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Austin Aces Hockey Club
On Thin Ice
One last season. One final secret.
I’ve spent fifteen years in the NHL hiding who I really am. One more season—head down, mouth shut, lies firmly in place—and I can retire with my secret intact. Then Stryker Bell crashes into my life.
He’s got hands of gold, a mouth made for sin, and a body that moves like a promise. Ten years younger, he’s cocky, reckless, and everything I shouldn’t want. My problem. My obsession. My undoing.
We clash from the start. But no matter how hard I try to keep my distance, Bell doesn’t back off. He crowds my space. Smirks like he knows exactly what I’m thinking. Every glance feels like foreplay. Every brush of contact, a dare.
And after a brutal loss on the road, I break. One raw, desperate moment, and I’ve got him pinned to the wall, my mouth on his like I’ve been starving for a taste.
Now I’m playing the most dangerous game of my career—falling for the rookie who makes me feel more alive than I ever have, while battling trauma I’ve buried so deep I almost believed it was gone.
I want him, but those old demons don’t let go easy. They’ve got their hands around my throat, whispering every lie I’ve ever believed about what it would cost to be open.
And Bell? He refuses to be anyone’s dirty little secret.
If I don’t fight for him now, I won’t just retire in the closet—I’ll lose the only man who’s ever made me want to step out into the light.
He was my idol. Now I’m his secret.
I had Ethan Harrison’s hockey poster taped to my bedroom wall growing up. Now he’s my teammate—and the most infuriating, closed-off man I’ve ever met. All clenched jaws, surly grunts, and brooding stares.
And yet, something about the way he watches me when he thinks no one’s looking makes me want to break him wide open. Crack that perfect composure.
Every lingering glance. Every loaded silence. Every time he pulls away like he’s scared of what will happen if he lets me in—it feels like it’s building to something inevitable.
So when he finally backs me against the wall and kisses me like he’s starving? I know I’ve been right all along. The tension, the looks, the armor he hides behind—it was never just in my head.
He might bark out orders on the ice, but behind closed doors? He’s the one who begs for me to touch him, make him come undone. Who gasps my name, and needs it rough, slow, and real.
I want all of Ethan, but if he won’t choose me, I’ll have no choice but to walk away. I didn’t fight like hell to stand in the light just to be someone’s dirty little secret.
I’ve spent fifteen years in the NHL hiding who I really am. One more season—head down, mouth shut, lies firmly in place—and I can retire with my secret intact. Then Stryker Bell crashes into my life.
He’s got hands of gold, a mouth made for sin, and a body that moves like a promise. Ten years younger, he’s cocky, reckless, and everything I shouldn’t want. My problem. My obsession. My undoing.
We clash from the start. But no matter how hard I try to keep my distance, Bell doesn’t back off. He crowds my space. Smirks like he knows exactly what I’m thinking. Every glance feels like foreplay. Every brush of contact, a dare.
And after a brutal loss on the road, I break. One raw, desperate moment, and I’ve got him pinned to the wall, my mouth on his like I’ve been starving for a taste.
Now I’m playing the most dangerous game of my career—falling for the rookie who makes me feel more alive than I ever have, while battling trauma I’ve buried so deep I almost believed it was gone.
I want him, but those old demons don’t let go easy. They’ve got their hands around my throat, whispering every lie I’ve ever believed about what it would cost to be open.
And Bell? He refuses to be anyone’s dirty little secret.
If I don’t fight for him now, I won’t just retire in the closet—I’ll lose the only man who’s ever made me want to step out into the light.
He was my idol. Now I’m his secret.
I had Ethan Harrison’s hockey poster taped to my bedroom wall growing up. Now he’s my teammate—and the most infuriating, closed-off man I’ve ever met. All clenched jaws, surly grunts, and brooding stares.
And yet, something about the way he watches me when he thinks no one’s looking makes me want to break him wide open. Crack that perfect composure.
Every lingering glance. Every loaded silence. Every time he pulls away like he’s scared of what will happen if he lets me in—it feels like it’s building to something inevitable.
So when he finally backs me against the wall and kisses me like he’s starving? I know I’ve been right all along. The tension, the looks, the armor he hides behind—it was never just in my head.
He might bark out orders on the ice, but behind closed doors? He’s the one who begs for me to touch him, make him come undone. Who gasps my name, and needs it rough, slow, and real.
I want all of Ethan, but if he won’t choose me, I’ll have no choice but to walk away. I didn’t fight like hell to stand in the light just to be someone’s dirty little secret.
420 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 20, 2025
135 people are currently reading
209 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Norinne
56 books415 followersUSA Today bestselling author Rebecca Norinne writes sexy romance from the heart. When not banging away at the keyboard, she is watching rugby, playing board games, or drinking a pint of craft beer.
Originally from California, she now resides in New England with her husband and two cats where she is renovating a house built in the 1700s and trying valiantly not to be eaten alive by mosquitos.
For more information, please visit http://www.rebeccanorinne.com.
Originally from California, she now resides in New England with her husband and two cats where she is renovating a house built in the 1700s and trying valiantly not to be eaten alive by mosquitos.
For more information, please visit http://www.rebeccanorinne.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
May 22, 2025
Tropes: grumpy/sunshine, age gap, forced proximity, secret relationship
Feels: 4/5
Steam*: 3/5
Kinks: cum play, rough sex, praise
Angst: medium
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: homophobia, internalized homophobia, past severe gay bashing incident, injuries, religious trauma, past conversion therapy
Cheating between MCs: No
Any cheating: No
Other person drama: neither of them are with anyone else or interested in anyone else once they meet. At one point, Bell thinks Ethan cheated on him, but it was a misunderstanding.
4 stars
Ethan is 34. He is a gay NHL player who is deeply in the closet. He's from a red state that is very homophobic and he was assaulted for being gay as a teen. He has a lot of unresolved trauma. He's only been with one guy before, someone who was as deep in the closet as he was, but their arrangement ended a few years ago. Ethan has been crushing on an up-and-coming rookie, Bell.
Bell is 23 and an openly bi NHL rookie. He's followed Ethan's career and had a crush on him since he was a kid. He's just joined Ethan's team. The coach has paired Ethan and Bell together, because he wants Ethan to mentor the rookie. Ethan gets pressed into letting Bell crash with him. And they are roommates on away games. Bell is a flirt and likes to push boundaries. He pushes a little too far with Ethan, and Ethan loses his control and attacks him with his mouth, lol. They agreed to keep it casual and be friends with benefits, but they both find the other person so endearing that it can't stay casual. They both want more.
But Ethan is very deep in the closet, and Bell doesn't want to be anyone's secret. Bell had a religious upbringing and was put through conversion therapy as a kid and left home as soon as he was old enough. He's not going back in the closet. They both feel very deeply about each other. They aren't perfect, but they are trying their best.
This was an enjoyable book. I love this combination of tropes, the grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, secret relationship... it develops this Us against the world dynamic, where they are the only ones that understand each other and see past the surface level of who the other person is, and sees the vulnerability. They tried to be what the other person needed. They loved fiercely. There was a lot of banter, tension, angst, steam, and feelings.
Some criticisms. I do feel like I've read this premise before a couple times, but I enjoyed this couple so much. I wish Chet had gotten consequences for his behaviour. And I think the book ended a little abruptly, wrapping up some of the difficult things in the epilogue a little too conveniently. It would have been nice to see some of those things resolved in a more thorough way before jumping into the epilogue.
Some notable moments:
"Bell laughed, low and sweet and so fucking fond that it cracked something inside me, as he pressed a soft, lazy kiss to the curve of my shoulder."
"“Smiley?” Keats twisted around in his seat two rows ahead to glance between Bell and me, his expression confused. The movement made his chain catch the light, flashing silver. “How’d you manage that?” “I’ve seen E smile. Once. It was terrifying,” Viggy said as he strolled past on the way to his seat at the back of the plane."
"A low rumble echoed next to me. Oh my god. Ethan was jealous. I should not be as turned on by this discovery as I was, but this was pure fucking gold. How far could I get him to go before he snapped? Before he dragged me to a closet to show me exactly who I belonged to? I knew I was poking the bear. I also knew I wasn’t about to stop."
"Bell never once asked me to be someone I wasn’t. He just kept showing up—brilliant, ridiculous, and tender in ways I hadn’t expected, filthy in ways I hadn’t known I needed. And little by little, I stopped fighting it. Because somewhere deep down, even from that very first moment, I think I knew: Stryker Bell was going to matter. He was going to be my everything."
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
Feels: 4/5
Steam*: 3/5
Kinks: cum play, rough sex, praise
Angst: medium
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: homophobia, internalized homophobia, past severe gay bashing incident, injuries, religious trauma, past conversion therapy
Cheating between MCs: No
Any cheating: No
Other person drama: neither of them are with anyone else or interested in anyone else once they meet. At one point, Bell thinks Ethan cheated on him, but it was a misunderstanding.
4 stars
Ethan is 34. He is a gay NHL player who is deeply in the closet. He's from a red state that is very homophobic and he was assaulted for being gay as a teen. He has a lot of unresolved trauma. He's only been with one guy before, someone who was as deep in the closet as he was, but their arrangement ended a few years ago. Ethan has been crushing on an up-and-coming rookie, Bell.
Bell is 23 and an openly bi NHL rookie. He's followed Ethan's career and had a crush on him since he was a kid. He's just joined Ethan's team. The coach has paired Ethan and Bell together, because he wants Ethan to mentor the rookie. Ethan gets pressed into letting Bell crash with him. And they are roommates on away games. Bell is a flirt and likes to push boundaries. He pushes a little too far with Ethan, and Ethan loses his control and attacks him with his mouth, lol. They agreed to keep it casual and be friends with benefits, but they both find the other person so endearing that it can't stay casual. They both want more.
But Ethan is very deep in the closet, and Bell doesn't want to be anyone's secret. Bell had a religious upbringing and was put through conversion therapy as a kid and left home as soon as he was old enough. He's not going back in the closet. They both feel very deeply about each other. They aren't perfect, but they are trying their best.
This was an enjoyable book. I love this combination of tropes, the grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, secret relationship... it develops this Us against the world dynamic, where they are the only ones that understand each other and see past the surface level of who the other person is, and sees the vulnerability. They tried to be what the other person needed. They loved fiercely. There was a lot of banter, tension, angst, steam, and feelings.
Some criticisms. I do feel like I've read this premise before a couple times, but I enjoyed this couple so much. I wish Chet had gotten consequences for his behaviour. And I think the book ended a little abruptly, wrapping up some of the difficult things in the epilogue a little too conveniently. It would have been nice to see some of those things resolved in a more thorough way before jumping into the epilogue.
Some notable moments:
"Bell laughed, low and sweet and so fucking fond that it cracked something inside me, as he pressed a soft, lazy kiss to the curve of my shoulder."
"“Smiley?” Keats twisted around in his seat two rows ahead to glance between Bell and me, his expression confused. The movement made his chain catch the light, flashing silver. “How’d you manage that?” “I’ve seen E smile. Once. It was terrifying,” Viggy said as he strolled past on the way to his seat at the back of the plane."
"A low rumble echoed next to me. Oh my god. Ethan was jealous. I should not be as turned on by this discovery as I was, but this was pure fucking gold. How far could I get him to go before he snapped? Before he dragged me to a closet to show me exactly who I belonged to? I knew I was poking the bear. I also knew I wasn’t about to stop."
"Bell never once asked me to be someone I wasn’t. He just kept showing up—brilliant, ridiculous, and tender in ways I hadn’t expected, filthy in ways I hadn’t known I needed. And little by little, I stopped fighting it. Because somewhere deep down, even from that very first moment, I think I knew: Stryker Bell was going to matter. He was going to be my everything."
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2025
A beautiful, painful journey from the generation before. The ones who carried the burden, pain and guilt. The ones who sacrificed years and years of happiness because of fear. The ones who finally broke free and came out as their true selves so that they and future generations can live their truths out in the open.
This was a painful book. A story that has been told over and over again, but one that is so necessary and important. I hurt and angered for Ethan. Bell was an angel, simple as that.
This was a painful book. A story that has been told over and over again, but one that is so necessary and important. I hurt and angered for Ethan. Bell was an angel, simple as that.
May 10, 2025
The story of Ethan and Bell is one of the best MM books I have read. The heart that these two characters have, going through their own journeys in a different ways was a heartbreaking tale but one that ends in a happy ending.
I really appreciated the author using the impact of the current political climate and how it affects these two as two people just trying to survive and live happily. I felt for Ethan so much in his journey and cried for Bell in his. These two show the different ways that childhood can impact you forever and how hard grief and trauma can be overcome. Their love story was such an intense but amazing read, I could happily read another novel of just these two and their hilarious antics with each other.
I was lucky enough to receive an arc of this amazing novel and am leaving a review of my own thoughts and feelings.
I really appreciated the author using the impact of the current political climate and how it affects these two as two people just trying to survive and live happily. I felt for Ethan so much in his journey and cried for Bell in his. These two show the different ways that childhood can impact you forever and how hard grief and trauma can be overcome. Their love story was such an intense but amazing read, I could happily read another novel of just these two and their hilarious antics with each other.
I was lucky enough to receive an arc of this amazing novel and am leaving a review of my own thoughts and feelings.
Read
December 11, 2025Idk if I can rate this right now - it’s feeling a little too fresh. The writing was great, I definitely shed tears several times, the spice was hot as hell - but by the end I truly didn’t want our MCs to end up together or I at least wished one MC put his foot down and refused to put up Al with the other MCs shitty treatment. Bell (an emotionally mature alien in a 23 yr old jock suit) deserved so much better. I feel like Ethan (a clearly traumatized and emotionally constipated 36 yr old) was playing games with Bell, even as unintentional they may have been. The push and pull and rejection and denial just got to be too much and I wanted Bell to follow through on the many times that he reached a new breaking point. Ethan needed to get himself lots of therapy to get him to a point that he deserved the truly beautiful treatment he received. So yeah, I’m conflicted and a bit frustrated - feel like I was left with emotional blue balls, no resolution for my many tears. Ugh. Bummed. But Bell is one of my favorite characters I’ve read recently. So atleast there’s that lol. There’s also nearly NO hockey in this book and the conflict between our MCs seems to be happening in a bubble with nearly no interaction or interference from outside forces which felt a little weird at times. Ok I’m done rambling.
May 21, 2025
Ethan & Bell
Another fantastic read from a new-to-me author. An addition to the wonderful multi-author Austin Aces series.
These two have a very heated, up & down relationship. It takes Ethan a good long while to show and admit that he has hidden feelings, or at least urges, for Bell. Once Bell gets that glimpse, he takes the chance to push & prod Ethan over his edge and discover/recognize/acknowledge his truth. Ethan struggles with feeling safe about being out & sharing his relationship, even though he's pretty sure his good friends & teammates wouldn't really care in any negative way. Watching Bell feeling so defeated and dejected over how many missteps he and Ethan take in their relationship is heartbreaking. Both men deserve the best, and only they can provide that for one another, but both of them have to be willing to work together to share and explore a full relationship.
I really enjoyed On Thin Ice, and while these two MCs had a decent age gap, I don't think it really affected their relationship enough to be too noted. It meant more to Ethan than to Bell, and Bell often quoted "Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." by Mark Twain to show his feelings on said concern. These two struggled to come to terms with their path together, but they end on a great note with a wonderful outlook on their future.
I received an authorized copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review.
Another fantastic read from a new-to-me author. An addition to the wonderful multi-author Austin Aces series.
These two have a very heated, up & down relationship. It takes Ethan a good long while to show and admit that he has hidden feelings, or at least urges, for Bell. Once Bell gets that glimpse, he takes the chance to push & prod Ethan over his edge and discover/recognize/acknowledge his truth. Ethan struggles with feeling safe about being out & sharing his relationship, even though he's pretty sure his good friends & teammates wouldn't really care in any negative way. Watching Bell feeling so defeated and dejected over how many missteps he and Ethan take in their relationship is heartbreaking. Both men deserve the best, and only they can provide that for one another, but both of them have to be willing to work together to share and explore a full relationship.
I really enjoyed On Thin Ice, and while these two MCs had a decent age gap, I don't think it really affected their relationship enough to be too noted. It meant more to Ethan than to Bell, and Bell often quoted "Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." by Mark Twain to show his feelings on said concern. These two struggled to come to terms with their path together, but they end on a great note with a wonderful outlook on their future.
I received an authorized copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review.
Read
December 21, 2025dnf in the 30% area. pretty sure it's me, and not the story, but I just couldn't stay focused
October 20, 2025
I liked the story, but the ending was way too quick and also a bit weird? Felt like I was missing a big piece of development, and it wasn’t a satisfying experience for me.
The book needs editing, and please add to each chapter which character‘s POV I‘m reading ffs. That took me out of my reading flow several times.
The book needs editing, and please add to each chapter which character‘s POV I‘m reading ffs. That took me out of my reading flow several times.
May 8, 2025
I had the priviledge of getting an review copy in exchange for an honest review so here it is.
The story is amazing honestly, i dont read a lot of MM romances but the ones i did read usually had characters living in an eviroment where their sexuality was accepted so having both characters come from a place where they had to overcome their trauma to be together was just so beautiful. I dont want to put many spoilers in the review so im gonna leave it at the peoint where i loved the story, im probably gonna read it again in a few monts just for the spice bc let me tell you this two are insaitable and i love it
The story is amazing honestly, i dont read a lot of MM romances but the ones i did read usually had characters living in an eviroment where their sexuality was accepted so having both characters come from a place where they had to overcome their trauma to be together was just so beautiful. I dont want to put many spoilers in the review so im gonna leave it at the peoint where i loved the story, im probably gonna read it again in a few monts just for the spice bc let me tell you this two are insaitable and i love it
May 29, 2025
I will admit that I rarely read MM, its usually MMF, or MFM, or why choose but I really enjoyed this book. I have so much to say about this book but my review would be considered controversial and would probably be censored so I will try and keep it PG and non political. I might email the author my full review after. Sorry in advance if I get too off topic.
I grew up in a very conservative rural area where being different would get you hurt and gender norms and stereotypes are still prevalent. These characters would have probably suffered the same toxicity growing up here. As a society I have seen so many people hurt for being themselves and it should not happen but it does every day. I see and hear it everyday with "thats a girl color", "that's a man's job", " a boy shouldn't wear that", or "boys have short hair and girl's have long hair", or "boys will be boys" as a justification of their bad behavior. The one I hate most is "can I speak to male head of the house who makes the decisions", jokes on them because if my husband made the decisions or paid the bills nothing would get done. This makes me so angry because I am trying to teach my kids and those who I come in contact with that as long as you treat everyone how you want to be treated and are comfortable in your own skin them thats alright with me.
Ethan and Bell are from different generations and Ethan is closer to my age so I can relate to how he was raised and how hard it is for rural kids who are raised in a masculine toxic environment and forced to lie to protect themselves. Bell still faced toxicity from his parents but once he got to college being himself was easier and more acceptable than during Ethan's college days. Where Ethan was forced to hide his true self, Bell was open and honest about who he was. I know that in sports things have changed a lot but there is still a lot of toxic behaviors ingrained in policies and the gender and sexuality barriers are still there.
Bell and Ethan are an unlikely pairing who are opposites, Ethan is quiet and reserved, a grump to his teammates. Bell is outgoing and loud and a ray of sunshine. These two were forced together by their teams management and soon they couldn't deny how they wanted each other. Their on and off the ice chemistry was strong and even their fans could see it. Though because of this chemistry it also brought out the trolls and a bigoted member of the team started to cause problems as well. This made Ethan's fear grow and he wanted to run and hide himself away again even though he wanted to be with Bell. Ethan's retreating nature caused problems of insecurity for Bell because it increased his feelings of being unlovable. After a tense moment, Bell and Ethan agreed to be who they were without making a big fuss and their teammates supported them.
I loved Ethan and Bell and for all those that have a problem with their rrkationship remember that the color orange doesn't define what is right and wrong and that who you love should not be anyone's decision but your own. There are so any other colors of the rainbow that will support you.
Thank you, Rebecca Norinne for the ARC and allowing me to review your MM hockey romance. So far all the Austin Aces books have been amazing.
I grew up in a very conservative rural area where being different would get you hurt and gender norms and stereotypes are still prevalent. These characters would have probably suffered the same toxicity growing up here. As a society I have seen so many people hurt for being themselves and it should not happen but it does every day. I see and hear it everyday with "thats a girl color", "that's a man's job", " a boy shouldn't wear that", or "boys have short hair and girl's have long hair", or "boys will be boys" as a justification of their bad behavior. The one I hate most is "can I speak to male head of the house who makes the decisions", jokes on them because if my husband made the decisions or paid the bills nothing would get done. This makes me so angry because I am trying to teach my kids and those who I come in contact with that as long as you treat everyone how you want to be treated and are comfortable in your own skin them thats alright with me.
Ethan and Bell are from different generations and Ethan is closer to my age so I can relate to how he was raised and how hard it is for rural kids who are raised in a masculine toxic environment and forced to lie to protect themselves. Bell still faced toxicity from his parents but once he got to college being himself was easier and more acceptable than during Ethan's college days. Where Ethan was forced to hide his true self, Bell was open and honest about who he was. I know that in sports things have changed a lot but there is still a lot of toxic behaviors ingrained in policies and the gender and sexuality barriers are still there.
Bell and Ethan are an unlikely pairing who are opposites, Ethan is quiet and reserved, a grump to his teammates. Bell is outgoing and loud and a ray of sunshine. These two were forced together by their teams management and soon they couldn't deny how they wanted each other. Their on and off the ice chemistry was strong and even their fans could see it. Though because of this chemistry it also brought out the trolls and a bigoted member of the team started to cause problems as well. This made Ethan's fear grow and he wanted to run and hide himself away again even though he wanted to be with Bell. Ethan's retreating nature caused problems of insecurity for Bell because it increased his feelings of being unlovable. After a tense moment, Bell and Ethan agreed to be who they were without making a big fuss and their teammates supported them.
I loved Ethan and Bell and for all those that have a problem with their rrkationship remember that the color orange doesn't define what is right and wrong and that who you love should not be anyone's decision but your own. There are so any other colors of the rainbow that will support you.
Thank you, Rebecca Norinne for the ARC and allowing me to review your MM hockey romance. So far all the Austin Aces books have been amazing.
May 29, 2025
The Rookie Stryker Bell is Ethan’s nemesis .He’s what if he’s honest ,he’d liked to have been and that’s out for the world to see ,not spending fifteen blooming years on the ice in misery in life ,with even a pretend wife at times! This Rookie though was getting to him…“Nice try, rook, but you’re gonna need to work on your control.” Stryker’s answering grin was absolutely filthy with promise. “Oh, I’ve got plenty of control.” His voice dipped just low enough to make it sound like a challenge. “Maybe I’ll get to show you someday.” Well this sort of tease it did appease me and the vein of the storytelling was excellently executed.The writing is super and you’re quickly immersed in and swimming along absorbing the story . The raw ,the phwoar and then argh…It’s packing that’s for sure and it’s excellently penned . On Rebecca Norrine to get your heart racing and then beguiled like a child before it hits the rawness of the world in which you’ve immersed into and you want to continue turning the page like a drug for the senses this book shows great depths of the characters and their stories one man and another man barely a boy but who is the toy. Ice Hockey is a contact sport and tempers get overwrought,there’s a thin line between playing it clean and being mean . But in both their pasts they’ve had heartbreak . Ethan was assaulted for being gay at sixteen so he repressed himself as unclean ,put up a wall to that side ashamed and deep he does hide his ‘dirty ‘ little secret . Rook Stryker ,he’s openly gay ,he prefers it that way ,he was openly abused and taunted being in the closet is not for him . But Ethan is into him and Bell isn’t going away anytime soon . With their dilemma I did care and swoon at the love affair. They’re sure of feelings but want different things. Do we see what power love brings? Or are they skating On Thin Ice? Loved the book ,it’s rather nice . It’s got deep layers and I was onside with both players seeing their points of view and what have you ,and Rebecca Norrine that’s thanks to your great writing making it inviting to step in and read.
June 2, 2025
I really enjoyed this grumpy/sunshine story with Bell and Ethan.
Ethan Harrison is a 34 year old Austin Aces hockey player who has hidden his sexuality for nearly his entire life. He wants to play one more season keeping it quiet and then he plans to retire. Then, Stryker Bell, an openly bisexual rookie, is recruited to play on the Aces as well and the coach asks Ethan to mentor him. In addition to mentoring him, the coach asks Ethan to let Bell live with him so that the kid stays out of trouble. Unfortunately for Ethan, Bell manages to push every button and tries desperately to get to know Ethan, who has been his hero for years. As they get closer, their chemistry sparks both on and off the ice, but Ethan’s past makes him fear coming out and Bell’s past makes him refuse to go back in the closet.
I absolutely loved Bell’s personality. I felt like his experiences and his reactions were really authentic. On the other hand, I also felt like Ethan’s fear was so realistic especially given his past trauma. I think that they worked really well together and I appreciated how hard they tried to understand each other. I did feel like the ending was kind of abrupt and a couple of the unresolved issues were glossed over a bit in the epilogue, but overall I thought it was a well written and adorable story.
Ethan Harrison is a 34 year old Austin Aces hockey player who has hidden his sexuality for nearly his entire life. He wants to play one more season keeping it quiet and then he plans to retire. Then, Stryker Bell, an openly bisexual rookie, is recruited to play on the Aces as well and the coach asks Ethan to mentor him. In addition to mentoring him, the coach asks Ethan to let Bell live with him so that the kid stays out of trouble. Unfortunately for Ethan, Bell manages to push every button and tries desperately to get to know Ethan, who has been his hero for years. As they get closer, their chemistry sparks both on and off the ice, but Ethan’s past makes him fear coming out and Bell’s past makes him refuse to go back in the closet.
I absolutely loved Bell’s personality. I felt like his experiences and his reactions were really authentic. On the other hand, I also felt like Ethan’s fear was so realistic especially given his past trauma. I think that they worked really well together and I appreciated how hard they tried to understand each other. I did feel like the ending was kind of abrupt and a couple of the unresolved issues were glossed over a bit in the epilogue, but overall I thought it was a well written and adorable story.
May 22, 2025
ARC Review <3
Tropes: m/m, overcoming trauma, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, secret relationship, age gap, grumpy x sunishine
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
This book really does a deep dive on the more emotional side of coming out and traumatic experiences having to do with it and it was SO good! I know there are a lot of coming out books, but hear me out… this was one of the most realistic books I have ever read. This book was very well put together and I could really see and understand the struggle that was happening in Ethan’s head.
Ethan overthinks, he has PTSD from something that happened in his past and not only do you see how it affects him (he’s back and forth due to his overthinking, he’s easily triggered, and he has panic attacks that kick in fight or flight), but you also get to see a lot of how it affects Bell.
The banter was amazing! I love the grumpy x sunshine trope and I always will. These two had so much chemistry, I was squealing. The spice in this book is another thing that was LITERALLY PERFECT! There’s a lot of exploration going on that I loved every second of! Overall, this was an amazing read and if you guys are looking for a more emotional, but still spicy m/m romance, then this is definitely the one for you!
Tropes: m/m, overcoming trauma, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, secret relationship, age gap, grumpy x sunishine
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
This book really does a deep dive on the more emotional side of coming out and traumatic experiences having to do with it and it was SO good! I know there are a lot of coming out books, but hear me out… this was one of the most realistic books I have ever read. This book was very well put together and I could really see and understand the struggle that was happening in Ethan’s head.
Ethan overthinks, he has PTSD from something that happened in his past and not only do you see how it affects him (he’s back and forth due to his overthinking, he’s easily triggered, and he has panic attacks that kick in fight or flight), but you also get to see a lot of how it affects Bell.
The banter was amazing! I love the grumpy x sunshine trope and I always will. These two had so much chemistry, I was squealing. The spice in this book is another thing that was LITERALLY PERFECT! There’s a lot of exploration going on that I loved every second of! Overall, this was an amazing read and if you guys are looking for a more emotional, but still spicy m/m romance, then this is definitely the one for you!
June 18, 2025
I really really loved this book! Bell and Ethan had so much chemistry but actually trying to navigate their relationship was the difficult part.
Both men had trauma regarding their sexualities but completely different ways of dealing with it. Where Bell made it his life mission to be out and proud, Ethan created a lie that ended up becoming hard to live. Bell coming into his life really ruined his plan of living this life whilst in the NHL and I’m happy they ended up sorting it out by the end. It was understandable that Bell didn’t want to be a secret as he never wanted to be in the closet again after he was sent to camp as a child but Ethan wanting to stay in the closet also made sense after what we as readers learned about his past later in the book.
The angst, pining and jealousy was everything in this book and I’m happy nearly the whole team supported them. Seeing them be domestic was also the cutest.
I will say I wish we got to see Ethan go to therapy because Bell mentioned it to him twice but he always brushed it off. I’d like to assume Ethan took Bell’s advice and went to therapy to find ways to process things better and I really loved the epilogue and seeing them both happy.
Both men had trauma regarding their sexualities but completely different ways of dealing with it. Where Bell made it his life mission to be out and proud, Ethan created a lie that ended up becoming hard to live. Bell coming into his life really ruined his plan of living this life whilst in the NHL and I’m happy they ended up sorting it out by the end. It was understandable that Bell didn’t want to be a secret as he never wanted to be in the closet again after he was sent to camp as a child but Ethan wanting to stay in the closet also made sense after what we as readers learned about his past later in the book.
The angst, pining and jealousy was everything in this book and I’m happy nearly the whole team supported them. Seeing them be domestic was also the cutest.
I will say I wish we got to see Ethan go to therapy because Bell mentioned it to him twice but he always brushed it off. I’d like to assume Ethan took Bell’s advice and went to therapy to find ways to process things better and I really loved the epilogue and seeing them both happy.
May 21, 2025
This book is part of the Austin Aces Hockey Club series. Each book is a standalone read. This is the story of Ethan Harrison and Stryker Bell. Ethan is in his final year in the NHL. He plans to retire at the end of the season and then finally start living his life. Until now, he has held a firm grip on everything he says and does. Then along comes the newest hockey phenom Stryker. He is an amazing hockey player and is firmly bisexual. He has the freedom to truly be himself. Something that Ethan never has. Since Stryker makes Ethan want things that he can't have, he plans to put as much distance between them as possible. Unfortunately, the coach has different ideas. He appoints Ethan as Stryker's mentor and a steady positive influence. To make sure that it works. the coach finagles Stryker staying with Ethan until he finds a permanent place to live. This is their story. The book is very well written and easy to read. I enjoyed the sparks between Stryker and Ethan. The way they both slowly earned each other's respect. I really enjoyed this book. I received a complementary advanced review copy of this book from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 10, 2025
Ethan has spent his entire life hiding who he truly is, afraid of judgement of others. He has had a very lonely life, but when Bell – the talented rookie drafted to his hocket team- comes crashing into his life, things start to change.
Bell is confident in who he is and what he wants and isn’t afraid to voice it despite a horrible upbringing.
They are forced into living together and Ethan’s defenses start to crumble and his heart starts to win the battle.
Their chemistry is off the charts, but the fears of their past experiences press down on their relationship.
Bells wants to be cherished, wanted and hates to hide his feelings, while Ethan isn’t prepared to face it all.
They have to go through difficult choices, trauma, hidden insecurities and heartbreak.
A story that highlights how narrow-minded can society be and how people are judged.
Loved the depth of the trauma described in the story. It is a true testament of how love isn’t always easy, but always worth it.
Thank you for the ARC.
Bell is confident in who he is and what he wants and isn’t afraid to voice it despite a horrible upbringing.
They are forced into living together and Ethan’s defenses start to crumble and his heart starts to win the battle.
Their chemistry is off the charts, but the fears of their past experiences press down on their relationship.
Bells wants to be cherished, wanted and hates to hide his feelings, while Ethan isn’t prepared to face it all.
They have to go through difficult choices, trauma, hidden insecurities and heartbreak.
A story that highlights how narrow-minded can society be and how people are judged.
Loved the depth of the trauma described in the story. It is a true testament of how love isn’t always easy, but always worth it.
Thank you for the ARC.
November 24, 2025
Loved this story!
I adored Bell and Ethan's story and wanted more of them even after 400 pages! The characterization was so well done and I felt sad I couldn't see more of their lives between the last chapter and the epilogue. I want to see Ethan give Bell the Christmas gift he so carefully picked out. I want to see the proposal and wedding. I want to see how Bell reacted to Ethan's career ending injury mentioned in the epilogue. I want to see Bell's underwear campaign and if he got that billboard in times square. I want to know so much more of their story, which is proof of how great this book was and how well written these characters felt. I could read about them being domestic and just loving each other for another 400 pages. Do they still have the Austen house in the perfect neighborhood and what about Marjorie? So many things I want to know! And the spice was so hot and angsty and emotional. I loved it!
I adored Bell and Ethan's story and wanted more of them even after 400 pages! The characterization was so well done and I felt sad I couldn't see more of their lives between the last chapter and the epilogue. I want to see Ethan give Bell the Christmas gift he so carefully picked out. I want to see the proposal and wedding. I want to see how Bell reacted to Ethan's career ending injury mentioned in the epilogue. I want to see Bell's underwear campaign and if he got that billboard in times square. I want to know so much more of their story, which is proof of how great this book was and how well written these characters felt. I could read about them being domestic and just loving each other for another 400 pages. Do they still have the Austen house in the perfect neighborhood and what about Marjorie? So many things I want to know! And the spice was so hot and angsty and emotional. I loved it!
May 24, 2025
Story was underdeveloped, could have used more editing for basic grammar, continuity, and fluidity of story. Wasn't much evidence of them falling in love showing or telling. They meet, they both have had long distance crushes, they kiss and then they're in love? Maybe with the idea of each other, but we don't see them together much building memories outside of bed and work.
The story jumps from milestone to milestone off page, as the audience only gets summaries of the level to which the relationship has progressed. Its smut with disorganized emotional vomit that wants to add depth to the story but lacks any impact.
This was my first experience with this author and likely the last... Just a disappointing read. Too long for a fun smut read and lacking the skill to be emotionally engaging.
The story jumps from milestone to milestone off page, as the audience only gets summaries of the level to which the relationship has progressed. Its smut with disorganized emotional vomit that wants to add depth to the story but lacks any impact.
This was my first experience with this author and likely the last... Just a disappointing read. Too long for a fun smut read and lacking the skill to be emotionally engaging.
May 24, 2025
So far there hasn't been a single book in this universe that I haven't enjoyed. They are very truly standalones with subtle nods to each other woven throughout, but previous reading is not required and it's been a great way to be introduced to new authors.
I don't get ETL vibes here. Forced proximity, age gap, secret relationship, grumpy/sunshine? Absolutely. But ETL? Not so much, and I probably would have been disappointed had I picked this read based on that trope.
I love Ethan and Bell's dynamic. The age gap crosses generations and there's so much authenticity in the way Bell lives out loud while Ethan remained closed off to protect himself that's steeped in the way they were raised, both the time and the community. The twinges of Ethan's resentment of this is just chef's kiss. Their banter and the way they truly see each other has you rooting for them the whole way through.
I don't get ETL vibes here. Forced proximity, age gap, secret relationship, grumpy/sunshine? Absolutely. But ETL? Not so much, and I probably would have been disappointed had I picked this read based on that trope.
I love Ethan and Bell's dynamic. The age gap crosses generations and there's so much authenticity in the way Bell lives out loud while Ethan remained closed off to protect himself that's steeped in the way they were raised, both the time and the community. The twinges of Ethan's resentment of this is just chef's kiss. Their banter and the way they truly see each other has you rooting for them the whole way through.
May 22, 2025
Ethan is a veteran on the team, a loner, and in the closet. Bell is a very out bisexual college player who idolized Ethan growing up and followed his footsteps, even breaking all of his college records. Now he’s been drafted by the same team and is going to be roommates until he gets settled in the city. Ethan is mad for Bell infiltrating his space but there’s a fine line between love and hate.
The beginning felt very reminiscent of One Touch in this series but from about 50% onward it was very clearly its own story. The chemistry is great and undeniable but it’s still got push and pull and lots of emotionally charged scenes. Great spice and character development over trauma and tough situations. Loved the epilogue so much, I want a whole book of them in the future!
The beginning felt very reminiscent of One Touch in this series but from about 50% onward it was very clearly its own story. The chemistry is great and undeniable but it’s still got push and pull and lots of emotionally charged scenes. Great spice and character development over trauma and tough situations. Loved the epilogue so much, I want a whole book of them in the future!
June 7, 2025
The road to true love is not easy for Ethan and Bell and I was hooked from page one. There is a connection between them straight away and I loved that Bell had, had a crush on Ethan for a long time. Forced proximity is getting to be one of my favourite tropes and when Bell became Ethan's roommate, you just knew that Ethan did not stand a chance.
Reading their backstories brought a lump to my throat and how past events shaped their lives so differently. But love will always find a way and I was so invested I finished this book in one sitting, which was a surprise giving the page count.
And that epilogue I loved it.
This is a new to me author and I will be checking out their other MM reads
Reading their backstories brought a lump to my throat and how past events shaped their lives so differently. But love will always find a way and I was so invested I finished this book in one sitting, which was a surprise giving the page count.
And that epilogue I loved it.
This is a new to me author and I will be checking out their other MM reads
June 10, 2025
In some ways, Ethan and Bell aren't anything new in the hockey romance genre. The rookie and the veteran, with the age-gap element, who initially don't get along very well but are thrown together by team management into a forced proximity situation, could be a variation on a million other books. However, Norinne uses these familiar tropes to set up a relationship dynamic that hinges on how deeply she digs into the individual characters. In her hands, Ethan and Bell come to life within this book and become far more than a collection of tropes and personality traits. The story elements mentioned above become features, rather than bugs, of their romance, as Norinne leans into the conflict to develop fully fleshed men who made this book an incredibly immersive read. Seriously, I read the entire novel on a single flight between Baltimore and Denver and barely noticed the time passing. Fans of any of the tropes I listed should be sure to give this book a try.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
May 22, 2025
This book was fine. I didn't love the author's disclaimer/explanation at the beginning - you don't need to justify why you wrote your book the way you did. I was kinda irritated thinking about this while I was reading, which spoilt my enjoyment of the book.
I liked the themes explored and the characters and the way they were portrayed. My main reservation was that I felt like the book focused on only one thing at a time. First it was the hockey team, then once the sex started, it was all sex and the hockey was forgotten. Then it was all about the public image. I feel like it could have been a more complex story with everything explored in more depth.
I liked the themes explored and the characters and the way they were portrayed. My main reservation was that I felt like the book focused on only one thing at a time. First it was the hockey team, then once the sex started, it was all sex and the hockey was forgotten. Then it was all about the public image. I feel like it could have been a more complex story with everything explored in more depth.
June 10, 2025
Sometimes the hardest thing we ever have to do is come out to those we know are in our corner. Ethan has issues from his past that he tries really hard to move forward from, but sometimes those demons won't let go. When Stryker Bell enters as a new rookie, he's everything that Ethan hates because he's able to be the person he is. I love Stryker and his cockiness, but also his ability to come out swinging and show Ethan there is more to life than what he has been through and who he is. These two have strong chemistry, but it's not all rainbows and sunshine, and they will have to prove that they are the right people for each other.
May 11, 2025
Very thankful to have been one of the ARC readers for this book 🥹
I’ve been thoroughly enjoying reading all of the Austin Aces books and I think this is one of my faves!
I loved getting to know Bell and Ethan, and seeing their relationship develop and all the struggles and adversity they faced, since they are an MM couple 👀
The only thing I didn’t love is that this was mostly slow paced and the end was suddenly quite rushed, specially from the last chapter to the epilogue, that being said, while I enjoyed it I know it most definitely is not for everyone 🤷🏼♀️
I’ve been thoroughly enjoying reading all of the Austin Aces books and I think this is one of my faves!
I loved getting to know Bell and Ethan, and seeing their relationship develop and all the struggles and adversity they faced, since they are an MM couple 👀
The only thing I didn’t love is that this was mostly slow paced and the end was suddenly quite rushed, specially from the last chapter to the epilogue, that being said, while I enjoyed it I know it most definitely is not for everyone 🤷🏼♀️
May 11, 2025
4 ⭐ 3 🌶️
When you go into a book thinking it's gonna be a nice, fun, smutty mm romance... and then get hit in the feels. Not just once. Oh, the angst!
Not that I have personal experience, but what what both MCs went through in their childhoods felt very realistic, heartbreakingly. They have been through so much, separately and together.
Don't get me wrong, there is still plenty of fun and smut lol.
Loved both men, and would totally read more about them (like what happens between last chapter and epilogue).
When you go into a book thinking it's gonna be a nice, fun, smutty mm romance... and then get hit in the feels. Not just once. Oh, the angst!
Not that I have personal experience, but what what both MCs went through in their childhoods felt very realistic, heartbreakingly. They have been through so much, separately and together.
Don't get me wrong, there is still plenty of fun and smut lol.
Loved both men, and would totally read more about them (like what happens between last chapter and epilogue).
May 19, 2025
MM/ Age Gap Hockey Romance
A good edition to the multi author ‘Austin Aces Hockey Club’ series.
Ethan is in the closet, scared to be himself and let down the walls he’s built over his 34 years. In comes an openly out and proud bi rookie, (Stryker) Bell, 23.
The spice is great and they have amazing chemistry.
Well written and kept me interested.
Recommend for anyone who likes low drama MM sports romance with just enough angst to keep you on your toes.
A good edition to the multi author ‘Austin Aces Hockey Club’ series.
Ethan is in the closet, scared to be himself and let down the walls he’s built over his 34 years. In comes an openly out and proud bi rookie, (Stryker) Bell, 23.
The spice is great and they have amazing chemistry.
Well written and kept me interested.
Recommend for anyone who likes low drama MM sports romance with just enough angst to keep you on your toes.
May 26, 2025
I was excited to read this book because it had so many of my favourite themes:
1. Older player vs younger player
2. Ice hockey setting
3. Angst
This started off well enough and then went into the “I am so closeted that everything is just pain” and whilst knowing the reason for Ethan’s severe fear of coming out, it was just never ending.
Bell and Ethan were cute enough but their romance (and sex scenes) were pretty boring. Overall, potential but execution not there for me.
1. Older player vs younger player
2. Ice hockey setting
3. Angst
This started off well enough and then went into the “I am so closeted that everything is just pain” and whilst knowing the reason for Ethan’s severe fear of coming out, it was just never ending.
Bell and Ethan were cute enough but their romance (and sex scenes) were pretty boring. Overall, potential but execution not there for me.
May 31, 2025
Ethan has been playing hockey for years. It's sad that he's not been able to be his true self. At times he's had a beard. The new hockey player is Bell. He's hot, bi, and proud of who he is. When coach has Ethan bunk with Bell on road trips and asks him let Bell live with him it becomes so hard to fight what he really wants and that's Bell. These two go through a lot but in the end all the love and heartache is so worth it! A fantastic m/m romance!
December 18, 2025
This was cute, like 3.5 rounded up. My main complaint the whole time, that was slightly mollified when he actually talked, was “my guy, I understand if you’re were beginning or even in the middle of your career. But there are other out players already, and you already said this is your last season. Just come out and get your man, what is coming out going to do to you when you’re not playing anymore anyway?”
May 22, 2025
Wow!! This was an emotional roller coaster. There is so much depth in this book. Lots of pain and past hurts. Also lots of fun banter and steamy times too.
Bell and Ethan are so different, but so perfect for each other. Bell has youthful exuberance. Ethan has a hardened heart waiting to be cracked.
I loved it. I am ready for Chet Doyle to get his comeuppance though.
Ready for the next installment.
Bell and Ethan are so different, but so perfect for each other. Bell has youthful exuberance. Ethan has a hardened heart waiting to be cracked.
I loved it. I am ready for Chet Doyle to get his comeuppance though.
Ready for the next installment.
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