025
Good grief, this book was so bad and so cringy. There was nothing even remotely realistic about these characters or the way they talked to each other.
February 5, 2025
Hmm, this one is tough. Not because the book was bad, far from it, but because... something was missing?
Maybe it's also the fact that it's not written by a woman? Us women see human interactions and relationships differently, and maybe this is why I felt like something was missing? I've tried and succeeded for the most part to read this book from a guy's pov, and this is why I ended up actually liking it.
For me, this was a 3.75✨️ read. I'll start with that. I'll make kind of like a pro & con list of the reasons why I loved the books and what I didn't like.
Pro:
- Elliot
- Gerard
- the friendships
- the hockey parts
- the approach when it comes to sexuality
- the slow burn
Con:
- too many d!ck jokes?
- the hockey parts
- the slow burn
- a bit too long
Now, I love Elliot as a character. He's a grump. He's sassy and fun in a nerd way. Gerard is the exact opposite of him. He is friendly, outgoing, and a ray of sunshine. I loved them individually, and I also loved them together. Their dynamic was cool.
The friendships in the book are very cute and wholesome. I love how Gerard's friends welcomed Elliot and how they were there for him when things got hard.
I love hockey romances. They're basically my fav kind of sports romance, idk why... anyhow, I liked reading about the hockey parts, but as you can see, I added the hockey to both pro and con, and it's because I loved reading about it ( pro ), and it was not enough ( con ). It was also a bit unrealistic how much free time Gerard had for an athlete that goes to uni.
I loved the journey Gerard went through when it comes to his sexuality. It was nice seeing him navigate that path and realizing that love is love and loving Elliot doesn't change who he is as a person in their heart.
The slow burn is also both a pro and a con and goes hand in hand with the fact that the book was a bit too long if you asked me. While I enjoy long books, I need a bit more to justify almost 500 pages in a romance book... or at least give me more spice to keep me going because 400 pages or so of slow burn almost k!lled me.
Whoever knows me knows I don't like slow burn is one of my least favorite tropes, but sometimes I do enjoy it. This book had the potential to be one of those moments when I enjoyed it because I loved the whole bit about Gerard ( I'm not gonna say more to not spoil it ), but at some point it just got a bit too much? IRL, I can absolutely see this happening, and it's also healthy and all, but in a book... you know what I mean?
I really liked the book, I really did. I had a great time for the most part. I laughed out loud, and the jokes ( when they were not about d!ck, but even some of those were funny, ngl ) were funny. I will continue the series because I want a book for each FF member. 1 done, 3 to go.
•••
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Maybe it's also the fact that it's not written by a woman? Us women see human interactions and relationships differently, and maybe this is why I felt like something was missing? I've tried and succeeded for the most part to read this book from a guy's pov, and this is why I ended up actually liking it.
For me, this was a 3.75✨️ read. I'll start with that. I'll make kind of like a pro & con list of the reasons why I loved the books and what I didn't like.
Pro:
- Elliot
- Gerard
- the friendships
- the hockey parts
- the approach when it comes to sexuality
- the slow burn
Con:
- too many d!ck jokes?
- the hockey parts
- the slow burn
- a bit too long
Now, I love Elliot as a character. He's a grump. He's sassy and fun in a nerd way. Gerard is the exact opposite of him. He is friendly, outgoing, and a ray of sunshine. I loved them individually, and I also loved them together. Their dynamic was cool.
The friendships in the book are very cute and wholesome. I love how Gerard's friends welcomed Elliot and how they were there for him when things got hard.
I love hockey romances. They're basically my fav kind of sports romance, idk why... anyhow, I liked reading about the hockey parts, but as you can see, I added the hockey to both pro and con, and it's because I loved reading about it ( pro ), and it was not enough ( con ). It was also a bit unrealistic how much free time Gerard had for an athlete that goes to uni.
I loved the journey Gerard went through when it comes to his sexuality. It was nice seeing him navigate that path and realizing that love is love and loving Elliot doesn't change who he is as a person in their heart.
The slow burn is also both a pro and a con and goes hand in hand with the fact that the book was a bit too long if you asked me. While I enjoy long books, I need a bit more to justify almost 500 pages in a romance book... or at least give me more spice to keep me going because 400 pages or so of slow burn almost k!lled me.
Whoever knows me knows I don't like slow burn is one of my least favorite tropes, but sometimes I do enjoy it. This book had the potential to be one of those moments when I enjoyed it because I loved the whole bit about Gerard ( I'm not gonna say more to not spoil it ), but at some point it just got a bit too much? IRL, I can absolutely see this happening, and it's also healthy and all, but in a book... you know what I mean?
I really liked the book, I really did. I had a great time for the most part. I laughed out loud, and the jokes ( when they were not about d!ck, but even some of those were funny, ngl ) were funny. I will continue the series because I want a book for each FF member. 1 done, 3 to go.
•••
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 4, 2025
3⭐️ 2🌶️
MOOD: lighthearted, funny
TROPES: bi-awakening, golden retriever/black cat, rich/poor, slowburn
GENRES: contemporary, sports, university/college, lgbtq+ romance
MAIN CHARACTERS: Gerard Gunnarson and Elliot Montgomery
THE GOOD: Elliot and Gerard are fine. Separately they are decent characters. Elliot and his "Holy Snickers" and lack of a brain can be amusing alongside Elliot's stubbornness and drive to be independent. Do they work as a couple? Sure. Is it interesting to read? Kinda? If this was instalove or even instalust the I think parts of the story would make more sense or work better than they do. The side characters were more interesting. This makes sense for a series approach but also, I should want to read the book I'm currently reading.
THE NEUTRAL: So many dated references. I don't know if this is one of those things where the 90s references have come around again but I have read many new releases (ARCs) in the past 2 years and I don't remember seeing so many references that I would consider dated - I recognized them because I'm old. It just threw me to open with Ferris Bueller move to Central Perk (I guess I get that one cause Friends is streaming) but there were at least 4 other references that I'm not sure would make sense in a few years. There were two characters named Jackson which is an odd choice. I also could have done without the Epilogue but that's a personal choice and I get that the author was going for even more Happily Ever After. Also, are the rugby players 6'11"? Gerard is 6'5" and makes a comment about them being 6 inches taller than him - that math feels odd. Yes, that through away scene towards the start of the book distracted me.
THE MEH: The Ice Queen chapters took away from the story more so than added to it. This one is going to be very specific but as a librarian at a university - the student workers aren't called librarians and the books aren't organized that way (at least not at most universities, I'm sure some have a fiction section or popular reading section but most, if not all in the USA, follow the Library of Congress system). It's one thing for the other students to call Elliot a librarian but he wouldn't call himself that - it got annoying.
IN GENERAL: This was an okay book. That's kind of it - there was nothing that stood out, and a lot of things felt very generic. I finished it (I do DNF) and I did get stuck at chapter 26 long enough to read 3 other books. I've read better hockey books (Hockey Bois comes to mind and that has actual hockey in it) and the college setting is always kind of meh for me since it usually doesn't add to the story in any significant way (Off the Ice is different cause it's teacher/student but that is college also).
CW: sexual content, bullying, racism (mentions)
DISCLAIMER: I received an advance review copy. This is my honest review.
MOOD: lighthearted, funny
TROPES: bi-awakening, golden retriever/black cat, rich/poor, slowburn
GENRES: contemporary, sports, university/college, lgbtq+ romance
MAIN CHARACTERS: Gerard Gunnarson and Elliot Montgomery
THE GOOD: Elliot and Gerard are fine. Separately they are decent characters. Elliot and his "Holy Snickers" and lack of a brain can be amusing alongside Elliot's stubbornness and drive to be independent. Do they work as a couple? Sure. Is it interesting to read? Kinda? If this was instalove or even instalust the I think parts of the story would make more sense or work better than they do. The side characters were more interesting. This makes sense for a series approach but also, I should want to read the book I'm currently reading.
THE NEUTRAL: So many dated references. I don't know if this is one of those things where the 90s references have come around again but I have read many new releases (ARCs) in the past 2 years and I don't remember seeing so many references that I would consider dated - I recognized them because I'm old. It just threw me to open with Ferris Bueller move to Central Perk (I guess I get that one cause Friends is streaming) but there were at least 4 other references that I'm not sure would make sense in a few years. There were two characters named Jackson which is an odd choice. I also could have done without the Epilogue but that's a personal choice and I get that the author was going for even more Happily Ever After. Also, are the rugby players 6'11"? Gerard is 6'5" and makes a comment about them being 6 inches taller than him - that math feels odd. Yes, that through away scene towards the start of the book distracted me.
THE MEH: The Ice Queen chapters took away from the story more so than added to it. This one is going to be very specific but as a librarian at a university - the student workers aren't called librarians and the books aren't organized that way (at least not at most universities, I'm sure some have a fiction section or popular reading section but most, if not all in the USA, follow the Library of Congress system). It's one thing for the other students to call Elliot a librarian but he wouldn't call himself that - it got annoying.
IN GENERAL: This was an okay book. That's kind of it - there was nothing that stood out, and a lot of things felt very generic. I finished it (I do DNF) and I did get stuck at chapter 26 long enough to read 3 other books. I've read better hockey books (Hockey Bois comes to mind and that has actual hockey in it) and the college setting is always kind of meh for me since it usually doesn't add to the story in any significant way (Off the Ice is different cause it's teacher/student but that is college also).
CW: sexual content, bullying, racism (mentions)
DISCLAIMER: I received an advance review copy. This is my honest review.
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