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Gods Versus Monsters Hockey #1
No Pucks
Finding out the guy I hooked up with is on my team isn't the way I saw my first week of coaching going.
My name is Anthony Hawke, and I used to be a rising star in the NHL until someone purposefully tore my ACL, ending my career. I went from the top of my life to nothing in a matter of months.
I take a coaching job a thousand miles away as a fresh start, only to ruin it before I start.
Three months ago, I met him in a bar. Sexy and funny and built like a God—no names, just the best night of my life.
I never thought I'd see him again, but jokes on me, he's a freshman on my team. Not only is he an insufferable playboy, but his father is the one who ruined my career.
I can't lose this coaching job by sleeping with a player, but he won't let it go. And if his father finds out, forget working anywhere in hockey again.
Contains mature themes.
My name is Anthony Hawke, and I used to be a rising star in the NHL until someone purposefully tore my ACL, ending my career. I went from the top of my life to nothing in a matter of months.
I take a coaching job a thousand miles away as a fresh start, only to ruin it before I start.
Three months ago, I met him in a bar. Sexy and funny and built like a God—no names, just the best night of my life.
I never thought I'd see him again, but jokes on me, he's a freshman on my team. Not only is he an insufferable playboy, but his father is the one who ruined my career.
I can't lose this coaching job by sleeping with a player, but he won't let it go. And if his father finds out, forget working anywhere in hockey again.
Contains mature themes.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 6, 2025
526 people are currently reading
1070 people want to read
About the author
J.R. Gray
58 books1,303 followersWhen not staying up all night writing, J.R. Gray can be found at the gym where it's half assumed he is a permanent resident to fulfill his self-inflicted masochism. A dominant and a pilot, Gray finds it hard to be in the passenger seat of any car. He frequently interrupts real life, including normal sleep patterns and conversations, to jot down notes or plot bunnies. Commas are the bane of his existence even though it's been fully acknowledged they are necessary, they continue to baffle and bewilder. If Gray wasn't writing…well, that's not possible. The buildup of untold stories would haunt Gray into an early grave, insanity or both. The idea of haunting has always appealed to him. J.R. Gray is genderqueer and prefers he/him pronouns.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 204 reviews
March 10, 2025
2.25** stars
Damn, skippy. This was just too ridiculous (if not to say dumb), even for my drama-loving ass. I don’t even know where to start my rant. I’m so disappointed.
I really liked the fencing series so far that the author is co-writing with Andi Jaxon that takes place at the same college. And here he comes with a coach/player romance I was super excited about. Didn’t work out the way I thought, I guess.
What I can't wrap my head around was why Logan, the player, needed to be a freshman and only 18. There was absolutely no reason at all why he couldn't have been at least a bit older. Especially with that age-gap of probably more than twenty years to Anthony, the coach.
And even if the story wasn’t so stupidly, dramatically OTT my head was spinning, I probably wouldn’t have liked it still because the romantic connection between the MCs was superficial at best.
Bad telenovela is what I’m thinking here.
***************
Gods Versus Monsters Hockey
Book 1 - No Pucks - 2.25 stars
Book 2 - Two Guys One Puck - release 10/25
Damn, skippy. This was just too ridiculous (if not to say dumb), even for my drama-loving ass. I don’t even know where to start my rant. I’m so disappointed.
I really liked the fencing series so far that the author is co-writing with Andi Jaxon that takes place at the same college. And here he comes with a coach/player romance I was super excited about. Didn’t work out the way I thought, I guess.
What I can't wrap my head around was why Logan, the player, needed to be a freshman and only 18. There was absolutely no reason at all why he couldn't have been at least a bit older. Especially with that age-gap of probably more than twenty years to Anthony, the coach.
And even if the story wasn’t so stupidly, dramatically OTT my head was spinning, I probably wouldn’t have liked it still because the romantic connection between the MCs was superficial at best.
Bad telenovela is what I’m thinking here.
***************
Gods Versus Monsters Hockey
Book 1 - No Pucks - 2.25 stars
Book 2 - Two Guys One Puck - release 10/25
March 28, 2025
i get it coach, you’re older but you’re still horny. you don’t have to prove it for 36 chapters
March 2, 2025
No Pucks is a fun forbidden romance between hockey player Logan and his coach Anthony. This is a steamy forbidden romance that I could not get enough of. These two go on quite a journey from a lust-filled hook-up to something stronger and more genuine as feelings develop and surprise both of them.
Overall, I enjoyed this story so much. I love how bratty and confident Logan is and how protective he is of Anthony and his job. Anthony has had a harsh dose of reality after a severe hockey injury ended his career and forced him to pivot into coaching. His connection with Logan brings him out of a dark depression that is both surprising and enlightening. His refound hope and excitement for the sport was a bonus for the grumpy coach.
Another strong element in this story is how protective and devoted they are to one another and how willing they are to sacrifice everything for one another. This is a great romance, and I can't wait for the next entry!
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
Overall, I enjoyed this story so much. I love how bratty and confident Logan is and how protective he is of Anthony and his job. Anthony has had a harsh dose of reality after a severe hockey injury ended his career and forced him to pivot into coaching. His connection with Logan brings him out of a dark depression that is both surprising and enlightening. His refound hope and excitement for the sport was a bonus for the grumpy coach.
Another strong element in this story is how protective and devoted they are to one another and how willing they are to sacrifice everything for one another. This is a great romance, and I can't wait for the next entry!
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
Read
March 7, 2025DNF @ 32% - started skimming. I can tell at this point it’s going to be repetitive until the end. Characters aren’t endearing enough to care.
May 19, 2025
DNF @38%
BOREEEEEEEEEEEED OUT OF MY MIND .Plus, I loathe them already.
BOREEEEEEEEEEEED OUT OF MY MIND .Plus, I loathe them already.
March 2, 2025
Hockey, coach/player, dads enemy, and age gap, what’s not to love. The chemistry between Logan and Anthony was crazy hot right from the beginning. This was a fast paced, super spicy book with lots of family drama and so many side characters that I hope get stories in the future.
March 10, 2025
college hockey
huge age gap
ex nhl now coach
coach/player
bi rep
absolutely loved this one def my favorite read so far this year i want this hard copy
does anyone know who the second book will be about?!!!
huge age gap
ex nhl now coach
coach/player
bi rep
absolutely loved this one def my favorite read so far this year i want this hard copy
does anyone know who the second book will be about?!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2025
time of death 55%
i was trying to push through bc this book is less than 300 pages and the smut was decent but every single character was insufferable
i was trying to push through bc this book is less than 300 pages and the smut was decent but every single character was insufferable
March 5, 2025
No Pucks is book one in the Gods Versus Monsters Hockey series. This MM age gap, forbidden romance story is about Logan and Anthony.
Logan comes from a hockey family. He is heading to college to play hockey for the Gods, which is actually the rival team of his father’s Alma mater, the Monsters. Anthony is a former NHL player who had to retire early, and it was Logan’s father that took him out, injuring him and ruining his career.
Logan likes to seduce older men, and we see this when he picks up Anthony in a bar. They don’t know each other, and Logan persuades Anthony to take him back to his hotel room. Their hookup is one night only, and it was so incredibly steamy.
Then we jump to four months later when Logan walks into hockey practice and finds out Anthony is his new head coach. They both did not expect to see each other again, and were shocked to learn of their new coach/player dynamic. And let me tell you I was here for it. I enjoyed the back and forth. I loved how Logan went after what he wanted, and I loved how Anthony couldn’t resist him and finally gave in. Their chemistry was amazing and they were so hot together. Logan and Anthony didn’t expect things to turn into more, and I loved seeing how much they came to care about each other and how protective they were of one another.
Logan and Anthony had their challenges being together, especially having to keep it a secret. They also had Logan’s family drama to deal with. His father was truly awful, and he tried going after both Logan and Anthony. But in the end, I Ioved how Logan and Anthony were willing to sacrifice everything for each other.
Logan’s teammates as well as his younger brother Evander were very interesting side characters, and I hope to see more of them in the future. This was a great start to a new series, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
I received an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest review.
Logan comes from a hockey family. He is heading to college to play hockey for the Gods, which is actually the rival team of his father’s Alma mater, the Monsters. Anthony is a former NHL player who had to retire early, and it was Logan’s father that took him out, injuring him and ruining his career.
Logan likes to seduce older men, and we see this when he picks up Anthony in a bar. They don’t know each other, and Logan persuades Anthony to take him back to his hotel room. Their hookup is one night only, and it was so incredibly steamy.
Then we jump to four months later when Logan walks into hockey practice and finds out Anthony is his new head coach. They both did not expect to see each other again, and were shocked to learn of their new coach/player dynamic. And let me tell you I was here for it. I enjoyed the back and forth. I loved how Logan went after what he wanted, and I loved how Anthony couldn’t resist him and finally gave in. Their chemistry was amazing and they were so hot together. Logan and Anthony didn’t expect things to turn into more, and I loved seeing how much they came to care about each other and how protective they were of one another.
Logan and Anthony had their challenges being together, especially having to keep it a secret. They also had Logan’s family drama to deal with. His father was truly awful, and he tried going after both Logan and Anthony. But in the end, I Ioved how Logan and Anthony were willing to sacrifice everything for each other.
Logan’s teammates as well as his younger brother Evander were very interesting side characters, and I hope to see more of them in the future. This was a great start to a new series, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
I received an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest review.
March 8, 2025
"He pulls back, lips slightly swollen, and he smiles effortlessly. He’s happy, and it’s easy for him. I want to drink it from his skin. I forgot what joy feels like, but maybe he’ll give me a taste. I grab him by the back of his head, dragging him forward into another kiss, only to be interrupted by the ding of the elevator alerting us to my floor."
No Pucks is book 1 in the new Gods Versus Monsters Hockey series by J.R. Gray, and in case you're confused, this isn't a PNR series, the Gods and the Monsters are the hockey teams!😁
What To Expect:
🏒 MM sports romance
🏒Age gap
🏒Grumpy/sunshine
🏒Coach/player
🏒Forbidden
🏒One night stand to lovers to more
🏒Some angst
🏒HEA
Age gap isn't my fave and it ended rather abruptly, but I still enjoyed the read.
3.75 stars rounded up.
No Pucks is book 1 in the new Gods Versus Monsters Hockey series by J.R. Gray, and in case you're confused, this isn't a PNR series, the Gods and the Monsters are the hockey teams!😁
What To Expect:
🏒 MM sports romance
🏒Age gap
🏒Grumpy/sunshine
🏒Coach/player
🏒Forbidden
🏒One night stand to lovers to more
🏒Some angst
🏒HEA
Age gap isn't my fave and it ended rather abruptly, but I still enjoyed the read.
3.75 stars rounded up.
May 24, 2025
Fun read, less angsty than I expected. Horrible dad of course because that’s this author’s standard MO. In a different way than in other books I read, so that was nice. What I didn’t understand was how he could have ruined the knee of his team mate twice and still be a successful player. If it was so well known, why were there no consequences? That didn’t make sense. Also the book gave me some second hand anxiety about them sneaking around. I kept waiting for the moment someone found out.
Anyway I think I recommend this book for all mm hockey romance lovers because it had a great amount of hockey without getting overboard. Good smut, not too much. And Anthony and Logan were very good together. An epilogue a few years later would have been nice too.
Anyway I think I recommend this book for all mm hockey romance lovers because it had a great amount of hockey without getting overboard. Good smut, not too much. And Anthony and Logan were very good together. An epilogue a few years later would have been nice too.
March 6, 2025
This one hits the ground running where the spice is concerned. Logan is the pursuer even when he first spots the rough around the edges hot tattooed older man quietly sipping his scotch across the bar. When their identities are revealed to each other months later they find themselves in a forbidden dynamic as coach and player. Logan’s dad is selfish and has already compromised Anthony’s career which makes his wary of Logan but be soon comes to realise there is no love lost between the two. this has everything you would expect from a forbidden hockey romance - animosity, family drama, found family of players, ton of clandestine spicy scenes.
Expect:
* Age gap
* Size difference
* Dad’s enemy
* Hockey romance
* Coach Player
* Secret relationship
* Forbidden
* One night stand to more
Expect:
* Age gap
* Size difference
* Dad’s enemy
* Hockey romance
* Coach Player
* Secret relationship
* Forbidden
* One night stand to more
March 14, 2025
logan + anthony
standalone | 1st book in Gods vs Monsters series | MM | college | hockey | coach x player | dad's rival | age gap | forbidden | grumpy x sunshine | size difference | anthony uses a cane to walk | baby bi to ice daddy | HEA
This was a short, fun, and sexy read. Logan is the definition of sunshine. Despite living a life being micromanaged by his retired NHL dad, he still sees the good in everything. Anthony is his total opposite with his grumpy, broody demeanor and inability to smile - like ever. Logan goes after what he wants and what he wants is Anthony to manhandle him. Even if he is his hockey team's coach ; ) Anthony doesn't stand a chance because Logan doesn't relent and as they give into their want for each other Logan's family drama escalates. Evander and Logan are desperate to protect their mother from their cheating father and devise a plan to exact their revenge on their good for nothing daddy figure. And when it all comes together it felt SO good to stick it to him! JR wrote another great story of two men finding love with the perfect balance of banter, spice, and honest conversations. Also, kudos for choosing an uncut c0ck for Anthony. Not only is he big, broody, and tatted but uncut?! Jesus, what a present for Logan to unwrap ; ) I also LOVED the fact that these two didn't have a 3rd act breakup and Krista - Anthony's BFF - was my kinda girl. Thank you, JR Gray, for creating Logan and Anthony's story!
Up next: Two Guys One Puck is the 2nd book in the series and it's currently on TBR!
standalone | 1st book in Gods vs Monsters series | MM | college | hockey | coach x player | dad's rival | age gap | forbidden | grumpy x sunshine | size difference | anthony uses a cane to walk | baby bi to ice daddy | HEA
This was a short, fun, and sexy read. Logan is the definition of sunshine. Despite living a life being micromanaged by his retired NHL dad, he still sees the good in everything. Anthony is his total opposite with his grumpy, broody demeanor and inability to smile - like ever. Logan goes after what he wants and what he wants is Anthony to manhandle him. Even if he is his hockey team's coach ; ) Anthony doesn't stand a chance because Logan doesn't relent and as they give into their want for each other Logan's family drama escalates. Evander and Logan are desperate to protect their mother from their cheating father and devise a plan to exact their revenge on their good for nothing daddy figure. And when it all comes together it felt SO good to stick it to him! JR wrote another great story of two men finding love with the perfect balance of banter, spice, and honest conversations. Also, kudos for choosing an uncut c0ck for Anthony. Not only is he big, broody, and tatted but uncut?! Jesus, what a present for Logan to unwrap ; ) I also LOVED the fact that these two didn't have a 3rd act breakup and Krista - Anthony's BFF - was my kinda girl. Thank you, JR Gray, for creating Logan and Anthony's story!
Up next: Two Guys One Puck is the 2nd book in the series and it's currently on TBR!
March 28, 2025
⭐️
2.5 stars rounded up
⭐️
Hell...is it time I give up on this author? Perhaps. I've never hated any of his work but I haven't loved any of them either.
I had hoped i would with this one, but it end up being the same kind of style. No substance, no much depth at all, OTT drama in an annoying way, but then no drama where it would have made sense, etc...
Like...all the drama went into Logan's dad, who was a bastard but who we actually barely saw in this whole book and who Logan barely interacted with.
But honestly, why was all the energy put in this sad, pathetic narcissistic man who still wants all the glory and not these two characters and their relationship and the HIGHLY taboo nature of it?
Logan is 18 and Anthony is 40 when they meet. Anthony doesn't know this their first time together, but he knows it when they meet 4 months later when school starts and Logan is about a month or so away from being 19 and they still do sexual stuff when Logan is 18. Hell, 19 isn't much better.
Like that is...such a HUGE age gap, with Logan being so young on top of it - yes, a legal adult, but still fucking young (like there's a teasing comment made by Logan's 17 year old brother about Anthony and Logan is all "ew, you're still a minor, gross" and it's like...you're only 2 years older than that! Please be serious here!) - and also he is his coach! Technically a teacher, in a way.
Like all of this is SO wrong and bad and yet...is that made much of a focus? No. Does Anthony put up a bit of a stink at first? Sure, but not much. It doesn't take him long to give in. And for Logan seemingly not "wanting to make things worse for Anthony" if he was found out, he sure pursues him like crazy and with no care at all to the consequences.
And they start out as "just sex" and risk it all...for just sex? And then as they become more, they become MORE open, not less! And just be kissing in corners, hugging in an empty locker room where anyone could walk in - do they even lock the door to Anthony's office? I have NO idea!
And while all this taboo stuff is fun and all, it's taboo for a reason, so why is no one giving a shit? The MCs, and then when it eventually comes out, NO ONE GIVES A SHIT.
I just...I can't. The last 40% of this book, especially, just went off the rails for me.
I think the first half-ish was fairly good, fairly fun. I'm rounding up to 3 stars for this because I really liked the beginning, I really enjoyed their chemistry and there were some really good smut scene (if they weren't cut off, that is!) here and there in the beginning. The story was at least kept engaging for a time.
But that quickly fell by the wayside. Months went by without much of a clear indication of that, not definitive explanation of what month it was or anything like that. Maybe just a "we've been together 6 months" comment that had me going huh?! Because when? Where?! All the sudden it's been that long?
And seriously what was this author's problem with cutting off really hot, really good smut scenes? This didn't happen with all, but it did with quite a bit. Like what the fuck? We got a really good start and middle, but no end sometimes! We barely got any smut later on as well, it's like the author gave up on them halfway through. We got like one blowjob scene in the second half or so and that's IT.
We were told they were horny but didn't get to see much of it a lot of the time.
I couldn't give a fuck about the drama with the dad either and heavily skimmed/skipped scenes about that. Like I did not give a fuck! And Logan and the rest of his team were judging the father for sleeping with a college aged puck bunny who was one of the guys on his team's sister when their Coach is FUCKING A COLLEGE AGED GUY WHO IS ON HIS TEAM! Like I couldn't bELIEVE the disconnect. Logan all "ugh how could he fuck one of the guy's on his team's sister, how disgusting" and I'M LIKE?! INCREDULOUS!
NO gravitas given to what Anthony and Logan are doing, even in their own heads, and it just made them massive hypocrites in some ways.
Now Logan's father was horrible in other ways that were worse than that, but still. Like THAT you get angry and judge-y over? LMAO PLS!
God this story had the potential of being great. It had all the bare bones to be it. And Logan and Anthony actually had great, juicy chemistry in the beginning! This was somewhat enjoyable at first, too! Hence the rounding up and not giving this the worst rating I could give it. It had its positives in the first half.
But the second half? God, it just brought my rating lower and lower the more I read and the more detached the story I got.
Like what the fuck was that ending, too? And that epilogue? It was like were still in the middle of the story and the author was just done writing and thought that would be a good ending point when it wasn't.
Like fuck, THAT'S the ending these two get? What a disappointing ending. What a disappointing book overall.
It was trying to be more than what it was. It COULD have been so much more and instead was just...a bit 'blah' and 'meh' in the end. We didn't even get to see most of Anthony and Logan's relationship, this jumped around way too much - one second Logan and his brother are in his dorm room (which, we never even see Logan go to classes or talk about classes or do homework, btw!) and then next it's like Anthony is just there and I was SO CONFUSED, but no they'd gone to his apartment but we didn't get an explanation of that, they just were there.
Things like that just....it isn't the best writing. It isn't horrible, but it isn't great.
This author should have been able to improve by now and hasn't.
So...yeah, I think this will be my last book by this author. I've given up.
This was just...too ridiculous. I had such high hopes and got...this.
Unfortunate.
Hell...is it time I give up on this author? Perhaps. I've never hated any of his work but I haven't loved any of them either.
I had hoped i would with this one, but it end up being the same kind of style. No substance, no much depth at all, OTT drama in an annoying way, but then no drama where it would have made sense, etc...
Like...all the drama went into Logan's dad, who was a bastard but who we actually barely saw in this whole book and who Logan barely interacted with.
But honestly, why was all the energy put in this sad, pathetic narcissistic man who still wants all the glory and not these two characters and their relationship and the HIGHLY taboo nature of it?
Logan is 18 and Anthony is 40 when they meet. Anthony doesn't know this their first time together, but he knows it when they meet 4 months later when school starts and Logan is about a month or so away from being 19 and they still do sexual stuff when Logan is 18. Hell, 19 isn't much better.
Like that is...such a HUGE age gap, with Logan being so young on top of it - yes, a legal adult, but still fucking young (like there's a teasing comment made by Logan's 17 year old brother about Anthony and Logan is all "ew, you're still a minor, gross" and it's like...you're only 2 years older than that! Please be serious here!) - and also he is his coach! Technically a teacher, in a way.
Like all of this is SO wrong and bad and yet...is that made much of a focus? No. Does Anthony put up a bit of a stink at first? Sure, but not much. It doesn't take him long to give in. And for Logan seemingly not "wanting to make things worse for Anthony" if he was found out, he sure pursues him like crazy and with no care at all to the consequences.
And they start out as "just sex" and risk it all...for just sex? And then as they become more, they become MORE open, not less! And just be kissing in corners, hugging in an empty locker room where anyone could walk in - do they even lock the door to Anthony's office? I have NO idea!
And while all this taboo stuff is fun and all, it's taboo for a reason, so why is no one giving a shit? The MCs, and then when it eventually comes out, NO ONE GIVES A SHIT.
I just...I can't. The last 40% of this book, especially, just went off the rails for me.
I think the first half-ish was fairly good, fairly fun. I'm rounding up to 3 stars for this because I really liked the beginning, I really enjoyed their chemistry and there were some really good smut scene (if they weren't cut off, that is!) here and there in the beginning. The story was at least kept engaging for a time.
But that quickly fell by the wayside. Months went by without much of a clear indication of that, not definitive explanation of what month it was or anything like that. Maybe just a "we've been together 6 months" comment that had me going huh?! Because when? Where?! All the sudden it's been that long?
And seriously what was this author's problem with cutting off really hot, really good smut scenes? This didn't happen with all, but it did with quite a bit. Like what the fuck? We got a really good start and middle, but no end sometimes! We barely got any smut later on as well, it's like the author gave up on them halfway through. We got like one blowjob scene in the second half or so and that's IT.
We were told they were horny but didn't get to see much of it a lot of the time.
I couldn't give a fuck about the drama with the dad either and heavily skimmed/skipped scenes about that. Like I did not give a fuck! And Logan and the rest of his team were judging the father for sleeping with a college aged puck bunny who was one of the guys on his team's sister when their Coach is FUCKING A COLLEGE AGED GUY WHO IS ON HIS TEAM! Like I couldn't bELIEVE the disconnect. Logan all "ugh how could he fuck one of the guy's on his team's sister, how disgusting" and I'M LIKE?! INCREDULOUS!
NO gravitas given to what Anthony and Logan are doing, even in their own heads, and it just made them massive hypocrites in some ways.
Now Logan's father was horrible in other ways that were worse than that, but still. Like THAT you get angry and judge-y over? LMAO PLS!
God this story had the potential of being great. It had all the bare bones to be it. And Logan and Anthony actually had great, juicy chemistry in the beginning! This was somewhat enjoyable at first, too! Hence the rounding up and not giving this the worst rating I could give it. It had its positives in the first half.
But the second half? God, it just brought my rating lower and lower the more I read and the more detached the story I got.
Like what the fuck was that ending, too? And that epilogue? It was like were still in the middle of the story and the author was just done writing and thought that would be a good ending point when it wasn't.
Like fuck, THAT'S the ending these two get? What a disappointing ending. What a disappointing book overall.
It was trying to be more than what it was. It COULD have been so much more and instead was just...a bit 'blah' and 'meh' in the end. We didn't even get to see most of Anthony and Logan's relationship, this jumped around way too much - one second Logan and his brother are in his dorm room (which, we never even see Logan go to classes or talk about classes or do homework, btw!) and then next it's like Anthony is just there and I was SO CONFUSED, but no they'd gone to his apartment but we didn't get an explanation of that, they just were there.
Things like that just....it isn't the best writing. It isn't horrible, but it isn't great.
This author should have been able to improve by now and hasn't.
So...yeah, I think this will be my last book by this author. I've given up.
This was just...too ridiculous. I had such high hopes and got...this.
Unfortunate.
March 8, 2025
Not horrible, just horribly written
This was a disappointment! The story was sufficiently compelling that I finished the entire book. But the writing is underdeveloped throughout, which makes it hard to connect with the characters or emotional stakes.
This was a disappointment! The story was sufficiently compelling that I finished the entire book. But the writing is underdeveloped throughout, which makes it hard to connect with the characters or emotional stakes.
March 14, 2025
Quick and Hot Read
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️.5
If you like big age gaps and a bit of forbidden romance with a coach and his player, than this is the one for you.
It was an easy read and the spice was good.
✨ MM Hockey Romance
✨ Coach x College Player
✨ Grumpy x Sunshine
✨ Forbidden
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️.5
If you like big age gaps and a bit of forbidden romance with a coach and his player, than this is the one for you.
It was an easy read and the spice was good.
✨ MM Hockey Romance
✨ Coach x College Player
✨ Grumpy x Sunshine
✨ Forbidden
March 19, 2025
3.8 ✨
Romance was cute, writing was meh. Love low angst, but I don’t think grumpy/sunshine is really my thing. I simply do not vibe with grumpy people. Also I might be cooling on age gap??? Unclear, will have to do more research to confirm (I am a woman in STEM).
Ps: note to authors - contractions are your friend!!! Do not be afraid of contractions! Please!!!!!!
Romance was cute, writing was meh. Love low angst, but I don’t think grumpy/sunshine is really my thing. I simply do not vibe with grumpy people. Also I might be cooling on age gap??? Unclear, will have to do more research to confirm (I am a woman in STEM).
Ps: note to authors - contractions are your friend!!! Do not be afraid of contractions! Please!!!!!!
March 7, 2025
While age gaps with an 18yo MC aren’t my favorite usually, this was actually really cute. Logan is fairly mature for an 18 yo nepo baby and Anthony really needed some sunshine in his life. 🥹
January 20, 2026
5 PUCKING Stars
⭐ |
5
🌶️
Read: 05/05/2025
What to expect from this book? 🤔
🫶 MM Adult College Sport Romance 🫣 🥵🤌
🏒 One Night Stand
🏒Dad's Enemy
🏒 Age Gap (40-18)
🏒 Forbidden Relationship
🏒 Hockey Coach x Player
🏒 Grumpy x Sunshine
🏒 Opposites Attract
🏒 Size Difference
🏒 Possessiveness & Jealousy
🏒 Dirty Talk
🏒 First Times
🏒 "Ice Daddy"
🏒 Chronic Pain Rep
🏒 Daddy Issues
🏒 Hurt/Comfort
🏒 Found Family
🏒 HEA
Cover: 5/5
Story: 5/5
Series: Gods Versus Monsters Hockey #1
Format: Ebook
POV: 1st Person - Dual POV
Plot: 5/5
Main Characters:
5/5 - Logan, 18yo, he/him, billionaire, is a player on the “Gods Versus Monsters” hockey college team.
5/5 – Anthony Hawke, 40yo, he/him, nickname: Ice Daddy, coaches the “Gods Versus Monsters” hockey college team.
Side Characters: 5/5
Steam Level: 5/5
Romance: High Focus
Favorite character? BOTH
Humor: Low Focus
Angst: Medium Focus
Cheating? No
The Ending: 5/5
HEA/HFN/Cliffhanger: HEA
This is my 1st book by J.R. Gray.
Enjoyment: 5/5
Gods Versus Monsters Hockey Series:
1.No Pucks
- 5,0 stars
2.
Two Guys One Puck
- 5,0 stars
Expected 01/04/2026 :
3. A Puck Between Friends
Expected 30/09/2026 :
4. Puck Around And Find Out
Hope this review was helpful.
Click Here For: My StoryGraph Review|My Bookbub Review|
Where To Find My Reviews: GOODREADS|STORYGRAPH|BOOKBUB|
My Socials: LINKTR.EE|INSTAGRAM|BLUESKY|TIKTOK|FACEBOOK|TUMBLR|AO3|
Read: 05/05/2025
What to expect from this book? 🤔
🫶 MM Adult College Sport Romance 🫣 🥵🤌
🏒 One Night Stand
🏒Dad's Enemy
🏒 Age Gap (40-18)
🏒 Forbidden Relationship
🏒 Hockey Coach x Player
🏒 Grumpy x Sunshine
🏒 Opposites Attract
🏒 Size Difference
🏒 Possessiveness & Jealousy
🏒 Dirty Talk
🏒 First Times
🏒 "Ice Daddy"
🏒 Chronic Pain Rep
🏒 Daddy Issues
🏒 Hurt/Comfort
🏒 Found Family
🏒 HEA
Cover: 5/5
Story: 5/5
Series: Gods Versus Monsters Hockey #1
Format: Ebook
POV: 1st Person - Dual POV
Plot: 5/5
Main Characters:
5/5 - Logan, 18yo, he/him, billionaire, is a player on the “Gods Versus Monsters” hockey college team.
5/5 – Anthony Hawke, 40yo, he/him, nickname: Ice Daddy, coaches the “Gods Versus Monsters” hockey college team.
Side Characters: 5/5
Steam Level: 5/5
Romance: High Focus
Favorite character? BOTH
Humor: Low Focus
Angst: Medium Focus
Cheating? No
The Ending: 5/5
HEA/HFN/Cliffhanger: HEA
This is my 1st book by J.R. Gray.
Enjoyment: 5/5
Gods Versus Monsters Hockey Series:
1.
2.
Expected 01/04/2026 :
3. A Puck Between Friends
Expected 30/09/2026 :
4. Puck Around And Find Out
Hope this review was helpful.
Click Here For: My StoryGraph Review|My Bookbub Review|
Where To Find My Reviews: GOODREADS|STORYGRAPH|BOOKBUB|
My Socials: LINKTR.EE|INSTAGRAM|BLUESKY|TIKTOK|FACEBOOK|TUMBLR|AO3|
May 5, 2025
3 🌟
Logan and Anthony
— age gap
— forbidden
— coach x player
— size difference
— first times with a man
— sports romance (hockey)
Sooooo not sure how I feel about this one. There were random time jumps, where they would be in the middle of a conversation and then the next paragraph would be “and then the next week blah blah blah happened” and it left me confused and feeling like we missed important things happening. Quite a few times, things were just glossed over, and I felt like the story could have been a lot better if these moments were fleshed out and more detailed.
I was also a bit concerned with how much of a player Logan is described as, and all his talks of hooking up with older guys, loving giving older men their first gay experience etc all when he’s only 18 . . .
Logan definitely behaved like he was much older. He didn’t talk or act like an 18 year old. It would have made more sense if he was in his early 20s at least instead.
The ending seemed a bit rushed too, and I wanted more from the epilogue. I didn’t feel like we had a proper conclusion or get to see how Logan and Anthony would handle their relationship outside of just Anthony’s apartment.
Overall I enjoyed the concept of this one, but not the execution. I did like the characters, and some of the side characters were pretty interesting so depending on whose story is next I may consider continuing the series.
.
.
.
.
Potential spoilers
Dynamic: MM — strict
Sharing? No
Cheating? No
Breakup? No
Sex scene with OM or OW No
Logan and Anthony
— age gap
— forbidden
— coach x player
— size difference
— first times with a man
— sports romance (hockey)
Sooooo not sure how I feel about this one. There were random time jumps, where they would be in the middle of a conversation and then the next paragraph would be “and then the next week blah blah blah happened” and it left me confused and feeling like we missed important things happening. Quite a few times, things were just glossed over, and I felt like the story could have been a lot better if these moments were fleshed out and more detailed.
I was also a bit concerned with how much of a player Logan is described as, and all his talks of hooking up with older guys, loving giving older men their first gay experience etc all when he’s only 18 . . .
Logan definitely behaved like he was much older. He didn’t talk or act like an 18 year old. It would have made more sense if he was in his early 20s at least instead.
The ending seemed a bit rushed too, and I wanted more from the epilogue. I didn’t feel like we had a proper conclusion or get to see how Logan and Anthony would handle their relationship outside of just Anthony’s apartment.
Overall I enjoyed the concept of this one, but not the execution. I did like the characters, and some of the side characters were pretty interesting so depending on whose story is next I may consider continuing the series.
.
.
.
.
Potential spoilers
Dynamic: MM — strict
Sharing? No
Cheating? No
Breakup? No
Sex scene with OM or OW No
March 30, 2025
2.25⭐️
Aw dang, I thought I was going to like this one, but it wasn’t for me.
This book follows a college hockey coach and player. Anthony is a college hockey coach who had his NHL career ripped away from him by a jealous rival player who injured him. Anthony lands his new job, and is shocked to see that one of the players is Logan, a young guy he hooked up with months ago. On top of that, he finds out that Logan is 18 YEARS OLD and also the son of the guy who ended his career. This story is partially about Logan and Anthony’s hidden relationship, and partially about the evil and spiteful father trying to ruin them.
This book was full of drama and very over the top. For me personally, I found the plot ridiculous and underwhelming, the age gap is icky, I didn’t feel any sense of interest in the characters, and their relationship was kind of lacklustre. Especially at the beginning, when the tension between characters should be building, I felt like it was just narrated, or instead of actually showing the scenes, it was just Anthony telling his best friend about what Logan was like.
Aw dang, I thought I was going to like this one, but it wasn’t for me.
This book follows a college hockey coach and player. Anthony is a college hockey coach who had his NHL career ripped away from him by a jealous rival player who injured him. Anthony lands his new job, and is shocked to see that one of the players is Logan, a young guy he hooked up with months ago. On top of that, he finds out that Logan is 18 YEARS OLD and also the son of the guy who ended his career. This story is partially about Logan and Anthony’s hidden relationship, and partially about the evil and spiteful father trying to ruin them.
This book was full of drama and very over the top. For me personally, I found the plot ridiculous and underwhelming, the age gap is icky, I didn’t feel any sense of interest in the characters, and their relationship was kind of lacklustre. Especially at the beginning, when the tension between characters should be building, I felt like it was just narrated, or instead of actually showing the scenes, it was just Anthony telling his best friend about what Logan was like.
May 29, 2025
50/5 stars! I am ashamed to admit this is my first read by author J.R. Gray, after hearing amazing things about his writing for a long time. I blame my TBR for trying to murder me! But I finally picked up this beauty and WOW; this book is everything! On its surface, it is a MM hockey romance, with themes of age gap, and a great deal of humor. But it is SO much more than that.
Logan, despite his happy-go-lucky (dare I say golden retriever) energy, has a history of emotional abuse and manipulation from his former-famous hockey dad. Anthony is dealing with his own kind of grief and what openly owning the fact he is bisexual would mean for him. After a steamy hookup, they both try to move on...until the first day of practice for Logan's freshman year of hockey reveals his new coach as no other than Anthony.
There is so much hidden depth between the spice and humor in this story that I could not put it down. I ended up reading until my eyes physically could not stay open because I didn't want to step away from Logan, Anthony, and their love.
There is also a lot of great development for side characters that I hope will be featured in future installments...twins anyone!?
Read this book if you like:
-MM romance
-Sports romance
-Age Gap
-Family drama
-Coach/player
-Balance of humor and angst
Logan, despite his happy-go-lucky (dare I say golden retriever) energy, has a history of emotional abuse and manipulation from his former-famous hockey dad. Anthony is dealing with his own kind of grief and what openly owning the fact he is bisexual would mean for him. After a steamy hookup, they both try to move on...until the first day of practice for Logan's freshman year of hockey reveals his new coach as no other than Anthony.
There is so much hidden depth between the spice and humor in this story that I could not put it down. I ended up reading until my eyes physically could not stay open because I didn't want to step away from Logan, Anthony, and their love.
There is also a lot of great development for side characters that I hope will be featured in future installments...twins anyone!?
Read this book if you like:
-MM romance
-Sports romance
-Age Gap
-Family drama
-Coach/player
-Balance of humor and angst
March 10, 2025
Sadly I didn’t love it! I’ve read and loved many other books by this author so was excited to read but although it had amazing potential something was missing and all the drama fixed just too easily and unbelievably. I think the mc could have had a slightly smaller age gap Logan could have played junior hockey so be starting college late maybe 21 and the coach could have been under 40 still big but in the real world their age gap of what’s hinted at 22-24 years and with a super mature 18 year old, didn’t ring true. Also I think the issue with people commenting about the connection between the mc’s being bit flat other than sexual parts was the dialogue it was all a bit basic and repetitive. However other books by this author are amazing so try others the Pretty Broken series or Volatile were brilliant dark romance.
March 6, 2025
Okay I love this whole book! Anthony & Logan are amazing together and I love the chemistry. If you like an age gap, coach/athlete with some daddy issues then this is the book for you. I can’t wait for book 2!
March 9, 2025
4.25⭐️
March 19, 2025
Idk what to tell you 💀 this started out strong with a banger of a dedication and then it dissolved into a over dramatic day time soap opera. It was not for meeeee
March 7, 2025
Rating: 4⭐️
Emotion: 2.5
Spice: 3.5🌶️
I received an ARC of No Pucks in exchange for an honest review
I really enjoyed No Pucks. I think I was expecting a heavier story based on other JR books I’ve read (Goodbye Note & the Pretty Broken series). This was light hearted, low angst with a nice sprinkling of smut.
The story was well written with characters that pulled me in seamlessly. I loved the camaraderie with the team, there was definitely a nice found family element to the story.
I am excited to continue the series with ‘Two Guys One Puck’
I really dislike the term ‘daddy’ in stories I read but I am 100% here for ‘Ice Daddy’ - this is probably up there with some of my favourite pet names
Also can we please take a moment to acknowledge the BEST hazing term substitute … ‘adopting’ - this was hilarious and I don’t think I’ve ever read a better way to refer to hazing!
Overall another excellent novel by JR, he always delivers
Emotion: 2.5
Spice: 3.5🌶️
I received an ARC of No Pucks in exchange for an honest review
I really enjoyed No Pucks. I think I was expecting a heavier story based on other JR books I’ve read (Goodbye Note & the Pretty Broken series). This was light hearted, low angst with a nice sprinkling of smut.
The story was well written with characters that pulled me in seamlessly. I loved the camaraderie with the team, there was definitely a nice found family element to the story.
I am excited to continue the series with ‘Two Guys One Puck’
I really dislike the term ‘daddy’ in stories I read but I am 100% here for ‘Ice Daddy’ - this is probably up there with some of my favourite pet names
Also can we please take a moment to acknowledge the BEST hazing term substitute … ‘adopting’ - this was hilarious and I don’t think I’ve ever read a better way to refer to hazing!
Overall another excellent novel by JR, he always delivers
March 12, 2025
⛓️ ARC REVIEW ⛓️
Thank you so much @literallyyourspr & @hipsterwriter for my early copy of No Pucks! 🥹
This was such a frustrating but also cute story. The frustration stemmed from Logan’s father who I wanted to smack the crap out of lol 👿 but cute because Anthony is such a secret cinnamon roll sweetie. I have heart eyes 😍
One thing I have to mention is that I love how being queer was something that was perceived as “normal” in this book. The side characters were so accepting and being queer wasn’t made to be a huge scandal in this story. I loved that so much.
No Pucks is available now and inside you’ll find:
🏒hockey romance
🥅dads enemy
🏒age gap
🥅M/M
🏒amazing banter
🥅KARMA BABY
+ much more!!
As always, check triggers!! There is sensitive topics discussed.
Stickers from @gourmandises_litteraires & @cult.of.noxen
Use code ALAYA10 when shopping with Noxen 🖤
Thank you so much @literallyyourspr & @hipsterwriter for my early copy of No Pucks! 🥹
This was such a frustrating but also cute story. The frustration stemmed from Logan’s father who I wanted to smack the crap out of lol 👿 but cute because Anthony is such a secret cinnamon roll sweetie. I have heart eyes 😍
One thing I have to mention is that I love how being queer was something that was perceived as “normal” in this book. The side characters were so accepting and being queer wasn’t made to be a huge scandal in this story. I loved that so much.
No Pucks is available now and inside you’ll find:
🏒hockey romance
🥅dads enemy
🏒age gap
🥅M/M
🏒amazing banter
🥅KARMA BABY
+ much more!!
As always, check triggers!! There is sensitive topics discussed.
Stickers from @gourmandises_litteraires & @cult.of.noxen
Use code ALAYA10 when shopping with Noxen 🖤
Displaying 1 - 30 of 204 reviews