One touch changed one man's life, and doomed another
Miller Being on a winning team should feel better than this. But when you barely step onto the ice, feel like a stranger in the city you live in, and only have teammates, not friends, not even the Stanley Cup can make you feel like you belong.
So I recklessly ask for a trade. It’s a stupid move career-wise, but the chance to see more ice time and start fresh is pulling me toward the Austin Aces.
It’s not until the deal is done that I remember who also plays for Austin… Lathan Silver, the guy who turned my life upside down with one touch.
That was years ago, so surely the magnetic pull has lessened. I can’t afford to mess up my new team by falling for my teammate. I might be out in the league, but even that is a stretch on what would be accepted.
Austin is my chance to belong, so I’ll stay far away from Lathan Silver. Lathan
Being the son of a Senator puts a lot of pressure on me, but my discipline, determination, and dedication help me succeed. As a Silver, there is no room for failure—on and off the ice.
I’ve cultivated myself into the perfect son and player, and at twenty-five, my life is flawless. I’m the youngest alternate captain in team history, and my role on the team is solid. I follow my routine, do my meditations, and avoid attachments at all costs. I don’t need any complications.
Enter Miller Fahn—the Austin Aces’ newest left winger—the ultimate distraction. With one touch, he turns my world upside down.
I can’t let him destroy everything. I’ll remind him we’re not friends but enemies. Austin is my town, and the Aces are my team.
This is an MM enemies-to-lovers romance among teammates that includes forced proximity, a touch starved MC, friendship bracelets, cooking as a love language, and a gay awakening. This is part of a shared hockey world and can be read as a standalone.
Although the plot was fairly simple, I enjoyed witnessing the romance develop. However, I didn't fall for the main characters. It was another easy read to unwind with.
I loved everything about this book. Their chemistry from the very first chapter was absolutely amazing and I couldn't get enough of it. This is definitely one of my top 5 favorite MM books, it definitely helps that it's a hockey romance on top of that. I can't wait to read the other books in this shared world.
I'm going to have to give this book 5* because it hit all my spots. I could read 1000 of these books and never get bored of them. There was just enough push and pull to keeping me on my toes, their chemistry was off the charts and the grumpy/sunshine was done quite well too. I am not too keen on overly possessive MCs, but somehow I loved Lathan because he was trying to fight it all the way. And Miller was just a great character, so easy going and positive. The aprons bit was just funny and it worked for me. There was a slight issue at the end that I felt wasn't needed but it was resolved to my satisfaction so I am choosing to ignore it, like it never happened.
The first book in the Austin Aces series starts off with an enemies to lovers trope.
At the beginning of the book Lathan has himself so tightly controlled he is nearly robotic - no emotions, cold and antisocial. On the ice he’s driven and determined to win, and he is willing to tolerate Miller’s presence. Off the ice he pretty much hates Miller and makes sure Miller knows it.
Watching him slowly melt and succumb to Miller’s charm and sunny personality is addictive. The sexual tension between Miller and Lathan heats up and then finally erupts into a fiery romance that is both sizzling hot and touchingly sweet. Miller is very much out while Lathan isn’t even sure how to identify himself and definitely not out. Watching these two fall in love is an entertaining and emotional journey.
I enjoyed this book and while I haven’t read too many MM books, I found this one to be well written and very interesting.
I received a free ARC from the author; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.
The chemistry between Miller and Lathan was so much fun to read.
This novel starts off as not really enemies, but there is some animosity toward each other, but they get over that hump quickly. There is also an element of finding one's true self, in this case, opening up to your sexuality which was refreshing to read. These two have such a great relationship, the nicknames and banter, their experiences of being gay in the professional sporting world. Heavy spice for those of us who eat it up but still a great plot with a fleshed out story arch.
Very lucky to have the opportunity to read this lovely book in advance! This is the first MM romance I’ve read and I really liked it! The chemistry between the main characters and their banter was amazing, however, the best character, is, of course, their cat 🥹 There’s no way around it, the pets are always my favourite 🙂↕️ I devoured this book, it’s really adorable and I’m excited to read the rest of the shared world!🫶🏻
One Touch, part of the Austin Aces Hockey Club series, by Linden Rowe @lindenroweauthor & I am obsessed with her other books (aka Kris Butler @authorkrisbutler).
Such a great book about Miller & Lathan! I especially loved that characters from Puck Match showed up in this book! Eek! Tropes: Contemporary, Professional Hockey, MM, Enemies to Lovers, Asexual Representation, Brothers Friend & HEA!
I really enjoyed the chemistry between Lathan and Miller!
The first book in the Austin Aces series starts off with Miller Fahn who was just traded from Chicago, but didn’t realize right away that Austin is the team where Lathan Silver plays. Lathan is always in control to the point where he is nearly robotic, but he can’t help the animosity he feels towards Miller. As they spend time together on and off the ice, their chemistry sizzles and they have to decide if they are just distractions for each other or if they could be something more.
This book was so much fun. I loved Miller’s golden retriever attitude and how he pushed Lathan’s buttons. I also appreciated how supportive most of the team was of Miller’s orientation and his community engagement. Some of the banter between Miller and Lathan was absolutely hilarious. I cannot wait to read more in this world.
I loved every second of this book! It kept me intrigued with the angsty parts and made me swoon with all the cuteness!! Some parts totally remind me of Poetry On Ice, which is one my favorite books, so I loved it!
Not gonna lie, Lathan pissed me off at first. He was unnecessary mean and cruel to Miller. I wanted to scream at him but I get it, I guess. He has so many issues with his mental health and hard time coping with them at first. As soon, as they started getting closer I was obsessed with him though! His possessiveness was incredible (normally I hate it but loved it here) and when he was jealous? Yes please! Miller? Ugh he is perfect!! Golden retriever type, that does friendship bracelets? LOVE IT *screams * Just thinking about him giving Lathan multiple friendship bracelets and he rejects them? Breaks my heart! I'm glad Lathan kept the most important ones! Also I adore it when somebody doesn't swear, yes please give me fudges, shoots and baloneys!! The one thing I didn't like about Miller was, that he went on a date eventhough he was already crushing hard on Lathan. Whyyyy? Ugh I hate it.
Big shoutout to both men, men who love cats are green flags. Them spoiling Alaska makes me swoon big time!
Totally recommend this book, seriously if you don't know if you should read it, read it!
Imagine being tackled in the middle of an ice rink by feelings you did not order. Welcome to Lathan Silver’s life, where his “hockey first, emotions never” mantra gets pulverized the moment Miller Fahn, human golden retriever and walking ball of sunshine, bulldozes into his cold, regimented existence. If you ever wanted to see a touch-starved, asexual-ish (his journey is beautiful and not stereotypical) grump get emotionally wrecked by a chaotic, bracelet-making softie… Congratulations, this book is your fever dream.
Enemies-to-lovers? Oh, honey. It’s not just enemies. It’s “I hate you so much my pants are tight and I don’t know why” energy. Forced proximity? Yup, these two geniuses end up roommates — because the universe (and their meddling friends) are petty like that.
Lathan? Ice king. Schedule so tight you could tune a piano with it. About as emotionally available as a vending machine that just ate your last dollar. Miller? Sunshine in human form. Made of friendship bracelets, bad jokes, and pure stubbornness.
Watching these two try to coexist is like watching a feral cat get locked in a room with a golden retriever — one hisses, the other wags their tail and knocks over a lamp. Somehow it’s HOT.
The spice? Explicit, sweet, and emotional. There’s longing. There’s awkward yet adorable communication. There’s someone getting ruined by the slow burn and the first actual touch. And there’s Lathan melting down faster than a popsicle in a Texas summer.
Trigger Warnings: • Homophobic language (mild, background level) • Emotional neglect/parental pressure (one MC has a cold, controlling political mom) • Touch-starvation (seriously, if seeing characters heal through affection wrecks you, prepare to SOB.) • Anxiety attacks (portrayed respectfully) • Internalized trauma around emotional and sexual identity
In short: If you love grumpy/sunshine, slow emotional collapses into obsessive need, found family through sports teams, and men realizing they are doomed the second they catch feelings — you’ll love this.
Prepare to laugh, fan yourself, and throw the book at the wall when they finally touch (and then immediately scoop it back up because it’s so damn good).
This book is part of the multi-author Austin Aces Hockey Club series. Each book is a standalone read. This is the story of Lathan Silver and Miller Fahn. Lathan's life is just one big pressure cooker. He is the son of a senator and has piles of expectations put on him by his family. Must keep up the family name even if you "play hockey". Hockey is the one part of his life that is all for him. He works extremely hard to be as close to perfect as he can be. Since he is the youngest alternate captain on his team, it seems to be working. Even if he keeps everyone at bay because holding his walls up takes all of his energy. Miller is a left-winger who has just been traded to the team. Wanting to actually have more ice time, he requests a trade from his Stanley Cup winning team and ends up with the Austin Aces. This is a chance for him to have a fresh start and maybe make some friends. Unfortunately for him, Lathan is not interested in making new friends. The two clash but end up sparking something special while on the ice. So of course the coach puts them on the same line. And then when Miller ends up having no where to live due to a fire, he unexpectedly ends up in Lathan's spare room. The sparks fly whenever they are near each other. The line between love and hate is thin and these two will put it to the test. This is their story. The book is well written and easy to read. I really enjoyed learning about these two and watching their relationship grow. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. This is a new to me author and I really enjoyed the book.
I received a complementary advance review copy of this book from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Miller, a talented hockey player, feeling empty and unhappy decides to ask for a trade to another team. When confronted to the man who turned his world upside down with only one touch, he decides that the best for him is to stay away from temptation to avoid getting hurt. Lathan is determined to keep away from any sort of complications in his life being the son of a senator and having a very public life, but when Miller is traded to his team, his resolutions start to waver. Miller is the sweet and positive guy, while Lathan is the broody grump type. Even though they are so different, their attraction is unavoidable and when they end up living together, things change and the dynamics in their relationship shifts. The story focuses on their own battles to stay strong and not get hurt, but also on the chemistry and the pull towards each other. While Lathan is fighting many ghosts, Miller chips away at his walls and helps him figure out who he truly is and wants. A great book by Linden Rowe, where she describes the confusion and inner turmoil of coming out to a ruthless and unforgiving world, while trying to stay true to one self.
To get more ice time Miller asks to get traded. not realises that the one man who does something for him, plays for that team. Lathan Silver is the older brother of Landon, his college best friend and once he remembered he cannot forget. Although the welcome from Lathan is not one he wants to remember. Miller was such lovely character, his actions were so sweet( well the ones that were PG rating), making friendship bracelets for everyone, he is adorable. Lathan is stoic, he can never slip up, he needs to be the best, he doesn't want to let his mom down. I enjoyed this book from the start, watching Miller determination to break down all of Lathan's walls. There was times I did feel sorry for Landon with the pressure he was put under from his mom but when he let his guard down with Miller, you could see what he would have been like if it wasn't for his mom's job. The chemistry between them was on fire I loved the secondary characters in the book and will go and read Reese's story. I hope there is more set in this world as I would love to read both Toby and Bell's story. This is a new to me author and I will look out for more
Miller & Lathan This was an interesting enemies to lovers story for me. Not having read the lead-in book that tells Reese's story with Landon and the other guys, I didn't have the prior knowledge about Miller & Lathan's first touch and meeting. Their obvious chemistry was clear at their first time meeting in the Austin Aces organization. I never knew how their relationship would explode, so the story kept me guessing more often than not.
Miller was a fun, golden retriever character right off the bat, and his jump into the Austin Aces organization based on his love of hockey and simply wanting to play was quite sweet. Lathan was a very severe character to start, and there were plenty of moments where I kind of wanted to (insert your own somewhat negative verb here🙃) him myself, lol. His attitude was unnecessary much of the time, but not too surprising. He was scared of what he was feeling and didn't know how to process that, especially with how he had been raised. I really enjoyed the little bits and pieces in the latter part of the book that helped the guys really find their love, including their relationships with their different family members.
One Touch was an enjoyable read as the introduction to a new multi-author series collaboration. I'm excited to see how it all unfolds, even if these MCs don't show up as much in the future.
I received an authorized copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review.
This was my first time reading a Kris Butler book and it was great! I loved the two extremely differently men personalities we got here.. Landon who is the always serious and needs to control everything because he’s family life is anything but in his control. Hockey is his escape but when Miller transferred to his team everything changes..
Miller is the complete opposite he is outgoing and fun. One of my favorite things about him is his friendship bracelet but most of all he doesn’t let the bad thing bring him down he keeps trying.
I loved that Miller was able to be that eye opening person for Landon and how their story truly grew as the book went on. I can’t wait to dive more into Kris/Linden’s books because there was so much depth to go with the spice that I know I’m in for a great journey
I really enjoyed my first read from Linden Rowe/Kris Butler. One Touch is a book in the Austin Aces Hockey Club series where eight authors have come together each writing a book in the series.
There was no doubt since the start of the stories that the MCs belonged together and they each knew it. Though it took one longer than the other, the chemistry and pull between the two characters were evident throughout the read. It was a quick, easy read, with no third act break up. I loved it. I especially loved the involvement of the friendship bracelets throughout the story. It was really a sweet read. I’m happy.
What to expect: MM Sports romance Enemies to lovers Forced proximity Friendship bracelets
I voluntarily read an Advance Reader Copy of One Touch, and I am providing my honest review. Thank you, Linden Rowe/Kris Butler, for the opportunity.
Miller is a rookie in the NHL looking for more ice time so he makes a rash decision and asks to be traded to a team who just lost a player to injury, only to realize after it’s done that the player who cause his gay awakening will now be his linemate. Lathan is a seasoned player who lives and breathes hockey, he has never let anyone into his life before until this new rookie who gets under his skin.
An amazing start into the Austin Aces Series! This was a great representation of the asexual experience, Lathan fights the labels and does a great job at staying true to himself when he finally lets himself embrace his feelings. The spice was great and varied. I wish the real NHL was so accepting, hopefully this series will be a sign of things to come. So excited to read the rest of the series.
I couldn't get enough of these two. Lathan and Miller were both undeniably irresistible to me; Miller being this happy, caring, and self awareable person; and Lathan being this unemotional robotic person who you just wanted to grab and shake at times but knew you couldn't because well, there are reasons. But I absolutely loved both of them; their journey together was both touching and hot. And, every moment they had with each other was entertaining and full of enjoyment. This story was both heartwarming, uplifting, romantic, hot and entertaining. And, one that easily can be one of my top 20. I definitely recommend this book.
When Miller gets the chance to go to Texas to play hockey, he jumps at it, especially because his first real crush is on the team. It’s too bad Lathan hates him and is very straight. When Miller needs a place to stay, Lathan reluctantly opens up his home in his possessive, rule following way, but one touch has everything changing…
Reasons I Recommend:
1) Lathan is possessive, needy, and angry at his life
2) Miller is sweet and surprised to discover Lathan’s not who he thinks and
One Touch, by Linden Rowe (Kris Butler), is so potent it will make even the most stoic reader get sad, happy, angry and cheer out loud. Set in the United States professional hockey league (NHL), the characters are by default image conscious and high profile. This novel shows that stereotypes can be broken, and that images can be redefined. Sexual orientation isn't written in stone, and sexuality labels are vast, fluid and adaptable. If you allow yourself to lose the pressure, drop the stereotype and quit trying to label everything, you might just discover true love.
Wow! I absolutely loved this grumpy/ sunshine mm hockey romance. If you read Kris Butler’s ‘Lux Brumalis’ series or ‘Puck Match’ you may recognize some of the characters that pop up. Both Lathan and Miller were side characters in ‘Puck Match’. I loved the undeniably chemistry between these two. Lathan was so scared to let go of his stoic, controlled self and Miller was there with all his sunshine teaching him there was more in life than hockey 😉 The spice was great and this was a super easy read. Definitely recommend. Looking forward to more from Linden.
One Touch was MM hockey romance as a part of the Austin Aces series (multiple authors). Enemies to Lovers I guess? I mean the enemies part was mostly because the one time they met they were super attracted to each other. The spicy is top notch. Maybe to the detriment to the story. There were a couple of times that I was like, well that huge issue just disappeared, which detracted from character building. I like it, I didn’t LOVE it. Again, chemistry was definitely there. I got an early copy and was happy to read it. It’s a three and a half stars from me.
Austin Aces first in series multiple Authors. Miller currently can't wait for a fresh start new team but it going to come with allot of complication and when his apartment goes up in flame his new roommate his current complication just wants him out of his life Latham is confused upset un approachable and let's face it not very likable until Miller works his charm and gets Latham to open up not only his mind to more but his heart as well. This is a bi awaking MM Romance enemies to Lovers hockey Romance. I was allowed to read and advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.
Good time. Silver was deffo a big ole dick to baby boy Miller at the start and at times it really bothered me by how unnecessary it felt but such is life. He turned it around and their lil activities around Austin were so presh and I had a good time. I did take issue with how we gave momma Silver a quick and undeserved redemption after she was a trash bag human the whole time. I think we coulda had the same plot happen but without giving her that moment. But otherwise I had a good time and hope to see more for other dudes on the team
Loved the chemistry between the MMCs. And when Miller wants to antagonize Lathan he's a bit diabolical in the best, sexually frustrating way. It's so opposite his happy-go-lucky every day attitude and I couldn't get enough! I felt like some of the supporting characters were a bit light, mama Silver came out of nowhere, we see so little of her interactions with Lathan that the diner conversation didn't really have anything to support it's content. Not critical to the Mills/Lath relationship, but it would have been nice to see a bit of where the growth came from.
I loved this book. This MM hockey book has everything, romance, family drama, erotic moments, and plenty of emotion. When Miller goes to the Austin Aces he doesn’t expect to have to move in with his teammate/ friends stepbrother Lathan, when his apartment complex burns down. Though Lathan wants to keep everything at arms length, Miller has other ideas as he tries to befriend his new roommate. This friends to lovers, bi awakening book is a page turner.
Miller and Lathan had me hooked from the start. I have not read a Kris Butler story that I have not loved and had fallen in love with the characters. The story flowed, the love story unfolding was beautiful. If you want to escape into a beautiful world, then read Kris/Linden. I want a Miller in my life! Highly recommend. I received an advanced copy from the author, and I am leaving my review voluntarily.