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Love in Maplewood #6
Pride By the Book
One small-town Pride festival. Two enemies forced to work together. An unexpected chance to find their happily ever after.
NHL star Ethan Gallagher faces his worst fear when he's named grand marshal of Maplewood's Pride festival: public speaking. The only thing more daunting? Working with Andre Thompson—the passionate librarian who made his high school years miserable.
Andre has planned every detail of the festival except for the undeniable attraction he feels toward the man he once considered a nemesis. As they navigate festival chaos, enemies become lovers and misconceptions transform into desire.
With careers pulling them in opposite directions and a small town eagerly watching their romance unfold, Ethan and Andre must decide if their summer flame can survive beyond the festival.
"Pride by the Book" delivers an enemies-to-lovers, small-town romance where second chances lead to steamy encounters, heartfelt connections, and the transformative power of being truly seen by another person.
----
With the highest percentage of LGBTQIA+ residents in Vermont, Maplewood is a town where everyone belongs. And with festivals year round, there’s always something fun happening! This multi-author, low-angst queer series features ten standalone romances—each set against the backdrop of a different festival. Come for the celebrations, stay for the happily-ever-afters!
NHL star Ethan Gallagher faces his worst fear when he's named grand marshal of Maplewood's Pride festival: public speaking. The only thing more daunting? Working with Andre Thompson—the passionate librarian who made his high school years miserable.
Andre has planned every detail of the festival except for the undeniable attraction he feels toward the man he once considered a nemesis. As they navigate festival chaos, enemies become lovers and misconceptions transform into desire.
With careers pulling them in opposite directions and a small town eagerly watching their romance unfold, Ethan and Andre must decide if their summer flame can survive beyond the festival.
"Pride by the Book" delivers an enemies-to-lovers, small-town romance where second chances lead to steamy encounters, heartfelt connections, and the transformative power of being truly seen by another person.
----
With the highest percentage of LGBTQIA+ residents in Vermont, Maplewood is a town where everyone belongs. And with festivals year round, there’s always something fun happening! This multi-author, low-angst queer series features ten standalone romances—each set against the backdrop of a different festival. Come for the celebrations, stay for the happily-ever-afters!
358 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 20, 2025
46 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Adams
45 books223 followersJeff Adams has written stories since he was in middle school and became a published author in 2009. He writes both gay romance and LGBTQ young adult fiction…and there’s usually a hockey player at the center of the story.
Jeff lives in northern California with his husband of more than twenty-five years, Will. They are creative collaborators, writing and podcasting together. For nine years they were the co-hosts of the Big Gay Fiction Podcast.
Jeff is also a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) by the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP). He's an advocate for accessible web content and helps creative entrepreneurs understand how they can make sure their content is accessible by everyone.
Jeff lives in northern California with his husband of more than twenty-five years, Will. They are creative collaborators, writing and podcasting together. For nine years they were the co-hosts of the Big Gay Fiction Podcast.
Jeff is also a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) by the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP). He's an advocate for accessible web content and helps creative entrepreneurs understand how they can make sure their content is accessible by everyone.
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August 3, 2025
RATING 4.5 STARS
Pride By the Book is book six in the multi author Love in Maplewood series. This one is by Jeff Adams. This is my second book by this author. I wasn’t sure going in if I would like this one as much as some of the others. I’m not huge on enemies to lovers. I worry too much about one of them feeling too hurt. But, this was a surprise. It was more misconceptions than enemies which was better for me. And their issues with each other were from high school so not recent. Let me tell you a little about these two…
Ethan Gallagher is a famous NHL star, playing for the Seattle Riptide. He’s in his off season and has come home to Maplewood, Vermont to run his annual Maplewood Hockey Camp. At the same time, it’s time for the annual Maplewood Pride Festival of which Ethan has been asked to act as Grand Marshal. It’s an honor to represent his home town in this way. But, if there is anything that scares Ethan more than the biggest adversary on the ice, it’s public speaking. This year is the biggest pride festival to date and Ethan has been given a lot of duties. He’s also nervous about facing Andre Thompson again. Andre made him feel so small in high school, and he’s not looking forward to seeing him again.
Andre Thompson is the town librarian who is also completely dedicated to his job. He is also the head of the Pride Festival. He is loving all the new additions he has planned into this year’s schedule. But, he’s nervous about Ethan’s arrival. They didn’t have the best relationship in high school. As long as he showed up when he was expected, they’d get through it.
When these two actually come face to face, though, their reaction to each other was unexpected. Nervousness, yes. Attraction?! What’s that all about? As they spend time together, truths are shared. Andre had no idea he made Ethan feel so badly back in high school and now he understands more about the challenges Ethan faces. Their feelings grow quickly but in the fall, Ethan will have to return to Seattle for the new season. Is what they are building just a summer thing? Or could it be enough to last?
Both of these men were so sweet and had hearts so big. Both would do anything for their communities. Some old habits are hard to break, though, and they do have to overcome some obstacles. I loved spending time with both of them as well as all of these other amazing people of Maplewood. I also have an overwhelming urge to try iced hibiscus tea now. It’s a regular for Andre and it sounds so good. This was another wonderful addition to this series. I want to try all the things “maple” that they talk about. Book seven is Scoop Me Up by Riley Long. I can’t wait to start it.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Pride By the Book is book six in the multi author Love in Maplewood series. This one is by Jeff Adams. This is my second book by this author. I wasn’t sure going in if I would like this one as much as some of the others. I’m not huge on enemies to lovers. I worry too much about one of them feeling too hurt. But, this was a surprise. It was more misconceptions than enemies which was better for me. And their issues with each other were from high school so not recent. Let me tell you a little about these two…
Ethan Gallagher is a famous NHL star, playing for the Seattle Riptide. He’s in his off season and has come home to Maplewood, Vermont to run his annual Maplewood Hockey Camp. At the same time, it’s time for the annual Maplewood Pride Festival of which Ethan has been asked to act as Grand Marshal. It’s an honor to represent his home town in this way. But, if there is anything that scares Ethan more than the biggest adversary on the ice, it’s public speaking. This year is the biggest pride festival to date and Ethan has been given a lot of duties. He’s also nervous about facing Andre Thompson again. Andre made him feel so small in high school, and he’s not looking forward to seeing him again.
Andre Thompson is the town librarian who is also completely dedicated to his job. He is also the head of the Pride Festival. He is loving all the new additions he has planned into this year’s schedule. But, he’s nervous about Ethan’s arrival. They didn’t have the best relationship in high school. As long as he showed up when he was expected, they’d get through it.
When these two actually come face to face, though, their reaction to each other was unexpected. Nervousness, yes. Attraction?! What’s that all about? As they spend time together, truths are shared. Andre had no idea he made Ethan feel so badly back in high school and now he understands more about the challenges Ethan faces. Their feelings grow quickly but in the fall, Ethan will have to return to Seattle for the new season. Is what they are building just a summer thing? Or could it be enough to last?
Both of these men were so sweet and had hearts so big. Both would do anything for their communities. Some old habits are hard to break, though, and they do have to overcome some obstacles. I loved spending time with both of them as well as all of these other amazing people of Maplewood. I also have an overwhelming urge to try iced hibiscus tea now. It’s a regular for Andre and it sounds so good. This was another wonderful addition to this series. I want to try all the things “maple” that they talk about. Book seven is Scoop Me Up by Riley Long. I can’t wait to start it.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
July 25, 2025
I was really bored by this one. Ethan was mostly a good character but Andre was just awful. I'd stay away from him in real life. Ethan did FU with not letting Andre know what was going on at the parade, but Andre still overreacted in a comically queeny way.
And I get that non-binary people use "they/them" pronouns, but there is one scene where Andre is talking to two people and addressing the NB person as "they" and using "their" to refer to them, but the sentence was very confusing at first because it read as if Andre was talking to both of his friends, not just the NB character.
The book also felt like it was checking boxes of queer characters: two moms, two dads, NB character, teen boys who I think became a couple, the OTT black queen Andre, the girl hockey player who was probably a lesbian, etc. Andre's last boyfriend was named "Denzel." Really? Why not DaShawn or Tyrone or some other presumably "black" name? And then there was the undercurrent of "therapy talk" throughout the book. Seriously, save that shit and put it in your drawer. No one wants to read it. It's boring, it's clunky, it makes me not take either the writing or the writer seriously. Plus, the infamous 3rd act "almost breakup" occurs at 65%, I think, which means the resolution was drawn out and out and out. I completely skimmed the last 35% of the book, even the full on sex scene near the end. So boring.
The hockey players from the author's other books just muddled up the plot and since I hadn't read these other books, I wasn't able to muster up any interest in any of them.
Doubt I'll read this author again.
And I get that non-binary people use "they/them" pronouns, but there is one scene where Andre is talking to two people and addressing the NB person as "they" and using "their" to refer to them, but the sentence was very confusing at first because it read as if Andre was talking to both of his friends, not just the NB character.
The book also felt like it was checking boxes of queer characters: two moms, two dads, NB character, teen boys who I think became a couple, the OTT black queen Andre, the girl hockey player who was probably a lesbian, etc. Andre's last boyfriend was named "Denzel." Really? Why not DaShawn or Tyrone or some other presumably "black" name? And then there was the undercurrent of "therapy talk" throughout the book. Seriously, save that shit and put it in your drawer. No one wants to read it. It's boring, it's clunky, it makes me not take either the writing or the writer seriously. Plus, the infamous 3rd act "almost breakup" occurs at 65%, I think, which means the resolution was drawn out and out and out. I completely skimmed the last 35% of the book, even the full on sex scene near the end. So boring.
The hockey players from the author's other books just muddled up the plot and since I hadn't read these other books, I wasn't able to muster up any interest in any of them.
Doubt I'll read this author again.
May 29, 2025
Another cute story in the Maplewood series. This time set over Pride weekend, Ethan comes to town during the hockey off-season to help his old school nemesis run the festival. This story is more realistic in terms of the couple facing issues in their relationship and addressing issues such as censorship, which means not everything is a fairytale from the start.
Andre and Ethan’s relationship felt like a rollercoaster. Sometimes it was slow and gentle and sweet. Then other times it was going so fast I couldn’t keep up. Just as in previous books, their enemies’ situation is very short-lived. Andre makes a couple of bitchy comments before he is (rightfully) put in his place and apologises to Ethan. It does crop again, but although it’s not an excuse to talk to people like crap, he’s explained it’s an issue he faces (which sounds a lot like OCD).
Some of the detailing regarding the Pride festival feels like it’s following that vein and is a little too detailed at times. It’s still really enjoyable, I just would have liked a little more focus on their relationship? It felt like a 70/30 split on the workings of Maplewood vs their relationship. Having said that, this is one of the longer books, so that may account for the added details. Their relationship -between Andre’s outbursts- is sweet. Ethan had every right to pull him on his behaviour, and they worked through it, but I was left wanting more.
Despite that, I still enjoyed the book. It was nice to get yet another perspective from the people in Maplewood. A lot happens in Maplewood, but I love it. The author’s note at the end is a perfect summary.
“Stories like this one—and the entire Love in Maplewood series—remind us of what’s possible when love, acceptance, and community come first.” - Jeff Adams
————-
I received an ARC of this from GRR, and this is my honest review.
Andre and Ethan’s relationship felt like a rollercoaster. Sometimes it was slow and gentle and sweet. Then other times it was going so fast I couldn’t keep up. Just as in previous books, their enemies’ situation is very short-lived. Andre makes a couple of bitchy comments before he is (rightfully) put in his place and apologises to Ethan. It does crop again, but although it’s not an excuse to talk to people like crap, he’s explained it’s an issue he faces (which sounds a lot like OCD).
Some of the detailing regarding the Pride festival feels like it’s following that vein and is a little too detailed at times. It’s still really enjoyable, I just would have liked a little more focus on their relationship? It felt like a 70/30 split on the workings of Maplewood vs their relationship. Having said that, this is one of the longer books, so that may account for the added details. Their relationship -between Andre’s outbursts- is sweet. Ethan had every right to pull him on his behaviour, and they worked through it, but I was left wanting more.
Despite that, I still enjoyed the book. It was nice to get yet another perspective from the people in Maplewood. A lot happens in Maplewood, but I love it. The author’s note at the end is a perfect summary.
“Stories like this one—and the entire Love in Maplewood series—remind us of what’s possible when love, acceptance, and community come first.” - Jeff Adams
————-
I received an ARC of this from GRR, and this is my honest review.
June 18, 2025
This is the 6th installment in the Love in Maplewood series, a set of interconnected stories by multiple authors. This is Andre and Ethan's story. This is a stubborn enemies-to-friends-to-lovers book and I liked the author's authentic representation of mental health. I just felt like it was very clear it was a filler story to fit the series, rather than having the author go in-depth and truly develop the story and characters.
July 17, 2025
DNF at 41%. I'm just bored. I dont find either character very interesting, their chemistry is non-existant, and they basically fall in love in 2 days. Their romance is not nearly exciting enough to counteract all of the festival planning filler.
June 15, 2025
Ethan and Andre went to high school together yet really didn't know the real person. Ethan is back to Maplewood to be the grand Marshall of their biggest Pride Fest to date and is paired once again with Andre. Andre has always judged Ethan for having it all, yet never took the time to understand why he was the way he was or all he has done for Maplewood while playing professional hockey. This time around, Ethan lays it all out, and Andre sees the error of his judgment. The two have always had a chemistry, yet the miscommunication never allowed them to have something more.
Will add they do go back to their old roles, that leads to more hurt, but they do work through it in good time. They also see how much open and honest communication is needed for them to have a chance for something amazing. This story had more angst than previous books from this universe, but it was all understandable and not over the top. Making this story fit seamlessly with the other books in the series.
Will add they do go back to their old roles, that leads to more hurt, but they do work through it in good time. They also see how much open and honest communication is needed for them to have a chance for something amazing. This story had more angst than previous books from this universe, but it was all understandable and not over the top. Making this story fit seamlessly with the other books in the series.
July 19, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
Super cute! This was filled with so much sweetness and I wish there was a Pride Festival like Maplewood's that I could attend virtually because it sounds so lovely! Ethan and Andre have a wonderful connection. I liked that we got to see them working through their past as well as making communication a priority in building their relationship. You could see how much they loved each other and wanted to make it work.
Super cute! This was filled with so much sweetness and I wish there was a Pride Festival like Maplewood's that I could attend virtually because it sounds so lovely! Ethan and Andre have a wonderful connection. I liked that we got to see them working through their past as well as making communication a priority in building their relationship. You could see how much they loved each other and wanted to make it work.
September 17, 2025
I’m concerned for Andre lol
Cute story, glad they are going to get some couples therapy even early on but can we also get Andre some extra for his concerning OCD behavior?
Cute story, glad they are going to get some couples therapy even early on but can we also get Andre some extra for his concerning OCD behavior?
December 28, 2025
ARC review
It wasn't a bad book, it was normal, I liked it and there's that.
Andre didn't know Ethan's struggles in high school so that influenced their relationship.
They were older now so that obviously has an impact too.
They relationship was natural and they respect each other
It wasn't a bad book, it was normal, I liked it and there's that.
Andre didn't know Ethan's struggles in high school so that influenced their relationship.
They were older now so that obviously has an impact too.
They relationship was natural and they respect each other
June 21, 2025
Pride By the Book by Jeff Adams is part of the Love in Maplewood series by various authors. Ethan Gallagher and Andre Thompson both grew up in Maplewood where they had a strained relationship in high school. Ethan was focused on his studies and playing hockey while Andre rallied school spirit and wanted everyone involved and when Ethan wouldn’t participate he had some harsh words for him that felt like bullying. Now Ethan has been playing NHL hockey for the Seattle Riptide for 15 years and Andre is the head librarian in town and also head of the Pride Festival which has been expanded with more activities this year. He has also started a banned book initiative that has really grown and other libraries are copying it. Ethan has been named the grand marshal of the festival and both men are a little concerned about working together after all the years and the memories they have of each other. Ethan loves Maplewood and has held a hockey camp there for the last 5 years with his friend Liam who coaches the local high school team. He wants to have Maplewood be his home base so he bought his friend’s Nicholas’s big house with lots of acreage that has a big pond where they played hockey in the winters as boys and he also contributes to the community all he can. Andre had his eye on buying that house to make it into a summer camp for queer children where they could be safe and valued. When the two men meet, Andre is somewhat frustrated thinking that Ethan is not taking the festival seriously, but Ethan tells Andre that being in the spotlight is not easy for him and is out of his comfort zone but he wants to make the festival a success so they agree to put aside their history and work together. Ethan has to give the opening speech, judge the craft show, host the closing concert, and has other responsibilities that are making him nervous and when Andre asked him about high school he said he felt like he was being bullied. This shocked him because that wasn’t his intent and he always felt like he cared about others and wanted to help them. Unfortunately, his mouth gets the better of him when he mentions something about having money to get whatever he wants and their truce is broken. Andre is worried that Ethan might withdraw but he loves the town so he would never do that. They meet again and Andre apologizes and they start working together on all of the activities they have. And they are both starting to feel an attraction to each other which only grows as their friends tell them to give it a chance and see where it can lead. They both have busy schedules between the hockey camp and festival activities for Ethan, and running the festival and everything involved in that for Andre but they still make time for each other by having dinner dates and avoiding the Maplewood Matters gossip blog, which they find themselves in quite often. Eventually they kiss and this leads to a lot more as they have some hot love scenes and start talking about the future where Ethan still wants to play hockey but eventually be a coach and Andre tells him about wanting to go bigger with his plans including the summer camp he wants to start. Things are going great until something happens at the parade where Andre’s old actions come out again and they almost break up. But after friends ask them if what they have is worth taking a chance on they make up and go on to say I love you and to see their future together, and Andre gets some news that is really going to help this happen in the long run. The epilogue then cements their love in a very cute way. I really enjoyed this book. Ethan and Andre didn’t have a great relationship in high school but when they had to work together they discovered what was really going on and it changed their feelings about each other. Both men really loved Maplewood and wanted to see it grow and thrive and each had their own ways of doing that. Once they realized they had a connection and an attraction they wanted to be together but both, especially Andre, had to learn to give up some of the ways they did things in order to be happy together, and Andre was very happy to do his best to do that. Their friends and family also played a big part in the story as they helped them figure out what they needed to do and the hockey camp and the festival were always in the background. I highly recommend this book, especially if you like stories about men who didn’t really like each other at one time but once they have to work together learn many things about each other that change their opinions and help them find love.
June 27, 2025
I am thoroughly enjoying all of the Love in Maplewood series books for Pride 2025. Each one is unique, with really interesting and diverse characters, all stories revolving around the welcoming town of Maplewood, Vermont, and their monthly festivals. It is now June, and with a town that welcomes and accepts diversity, what is more fitting than celebrating Pride in June.
Ethan is an NHL player, a hometown boy who went on to make it big, who comes back each summer to run a hockey camp for kids, helped out by a rotating group of other hockey pros. This year he has just purchased property which holds memories for him, destined to be his home after retirement. Andre is the town’s librarian and the developer of a banned books initiative for the community which highlights reading banned books to promote diversity and discussion. Andre is upset because he had his eye on the same property Ethan just purchased, planning to fulfill his dream of setting up a summer camp for queer youth. It doesn’t help that Ethan and Andre didn’t get along in high school and the feelings of ambivalence toward each other still remains. Complicating matters is the fact that Ethan will be the Grand Marshall for the town’s Pride festival, and Andre is the organizer and go-to person for it all. Will they be able to work together to make the festival successful.
Even though the initial meeting is tense, both resolve to work together while fighting a mutual attraction, finding they have more in common the more time they spend together. As they work together on the festival and begin steps in a growing relationship, all is done under the eyes of the gossiping townsfolk. There are the bumps in the road to being together between hockey camp and festival activities, but with the help of friends, good communication and timing, they eventually get to their HEA.
There were two parts that were really emotional for me and stood out in my mind, not necessarily relating to the main characters. Both were dance performances put on as part of the Pride Festival. The first one was a professional performance by friends of Ethan’s, Oscar and Nate. The description was so vivid, I could picture the performance in my head and hear the music of Dimitri’s violin in my mind. Beyond being beautiful and moving, to me it was a very emotional depiction of love and life over time expressed in dance. The second one was a performance by a former hockey student of Ethan’s, a young man named Daniel, who was torn between two loves, hockey and ballet. Ethan encouraged him to pursue both, demonstrating the kind of impact he and the other leaders of the camp had on young people passing through their sphere, encouraging kids to be themselves. It brought back to me the feelings I had over my years of teaching where I could tell I made a difference.
A couple other messages stood out to me, courtesy of Ethan’s friends. One, communication and timing are key in a developing or ongoing relationship. Two, remember you are both choosing this, actively choose each other every day. Talk, share, don’t go to bed angry, and have regular date nights, and even if not in the same city, do movie nights by syncing up the same movie over a video chat or something similar.
I enjoyed these characters, they were very realistic and relatable, characters from previous book weave in and out, and the circle of people the reader knows expands with every book. It is a delightful series, each book stands alone but is part of the whole. Not sure, but will guess July will be an Americana-themed festival, flags, parades, fireworks, and something uniquely Maplewood. Excited to find out.
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my voluntary review.
Ethan is an NHL player, a hometown boy who went on to make it big, who comes back each summer to run a hockey camp for kids, helped out by a rotating group of other hockey pros. This year he has just purchased property which holds memories for him, destined to be his home after retirement. Andre is the town’s librarian and the developer of a banned books initiative for the community which highlights reading banned books to promote diversity and discussion. Andre is upset because he had his eye on the same property Ethan just purchased, planning to fulfill his dream of setting up a summer camp for queer youth. It doesn’t help that Ethan and Andre didn’t get along in high school and the feelings of ambivalence toward each other still remains. Complicating matters is the fact that Ethan will be the Grand Marshall for the town’s Pride festival, and Andre is the organizer and go-to person for it all. Will they be able to work together to make the festival successful.
Even though the initial meeting is tense, both resolve to work together while fighting a mutual attraction, finding they have more in common the more time they spend together. As they work together on the festival and begin steps in a growing relationship, all is done under the eyes of the gossiping townsfolk. There are the bumps in the road to being together between hockey camp and festival activities, but with the help of friends, good communication and timing, they eventually get to their HEA.
There were two parts that were really emotional for me and stood out in my mind, not necessarily relating to the main characters. Both were dance performances put on as part of the Pride Festival. The first one was a professional performance by friends of Ethan’s, Oscar and Nate. The description was so vivid, I could picture the performance in my head and hear the music of Dimitri’s violin in my mind. Beyond being beautiful and moving, to me it was a very emotional depiction of love and life over time expressed in dance. The second one was a performance by a former hockey student of Ethan’s, a young man named Daniel, who was torn between two loves, hockey and ballet. Ethan encouraged him to pursue both, demonstrating the kind of impact he and the other leaders of the camp had on young people passing through their sphere, encouraging kids to be themselves. It brought back to me the feelings I had over my years of teaching where I could tell I made a difference.
A couple other messages stood out to me, courtesy of Ethan’s friends. One, communication and timing are key in a developing or ongoing relationship. Two, remember you are both choosing this, actively choose each other every day. Talk, share, don’t go to bed angry, and have regular date nights, and even if not in the same city, do movie nights by syncing up the same movie over a video chat or something similar.
I enjoyed these characters, they were very realistic and relatable, characters from previous book weave in and out, and the circle of people the reader knows expands with every book. It is a delightful series, each book stands alone but is part of the whole. Not sure, but will guess July will be an Americana-themed festival, flags, parades, fireworks, and something uniquely Maplewood. Excited to find out.
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my voluntary review.
June 23, 2025
There were part of this book I liked but also a few things that didn't really work for me personally, so I am having a bit of a time picking the rating. Probably more like 3.25-3.5 stars but not going to round up here.
This book had a bit of an interesting twist in which the "nerd" (Andre) was the one who bullied the jock (Ethan) in high school--though the "bullying" in question seemed to mostly be incessantly bugging Ethan to participate in events and being mad that Ethan was busy. Though they get off to another rocky start as adults when Ethan returns and agrees to be the grand marshal of the Pride parade, they do at least clear the air about the past and Andre (correctly) apologizes.
What I liked about this book is all mostly around Ethan--he's an absolute sweetheart who is very loyal, loves his hometown, and is giving back to his community. Despite his own personal struggles he is always willing to pitch in and help, even for someone who doesn't always deserve it. I am definitely interested in the author's hockey series now after reading this book, so well done there I suppose.
The romance between Andre and Ethan is also very cute when we get to see it. I would have liked more of them that didn't have to do with the Pride weekend logistics. As a person who is incapable of planning anything, while I appreciated all the work that went into it, I could have done with hearing a little less about the nitty gritty.
Now, on to the things I did have more of a problem with. Andre was a perfectly nice person and a good character--until he was around Ethan. It seems that Ethan is the cause of all of Andre's problems, real or imagined, and he is kind of a jerk about it. In high school, he determined that Ethan was blowing him off and not being nice about not participating in more events, and only feels bad about his constant haranguing when he figures out Ethan's reasons for being busy, which is not information he was ever entitled to, and he should have respected the "I'm busy" he got back then.
He then make very rude comments about Ethan being able to throw money at any problems when he finds out Ethan bought a house (which, for the record, has great sentimental value to Ethan) that Andre had hoped to build a youth camp on the property of. Plans that Ethan certainly was not aware of (nor, it seems, were the family of the people who sold the house), and yet Andre took it as a personal slight. You can be disappointed that a plan you had fell through without denigrating the person you supposedly have feelings for because he has money you don't have.
Then there is the conflict in the story. Firstly, it was not that big of a thing, and I think far too much was made of it on both sides. Andre was (as he is in the whole book) in the wrong, but a simple apology after the fact when he calmed down would have sufficed. Instead, everyone took a simple "I need space to process what you did" as DEFCON 1 and blew it all out of proportion. The solution that appeared for the issue of long-distance was also far too perfect, but honestly that's just how romance books work. I would have liked to see a couple chapters of them doing long distance or something, but that isn't even a top 5 thing I have a problem with.
In summary, I did enjoy most of this book. It was really the ending and Andre inexplicably being a jerk only to Ethan (and in my view not enough corresponding groveling) that brought this one down for me.
This book had a bit of an interesting twist in which the "nerd" (Andre) was the one who bullied the jock (Ethan) in high school--though the "bullying" in question seemed to mostly be incessantly bugging Ethan to participate in events and being mad that Ethan was busy. Though they get off to another rocky start as adults when Ethan returns and agrees to be the grand marshal of the Pride parade, they do at least clear the air about the past and Andre (correctly) apologizes.
What I liked about this book is all mostly around Ethan--he's an absolute sweetheart who is very loyal, loves his hometown, and is giving back to his community. Despite his own personal struggles he is always willing to pitch in and help, even for someone who doesn't always deserve it. I am definitely interested in the author's hockey series now after reading this book, so well done there I suppose.
The romance between Andre and Ethan is also very cute when we get to see it. I would have liked more of them that didn't have to do with the Pride weekend logistics. As a person who is incapable of planning anything, while I appreciated all the work that went into it, I could have done with hearing a little less about the nitty gritty.
Now, on to the things I did have more of a problem with. Andre was a perfectly nice person and a good character--until he was around Ethan. It seems that Ethan is the cause of all of Andre's problems, real or imagined, and he is kind of a jerk about it. In high school, he determined that Ethan was blowing him off and not being nice about not participating in more events, and only feels bad about his constant haranguing when he figures out Ethan's reasons for being busy, which is not information he was ever entitled to, and he should have respected the "I'm busy" he got back then.
He then make very rude comments about Ethan being able to throw money at any problems when he finds out Ethan bought a house (which, for the record, has great sentimental value to Ethan) that Andre had hoped to build a youth camp on the property of. Plans that Ethan certainly was not aware of (nor, it seems, were the family of the people who sold the house), and yet Andre took it as a personal slight. You can be disappointed that a plan you had fell through without denigrating the person you supposedly have feelings for because he has money you don't have.
Then there is the conflict in the story. Firstly, it was not that big of a thing, and I think far too much was made of it on both sides. Andre was (as he is in the whole book) in the wrong, but a simple apology after the fact when he calmed down would have sufficed. Instead, everyone took a simple "I need space to process what you did" as DEFCON 1 and blew it all out of proportion. The solution that appeared for the issue of long-distance was also far too perfect, but honestly that's just how romance books work. I would have liked to see a couple chapters of them doing long distance or something, but that isn't even a top 5 thing I have a problem with.
In summary, I did enjoy most of this book. It was really the ending and Andre inexplicably being a jerk only to Ethan (and in my view not enough corresponding groveling) that brought this one down for me.
June 24, 2025
MY OPINION: Another wonderful book from the Love in Maplewood series. This group of books is the very definition of what the world should be. People live their lives authentically doing the very best they can do and the problems they face are the same ones every other couple have because they are human.
This book follows an NHL player and his high school ‘bully’ down a path where they actually listen to each other and see what the other might have been experiencing back then. The two of them fell easily into each other, something electric between them, they simply couldn’t deny. Both have their own lives and their own goals, but there are plenty of things to share.
Like all the Maplewood books, there are tons of secondary characters invested in their relationship, in their futures. Everyone is hoping for the best with supportive best friends and kind members of the town cheering them on.
The small town is the root of these books, and you get a slice of life, looking at different members of the community. This couple was fun to see how they recognized the others’ needs and stepped in to fulfill them. The entire story takes place over a few weeks during Pride, and the description of the festivities and how they came together was great. You could see it.
I like all these books, and Maplewood is a great place. Be sure to communicate is the theme of this story, and when that happens, they find their HEA. These are wonderful, sweet, spicy, feel-good stories, and if you want a break from all the noise in the real world, read this book. It will make you smile for sure.
This book follows an NHL player and his high school ‘bully’ down a path where they actually listen to each other and see what the other might have been experiencing back then. The two of them fell easily into each other, something electric between them, they simply couldn’t deny. Both have their own lives and their own goals, but there are plenty of things to share.
Like all the Maplewood books, there are tons of secondary characters invested in their relationship, in their futures. Everyone is hoping for the best with supportive best friends and kind members of the town cheering them on.
The small town is the root of these books, and you get a slice of life, looking at different members of the community. This couple was fun to see how they recognized the others’ needs and stepped in to fulfill them. The entire story takes place over a few weeks during Pride, and the description of the festivities and how they came together was great. You could see it.
I like all these books, and Maplewood is a great place. Be sure to communicate is the theme of this story, and when that happens, they find their HEA. These are wonderful, sweet, spicy, feel-good stories, and if you want a break from all the noise in the real world, read this book. It will make you smile for sure.
Read
July 7, 2025Review
Another low angst romance from the Maplewood series. This one centres on a jam packed Pride weekend.
It's former clashing classmates reconnecting as adults, so if you're looking for enemies to lovers energy specifically this probably isn't the book for you. It's more preconceived ideas and misunderstandings as teens (mostly by Andre) that have been carried over into adulthood.
Ethan is a sweetheart and easy to like from the off. He has a big friend group of other professional hockey players that he brings to town for a Pride hockey match. These are obviously characters from the author's other series. I haven't read any of these so I had trouble keeping the multitude of couples straight in my head. After a while I just let their names wash over me.
Andre is harder to like. He makes assumptions. Excusable in teen maybe but not in an adult. The first interaction between them in the book, I saw the way Ethan reacted to reading something and immediately pegged him as having reading difficulties. Mr Super-Librarian not so much. They quickly overcame their animosity due in part I think to their mutual attraction more than anything else. But when Andre's assumptions and misconceptions once again trip them up at the three-quarter point of the book, I thought Ethan was too quick to forgive and forget.
It's a quick ride from animosity to talking about moving in together - a couple of weeks at most - so if a whirlwind romance is your thing then this would be perfect for you.
I'm curious enough to want to check out the other hockey stories and I've already read a good percentage of the Maplewood stories.
Reading updates
13% I thought Andre was a librarian. Surely he'd recognise someone with some sort of Reading disorder. Also Andre is a bit of a jerk.
71% Looks like a leopard can't change his spots. Andre's acting like a jerk again.
Another low angst romance from the Maplewood series. This one centres on a jam packed Pride weekend.
It's former clashing classmates reconnecting as adults, so if you're looking for enemies to lovers energy specifically this probably isn't the book for you. It's more preconceived ideas and misunderstandings as teens (mostly by Andre) that have been carried over into adulthood.
Ethan is a sweetheart and easy to like from the off. He has a big friend group of other professional hockey players that he brings to town for a Pride hockey match. These are obviously characters from the author's other series. I haven't read any of these so I had trouble keeping the multitude of couples straight in my head. After a while I just let their names wash over me.
Andre is harder to like. He makes assumptions. Excusable in teen maybe but not in an adult. The first interaction between them in the book, I saw the way Ethan reacted to reading something and immediately pegged him as having reading difficulties. Mr Super-Librarian not so much. They quickly overcame their animosity due in part I think to their mutual attraction more than anything else. But when Andre's assumptions and misconceptions once again trip them up at the three-quarter point of the book, I thought Ethan was too quick to forgive and forget.
It's a quick ride from animosity to talking about moving in together - a couple of weeks at most - so if a whirlwind romance is your thing then this would be perfect for you.
I'm curious enough to want to check out the other hockey stories and I've already read a good percentage of the Maplewood stories.
Reading updates
13% I thought Andre was a librarian. Surely he'd recognise someone with some sort of Reading disorder. Also Andre is a bit of a jerk.
71% Looks like a leopard can't change his spots. Andre's acting like a jerk again.
May 29, 2025
When Ethan is asked to be grand marshal of Maplewood’s Pride festival, he is both honored and nervous. Despite being an NHL star and used to eyes on him, public speaking and being the center of attention is not for him. His anxiety and severe dyslexia makes it hard for him meet the expectations of others. But he loves this town and has put a lot of time and dedication to it. He won’t let them down. Which means having to work with Andre. The guy in high school who Ethan could just never seem to please. Andre loves working at the library and leading the effort on the Pride festival. He is organized and likes things a certain way and puts everything he is into something. But when he hears that he will be working with Ethan, he isn’t thrilled. From what he remembers of Ethan, he never wanted to participate in things back in high school that wasn’t hockey. What if he doesn’t put any effort into this? But Andre doesn’t know the truth about Ethan’s struggles, will they both be willing to listen long enough to get to know the other? There is definitely an attraction between these two and I love how they were able to open up bit by bit with one another. Once they truly got to the know the other, they realized just how much in common they have and how wonderful the other person is. There will be challenges for them but if these two are willing to fight for one another then they’ll find their happy ending! I really enjoyed this latest book in this series and I’m looking forward to more!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 31, 2025
I absolutely loved reading this, I smiled through most of this book and even shed a few happy tears.
Andre may be a little tougher to like as his personality tends to have him fixating on details and timelines - which reminds me of a person with OCD - but he is trying to fix this trait, and other than that, he is actually a very giving and likeable person.
Ethan, on the other hand, is very easy to like. He has anxiety that it has taken him years to establish ways to try to mitigate it, and he is also a very likeable and giving person.
There were issues between them in high school that are still prevalent when they meet again, but once they get over their initial doubts and fears, and gain some understanding of the struggles the other man deals with, a beautiful connection starts to develop between them. They have a big hiccup on their journey to love and HEA, but once the dust has settled, they talk it out, work through what happened, and come out stronger and closer than before. Their connection is filled with understanding, emotions, intimacy, and similar ideals.
There is a plethora of secondary characters that add value and depth to the story - some may feel there are too many side characters, but I had no issues with it.
The only slight downside for me was that there were too many details for the events, and that space could have gone towards more development of the relationship between Ethan and Andre.
Overall, I found this book to be engaging and entertaining, and I would definitely recommend it.
I received an ARC from GRR, this is my honest review.
Andre may be a little tougher to like as his personality tends to have him fixating on details and timelines - which reminds me of a person with OCD - but he is trying to fix this trait, and other than that, he is actually a very giving and likeable person.
Ethan, on the other hand, is very easy to like. He has anxiety that it has taken him years to establish ways to try to mitigate it, and he is also a very likeable and giving person.
There were issues between them in high school that are still prevalent when they meet again, but once they get over their initial doubts and fears, and gain some understanding of the struggles the other man deals with, a beautiful connection starts to develop between them. They have a big hiccup on their journey to love and HEA, but once the dust has settled, they talk it out, work through what happened, and come out stronger and closer than before. Their connection is filled with understanding, emotions, intimacy, and similar ideals.
There is a plethora of secondary characters that add value and depth to the story - some may feel there are too many side characters, but I had no issues with it.
The only slight downside for me was that there were too many details for the events, and that space could have gone towards more development of the relationship between Ethan and Andre.
Overall, I found this book to be engaging and entertaining, and I would definitely recommend it.
I received an ARC from GRR, this is my honest review.
May 28, 2025
This is the 6th in the Maplewod series and revolves around the 4 day Pride Festival. There's a love story between Andre the librarian and Ethan the hockey player sprinkled in there too. This is a friends to lovers relationship, there's no insta-love here - it takes them awhile to warm up to each other, having disliked each other in high school. Ethan's back in town to be Grand Marshal of the parade, and Andre is in charge of the festival.
I'm going to nitpick a little here, though. Andre has definite OCD issues, and so does the book. There is WAY too much detail about planning the festival, about the different activities, and the different acts that happen during those 4 days. The relationship between the 2 of them seems rocky, and they decide to take it slow (which they really, really should because Andre's behavior seems like a giant red flag to me) up until the end when suddenly Andre has an opportunity to move to Seattle for a year for work (where Ethan plays hockey) and they're moving in together. (Realistically Andre would probably HAVE to move in with Ethan because finding a decent place to rent in Seattle is expensive). Still, seemed fast right after they said they'd take it slow. There are also a TON of side characters that I really didn't care about - a number of them from the author's other books.
I will admit to doing some skimming while reading this because the detail got to be a bit much for me, however, overall, it was a decent read.
I'm going to nitpick a little here, though. Andre has definite OCD issues, and so does the book. There is WAY too much detail about planning the festival, about the different activities, and the different acts that happen during those 4 days. The relationship between the 2 of them seems rocky, and they decide to take it slow (which they really, really should because Andre's behavior seems like a giant red flag to me) up until the end when suddenly Andre has an opportunity to move to Seattle for a year for work (where Ethan plays hockey) and they're moving in together. (Realistically Andre would probably HAVE to move in with Ethan because finding a decent place to rent in Seattle is expensive). Still, seemed fast right after they said they'd take it slow. There are also a TON of side characters that I really didn't care about - a number of them from the author's other books.
I will admit to doing some skimming while reading this because the detail got to be a bit much for me, however, overall, it was a decent read.
June 10, 2025
3.5* rounded up
This is an easy, low angst read you can take with you on a vacation or commuter reading.
I only read one other Maplewood book before and this one is easy to read without any further knowledge about the rest of the series.
While it says Enemies-to-lovers, it's actually more a misunderstanding of high school-to-lovers, they sort out their issues before the 1/4 of the book is over.
The book covers a couple of issues but it doesn't really goes into too much depth with either of them. You have dyslexia, anxiety, OCD and on top this big Pride festival where the town squeezes so many activities in, I actually wondered if they go by a normal 24 hour day.
I like Andre and Ethan, Andre needs some warming up to, his behaviour in high school wasn't great and it creeps up again and causes some drama. On one hand it was nice to have something to break up the insta-love but it also felt a bit too stiffled.
While Ethan has some background, Andre is a bit more of an unknown character, I missed some depth here.
Their relationship moves very quickly after the initial issues and the ending is just very easy.
The small town setting is nice, you have your over-invested secondary characters and I enjoyed the observation and not so discreet pushing of friends and family.
It's a bit of a Hallmark movie with Pride instead of Christmas and all the trimmings you would expect.
This is an easy, low angst read you can take with you on a vacation or commuter reading.
I only read one other Maplewood book before and this one is easy to read without any further knowledge about the rest of the series.
While it says Enemies-to-lovers, it's actually more a misunderstanding of high school-to-lovers, they sort out their issues before the 1/4 of the book is over.
The book covers a couple of issues but it doesn't really goes into too much depth with either of them. You have dyslexia, anxiety, OCD and on top this big Pride festival where the town squeezes so many activities in, I actually wondered if they go by a normal 24 hour day.
I like Andre and Ethan, Andre needs some warming up to, his behaviour in high school wasn't great and it creeps up again and causes some drama. On one hand it was nice to have something to break up the insta-love but it also felt a bit too stiffled.
While Ethan has some background, Andre is a bit more of an unknown character, I missed some depth here.
Their relationship moves very quickly after the initial issues and the ending is just very easy.
The small town setting is nice, you have your over-invested secondary characters and I enjoyed the observation and not so discreet pushing of friends and family.
It's a bit of a Hallmark movie with Pride instead of Christmas and all the trimmings you would expect.
June 30, 2025
I’m loving my visits to Maplewood and enjoyed Andre and Ethan’s story. I’ve always had a weakness for librarian MCs, and I loved the mix of librarian/hockey player. The small town community is a wonderful backdrop for their story, and I enjoyed meeting new characters, while catching up with familiar faces.
I liked how far both Ethan and Andre have come since their high school days together, and that it hasn’t come without some work on both their parts. It’s definitely a case of misunderstanding, and assumptions. I liked how they work things out, but not without some slipping back and thinking the worst, which is realistic given their history. I liked seeing glimpses of them both in their element/work, and how Ethan deals with being out of his depth with story time at the library.
Family and friends are a highlight of the story, with the festival and everything else needing everyone helping out. I liked how each person brings something different to the setting up of the event. I loved Clara at the library, and cameos of others from books I now need to catch up on. I love stories which take place in a shared world, both the author’s and working with other authors. I also enjoyed the descriptions of the different events at the festival, particularly the music and dance.
Andre and Ethan’s HEA is perfectly them. I liked the glimpse of their dreams for inclusive spaces coming to fruition.
I liked how far both Ethan and Andre have come since their high school days together, and that it hasn’t come without some work on both their parts. It’s definitely a case of misunderstanding, and assumptions. I liked how they work things out, but not without some slipping back and thinking the worst, which is realistic given their history. I liked seeing glimpses of them both in their element/work, and how Ethan deals with being out of his depth with story time at the library.
Family and friends are a highlight of the story, with the festival and everything else needing everyone helping out. I liked how each person brings something different to the setting up of the event. I loved Clara at the library, and cameos of others from books I now need to catch up on. I love stories which take place in a shared world, both the author’s and working with other authors. I also enjoyed the descriptions of the different events at the festival, particularly the music and dance.
Andre and Ethan’s HEA is perfectly them. I liked the glimpse of their dreams for inclusive spaces coming to fruition.
July 1, 2025
An excellent story about two men who were supposed to be together
In Maplewood, NHL star Ethan Gallagher is a well-known resident. He anonymously established a foundation to support the town's efforts to become the most gay-friendly small town, and he has a group of friends who each year help organize a hockey camp for kids. Gay kids are especially welcome. However, his relationship with Andre Thompson is complicated. Andre is frustrated that Ethan would never include him when they were in school together, and Ethan thought Andre was too driven and uncaring about others.
Both were mistaken, it turns out; Ethan has a condition that was only revealed now that they are adults. Andre is quite the organizer. As the head of the library, he willingly takes on responsibilities. He is the one who has to work with Ethan when Ethan returns to be the grand marshal of the parade. Ethan hates that, but it helps break down the barriers they had against each other in high school. The complete transformation is swoon-worthy and enjoyable to read.
This is my first book by Jeff Adams, and if his others are this good, I'm in. The writing is smooth and engaging without overwhelming the reader with too many details. Yet, it contains enough substance and character depth to make it a great book.
I loved this book and will be on the lookout for more like it.
In Maplewood, NHL star Ethan Gallagher is a well-known resident. He anonymously established a foundation to support the town's efforts to become the most gay-friendly small town, and he has a group of friends who each year help organize a hockey camp for kids. Gay kids are especially welcome. However, his relationship with Andre Thompson is complicated. Andre is frustrated that Ethan would never include him when they were in school together, and Ethan thought Andre was too driven and uncaring about others.
Both were mistaken, it turns out; Ethan has a condition that was only revealed now that they are adults. Andre is quite the organizer. As the head of the library, he willingly takes on responsibilities. He is the one who has to work with Ethan when Ethan returns to be the grand marshal of the parade. Ethan hates that, but it helps break down the barriers they had against each other in high school. The complete transformation is swoon-worthy and enjoyable to read.
This is my first book by Jeff Adams, and if his others are this good, I'm in. The writing is smooth and engaging without overwhelming the reader with too many details. Yet, it contains enough substance and character depth to make it a great book.
I loved this book and will be on the lookout for more like it.
June 5, 2025
Ethan is back in Maplewood for the summer. He has been working as a coach at youth hockey camp in town for the past few years, and this year he has been tapped to be the grand marshal for the pride festival. He's fine with the coaching and working with the kids, but the later job is out of his comfort zone and triggers his anxiety. Worse, he will be working with Andre Thompson, his nemesis from high school. Andre had been the rah, rah behind every school event and bullied Ethan for being too busy to participate. Ethan has also purchased the Montgomery place. The Montgomery place holds a special place in Ethan's heart. Coach Montgomery was Ethan's hockey coach, and he spent many a winter playing on their pond and summer days swimming and hiking in the woods. Andre is also angry Ethan has purchased the land where he wanted to build a summer camp for queer youth.
That's a lot of anger to work through in only a week. Knowing they have to find a way to work together, they have a real heart to heart. Ethan swallows his pride and tells Andre about his dyslexia and how hard he had to work to study to get a scholarship. They find they have more in common than they realized and fi8nd a lot to admire in each other.
That's a lot of anger to work through in only a week. Knowing they have to find a way to work together, they have a real heart to heart. Ethan swallows his pride and tells Andre about his dyslexia and how hard he had to work to study to get a scholarship. They find they have more in common than they realized and fi8nd a lot to admire in each other.
June 4, 2025
This is the second book from the Maplewood series I have reviewed and found so much more in this story than in the first one. Thus, I am giving it a five.
First, the two MCs are both likeable but have issues. Ethan and Andre were certainly not friends in high school as Ethan compensated for his dyslexia by studying and playing hockey. He demonstrates a real caring for people as shown by his experiences with donations and the way he treats his trainees at hockey camp. Andre on the other hand was a guy who was driven to try to get people together and to get things done to the exclusion of individuals. Both have learn ed how to deal with their personal faults but not fully and as a consequence part of the story is about slipping into old habits.
The romance and the future is there but NOT as important in my mind as the character development.
If there was a weakness to the book, it would be the large number of gay couples as secondary characters which I found meant little to the overall story - if there had been a few they would be more important to the developing attachment the two MCs had going on.
First, the two MCs are both likeable but have issues. Ethan and Andre were certainly not friends in high school as Ethan compensated for his dyslexia by studying and playing hockey. He demonstrates a real caring for people as shown by his experiences with donations and the way he treats his trainees at hockey camp. Andre on the other hand was a guy who was driven to try to get people together and to get things done to the exclusion of individuals. Both have learn ed how to deal with their personal faults but not fully and as a consequence part of the story is about slipping into old habits.
The romance and the future is there but NOT as important in my mind as the character development.
If there was a weakness to the book, it would be the large number of gay couples as secondary characters which I found meant little to the overall story - if there had been a few they would be more important to the developing attachment the two MCs had going on.
June 24, 2025
Ethan & Andre
Rom-com advice: " Sometimes things move fast because they're meant to."
This is my first book from author Jeff Adams. But knowing he was part of the amazing multi-author series Love in Maplewood, I knew I'd enjoy his story.
Both men have golden retriever qualities, but primarily only with others until they have a second chance to get to know one another better. It's not often that the major misunderstanding happens in their past or very early in the book. It's nice to get it out of the way. They still had their rough patches, but all couples have those and have to learn how to work through them. These guys know the worth of good communication in a relationship.
I really enjoyed Pride by the Book, and I loved how much the MCs interacted with some of the others in the Love in Maplewood series. I also really loved getting to know some of Jeff's other characters within his written universe. I'll definitely have to venture over to his repertoire to check things out.
Pride by the Book can be enjoyed as a standalone, but you'd be doing yourself a disservice by skipping the other books in this multi-author series.
I received an authorized copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review.
Rom-com advice: " Sometimes things move fast because they're meant to."
This is my first book from author Jeff Adams. But knowing he was part of the amazing multi-author series Love in Maplewood, I knew I'd enjoy his story.
Both men have golden retriever qualities, but primarily only with others until they have a second chance to get to know one another better. It's not often that the major misunderstanding happens in their past or very early in the book. It's nice to get it out of the way. They still had their rough patches, but all couples have those and have to learn how to work through them. These guys know the worth of good communication in a relationship.
I really enjoyed Pride by the Book, and I loved how much the MCs interacted with some of the others in the Love in Maplewood series. I also really loved getting to know some of Jeff's other characters within his written universe. I'll definitely have to venture over to his repertoire to check things out.
Pride by the Book can be enjoyed as a standalone, but you'd be doing yourself a disservice by skipping the other books in this multi-author series.
I received an authorized copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review.
June 22, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️
I had a bit of a love-hate relationship with this book. I really loved Ethan and the way he interacted with the entire community. However, I didn't quite enjoy Andre in the first half of the story.
Ethan is named Marshall during his hometown's Pride weekend, which really causes him stress and makes his anxiety spike. Then in comes Andre, who is, by all accounts, a good guy but sometimes comes across as a bit of a bully and really dislikes when anyone steps outside his plans. Eventually, Ethan and Andre manage to create a truce, and it seems to be working pretty well for the most part. They really start to get along, especially once Andre sees Ethan for who he is now—not how he was or how Andre remembered him from high school.
But even when everything looks good on the surface, it only takes one small thing for Andre to snap at Ethan during the biggest Pride event of the weekend. There was a moment I was ready to give up on the book, but I’m really glad I kept going because Ethan and Andre end up making amends and finding their happily ever after. I really enjoyed Jeff’s writing style and definitely plan to check out more of his work.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
I had a bit of a love-hate relationship with this book. I really loved Ethan and the way he interacted with the entire community. However, I didn't quite enjoy Andre in the first half of the story.
Ethan is named Marshall during his hometown's Pride weekend, which really causes him stress and makes his anxiety spike. Then in comes Andre, who is, by all accounts, a good guy but sometimes comes across as a bit of a bully and really dislikes when anyone steps outside his plans. Eventually, Ethan and Andre manage to create a truce, and it seems to be working pretty well for the most part. They really start to get along, especially once Andre sees Ethan for who he is now—not how he was or how Andre remembered him from high school.
But even when everything looks good on the surface, it only takes one small thing for Andre to snap at Ethan during the biggest Pride event of the weekend. There was a moment I was ready to give up on the book, but I’m really glad I kept going because Ethan and Andre end up making amends and finding their happily ever after. I really enjoyed Jeff’s writing style and definitely plan to check out more of his work.
June 25, 2025
A SWEET SECOND CHANCE STORY!💕📚🏒
I love all the Maplewood stories by all the various authors and now it’s Jeff Adams turn- a new to me author… but not for long…!
A misunderstanding in High School between two teens caused them to end up as enemies and now as adults NHL Hockey player Ryan Gallagher and grand marshal of the Pride Festival and Andre Thompson now Director of the local library in Maplewood and organiser of the Pride Festival has to work together…
I loved how they put their animosity aside to work out what went wrong in High School and discovered so much they never knew about the other and how a deep connection they share… over at Special Blend…
The community support of their sweet budding relationship was amazing however some patterns are too deeply ingrained where organisations are concerned but hopefully with the help of the community and their close friends they will sort out their issues to embark on something beautiful!
A beautiful heartfelt epilogue follows one year later where plans come to fruition and surprises enfold!
I voluntarily received an ARC from GRR for an honest non biased review.
I love all the Maplewood stories by all the various authors and now it’s Jeff Adams turn- a new to me author… but not for long…!
A misunderstanding in High School between two teens caused them to end up as enemies and now as adults NHL Hockey player Ryan Gallagher and grand marshal of the Pride Festival and Andre Thompson now Director of the local library in Maplewood and organiser of the Pride Festival has to work together…
I loved how they put their animosity aside to work out what went wrong in High School and discovered so much they never knew about the other and how a deep connection they share… over at Special Blend…
The community support of their sweet budding relationship was amazing however some patterns are too deeply ingrained where organisations are concerned but hopefully with the help of the community and their close friends they will sort out their issues to embark on something beautiful!
A beautiful heartfelt epilogue follows one year later where plans come to fruition and surprises enfold!
I voluntarily received an ARC from GRR for an honest non biased review.
June 25, 2025
I’m definitely going to sound like a broken record but I just can’t get enough of these Maplewood stories!
This one was extra special because it was a second chances one and I’m a sucker for those. While I love them, I do hate the misunderstandings that caused Andre and Ethan to dislike each other.
Ethan felt that Andre bullied him in high school(he didn’t) and Andre thought that Ethan was too full of himself to participate in school events(he wasn’t), which caused a rift between them.
So when they had to work together in the town’s Pride festival neither was thrilled about it. But they couldn’t fight their attraction for one another and once they cleared things up, they realized they were perfect for each other.
Andre had to learn how not to fall back into old patterns that caused him to become a seeker of perfection. And Ethan had to learn that he couldn’t let his high school traumas come between them.
Once they spoke up about their feelings, things fell right into place allowing them to be happy.
Communication is always the key to make a relationship work and Ethan and Andre were willing to put in the work.
Just another fantastic story from this amazing town🥰
This one was extra special because it was a second chances one and I’m a sucker for those. While I love them, I do hate the misunderstandings that caused Andre and Ethan to dislike each other.
Ethan felt that Andre bullied him in high school(he didn’t) and Andre thought that Ethan was too full of himself to participate in school events(he wasn’t), which caused a rift between them.
So when they had to work together in the town’s Pride festival neither was thrilled about it. But they couldn’t fight their attraction for one another and once they cleared things up, they realized they were perfect for each other.
Andre had to learn how not to fall back into old patterns that caused him to become a seeker of perfection. And Ethan had to learn that he couldn’t let his high school traumas come between them.
Once they spoke up about their feelings, things fell right into place allowing them to be happy.
Communication is always the key to make a relationship work and Ethan and Andre were willing to put in the work.
Just another fantastic story from this amazing town🥰
June 29, 2025
I've been waiting for the June book in this series to see what would happen with the Pride festival and I was overjoyed to see that Jeff Adams was going to be the one to write it. He has written a wonderful book about second chances and getting past all the scars that can linger for lots of folks from high school. As always, his hockey players are great characters and here we have Ethan with his annual hockey camp for kids and making plans to keep it permanent by buying property in town. Andre's banned books initiative was a delight to read about and his plans for a LGBTQ camp were perfect, even if initially he was ticked off that he lost the land he wanted to Ethan. As these two are forced to work together on the Pride parade, we get to know them and they get to know each other and a beautiful relationship develops. One thing I often miss in stories like this about festivals is that we don't get enough details about how the thing actually comes together - the work involved. Hooray for Jeff Adams for taking us inside the planning and making me feel like I too was on the committee making everything work. I'd give it extra starts for that if I could.
June 2, 2025
Our MCs were sweet, multi layered people! And I think the found family and community of Maplewood really shined in this read.
This was a low to mid angst book about two high school 'dislikers' (I wouldn't call them enemies) who are tasked to work together on Maplewood Pride Fest! They are forced to face their past assumptions, current miscommunications, and instant chemistry while trying to balance Pride events, hockey camp, and the ever present meddling town folk of Maplewood.
I really enjoyed the dyslexia and anxiety rep Adams included in this book. The anxiety rep is shown in a variety of characters, so I appreciated that it showed that anxiety (like many things) is not a monolith! It appears and is managed differently for each person.
Overall, this was a 'meatier' book than previous Love in Maplewoods, but a very enjoyable read!
Love in Maplewood is a multi author world with interconnected stand alones. While there may be cameos/characters across the series, the books may be read in any order.
*GRR arc reader. thoughts and opinions my own.
This was a low to mid angst book about two high school 'dislikers' (I wouldn't call them enemies) who are tasked to work together on Maplewood Pride Fest! They are forced to face their past assumptions, current miscommunications, and instant chemistry while trying to balance Pride events, hockey camp, and the ever present meddling town folk of Maplewood.
I really enjoyed the dyslexia and anxiety rep Adams included in this book. The anxiety rep is shown in a variety of characters, so I appreciated that it showed that anxiety (like many things) is not a monolith! It appears and is managed differently for each person.
Overall, this was a 'meatier' book than previous Love in Maplewoods, but a very enjoyable read!
Love in Maplewood is a multi author world with interconnected stand alones. While there may be cameos/characters across the series, the books may be read in any order.
*GRR arc reader. thoughts and opinions my own.
June 16, 2025
Started interesting, but it sorta fell short of something, maybe the spice, maybe the plot… I’m not sure. There were tons that were interesting, but it sorta petered out and didn’t go anywhere exciting…
It really seemed like this book was a set up for others, and I had to have know the author’s previous characters to get excited about all the cameos.
Things that I liked. The BIPOC rep, the disability rep, and the queer elements. I like that Andre’s a librarian,
Like this book had all the elements to be great, it just was missing the something to make it great.
It really seemed like this book was a set up for others, and I had to have know the author’s previous characters to get excited about all the cameos.
Things that I liked. The BIPOC rep, the disability rep, and the queer elements. I like that Andre’s a librarian,
Like this book had all the elements to be great, it just was missing the something to make it great.
dnf
June 22, 2025DNF. Or maybe better to say didn't even properly start? :D
I departed at the moment Andre arrived and spread his special sort of charm around. And let me tell you I feel pretty let down because I love librarians as heroes same as I do hockey players, but this librarian is unfortunately judgemental self-important prick and that's a big no for me.
I mean, the 'conflict' in their past basically boils down to the fact that Ethan didn't have any free time due to hockey practices and studying on high school so he couldn't participate in any good-doing campaigns our flaming crusader valiantly led. And Andre holds that against him all these years after like the proper empathic adult human he is :D
Also, I don't like the language - when Andre and his friends meet to discuss the Pride preparation, they are talking in that stilted corporate language using phrases I never thought I'd hear outside of departmental meeting. Who talks like that when they don't have too?
So, no. Let's move to the next and hope for something better.
I departed at the moment Andre arrived and spread his special sort of charm around. And let me tell you I feel pretty let down because I love librarians as heroes same as I do hockey players, but this librarian is unfortunately judgemental self-important prick and that's a big no for me.
I mean, the 'conflict' in their past basically boils down to the fact that Ethan didn't have any free time due to hockey practices and studying on high school so he couldn't participate in any good-doing campaigns our flaming crusader valiantly led. And Andre holds that against him all these years after like the proper empathic adult human he is :D
Also, I don't like the language - when Andre and his friends meet to discuss the Pride preparation, they are talking in that stilted corporate language using phrases I never thought I'd hear outside of departmental meeting. Who talks like that when they don't have too?
So, no. Let's move to the next and hope for something better.
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