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Breakaway Goals
Tampa Sentinels Captain Hayes Montgomery has hero-worshipped Morgan Reynolds his entire career, watching as the larger-than-life hockey star has racked up stats that always seemed unreal. Unattainable. Unreachable.
Until Hayes himself is labeled “the next one” and to his surprise, he and Morgan end up on the same team together, playing for Team USA in a nation versus nation tournament.
Now Hayes’ hero isn’t just his teammate, but his linemate. They’re hot on the ice, and despite Morgan’s straight reputation, off it too.
It’s only ten days, but it’s the best ten days of his life. That shouldn’t be long enough for a hockey crush to morph into a real crush, but Hayes falls head over heels, fling-himself-off-a-cliff, wildly in love with Morgan, anyway.
They don’t play on the same team or even on the same coast. Normally, they’re never in the same zip code, but that doesn’t change Hayes’ feelings—or his regret when the fling ends.
Fast forward six years. Morgan’s retired, Hayes is writing his own name in the record books, and he’s sure he’s over it. Over him.
But then Morgan arrives in Tampa to watch his rookie son play for the Sentinels.
He doesn’t want to be hung up on his teammate’s dad, but it doesn’t matter how long it’s been or what he’s tried. Morgan still makes Hayes’ knees weak.
And when it turns out Morgan has his own Hayes’ shaped regret?
Maybe they can finally find their way back to each other again.
Breakaway Goals is a MM hockey standalone romance, but spins off from Beth's Portland Evergreens series.
Until Hayes himself is labeled “the next one” and to his surprise, he and Morgan end up on the same team together, playing for Team USA in a nation versus nation tournament.
Now Hayes’ hero isn’t just his teammate, but his linemate. They’re hot on the ice, and despite Morgan’s straight reputation, off it too.
It’s only ten days, but it’s the best ten days of his life. That shouldn’t be long enough for a hockey crush to morph into a real crush, but Hayes falls head over heels, fling-himself-off-a-cliff, wildly in love with Morgan, anyway.
They don’t play on the same team or even on the same coast. Normally, they’re never in the same zip code, but that doesn’t change Hayes’ feelings—or his regret when the fling ends.
Fast forward six years. Morgan’s retired, Hayes is writing his own name in the record books, and he’s sure he’s over it. Over him.
But then Morgan arrives in Tampa to watch his rookie son play for the Sentinels.
He doesn’t want to be hung up on his teammate’s dad, but it doesn’t matter how long it’s been or what he’s tried. Morgan still makes Hayes’ knees weak.
And when it turns out Morgan has his own Hayes’ shaped regret?
Maybe they can finally find their way back to each other again.
Breakaway Goals is a MM hockey standalone romance, but spins off from Beth's Portland Evergreens series.
395 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 20, 2025
279 people are currently reading
574 people want to read
About the author
Beth Bolden
77 books688 followersA lifelong Oregonian, Beth Bolden has just recently moved to North Carolina with her supportive husband and their sweet kitten, Earl Grey. Beth still believes in Keeping Portland Weird, and intends to be just as weird in Raleigh.
Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published fourteen novels and five short stories.
Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published fourteen novels and five short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
August 12, 2025
Well, that was a delicious morsel of goodness wrapped up in a spicy package and I was totally here for it.
Ever since Morgan Reynolds burst into Beth's universe I've been dying to find out more about him and when not so subtle hints were dropped that he had some kind of a past with Zach's best friend Hayes Montgomery, I was even more keen.
And, of course, it's an absolute doozy. The first half-ish part of the book gives the build up from six years prior, during the Four Nations Tournament, when Morgan discovered his bisexuality with an overwhelming attraction to his younger teammate.
Things got heated pretty quickly but, because hockey and people having no life outside the game, the break-up was sudden and painful for both men.
We get to see the full extent of that, and the fallout from it, before Morgan and Hayes slowly start their journey to reconnect, firstly as cautious acquaintances, as Morgan's son Finn is now the new goalie for Hayes' Sentinels.
But, it's pretty clear to all, that those intense feelings haven't gone away, neither man has moved on in any way and the attraction is as strong as before, coupled with the intense sense that they are perfect pieces waiting to slot back together.
The jigsaw metaphors are strong in their relationship, they really do take time to find their way back into a space that fits. But, when they do, all bets are off and the chemistry shoots off the scale.
I loved seeing how they navigate their way through the residual hurt, the strange situation they're in, where Hayes is Finn's captain, and looking out for him, but his dad's the guy who owns his heart.
It just flows beautifully from one cut scene to the next, as the world narrows to just these two men and their search for a Happy Ever After.
Loved it.
#ARC kindly received from the author via Neon Rainbow ARC Reviews, I am voluntarily leaving a review
Ever since Morgan Reynolds burst into Beth's universe I've been dying to find out more about him and when not so subtle hints were dropped that he had some kind of a past with Zach's best friend Hayes Montgomery, I was even more keen.
And, of course, it's an absolute doozy. The first half-ish part of the book gives the build up from six years prior, during the Four Nations Tournament, when Morgan discovered his bisexuality with an overwhelming attraction to his younger teammate.
Things got heated pretty quickly but, because hockey and people having no life outside the game, the break-up was sudden and painful for both men.
We get to see the full extent of that, and the fallout from it, before Morgan and Hayes slowly start their journey to reconnect, firstly as cautious acquaintances, as Morgan's son Finn is now the new goalie for Hayes' Sentinels.
But, it's pretty clear to all, that those intense feelings haven't gone away, neither man has moved on in any way and the attraction is as strong as before, coupled with the intense sense that they are perfect pieces waiting to slot back together.
The jigsaw metaphors are strong in their relationship, they really do take time to find their way back into a space that fits. But, when they do, all bets are off and the chemistry shoots off the scale.
I loved seeing how they navigate their way through the residual hurt, the strange situation they're in, where Hayes is Finn's captain, and looking out for him, but his dad's the guy who owns his heart.
It just flows beautifully from one cut scene to the next, as the world narrows to just these two men and their search for a Happy Ever After.
Loved it.
#ARC kindly received from the author via Neon Rainbow ARC Reviews, I am voluntarily leaving a review
August 20, 2025
I smiled the whole way through this! I knew I'd love Morgan and Hayes's story and I wasn't disappointed.
Getting to see where their story started was really fun. I was worried it would just pick up after Finn's book, so I'm really glad we got to see how they started and then the present day timeline also.
I do wish there'd been a bit more with Zach though, I wanted to see him reading Morgan the riot act 😂
Hayes is just the cutest and I loved that he stood his ground and then made Morgan work for it.
The friendship between Morgan and Danny was so funny, but I loved how Morgan and Jacob are friends now too.
I'm sad this is the end of the Portland guys, but I'm super excited for the Barnes brothers hockey series that's coming - I'm assuming it's inspired by the Hughes and I'm hoping one will be as adorable as Quinn is 😍 Beth is officially one of my top five hockey romance authors now!
Getting to see where their story started was really fun. I was worried it would just pick up after Finn's book, so I'm really glad we got to see how they started and then the present day timeline also.
I do wish there'd been a bit more with Zach though, I wanted to see him reading Morgan the riot act 😂
Hayes is just the cutest and I loved that he stood his ground and then made Morgan work for it.
The friendship between Morgan and Danny was so funny, but I loved how Morgan and Jacob are friends now too.
I'm sad this is the end of the Portland guys, but I'm super excited for the Barnes brothers hockey series that's coming - I'm assuming it's inspired by the Hughes and I'm hoping one will be as adorable as Quinn is 😍 Beth is officially one of my top five hockey romance authors now!
December 28, 2025
This book surpassed all my expectations. 4.25⭐
When it comes to this author's books I've read so far, even though I really liked the characters in the Portland Evergreens series, the books weren’t as good. But this one absolutely is. I was interested in Morgan from the very beginning, and his book did not disappoint.
This book is connected to the Portland Evergreens series, and you definitely need to read On Thin Ice before this one, that is mandatory. You can also read Breaking the Ice if you want, but it isn’t as important.
On Thin Ice has Finn, who is Morgan’s son. He comes to play for the Sentinels with Hayes as his captain and Morgan is heavily featured throughout the story, making it an important foundation for this book.
Breaking the Ice has Zach, Hayes’s best friend. While there is some interaction with Morgan, Hayes mentions his broken heart, but it’s not as necessary to read, it's not as good as On Thin Ice either, but if you really want to cover all the interactions, do read it.
🟣 Teammates for a short time, both hockey prodigies
🟢 Age gap 25/35 and 31/41
🟡 Timespan - 6 years
🔵 Gay / GFY (bi-awakening, okay, but he couldn't get or was attracted to anyone else, just Hayes)
🟠 A great buildup of almost 50% of the book, past thoroughly explained
🟣 Second half is amazing, all things covered, funny, exciting, emotional
🌶️ Great sex; oral, penetrative, kissing; t/b and vers at the very end
For those of us who wanted Morgan's story, I mean, we've been rewarded, haven't we? His book is fantastic. I don't know what the author did here, but it was very different from her Portland books, the story is well told, it covered most of what I want to read about the couple to get the full picture, it was light and at the same time emotionally heavy, it was sexy, interesting and I simply love, love, love Hayes and Morgan.
The story starts out with Morgan and Hayes meeting at the Four Nations tournament, where they play together. Morgan is an absolute hockey legend, who is slowly approaching retirement and Hayes is his successor. They’re very much alike, both playing at the same elite level and on top of that, Morgan has been Hayes’s crush since he was a teenager, so now he’s finally meeting him in real life, completely starstruck and amazed.
Morgan is used to admiration, but this time it’s coming from someone who is just as talented, rich, and famous as he is. All that innocent, earnest worship gets to him, because it's coming from a guy he's really starting to notice and like
“Now you make me feel like . . .like this.” Morgan leaned in and, reaching down, cupped Hayes’ cheek before very carefully pressing their lips together. Hayes had known it was coming from the moment he’d opened the door and Morgan was standing there. But he hadn’t realized the kiss would feel like a thousand fireworks exploding under his skin.
They have this amazing, hot 10-day affair where they actually fall in love. It's just 10 days, but they're good, very good.
When it’s time to part ways, neither of them say anything, they both know they can’t be together, but still, Morgan decides to just ghost Hayes and that’s it. It was emotional and heartbreaking.
Later, you find out just how deeply Morgan fell, even three years after retiring, he’s still thinking about Hayes, completely isolating himself, not dating and wanting desperately to go to him and finally telling him how he felt, but he didn't do it, even though the guy bought the ticked, rehearsed the speech and everything, but Hayes already had a boyfriend at that time
“Dude, you have been obsessed about him forever,” Zach said bluntly.
“Not obsessed,” Hayes argued.
“A little,” Zach insisted. “And now what, you’re gonna hook up with him for a week and play with him for a week, the guy you’ve always worshipped, the one you’ve looked up to, the one who’s just like you, and you think you’re going to go back to your regular life, no big deal?”
Hayes tried dating over those six years without seeing Morgan, but it failed spectacularly, because he was still very much in love with Morgan the whole time.
About six years later, Morgan’s son Finn comes to play for the Sentinels in Tampa, and Hayes is his captain. Morgan, trying to repair his relationship with Finn, moves down there as well.
The second half of the book is present time where Morgan goes to Finn’s first game (already mentioned in his book), where he finally sees Hayes on the ice after all those years and
“I’m so glad that love hasn’t changed you; you’re still a massive asshole.”
“I’m . . .it’s not like that,” Morgan retorted weakly. Of course it was like that. Of course he loved Hayes. He’d known it the night of the championship game, when he’d looked at him and realized he never wanted to look at anything else.
The second half of the book is fantastic. It doesn’t take long for them to face each other, talk to each other and end up in bed together, and the love is very real and very believable.
I absolutely loved Morgan in this half of the story. He's all angel this, angel that, he's devoted, decided, emotional, passionate, grounded, mature and completely certain that this is where he wants to be.
In fact, I loved Morgan in general, he’s a fantastic character.
“Hockey was the most important thing, forever. My entire life. More important than my marriage. God help me, more important than my kid, for a long time. I’m trying to fix that now. But that time, with you, it made me want more than just hockey for the first time ever. I wanted to feel that way every single fucking day. I’d have done something crazy to keep it.”
“You wouldn’t have,” Hayes argued, because of course, even now, he was being contrary.
“I would have,” Morgan said. If he’d fallen in any deeper, there was no way he wouldn’t have.
“I loved you, so I absolutely would have,” Morgan said quietly. “Never felt that way about anyone else. Not before. Not since.”
Hayes’ breath went out of him in a big whoosh. He leaned back on the lounger. Eyes so green, even in the blue light of the pool. “Loved?” he questioned quietly.
Digging his fingers into his thigh, Morgan knew he was doing the right thing, even though it felt like the scariest leap he’d ever taken. “Love,” he corrected. “I love you.”
“Oh. Oh.” Hayes actually sounded surprised. Shocked, in fact.
The author really develops the story, so you don’t just get a quick happy ending, but Hayes and Morgan are working on it, it's showing them living their lives together, slowly getting to that finish.
I loved everything about them.
I will say that the author sometimes lost me with stringing together sentences that were working too hard, when it could've been told in a more simplistic way, this type of writing sneaks in
"But three years after retirement, Morgan had learned a lot of tough truths about himself, including, but definitely not limited to, that he’d carried the burdens of being Morgan Reynolds for much of his life, and that it was not only okay to put them down now, but it was encouraged."
the whole paragraph is doing too much, it's confusing, instead of simply saying
"Three years after retiring, Morgan had learned some tough truths about himself. He realized he’d carried the weight of being Morgan Reynolds for most of his life and that it was not only okay to let it go now, it was actually encouraged."
So, you have to get through some of those and it's a 400 page book, but luckily the storytelling is pretty good and the main characters and their relationship is front and center, so I could let it slide.
I wish there had been a better or different epilogue though, or maybe an additional one, showing Hayes retired and the two of them married. I definitely see them as married, they’re just the type. They’re a forever couple.
I also missed a different bonus chapter. I didn't need to read about Finn and Jacob realizing anything about Morgan, I needed more of Hayes and Morgan. I'm hoping we have another novella coming up about them a few years into their relationship.
This book made my day, so yes, i would definitely recommend it.
When it comes to this author's books I've read so far, even though I really liked the characters in the Portland Evergreens series, the books weren’t as good. But this one absolutely is. I was interested in Morgan from the very beginning, and his book did not disappoint.
This book is connected to the Portland Evergreens series, and you definitely need to read On Thin Ice before this one, that is mandatory. You can also read Breaking the Ice if you want, but it isn’t as important.
On Thin Ice has Finn, who is Morgan’s son. He comes to play for the Sentinels with Hayes as his captain and Morgan is heavily featured throughout the story, making it an important foundation for this book.
Breaking the Ice has Zach, Hayes’s best friend. While there is some interaction with Morgan, Hayes mentions his broken heart, but it’s not as necessary to read, it's not as good as On Thin Ice either, but if you really want to cover all the interactions, do read it.
🟣 Teammates for a short time, both hockey prodigies
🟢 Age gap 25/35 and 31/41
🟡 Timespan - 6 years
🔵 Gay / GFY (bi-awakening, okay, but he couldn't get or was attracted to anyone else, just Hayes)
🟠 A great buildup of almost 50% of the book, past thoroughly explained
🟣 Second half is amazing, all things covered, funny, exciting, emotional
🌶️ Great sex; oral, penetrative, kissing; t/b and vers at the very end
For those of us who wanted Morgan's story, I mean, we've been rewarded, haven't we? His book is fantastic. I don't know what the author did here, but it was very different from her Portland books, the story is well told, it covered most of what I want to read about the couple to get the full picture, it was light and at the same time emotionally heavy, it was sexy, interesting and I simply love, love, love Hayes and Morgan.
The story starts out with Morgan and Hayes meeting at the Four Nations tournament, where they play together. Morgan is an absolute hockey legend, who is slowly approaching retirement and Hayes is his successor. They’re very much alike, both playing at the same elite level and on top of that, Morgan has been Hayes’s crush since he was a teenager, so now he’s finally meeting him in real life, completely starstruck and amazed.
Morgan is used to admiration, but this time it’s coming from someone who is just as talented, rich, and famous as he is. All that innocent, earnest worship gets to him, because it's coming from a guy he's really starting to notice and like
“Now you make me feel like . . .like this.” Morgan leaned in and, reaching down, cupped Hayes’ cheek before very carefully pressing their lips together. Hayes had known it was coming from the moment he’d opened the door and Morgan was standing there. But he hadn’t realized the kiss would feel like a thousand fireworks exploding under his skin.
They have this amazing, hot 10-day affair where they actually fall in love. It's just 10 days, but they're good, very good.
When it’s time to part ways, neither of them say anything, they both know they can’t be together, but still, Morgan decides to just ghost Hayes and that’s it. It was emotional and heartbreaking.
Later, you find out just how deeply Morgan fell, even three years after retiring, he’s still thinking about Hayes, completely isolating himself, not dating and wanting desperately to go to him and finally telling him how he felt, but he didn't do it, even though the guy bought the ticked, rehearsed the speech and everything, but Hayes already had a boyfriend at that time
“Dude, you have been obsessed about him forever,” Zach said bluntly.
“Not obsessed,” Hayes argued.
“A little,” Zach insisted. “And now what, you’re gonna hook up with him for a week and play with him for a week, the guy you’ve always worshipped, the one you’ve looked up to, the one who’s just like you, and you think you’re going to go back to your regular life, no big deal?”
Hayes tried dating over those six years without seeing Morgan, but it failed spectacularly, because he was still very much in love with Morgan the whole time.
About six years later, Morgan’s son Finn comes to play for the Sentinels in Tampa, and Hayes is his captain. Morgan, trying to repair his relationship with Finn, moves down there as well.
The second half of the book is present time where Morgan goes to Finn’s first game (already mentioned in his book), where he finally sees Hayes on the ice after all those years and
“I’m so glad that love hasn’t changed you; you’re still a massive asshole.”
“I’m . . .it’s not like that,” Morgan retorted weakly. Of course it was like that. Of course he loved Hayes. He’d known it the night of the championship game, when he’d looked at him and realized he never wanted to look at anything else.
The second half of the book is fantastic. It doesn’t take long for them to face each other, talk to each other and end up in bed together, and the love is very real and very believable.
I absolutely loved Morgan in this half of the story. He's all angel this, angel that, he's devoted, decided, emotional, passionate, grounded, mature and completely certain that this is where he wants to be.
In fact, I loved Morgan in general, he’s a fantastic character.
“Hockey was the most important thing, forever. My entire life. More important than my marriage. God help me, more important than my kid, for a long time. I’m trying to fix that now. But that time, with you, it made me want more than just hockey for the first time ever. I wanted to feel that way every single fucking day. I’d have done something crazy to keep it.”
“You wouldn’t have,” Hayes argued, because of course, even now, he was being contrary.
“I would have,” Morgan said. If he’d fallen in any deeper, there was no way he wouldn’t have.
“I loved you, so I absolutely would have,” Morgan said quietly. “Never felt that way about anyone else. Not before. Not since.”
Hayes’ breath went out of him in a big whoosh. He leaned back on the lounger. Eyes so green, even in the blue light of the pool. “Loved?” he questioned quietly.
Digging his fingers into his thigh, Morgan knew he was doing the right thing, even though it felt like the scariest leap he’d ever taken. “Love,” he corrected. “I love you.”
“Oh. Oh.” Hayes actually sounded surprised. Shocked, in fact.
The author really develops the story, so you don’t just get a quick happy ending, but Hayes and Morgan are working on it, it's showing them living their lives together, slowly getting to that finish.
I loved everything about them.
I will say that the author sometimes lost me with stringing together sentences that were working too hard, when it could've been told in a more simplistic way, this type of writing sneaks in
"But three years after retirement, Morgan had learned a lot of tough truths about himself, including, but definitely not limited to, that he’d carried the burdens of being Morgan Reynolds for much of his life, and that it was not only okay to put them down now, but it was encouraged."
the whole paragraph is doing too much, it's confusing, instead of simply saying
"Three years after retiring, Morgan had learned some tough truths about himself. He realized he’d carried the weight of being Morgan Reynolds for most of his life and that it was not only okay to let it go now, it was actually encouraged."
So, you have to get through some of those and it's a 400 page book, but luckily the storytelling is pretty good and the main characters and their relationship is front and center, so I could let it slide.
I wish there had been a better or different epilogue though, or maybe an additional one, showing Hayes retired and the two of them married. I definitely see them as married, they’re just the type. They’re a forever couple.
I also missed a different bonus chapter. I didn't need to read about Finn and Jacob realizing anything about Morgan, I needed more of Hayes and Morgan. I'm hoping we have another novella coming up about them a few years into their relationship.
This book made my day, so yes, i would definitely recommend it.
October 8, 2025
This ticked all my boxes.
All the stars
✨✨✨✨✨🪄✨✨✨✨✨
I absolutely enjoyed every minute of this story. The HEA has me smiling big.😉😁🥲
Chapter I:
The initial small timeline that made them live an express love affair and the impossibility of them being together and the subsequent ghosting made the second chance set up perfect. Add to that that they are both at the top of their game makes them very attractive main characters.
The whole back story was both beautiful and very heart wrenching.
Chapter II:
And here we have a whole lot of pining, avoidance and slow burn. A total change of pace and very little face to face with our MC's.Yet a lot of talking and beating around the bush with secondary characters.
Fortunately when they finally do get together, they talk. And that talk is so satisfying, everything you'd want in a second chance romance. The book balances out so beautifully, it gets time to breath out, we see them reconnect the right way, time to do everything right, date, fall deeper in love, let go of the past.
*Side-note, just me being me, but....
It made me giggle- yes giggle, that the cover model (Aaron Wolber) has a tattoo in Greek - δύναμη = strength.
All the stars
✨✨✨✨✨🪄✨✨✨✨✨
I absolutely enjoyed every minute of this story. The HEA has me smiling big.😉😁🥲
Chapter I:
The initial small timeline that made them live an express love affair and the impossibility of them being together and the subsequent ghosting made the second chance set up perfect. Add to that that they are both at the top of their game makes them very attractive main characters.
The whole back story was both beautiful and very heart wrenching.
Chapter II:
And here we have a whole lot of pining, avoidance and slow burn. A total change of pace and very little face to face with our MC's.Yet a lot of talking and beating around the bush with secondary characters.
Fortunately when they finally do get together, they talk. And that talk is so satisfying, everything you'd want in a second chance romance. The book balances out so beautifully, it gets time to breath out, we see them reconnect the right way, time to do everything right, date, fall deeper in love, let go of the past.
*Side-note, just me being me, but....
It made me giggle- yes giggle, that the cover model (Aaron Wolber) has a tattoo in Greek - δύναμη = strength.
December 1, 2025
5 stars for the narration, 4.5 for the story - rounding up to 5 for GR.
Although Breakaway Goals is a standalone romance, it’s closely linked to Beth Bolden’s Portland Evergreens books as the two leads have featured in secondary roles in that series and the author has been teasing their second-chance romance for quite a while. You could probably read or listen to this one without having read/listened to any of the Evergreens books, but I think you’ll get a lot more out of it if you’re familiar with either or both of On Thin Ice or Breaking the Ice
On Thin Ice introduced us to NHL legend Morgan Reynolds, whose relationship with his son, Finn, a talented goalie, was not great owing largely to Morgan’s high expectations and the constant and suffocating pressure he was heaping on his son. Thankfully, he comes to see that what he’s doing is hurting rather than helping Finn; father and son slowly begin to reasess their opinions of each other and Morgan determines to do better. During that story, it became clear that Morgan is hung up on someone – and hints were dropped that someone is Hayes Montgomery, now the captain of the Miami Sentinels – which is the NHL team Finn will be playing for during his rookie season.
Six years earlier, we meet the twenty-five-year-old Hayes, who has already earned himself a name as ‘the next big thing’. He’s playing for Team USA in the four nations hockey tournament (the others being Canada, Sweden and Finland) alongside team captain Morgan, who, at thirty-five, has been at the top of the game for many years, but is recognising that he’s approaching the end of his playing career – and has no idea how to feel about it. Hayes can’t quite believe he’s playing on the same team as Morgan – whom he’s hero-worshipped for his entire career – let alone on the same line, and even more that they’re such a good partnership on the ice. He’s more than a bit starstruck and an even bigger bit attracted – even though Hayes is in the closet and Morgan is straight.
Morgan can’t help liking Hayes, no matter that he’s a bit awkward or that he’s the one being tipped to take Morgan’s crown as ‘the chosen one’ of hockey players, and finds himself seeking him out. Morgan has never been attracted to a man, but there’s something about Hayes that has him completely smitten, no matter that he tries hard to deny it – and their amazing chemistry on the ice quickly translates into a passionate, secret affair.
Well, that was all it was supposed to be. A few nights of hot sex and then they go their separate ways – but for both men, things progress very quickly from just sex to something more, and neither of them quite knows what to do about it. On their last night together at te end of the tournament, Morgan, terrified at the things he’s feeling and realising that saying goodbye is going to hurt like a bitch, sneaks out when Hayes is asleep and then leaves early without saying a word to him.
Six years later, Morgan, now retired, is trying hard to repair his relationship with his son and has moved to Tampa in an attempt to be a supportive dad. It hasn’t escaped him that Hayes is in Florida also, and even though he knows Hayes moved on - and probably still hates him for the way things ended between them – he can’t help hoping that perhaps he can fix things and somehow win him back.
From conversations between Hayes and his best friend Zach in Breaking the Ice, it’s clear that Hayes – who is now out as gay thanks to an ex who pushed him into coming out and then dumped him - has never really got over Morgan. He’s still furious with Morgan for sneaking out on him and then ignoring him on the couple of occasions they played against each other after that, and would like nothing more than to give him a long-deserved dressing down – but he’s a conscientious captain and doesn’t want to say or do anything that will cause problems for Finn. Hayes decides the best thing to do is to avoid Morgan – but that proves impossible, and as Morgan works hard to show Hayes that he’s changed, that he’s not that guy any more, and that he’s serious about wanting another chance, Hayes’ walls start to crumble and he finds it increasingly difficult to keep Morgan at arm’s length.
There’s some serious pining and longing going on from both sides, as Morgan and Hayes are forced to confront the regrets and what-ifs that have stuck with them for so many years. Morgan’s post-retirement perspective is particularly poignant, as he’s taken stock and realised how lonely and empty his life is - and that he needs to man up and do something about it.
I’m a sucker for a reformed bad-boy, and Ms. Bolden does a great job of showing a different side to Morgan and that the arrogant, prickly persona he always showed to the world isn’t who he really is and that he’s trying to do better. He knows ghosting Hayes was a shitty thing to do, and getting to see his take on what happened makes it easier to understand why he did what he did – although not to excuse it. He’s still a bit of a grouch and doesn’t suffer fools, but he’s also a warm, caring and complex individual with the soul of a romantic; he’s so committed to making sure Hayes knows how much he matters to him that it’s impossible for Hayes to stay angry at him, and he quickly realises that Morgan knows how badly he screwed up and is prepared to do whatever it takes to get Hayes to give him – give them - another chance.
Hayes is a total sweetheart, and I really enjoyed seeing his growth from the slightly awkward twenty-something we first meet to confident, seasoned team captain and on-ice powerhouse. It’s easy to sympathise more with him over what happened with Morgan, but he played a part in their separation, too – albeit not quite such an obvious one.
Hayes and Morgan have terrific chemistry, and I liked that they’re kindred spirits when it comes to hockey, both having a deep understanding of what it means to be an elite sportsman and team captain, of the potentially negative effects of having so much attention and pressure put on them. This helps create a bond that strengthens quickly as they both realise that, in each other, they’ve found someone who gets it and who they can be themselves with. I admit that I was initially a bit sceptical of the idea that these two could find each other and fall head-over-heels in love in ten days – but the author creates such a strong emotional connection between them that I completely bought into it.
There’s a small but strongly written secondary cast here; Morgan’s teammate and friend Danny is a hoot, and I loved seeing more of his developing friendship with Finn’s boyfriend Jacob – a former goalie who frequently clashed with Morgan both on and off the ice and who Morgan absolutely loathed. I loved the ‘odd couple’ thing they have going on - and the moment they both tear up when Finn starts for the Sentinels for the first time is priceless. The only real negative I have to offer is that the book is overlong – which I’m saying a lot about contemporary romances at the moment; it needed some tightening up to keep the momentum going in the few places where the pacing flags. One of the reasons I stick to audio for this author’s books is because I expect them to be on the long side and listening to a great narrator for a couple of extra hours helps hold my interest, where in print I might get impatient!
Speaking of which… Darcy Stark is one of my favourite narrators, and his performance here is spot on in every respect. As always, he gets to the emotional heart of the story and the characters, and displays a good range of tone and accent in his depiction of the secondary cast. His portrayal of the two leads is perfect – he expertly captures Hayes’ aura of wide-eyed innocence in the first part of the story, and I could hear the way his character has grown in a new-found maturity in his voice in the second. Morgan’s trademark growl is underpinned with a warmth and humour that Morgan himself would deny ever having – and the depth of his feelings for Hayes, the emotional connection they’ve forged, are very strongly conveyed. It’s a captivating and accomplished performance that makes a very strong case for experiencing Breakaway Goals in audio.
Although Breakaway Goals is a standalone romance, it’s closely linked to Beth Bolden’s Portland Evergreens books as the two leads have featured in secondary roles in that series and the author has been teasing their second-chance romance for quite a while. You could probably read or listen to this one without having read/listened to any of the Evergreens books, but I think you’ll get a lot more out of it if you’re familiar with either or both of On Thin Ice or Breaking the Ice
On Thin Ice introduced us to NHL legend Morgan Reynolds, whose relationship with his son, Finn, a talented goalie, was not great owing largely to Morgan’s high expectations and the constant and suffocating pressure he was heaping on his son. Thankfully, he comes to see that what he’s doing is hurting rather than helping Finn; father and son slowly begin to reasess their opinions of each other and Morgan determines to do better. During that story, it became clear that Morgan is hung up on someone – and hints were dropped that someone is Hayes Montgomery, now the captain of the Miami Sentinels – which is the NHL team Finn will be playing for during his rookie season.
Six years earlier, we meet the twenty-five-year-old Hayes, who has already earned himself a name as ‘the next big thing’. He’s playing for Team USA in the four nations hockey tournament (the others being Canada, Sweden and Finland) alongside team captain Morgan, who, at thirty-five, has been at the top of the game for many years, but is recognising that he’s approaching the end of his playing career – and has no idea how to feel about it. Hayes can’t quite believe he’s playing on the same team as Morgan – whom he’s hero-worshipped for his entire career – let alone on the same line, and even more that they’re such a good partnership on the ice. He’s more than a bit starstruck and an even bigger bit attracted – even though Hayes is in the closet and Morgan is straight.
Morgan can’t help liking Hayes, no matter that he’s a bit awkward or that he’s the one being tipped to take Morgan’s crown as ‘the chosen one’ of hockey players, and finds himself seeking him out. Morgan has never been attracted to a man, but there’s something about Hayes that has him completely smitten, no matter that he tries hard to deny it – and their amazing chemistry on the ice quickly translates into a passionate, secret affair.
Well, that was all it was supposed to be. A few nights of hot sex and then they go their separate ways – but for both men, things progress very quickly from just sex to something more, and neither of them quite knows what to do about it. On their last night together at te end of the tournament, Morgan, terrified at the things he’s feeling and realising that saying goodbye is going to hurt like a bitch, sneaks out when Hayes is asleep and then leaves early without saying a word to him.
Six years later, Morgan, now retired, is trying hard to repair his relationship with his son and has moved to Tampa in an attempt to be a supportive dad. It hasn’t escaped him that Hayes is in Florida also, and even though he knows Hayes moved on - and probably still hates him for the way things ended between them – he can’t help hoping that perhaps he can fix things and somehow win him back.
From conversations between Hayes and his best friend Zach in Breaking the Ice, it’s clear that Hayes – who is now out as gay thanks to an ex who pushed him into coming out and then dumped him - has never really got over Morgan. He’s still furious with Morgan for sneaking out on him and then ignoring him on the couple of occasions they played against each other after that, and would like nothing more than to give him a long-deserved dressing down – but he’s a conscientious captain and doesn’t want to say or do anything that will cause problems for Finn. Hayes decides the best thing to do is to avoid Morgan – but that proves impossible, and as Morgan works hard to show Hayes that he’s changed, that he’s not that guy any more, and that he’s serious about wanting another chance, Hayes’ walls start to crumble and he finds it increasingly difficult to keep Morgan at arm’s length.
There’s some serious pining and longing going on from both sides, as Morgan and Hayes are forced to confront the regrets and what-ifs that have stuck with them for so many years. Morgan’s post-retirement perspective is particularly poignant, as he’s taken stock and realised how lonely and empty his life is - and that he needs to man up and do something about it.
I’m a sucker for a reformed bad-boy, and Ms. Bolden does a great job of showing a different side to Morgan and that the arrogant, prickly persona he always showed to the world isn’t who he really is and that he’s trying to do better. He knows ghosting Hayes was a shitty thing to do, and getting to see his take on what happened makes it easier to understand why he did what he did – although not to excuse it. He’s still a bit of a grouch and doesn’t suffer fools, but he’s also a warm, caring and complex individual with the soul of a romantic; he’s so committed to making sure Hayes knows how much he matters to him that it’s impossible for Hayes to stay angry at him, and he quickly realises that Morgan knows how badly he screwed up and is prepared to do whatever it takes to get Hayes to give him – give them - another chance.
Hayes is a total sweetheart, and I really enjoyed seeing his growth from the slightly awkward twenty-something we first meet to confident, seasoned team captain and on-ice powerhouse. It’s easy to sympathise more with him over what happened with Morgan, but he played a part in their separation, too – albeit not quite such an obvious one.
Hayes and Morgan have terrific chemistry, and I liked that they’re kindred spirits when it comes to hockey, both having a deep understanding of what it means to be an elite sportsman and team captain, of the potentially negative effects of having so much attention and pressure put on them. This helps create a bond that strengthens quickly as they both realise that, in each other, they’ve found someone who gets it and who they can be themselves with. I admit that I was initially a bit sceptical of the idea that these two could find each other and fall head-over-heels in love in ten days – but the author creates such a strong emotional connection between them that I completely bought into it.
There’s a small but strongly written secondary cast here; Morgan’s teammate and friend Danny is a hoot, and I loved seeing more of his developing friendship with Finn’s boyfriend Jacob – a former goalie who frequently clashed with Morgan both on and off the ice and who Morgan absolutely loathed. I loved the ‘odd couple’ thing they have going on - and the moment they both tear up when Finn starts for the Sentinels for the first time is priceless. The only real negative I have to offer is that the book is overlong – which I’m saying a lot about contemporary romances at the moment; it needed some tightening up to keep the momentum going in the few places where the pacing flags. One of the reasons I stick to audio for this author’s books is because I expect them to be on the long side and listening to a great narrator for a couple of extra hours helps hold my interest, where in print I might get impatient!
Speaking of which… Darcy Stark is one of my favourite narrators, and his performance here is spot on in every respect. As always, he gets to the emotional heart of the story and the characters, and displays a good range of tone and accent in his depiction of the secondary cast. His portrayal of the two leads is perfect – he expertly captures Hayes’ aura of wide-eyed innocence in the first part of the story, and I could hear the way his character has grown in a new-found maturity in his voice in the second. Morgan’s trademark growl is underpinned with a warmth and humour that Morgan himself would deny ever having – and the depth of his feelings for Hayes, the emotional connection they’ve forged, are very strongly conveyed. It’s a captivating and accomplished performance that makes a very strong case for experiencing Breakaway Goals in audio.
August 22, 2025
Ever since closing the last book in this series (which got better with every book) I’ve been waiting for this one. Especially after Finn’s book I couldn’t imagine ever liking Morgan. But here we are 😬😅 Yes he treated Hayes like shit at some point but we already knew that from the previous books. What we didn’t know was how sweet he could be. And how adorable his love for Hayes was. So… I guess he totally redeemed himself 😂
Hayes was great in all the books and in this one he actually felt a bit flat? That was my only complaint though because I devoured this book. Read it literally in one night (in which I should have been sleeping because I’m going to be 🙄🤮 at work today).
Anyway: great read, great love story and will reread 😍
Ps: hockey contracts and contract negotiations do not make sense to me at all. At. All.
Hayes was great in all the books and in this one he actually felt a bit flat? That was my only complaint though because I devoured this book. Read it literally in one night (in which I should have been sleeping because I’m going to be 🙄🤮 at work today).
Anyway: great read, great love story and will reread 😍
Ps: hockey contracts and contract negotiations do not make sense to me at all. At. All.
August 9, 2025
Oh wow, seriously I just finished the book and I feel like I need to gather myself before I do a review but also I just need to shout and share and fan girl about his book. Honestly spectacular- Beth Bolden made me love Hayes which fair was going to happen but made me fall madly in love with Morgan which no fair I wasn’t really expecting that but it happened it’s here to stay Morgan will be etched forever in my mind. What an interesting complex perfectly imperfect character.
God the swoon in this book is just next level, the banter is aces and the pining is sublime. And their chemistry, is off the freaking charts! Throughout!! No joke!
Also some of the absolute best ever I Love You scenes I’ve read in a book… honestly the swoon is swooning I cannot say this enough.
I loved how the rivals (kinda one sided cause Hayes is honestly the best ever! I will hear no more on this) to friends to lovers to second chances to an utterly perfect full of grovelling and recompense making redemption
I loved seeing Finn and Jacob and Gavin and Zach. This book is a complete stand alone so you don’t need to read the Portland evergreen series but why wouldn’t you it’s also spectacular
I just loved this book, I highly recommend this beautiful age gap, hockey romance with some impossible odds and a smidge of a secret relationship.
God the swoon in this book is just next level, the banter is aces and the pining is sublime. And their chemistry, is off the freaking charts! Throughout!! No joke!
Also some of the absolute best ever I Love You scenes I’ve read in a book… honestly the swoon is swooning I cannot say this enough.
I loved how the rivals (kinda one sided cause Hayes is honestly the best ever! I will hear no more on this) to friends to lovers to second chances to an utterly perfect full of grovelling and recompense making redemption
I loved seeing Finn and Jacob and Gavin and Zach. This book is a complete stand alone so you don’t need to read the Portland evergreen series but why wouldn’t you it’s also spectacular
I just loved this book, I highly recommend this beautiful age gap, hockey romance with some impossible odds and a smidge of a secret relationship.
Read
December 9, 2025DNF FOR NOW AT 52%
I may come back to this but after the time jump and one of them hating the other I found myself not caring. I think if it was more of a sadness than being angry I might of cared but I’ve read more books since stopping so I will put it up for now
I may come back to this but after the time jump and one of them hating the other I found myself not caring. I think if it was more of a sadness than being angry I might of cared but I’ve read more books since stopping so I will put it up for now
August 10, 2025
Copy received from Neon Rainbow Reviews for an honest review
As I have been reading the Portland Evergreens series, I have always, and I mean always intrigued by Hayes Montgomery and his long time unrequited love that we have heard about.
And here it is - we get the whole kit and kaboodle, and I am here for it!
It was everything and more than I could ever have thought.
This was a HEA 6 years in the making - and I am so glad Hayes got it, because how can you not love the guy.
Making me feel more for Morgan Reynolds than a kind of revolt and disgust of the way he was with his son, let along the wonderful Hayes, that was always going to be a bigger ask from Bolden.
But she did it. She really did it, and I ended up loving the guy by the end of the book.
This has been one of the best in the Evergreen-verse for me. I liked seeing Morgan become the man he should have been before. How he is with his son Finn. His banter and growing friendship with Jacob. But mostly I adored seeing him become the man he is today, letting his walls come down and oh how I love him with Hayes.
The friendships surrounding the main men too are the types of friendships we all need in our lives - those who would help up bury a body, and then comfort us afterwards.
You just need to read this book and get immersed in the whole thing.
As I have been reading the Portland Evergreens series, I have always, and I mean always intrigued by Hayes Montgomery and his long time unrequited love that we have heard about.
And here it is - we get the whole kit and kaboodle, and I am here for it!
It was everything and more than I could ever have thought.
This was a HEA 6 years in the making - and I am so glad Hayes got it, because how can you not love the guy.
Making me feel more for Morgan Reynolds than a kind of revolt and disgust of the way he was with his son, let along the wonderful Hayes, that was always going to be a bigger ask from Bolden.
But she did it. She really did it, and I ended up loving the guy by the end of the book.
This has been one of the best in the Evergreen-verse for me. I liked seeing Morgan become the man he should have been before. How he is with his son Finn. His banter and growing friendship with Jacob. But mostly I adored seeing him become the man he is today, letting his walls come down and oh how I love him with Hayes.
The friendships surrounding the main men too are the types of friendships we all need in our lives - those who would help up bury a body, and then comfort us afterwards.
You just need to read this book and get immersed in the whole thing.
Read
January 20, 2026DNF @ 31%
At first I was vibing with the rookie/vet superstar vibes and them hooking up during their time playing the 4 Nations. Then things got weird when the author decided to name the Team Canada players the actual IRL players that played for Canada in the 4 Nations (counted at least 5) so..... She also full on names Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins later in the book. It just felt really odd to me when you can just make up characters (not to mention probably not exactly legal).
Then I was also just bored. So yeah. DNF.
At first I was vibing with the rookie/vet superstar vibes and them hooking up during their time playing the 4 Nations. Then things got weird when the author decided to name the Team Canada players the actual IRL players that played for Canada in the 4 Nations (counted at least 5) so..... She also full on names Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins later in the book. It just felt really odd to me when you can just make up characters (not to mention probably not exactly legal).
Then I was also just bored. So yeah. DNF.
August 25, 2025
Rating: 4
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 3rd person
Genre: sport romance, MM
Tropes / tags: sexual discovery, age gap, pining
Hayes and Morgan were fire together and I loved seeing them getting a second chance at their happily ever after. They ended up being so incredibly sweet together!
I'd been eagerly waiting for this story ever since I read the last books in the Portland Evergreens series. Seeing Hayes being heartbroken and pining for Morgan in Zach's story made my heart hurt, and I couldn't wait to get the full picture of what really happened between him and Morgan all those years ago... Their story was well worth the wait, even if it hurt at times.
It was adorable seeing Hayes and Morgan being all flirty and cute with each other at the Four Nations tournament where it all started, and it was clear that there could be a lot more between them than just casual hookups. While their feelings and connection were intense, it didn't take long for things to fall apart, and they ended up spending years pining for each other before reconciling.
I loved how they were both still very aware of each other and they were not being subtle at all about it at all. The pining was really on point here, with some excellent banter and chemistry added to the mix as well. Hayes was such a sweet character, and it was easy to feel for him. I can't say that I was a fan of Morgan, partly due to Finn's story, and he didn't get a great start in his own book either. He didn't handle things well with Hayes initially, but he managed to redeem himself eventually (the grovelling certainly helped). I loved that Hayes stood his ground and made Morgan work for it, and there were so many swoon worthy moments!
Breakaway Goals was a fantastic second chance romance, and it was both sweet and entertaining to see Hayes and Morgan navigate being in close proximity, unsure of where they stood with each other. I'm very happy that we got their story, and it had everything I could have hoped for!
-
I received an advanced copy of this book, and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 3rd person
Genre: sport romance, MM
Tropes / tags: sexual discovery, age gap, pining
Hayes and Morgan were fire together and I loved seeing them getting a second chance at their happily ever after. They ended up being so incredibly sweet together!
I'd been eagerly waiting for this story ever since I read the last books in the Portland Evergreens series. Seeing Hayes being heartbroken and pining for Morgan in Zach's story made my heart hurt, and I couldn't wait to get the full picture of what really happened between him and Morgan all those years ago... Their story was well worth the wait, even if it hurt at times.
It was adorable seeing Hayes and Morgan being all flirty and cute with each other at the Four Nations tournament where it all started, and it was clear that there could be a lot more between them than just casual hookups. While their feelings and connection were intense, it didn't take long for things to fall apart, and they ended up spending years pining for each other before reconciling.
I loved how they were both still very aware of each other and they were not being subtle at all about it at all. The pining was really on point here, with some excellent banter and chemistry added to the mix as well. Hayes was such a sweet character, and it was easy to feel for him. I can't say that I was a fan of Morgan, partly due to Finn's story, and he didn't get a great start in his own book either. He didn't handle things well with Hayes initially, but he managed to redeem himself eventually (the grovelling certainly helped). I loved that Hayes stood his ground and made Morgan work for it, and there were so many swoon worthy moments!
Breakaway Goals was a fantastic second chance romance, and it was both sweet and entertaining to see Hayes and Morgan navigate being in close proximity, unsure of where they stood with each other. I'm very happy that we got their story, and it had everything I could have hoped for!
-
I received an advanced copy of this book, and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.
September 1, 2025
A MM romance with hockey players, 2nd chance love, son's captain/teammate's father, age gap (~10yrs), bi-awakening, hero worship to crushes, hurt, longing 🥺, grovelling & sweet HEA!
I flew through this, I'd been so excited for Morgan & Hayes' book & loved 'em & cameos. Devoured my #ARC within 11hrs over 2days. Its fast-paced overall, despite time jump.
Morgan was the "chosen one" of NHL. Amazing stats justified cocky confidence, he strives for perfection. M's arrogant but I liked seeing his softer, caring (& grovelling romantic) side too. Especially as he starts to make good changes after retirement.
Hayes is the "next one" in NHL. Hero worship for M to now a team captain, H plays to win, is responsible, humble, charming. I liked when he got snarky, (justifiably) mad. H's a sweetheart who deserves best things 😭. H's gay & out ✨. I liked him cute & giggly 🥰 (in love).
Morgan stole the show in his son Finn's book (I'd wanted to see him brought down a peg!), while Hayes stole my heart in Zach's book. Regrets, longing... Actually reading their 1st chance was amazing yet the eventual hurt hurt 😭. Old crush, new feelings, being teammate's to more... But when choice came, career or love?
I'm so glad we got this spin off book 🙌. Fun to see the games, nervous coming out, & subplot about H's contract. It irked me that they were so SURE that they'd not lasted if got together in 1st chance, but guys YOU DIDN'T GET TO—YOU DON'T KNOW. Danny's a superb wingman, excited for his book!
Story Ratings:
POV: 3rd person, Dual POV
1) Enjoyed? —> Heck ya!! 5/5
2) The Characters: 5/5
3) Top feels: 🤭😅😁😏😩😳😤😭🤨😍🥺😯🥰🙌🏒
4) Steamy scenes: 3.5/5
5) Levels: Cute+Swoon: 4.25/5
Angst: 3.25/5
Dark: 1/5
6) Creativity + world: 4.5/5
7) Plot arc: (Hockey, Love, 2nd chance) 4.25/5
8) Writing style + pace: 4.7/5
I flew through this, I'd been so excited for Morgan & Hayes' book & loved 'em & cameos. Devoured my #ARC within 11hrs over 2days. Its fast-paced overall, despite time jump.
Morgan was the "chosen one" of NHL. Amazing stats justified cocky confidence, he strives for perfection. M's arrogant but I liked seeing his softer, caring (& grovelling romantic) side too. Especially as he starts to make good changes after retirement.
Hayes is the "next one" in NHL. Hero worship for M to now a team captain, H plays to win, is responsible, humble, charming. I liked when he got snarky, (justifiably) mad. H's a sweetheart who deserves best things 😭. H's gay & out ✨. I liked him cute & giggly 🥰 (in love).
Morgan stole the show in his son Finn's book (I'd wanted to see him brought down a peg!), while Hayes stole my heart in Zach's book. Regrets, longing... Actually reading their 1st chance was amazing yet the eventual hurt hurt 😭. Old crush, new feelings, being teammate's to more... But when choice came, career or love?
"Morgan looked broken. Like Hayes had broken him. And that felt fair. Because he’d broken Hayes first."Now, Hayes is captain of Finn's team & these 2 are in orbit again. Years of longing, heartache, regret & guilt come to heed... Hate is better than indifference, but does M even have a chance, should he get one? I liked that H was cautious, trust takes time but M's romantic & finally All in! So hot & I love me a vers couple 🥰.
I'm so glad we got this spin off book 🙌. Fun to see the games, nervous coming out, & subplot about H's contract. It irked me that they were so SURE that they'd not lasted if got together in 1st chance, but guys YOU DIDN'T GET TO—YOU DON'T KNOW. Danny's a superb wingman, excited for his book!
Story Ratings:
POV: 3rd person, Dual POV
1) Enjoyed? —> Heck ya!! 5/5
2) The Characters: 5/5
3) Top feels: 🤭😅😁😏😩😳😤😭🤨😍🥺😯🥰🙌🏒
4) Steamy scenes: 3.5/5
5) Levels: Cute+Swoon: 4.25/5
Angst: 3.25/5
Dark: 1/5
6) Creativity + world: 4.5/5
7) Plot arc: (Hockey, Love, 2nd chance) 4.25/5
8) Writing style + pace: 4.7/5
October 18, 2025
3 ⭐️
Well. On the one hand it wasn’t bad.
But on the other? Meh.
I mean it was almost good except for trite dialogues and inner monologues and all the cliches.
I can’t say I didn’t like it at all. But I did roll my eyes quite a bit and was a bit bored several times so 🤷♀️
Well. On the one hand it wasn’t bad.
But on the other? Meh.
I mean it was almost good except for trite dialogues and inner monologues and all the cliches.
I can’t say I didn’t like it at all. But I did roll my eyes quite a bit and was a bit bored several times so 🤷♀️
August 20, 2025
Breakaway Goals by Beth Bolden is a standalone book connected to the Portland Evergreens series. We first met Hayes Montgomery and Morgan Reynolds in that series and it was very evident that something had happened and broken between them. I loved Hayes sooo much in Zach’s book and my heart broke for him. He loved Morgan so much and was not over him six years later. I was anticipating finding out what happened and it did not disappoint. Watching how these two feel in love and then watching Morgan break them apart was heart-wrenching. It was expected but I am not going to lie….I cried like a baby. Beth is such an amazing author and made me empathize with both men. They were frustrating at different times, but I loved how they came back together. I am looking forward to reading more from Beth. Her sports romances have become some of my favorite books to read.
I received an ARC from Neon Rainbow Reviews and the author for my honest review
I received an ARC from Neon Rainbow Reviews and the author for my honest review
August 20, 2025
I don’t know if I have adequate words to describe how all encompassing this book was for me, but I’m going to try my best.
After reading the Portland Evergreens series, I’m an unapologetic Hayes Montgomery fan, and I was never going to be satisfied with anything less than his complete and total happiness. Morgan did NOT have his work cut out for him, but you know what? He surprised me by being exactly what Hayes deserves.
Hayes and Morgan are two first overall NHL draft picks who’re endlessly thrown into each other’s orbits. Hayes is younger and a little bit starstruck while Morgan’s older, wiser (questionable), and more than a little smug. There’s a lot to unpack in just the pressure and sameness that comes along with being two greats, but I love how this common thread binds them together.
Breakaway Goals is essentially a story based around the idea that two guys, however unlikely, can find each other, forge an impossibly strong connection, and fall in love in 10 days. It’s not quite insta-love, but it’s insta-something, and it totally works.
Beth Bolden creates this bubble of time around the NHL’s Four Nations Face-off, and for two weeks, it becomes their entire world. All the worry and responsibility of the real world disappear in a way that heightens emotions and intensifies connections. She captures the all consuming feeling of existing within this bubble, bringing readers into the moment and making it feel so real. Her sports romances are always captivating on many levels, but almost all of that is down to the fact that she pays attention, something that always comes through on page.
I’d best describe this story as heart-wrenching yet gratifying. If you’ve read the Portland Evergreens series (not required but highly recommended), you know what’s coming, and it’s hard to prepare for how something so amazing and natural can lead to devastation, despair, and YEARS of pain and pining. And that’s just for Hayes - I didn’t expect how it would affect me to know Morgan’s side of things.
Their pain is equally as beautiful as it is devastating, if for no other reason than the depth of connection and their feelings for each other. This isn’t a fast, fleeting feeling - it’s a real, forever kind of love. To walk away from that…ugh, just make it stop. It’s maybe one of the toughest break ups I’ve ever read, stunning in its grief and understanding. Two guys have never been more victimized by circumstance. Even knowing it had to be this way doesn’t make easier.
Let’s talk about Morgan. From earlier books, we know he’s a complex guy, but I didn’t anticipate him like. The Morgan Beth shows us is multi-faceted, warm, caring, and just unlike any persona he projects the world. Complicated doesn’t even begin to cover his whole character arc, and it’s both surprising and delightful to experience.
I’m making this story sound impossibly heavy, and at times, it is. I cried. A LOT. But I also laughed, and this balance of humor and emotion is something I’ve come to expect from Beth Bolden. She leans on some fun dynamics and side characters to lighten the mood, one of which is my new side character crush, Matt Daniels. He’s the unexpected MVP of this story, and I’m beyond thrilled we’ll see more of him in Beth’s upcoming Hockey Bros series.
*I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this book*
After reading the Portland Evergreens series, I’m an unapologetic Hayes Montgomery fan, and I was never going to be satisfied with anything less than his complete and total happiness. Morgan did NOT have his work cut out for him, but you know what? He surprised me by being exactly what Hayes deserves.
Hayes and Morgan are two first overall NHL draft picks who’re endlessly thrown into each other’s orbits. Hayes is younger and a little bit starstruck while Morgan’s older, wiser (questionable), and more than a little smug. There’s a lot to unpack in just the pressure and sameness that comes along with being two greats, but I love how this common thread binds them together.
Breakaway Goals is essentially a story based around the idea that two guys, however unlikely, can find each other, forge an impossibly strong connection, and fall in love in 10 days. It’s not quite insta-love, but it’s insta-something, and it totally works.
Beth Bolden creates this bubble of time around the NHL’s Four Nations Face-off, and for two weeks, it becomes their entire world. All the worry and responsibility of the real world disappear in a way that heightens emotions and intensifies connections. She captures the all consuming feeling of existing within this bubble, bringing readers into the moment and making it feel so real. Her sports romances are always captivating on many levels, but almost all of that is down to the fact that she pays attention, something that always comes through on page.
I’d best describe this story as heart-wrenching yet gratifying. If you’ve read the Portland Evergreens series (not required but highly recommended), you know what’s coming, and it’s hard to prepare for how something so amazing and natural can lead to devastation, despair, and YEARS of pain and pining. And that’s just for Hayes - I didn’t expect how it would affect me to know Morgan’s side of things.
Their pain is equally as beautiful as it is devastating, if for no other reason than the depth of connection and their feelings for each other. This isn’t a fast, fleeting feeling - it’s a real, forever kind of love. To walk away from that…ugh, just make it stop. It’s maybe one of the toughest break ups I’ve ever read, stunning in its grief and understanding. Two guys have never been more victimized by circumstance. Even knowing it had to be this way doesn’t make easier.
Let’s talk about Morgan. From earlier books, we know he’s a complex guy, but I didn’t anticipate him like. The Morgan Beth shows us is multi-faceted, warm, caring, and just unlike any persona he projects the world. Complicated doesn’t even begin to cover his whole character arc, and it’s both surprising and delightful to experience.
I’m making this story sound impossibly heavy, and at times, it is. I cried. A LOT. But I also laughed, and this balance of humor and emotion is something I’ve come to expect from Beth Bolden. She leans on some fun dynamics and side characters to lighten the mood, one of which is my new side character crush, Matt Daniels. He’s the unexpected MVP of this story, and I’m beyond thrilled we’ll see more of him in Beth’s upcoming Hockey Bros series.
*I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this book*
August 27, 2025
Oh Hayes and Morgan…I hoped you’d be unexpectedly sweet and you definitely delivered on that!
Hayes Montgomery and Morgan Reynolds are two huge hockey players, known as the next one and the chosen one…with Hayes coming in to eclipse Morgan’s legacy (according to everyone else haha). They end up playing together on the same line in a special tournament and the chemistry between them on and off the ice is undeniable. But things go south quickly thanks to Morgan reverting to being a jerk, leaving them both heartbroken and questioning where to go from here.
Flash forward to six years later…Hayes is the captain of the Tampa team and Morgan’s son Finn is their rookie goalie, bringing Morgan to Tampa and into Hayes’ orbit for the first time in years. Things are incredibly awkward, but staying away from each other isn’t really possible. Morgan starts to wear down Hayes’ walls, showing him he’s not the same guy he was all those years ago. Once they come together, their chemistry and attraction is fire and made me smile to see them both finally happy.
I loved seeing both their past and their present after getting pieces and parts of their story in the Portland Evergreens series. But, I wish there was more time spent in the present with them getting to know each other now instead of just giving in to the physical side of things and going from there. Also would have loved more Zach moments - his friendship with Hayes was such a big part of his book and I was sad to see that he didn’t make his way to Tampa to make a physical appearance here. Really enjoyed this one though - fun to read and even more fun to see them finally love each other.
Hayes Montgomery and Morgan Reynolds are two huge hockey players, known as the next one and the chosen one…with Hayes coming in to eclipse Morgan’s legacy (according to everyone else haha). They end up playing together on the same line in a special tournament and the chemistry between them on and off the ice is undeniable. But things go south quickly thanks to Morgan reverting to being a jerk, leaving them both heartbroken and questioning where to go from here.
Flash forward to six years later…Hayes is the captain of the Tampa team and Morgan’s son Finn is their rookie goalie, bringing Morgan to Tampa and into Hayes’ orbit for the first time in years. Things are incredibly awkward, but staying away from each other isn’t really possible. Morgan starts to wear down Hayes’ walls, showing him he’s not the same guy he was all those years ago. Once they come together, their chemistry and attraction is fire and made me smile to see them both finally happy.
I loved seeing both their past and their present after getting pieces and parts of their story in the Portland Evergreens series. But, I wish there was more time spent in the present with them getting to know each other now instead of just giving in to the physical side of things and going from there. Also would have loved more Zach moments - his friendship with Hayes was such a big part of his book and I was sad to see that he didn’t make his way to Tampa to make a physical appearance here. Really enjoyed this one though - fun to read and even more fun to see them finally love each other.
August 13, 2025
I love second-chance romance and this one was just beautiful. Since his introduction, I wanted to see more of Morgan, he looked like a complex character who had to deal with a lot of expectation and pressure that was then reflected on his relationship with his son Finn (On Thin Ice), now that he’s trying to heal this, we need to focus on him and his past.
And what a past, Morgan and Hayes were part of the USA national team for an event, let’s say that they just totally clicked, after a bit of reticence from Morgan obvi - it goes with the character. Hayes is cute and has a huge hero worship for Morgan and also a huge crush !! When the tension hits, they both enjoy the passion until the big clash. Fast forward 6 years and now that Finn is part of Hayes’s team, the big reunion is on its way and some grovelling is needed !!
I really loved it, I devoted it, sadly I was waiting for the big moment that led to the second chance romance, but the reunion was worth it. I was never able to dislike Morgan and I’m happy he got his HEA. Now I wish Daniel has one too, because this character is awesome !
I received an ARC Copy of this book from Neonrainbow Arc Reviews, this review is from my own thoughts 😍
And what a past, Morgan and Hayes were part of the USA national team for an event, let’s say that they just totally clicked, after a bit of reticence from Morgan obvi - it goes with the character. Hayes is cute and has a huge hero worship for Morgan and also a huge crush !! When the tension hits, they both enjoy the passion until the big clash. Fast forward 6 years and now that Finn is part of Hayes’s team, the big reunion is on its way and some grovelling is needed !!
I really loved it, I devoted it, sadly I was waiting for the big moment that led to the second chance romance, but the reunion was worth it. I was never able to dislike Morgan and I’m happy he got his HEA. Now I wish Daniel has one too, because this character is awesome !
I received an ARC Copy of this book from Neonrainbow Arc Reviews, this review is from my own thoughts 😍
August 27, 2025
I was unsure whether Morgan could be fully redeemed in my eyes and I never thought I'd see him in a different way after the last book. But I was proved wrong.
I still think he's an asshole and the first half of the book left me wondering how he was going to mess up but it was something so simple, so believable that it actually made sense.
They were really good together and the connection was there from the beginning.
I like that his author always shows a bit of the MCs lives together after the ILY and does not rush to finish the book. The parts after the 75/80% mark are usually my favourites.
I still think he's an asshole and the first half of the book left me wondering how he was going to mess up but it was something so simple, so believable that it actually made sense.
They were really good together and the connection was there from the beginning.
I like that his author always shows a bit of the MCs lives together after the ILY and does not rush to finish the book. The parts after the 75/80% mark are usually my favourites.
August 18, 2025
Thank you, Beth & Neon Rainbow, for my copy of Breakaway Goals. This is a standalone but part of the Evergreen universe, I definitely recommend reading the Portland Evergreen series first to avoid spoilers but to also be teased about Breakaway Goals. I have wanted Hayes & Morgan’s book since their past was mentioned. I assumed that their book would contain a lot of flashbacks, but I was so wrong. Beth approached this book chronologically & the first 45% was 6 years earlier. It was so good, I can not explain; it felt like we were living it alongside Hayes & Morgan. My heart broke for them & I was beyond rooting for their HEA.
🏒 Second Chance Romance
🏒 MM Romance
🏒 Age Gap
🏒 He Fell 1st/He Fell Harder
🏒 Son's Captain
🏒 Ex Player
🏒 Pining
🏒 Groveling
🏒 HEA
🏒 Dual POV
🏒 Epilogue
🏒 Bonus Content *Finn & Jacob
🏒 Second Chance Romance
🏒 MM Romance
🏒 Age Gap
🏒 He Fell 1st/He Fell Harder
🏒 Son's Captain
🏒 Ex Player
🏒 Pining
🏒 Groveling
🏒 HEA
🏒 Dual POV
🏒 Epilogue
🏒 Bonus Content *Finn & Jacob
September 9, 2025
Personally I think it's really important to read Zach and Gavin's story, and Finn and Jacob's story first, if you want to get a well rounded view of Morgan. You can in theory read this is a standalone but you will nowhere near get a rounded sense of his character. That said, I didn't quite see how this redemption arc would go (and I think it might be flat without the background from the other books, personally) but it was good
September 5, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ WHAT?! I loved this so much! I was literally giddy reading this story and could not put it down once I started. Morgan + Hayes are perfection like the smile I have when I think of these two AHHHH. The tension, longing, utter devotion, and the CHEMISTRY?! Soso good wow the way these two will be living rent free in my mind in the best way. ❤️🔥
September 28, 2025
so good
Jacob is falling for his hockey idol Morgan. Morgan is wary but gets caught up in the allure. It’s good until Morgan ghosts Jacob. Now retired, Morgan’s son is a rookie with Jacob as captain. Both men are hurting and still in love. Can they make it work?
Jacob is falling for his hockey idol Morgan. Morgan is wary but gets caught up in the allure. It’s good until Morgan ghosts Jacob. Now retired, Morgan’s son is a rookie with Jacob as captain. Both men are hurting and still in love. Can they make it work?
Want to read
November 28, 2025⚠️ Breakaway Goals is an MM hockey standalone romance, but spins off from Beth's Portland Evergreens series.
January 9, 2026
I called time of death on this one at 92%
Also using real hockey players and real hockey teams throughout this book is wild 🤡
Also using real hockey players and real hockey teams throughout this book is wild 🤡
August 31, 2025
I usually hate the second chance trope but this was incredibly sweet (and sad in a heartfelt way)
October 8, 2025
Beautiful romance 😍
After reading the first half of this book, I needed a cigarette, so mind blowingly hot 🚬🥵🌶️🔥...
As is usual with Beth, this story is beautifully written. The initial setup is perfect, with Hayes idolizing Morgan, a hockey legend, only to find himself teamed up with him in a Four Nation Tournament. They hook up, and chemistry between them is undeniable. Their romance is passionate and all consuming. Which makes it all the worse when Morgan walks away, and ghosts poor, confused Hayes.
Hayes, unfortunately, has fallen head over heels for Morgan. His feelings linger long after the brief but passionate encounter. Six years after their whirlwind romance, Hayes is a hockey star in his own right, but his feelings for Morgan still simmer beneath the surface. When Morgan reappears, Hayes is forced to confront the what ifs and the regret that still haunts him. Little does he know that Morgan has his own regrets. The character development is superb, with both Hayes and Morgan feeling convincingly real. Morgan's regret at leaving all things Hayes, and his role as a father to Finn, one of Hayes' team-mates, are particularly well written and add a lot of depth to the whole story.
Beth is so good at bringing a story to life . The hockey scenes are thrilling. It feels like you're actually there in the stadium. The romance between the guys is tender and heartfelt. There's a slow burning tension that kept me totally invested in their journey.
Overall, this story is a must read for anyone who loves a second chance romances, sports romances, or just a good love story. Beth is an expert at balancing humour, passion, and heartbreak. The ending is so swoony. Morgan totally redeems himself, and it's obvious that he loves Hayes to bits 🥰
I received an ARC of this story which in no way influenced my opinion.
After reading the first half of this book, I needed a cigarette, so mind blowingly hot 🚬🥵🌶️🔥...
As is usual with Beth, this story is beautifully written. The initial setup is perfect, with Hayes idolizing Morgan, a hockey legend, only to find himself teamed up with him in a Four Nation Tournament. They hook up, and chemistry between them is undeniable. Their romance is passionate and all consuming. Which makes it all the worse when Morgan walks away, and ghosts poor, confused Hayes.
Hayes, unfortunately, has fallen head over heels for Morgan. His feelings linger long after the brief but passionate encounter. Six years after their whirlwind romance, Hayes is a hockey star in his own right, but his feelings for Morgan still simmer beneath the surface. When Morgan reappears, Hayes is forced to confront the what ifs and the regret that still haunts him. Little does he know that Morgan has his own regrets. The character development is superb, with both Hayes and Morgan feeling convincingly real. Morgan's regret at leaving all things Hayes, and his role as a father to Finn, one of Hayes' team-mates, are particularly well written and add a lot of depth to the whole story.
Beth is so good at bringing a story to life . The hockey scenes are thrilling. It feels like you're actually there in the stadium. The romance between the guys is tender and heartfelt. There's a slow burning tension that kept me totally invested in their journey.
Overall, this story is a must read for anyone who loves a second chance romances, sports romances, or just a good love story. Beth is an expert at balancing humour, passion, and heartbreak. The ending is so swoony. Morgan totally redeems himself, and it's obvious that he loves Hayes to bits 🥰
I received an ARC of this story which in no way influenced my opinion.
September 6, 2025
story of Hayes and Morgan
This is a teammate’s dad / second chance romance, featuring Hayes Montgomery and Morgan Reynolds, and is a standalone book.
Hayes falls for his hockey hero Morgan during a short tournament fling, but it ends too soon. Six years later, Morgan returns as his teammate’s dad, and they get a second chance at love.
This story was sweet and a little heartbreaking, there was intensity on the ice and even more heat off it and when Hayes and Morgan reunite it was chef’s kiss. The small age gap, the teammate’s dad drama, and all that slow-burn pining made it a very easy read. A perfect mix of feels, spice, and second chances.
Things to expect in this book are:
Standalone book
MM sports romance
Teammate’s dad
Small age gap (10 years)
Secret crush
Bi awakening
10-day fling
6 years apart
Pining & longing
Admit feelings
Secret relationship
Spicy times
Biting & marking
Wears his jersey
Dates
Found family
HEA
This is a teammate’s dad / second chance romance, featuring Hayes Montgomery and Morgan Reynolds, and is a standalone book.
Hayes falls for his hockey hero Morgan during a short tournament fling, but it ends too soon. Six years later, Morgan returns as his teammate’s dad, and they get a second chance at love.
This story was sweet and a little heartbreaking, there was intensity on the ice and even more heat off it and when Hayes and Morgan reunite it was chef’s kiss. The small age gap, the teammate’s dad drama, and all that slow-burn pining made it a very easy read. A perfect mix of feels, spice, and second chances.
Things to expect in this book are:
Standalone book
MM sports romance
Teammate’s dad
Small age gap (10 years)
Secret crush
Bi awakening
10-day fling
6 years apart
Pining & longing
Admit feelings
Secret relationship
Spicy times
Biting & marking
Wears his jersey
Dates
Found family
HEA
August 27, 2025
so good
What a ride! I enjoyed every min of it. I loved how we got to know them pre now, but the now wasn’t glossed over either. They fought for their HEA. I loved the friendships that were made. The emotions. The love. This book had major swooning happening. The writing was great! The smexy was hawt, and the found family was everything.
For future:
Dual POV
No cheating or sharing
No om/ow
Switch
Relation before.
What a ride! I enjoyed every min of it. I loved how we got to know them pre now, but the now wasn’t glossed over either. They fought for their HEA. I loved the friendships that were made. The emotions. The love. This book had major swooning happening. The writing was great! The smexy was hawt, and the found family was everything.
For future:
Dual POV
No cheating or sharing
No om/ow
Switch
Relation before.
August 15, 2025
Breakaway Goals by Beth Bolden is the story of two hockey players who found each other but due to their circumstances broke up in a way that hurt both of them. Years later they came together again and this time they let their love that had never gone away win. Morgan Reynolds and Hayes Montgomery were both NHL hockey players but on different teams on each side of the country. They were both #1 draft choices but in different years and knew the pressures to always be the best and to prove themselves which not many other players knew. They met as teammates playing on the same line for the USA in a 4 game tournament that lasted 10 days. Hayes was out but Morgan was divorced from a woman and had a hockey playing son, Finn, so it was a surprise when he went after Hayes and they had some very steamy love scenes during their time together but looked at it as a “hook up”. At least they thought they would. But as they played together, talked, and learned more about each other it turned into love for both of them, something they would never say as it had only been such a short time. After they won the series Morgan started to panic. He only had a few more years to play before retirement and needed to focus on that, plus with them playing for teams on each coast he didn’t see a way that it could work. So he did the only thing he could think of to do which was to ghost Hayes, even when they played against each other 6 weeks later, which hurt Hayes to his core and Morgan also felt bad because he knew he had lost what could have been a great future. He tried to apologize but Hayes wasn’t having any of it. As time went by they both tried dating but gave up when they knew that their love for each other eclipsed any new one that would come along. Morgan was even gong to go to Hayes after he retired and beg his forgiveness but he was seeing someone else, that eventually didn’t work out, so he didn’t do it. 6 years later Hayes had been traded to the Florida Sentinels and Morgan’s son Finn was in his rookie year as goalie for that team. That meant that Morgan and Finn and his boyfriend Jacob had moved to rental houses in Miami so it was inevitable that they would run into each other, which they did at the gym. They hashed out what had happened 6 years ago and went their ways, but Morgan was hopelessly in love with him and even his friend Danny told him to stop being so pathetic and do something to get Hayes back. After a win streak party at Hayes’s house, Morgan stays to help clean up which leads to more taking and to Hayes saying he doesn’t have much leftover time as team captain which Morgan understands and tells him he just wants whatever much he can give him. They kiss and this leads to a series of dates with nothing more than kissing because Morgan wants to prove that he wants him for more than just his body and Hayes slowly comes around from fearing that if he left him again he would fall apart. Eventually they do have some very hot love scenes as they reconnect and then have to figure out how to tell Finn and the rest of the team, which to their surprise everyone has already figured out that they are together. Morgan has turned into a very supportive man and is willing to do anything for Hayes, including doing a podcast about how great a player he is that helps him get the contract he has wanted. They now know how much they have always loved each other, even though they never said it at first, and are looking forward to being together forever. I really enjoyed this story. Morgan and Hayes have so much in common in their hockey careers that it seemed to be inevitable that they would get together. Hayes was always so hopeful but was crushed when Morgan ghosted him. Morgan knew almost from the moment he did it that it was the wrong thing to do and he spent a long time trying to show him that he had changed and would do anything for him. He did this when they reconnected and while it took a while to win Hayes over, in the end they did and their love shone brightly. Their hockey friends and family also played a big part in the story and were there for them. There was also a lot of hockey happening throughout the story. I highly recommend this book, especially if you like stories about 2 men who meet over their sport, fall in love but are afraid to say it, part in a not nice way, and get back together after several years and find the love they always had, all with lots of hockey playing in the background.
January 8, 2026
I really wanted to like this one, but it just didn't work for me. 2.5 stars.
Firstly, the structure on this book is a bit strange. It's technically a second chance romance, but we get both the first and second chances of the story. The first quarter of the book is the first chance, there is a six year break, then we get the second chance. I find this structure for second chance romance often doesn't work that well - somehow the less we know about the first chance the better.
In this case, the first chance didn't work that well for me. It's a bi-awakening for Morgan, but we get almost not feelings or introspection about it. He's just suddenly attracted to Hayes after not being attracted to men at all for the first 35 years of his life. We also don't get a lot of reasons for him being attracted to Hayes - just that they are the same in that they are both first overall draft picks and generational talents. No real details about personality, character, looks, etc. that he finds attractive. Honestly it felt a bit like the gay for you trope, which I hate. And when they first hook up, Morgan doesn't freak out or even contemplate what it means to have a same sex relationship for the first time. It's just so strange to not have that part of the story even as inner monologue.
Because oh boy does this book have a lot of inner monologue. The whole middle of the book is the two characters inner monologue-ing about how they are mad at each other with the way it ended between them... and also they are so in love with the other MC to the point that they can't think about anyone else.
But they had 10 days together where they never had any real conversations. How can they be in love? To me this seemed like crazy infatuation and obssession for both of them, not love. When they do get back together, Morgan insists on taking Hayes on dates to get to know him... which is so weird to me. How can you "love" someone for six years when you barely know him.
I also found that Morgan and Hayes didn't really have strong personalities or characteristics. It was sometimes difficult to tell who's POV a section was from. Although at the beginning, Morgan is kind of grumpy, so that distinguishes him. But it also makes him a bad captain, in several ways. I absolutely did not buy him as a Team USA Captain. He was not a good leader.
Another thing that really tripped me up about this book is that is presented as a stand-alone. But when I was reading it I felt like I was missing a lot of context with Morgan's son Finn. It turns out his story is in an earlier book by this author, which I haven't read. It sounds like there is a lot of father-son relationship drama in that book that would have been helpful for this book. If the author wanted this to be a true stand-alone, a few lines of summary about the events of that book would have been helpful. Instead, I just felt confused about what was going on some of the time. Also, does Hayes trade play out in another book? Since that was just skipped over - it feels like it would have been a big deal at the time.
The final thing that weirded me out about this book was the way it is set in the modern NHL. It uses fake names for some teams (fine) and shortened versions of other team names (e.g. Pens, fine) but it also uses tons of real player names: Crosby, Filip Forsberg, Silovs, Bennett, Saros. It's verging into RPF fan fic territory and that makes me uncomfy.
On a more positive note, the author knows hockey well and is clearly a knowledgeable long-time fan. I respect that in a romance book since it is hard to find.
Firstly, the structure on this book is a bit strange. It's technically a second chance romance, but we get both the first and second chances of the story. The first quarter of the book is the first chance, there is a six year break, then we get the second chance. I find this structure for second chance romance often doesn't work that well - somehow the less we know about the first chance the better.
In this case, the first chance didn't work that well for me. It's a bi-awakening for Morgan, but we get almost not feelings or introspection about it. He's just suddenly attracted to Hayes after not being attracted to men at all for the first 35 years of his life. We also don't get a lot of reasons for him being attracted to Hayes - just that they are the same in that they are both first overall draft picks and generational talents. No real details about personality, character, looks, etc. that he finds attractive. Honestly it felt a bit like the gay for you trope, which I hate. And when they first hook up, Morgan doesn't freak out or even contemplate what it means to have a same sex relationship for the first time. It's just so strange to not have that part of the story even as inner monologue.
Because oh boy does this book have a lot of inner monologue. The whole middle of the book is the two characters inner monologue-ing about how they are mad at each other with the way it ended between them... and also they are so in love with the other MC to the point that they can't think about anyone else.
But they had 10 days together where they never had any real conversations. How can they be in love? To me this seemed like crazy infatuation and obssession for both of them, not love. When they do get back together, Morgan insists on taking Hayes on dates to get to know him... which is so weird to me. How can you "love" someone for six years when you barely know him.
I also found that Morgan and Hayes didn't really have strong personalities or characteristics. It was sometimes difficult to tell who's POV a section was from. Although at the beginning, Morgan is kind of grumpy, so that distinguishes him. But it also makes him a bad captain, in several ways. I absolutely did not buy him as a Team USA Captain. He was not a good leader.
Another thing that really tripped me up about this book is that is presented as a stand-alone. But when I was reading it I felt like I was missing a lot of context with Morgan's son Finn. It turns out his story is in an earlier book by this author, which I haven't read. It sounds like there is a lot of father-son relationship drama in that book that would have been helpful for this book. If the author wanted this to be a true stand-alone, a few lines of summary about the events of that book would have been helpful. Instead, I just felt confused about what was going on some of the time. Also, does Hayes trade play out in another book? Since that was just skipped over - it feels like it would have been a big deal at the time.
The final thing that weirded me out about this book was the way it is set in the modern NHL. It uses fake names for some teams (fine) and shortened versions of other team names (e.g. Pens, fine) but it also uses tons of real player names: Crosby, Filip Forsberg, Silovs, Bennett, Saros. It's verging into RPF fan fic territory and that makes me uncomfy.
On a more positive note, the author knows hockey well and is clearly a knowledgeable long-time fan. I respect that in a romance book since it is hard to find.
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