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Storm Warning #1
Puck Wild
Jake Riley is famous for all the wrong reasons. First came Love on Ice, the reality show where editing turned him into a national punchline in a sequined jersey. Then his self-produced hockey rap, “Puck Life,” went viral in the worst possible way. Now he's hoping Thunder Bay, Ontario—a scrappy northern town with a fiercely loyal fanbase—might be the fresh start he needs.
The Thunder Bay Storm are holding things together with duct tape, borrowed gear, and blind optimism. And Jake? He’s suddenly rooming with Evan Carter—a defenseman so precise he alphabetizes his condiments, tracks his hits in a spreadsheet, and bakes cookies with terrifying accuracy. Evan wants peace, predictability, and definitely not a roommate who sings in the shower and leaves socks in the fridge.
What neither of them expects is the heat that starts simmering beneath their battles over bathroom schedules and fridge turf. Or the way their teammates begin to feel like family. Or the slow unraveling of the stories they've each told themselves to survive.
As the Storm scrape their way through a season that shouldn’t work but somehow does, Jake and Evan find themselves facing something scarier than the possibility of being seen—and chosen—for who they really are.
Puck Wild is a slow-burn, opposites-attract, forced-proximity gay hockey romance about second chances, viral fame, labeled leftovers, found family, and the chaos of falling for someone who sees straight through you—and stays anyway.
The Thunder Bay Storm are holding things together with duct tape, borrowed gear, and blind optimism. And Jake? He’s suddenly rooming with Evan Carter—a defenseman so precise he alphabetizes his condiments, tracks his hits in a spreadsheet, and bakes cookies with terrifying accuracy. Evan wants peace, predictability, and definitely not a roommate who sings in the shower and leaves socks in the fridge.
What neither of them expects is the heat that starts simmering beneath their battles over bathroom schedules and fridge turf. Or the way their teammates begin to feel like family. Or the slow unraveling of the stories they've each told themselves to survive.
As the Storm scrape their way through a season that shouldn’t work but somehow does, Jake and Evan find themselves facing something scarier than the possibility of being seen—and chosen—for who they really are.
Puck Wild is a slow-burn, opposites-attract, forced-proximity gay hockey romance about second chances, viral fame, labeled leftovers, found family, and the chaos of falling for someone who sees straight through you—and stays anyway.
248 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 13, 2025
140 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
September 7, 2025
I really liked these two MCs, but they just really needed to be edited into more actualized people. Editing for the whole book was really my biggest issue. I know that I tend to read books in more or less a single sitting, so things that happen within 50-100 pages happen within a real hour or so for me the reader. So when an MC walks into a locker room for the first time, I get to hear about the industrial strength cleaner 3 times within 50 pages. When we meet massive defensive players, all three are described as how much they can bench large vehicles. A good edit will include a search for how many times "freight train" is used to describe a hit, and then a gentle urge to find another way to describe the same thing happening. And for the love of everything, I get the we are gently describing OCD, but how can you "organize a spice rack alphabetically, finish, and then feel the urge to do it again?" Unless you moved the alphabetically arranged spices, they are already in alphabetical order. And if you aren't going to explore the mental health of the person more deeply, the urge to "spreadsheet" "washed socks - Thursday" is way more on the side of "needs actual help now" than "oddly controlling." Labelling things washed by day is not a weird quirk, it is a diagnosable trait.
I know a lot of MM romance is supposed to be vibes, and letting go of reality, but c'mon. If the only way to create "conflict" is to prevent the MCs from being able to communicate, it just lazy.
And then the whole concept of Jake being a playboy villian, which is super vaguely alluded to, there are so many moments of growth that are shown and describe in how he is playing, only for the next scene with his coach to be talking about how is hasn't done the thing he just did in the last chapter...and described as it was happening about how he was choosing to do the thing that was growth.
I was taken out of the story so many times I didn't want to finish it, but in complete honesty, I did actually like the characters. It was that I felt like I was reading the first draft, and they didn't have an editor around to get the author to a draft ready for publishing.
I know a lot of MM romance is supposed to be vibes, and letting go of reality, but c'mon. If the only way to create "conflict" is to prevent the MCs from being able to communicate, it just lazy.
And then the whole concept of Jake being a playboy villian, which is super vaguely alluded to, there are so many moments of growth that are shown and describe in how he is playing, only for the next scene with his coach to be talking about how is hasn't done the thing he just did in the last chapter...and described as it was happening about how he was choosing to do the thing that was growth.
I was taken out of the story so many times I didn't want to finish it, but in complete honesty, I did actually like the characters. It was that I felt like I was reading the first draft, and they didn't have an editor around to get the author to a draft ready for publishing.
Read
October 8, 2025DNF 31%
Why is everyone so mean to Jake I genuinely don’t get it
Why is everyone so mean to Jake I genuinely don’t get it
January 14, 2026
Emotional, character driven MM hockey romance
Puck Wild was emotional, funny and completely adorable. It's a very character-driven novel, with most of the plot being driven by the emotional development of the MCs. I love books like this, where you just get swept along with the characters as they fall in love.
There was a collection of kooky side characters, with a hint at the next (and maybe next-next?) book in the series.
The Hockey setting was central to the story, without being overwhelming to someone who doesn't know much about the sport. In fact, I learnt quite a bit about the sport, the slang and the culture of the game, so thanks for that!
I really enjoyed this book, and have added Declan Rhodes to my "must read more by him" list!
Puck Wild was emotional, funny and completely adorable. It's a very character-driven novel, with most of the plot being driven by the emotional development of the MCs. I love books like this, where you just get swept along with the characters as they fall in love.
There was a collection of kooky side characters, with a hint at the next (and maybe next-next?) book in the series.
The Hockey setting was central to the story, without being overwhelming to someone who doesn't know much about the sport. In fact, I learnt quite a bit about the sport, the slang and the culture of the game, so thanks for that!
I really enjoyed this book, and have added Declan Rhodes to my "must read more by him" list!
August 24, 2025
Puck wild by Declan Rhodes was really good. It snuck up on me how good it was. I loved the characters and how lovable and flawed they were. This was a different kind of hockey story. It wasn’t about the best hockey player or the team winning the Stanley Cup. it was two average players playing because they love hockey and trying to love each other. I love the side characters pickle, hog, and Juno. Juno almost stole the show for me. I really liked her. She was fabulous. all in all I would definitely recommend this sweet found family hockey story. I have received an ARC and this is my honest opinion.
August 16, 2025
It's been a while since I cried so much on a book, but when Jake tells his teammates he's leaving the team was so sad.
I loved this book so much that I'm gonna buy a paperback
Jake and Evan are great together.
Great beginning of a new series
I loved this book so much that I'm gonna buy a paperback
Jake and Evan are great together.
Great beginning of a new series
February 1, 2026
DNF 50%. Repetitive and gloomy. I quit this once then went back because book 2+3 look interesting, but this writing just doesn’t work for me. Tries to wring out - and prolong - all the angst for each guy. We get it, they’re screwed up! Not what I’m looking for right now.
January 24, 2026
aw i absolutely adored this!! Sweet characters, beautiful writing and COOKIES. We need the recipes in the end of the book!!!
January 4, 2026
i don’t trust men when they’re too happy
January 10, 2026
DNF @ 26%
The story felt ungrounded, like we were just dropped into the middle of something and expected to roll with it. That's fine for the beginning (in fact, I like it when the author forgoes lengthy expo dumps in favor of showing us what happened then explaining) but the problem I have here is that we don't really get much of a frame of reference for things before the story started. We didn't see how Jake lived before the injury and becoming a meme, so I didn't know how to measure how shitty his life was now. We didn't see how organized and calm Evan's life was before Jake's supposed chaos, so the disruption in his life felt ephemeral. I needed to see where these guys started and not just where they ended up (a chapter or flashback showing what their previous status quo was would've done wonders here).
Jake getting a bit of redemption with that writer's article felt incredibly rushed. I thought him dealing with his public image and putting on a front was supposed to be his character arc. Giving him validation that he was a victim of media and letting him breathe a little felt like it should've happened in the third act, not the first 20%
I don't think we got enough interactions between Jake and Evan to justify Evan's "I want Jake to come back" line after they fought. Nearly every interaction between them had been about spreadsheets and hockey, and next to no actual demonstration of why Evan would find Jake endearing when he was so chaotic. Yeah, there was clearly physical attraction, but little to no emotional attraction to speak of (Jake caring about Evan's well-being in hockey was a start, but not nearly enough especially considering how hockey players are basically expected to get hurt anyway)
I DNFED when the random author showed up again (with zero introduction on how she and Jake actually know each other again). It was fine that we didn't get her life story and how she was connected to Jake the first time, but I needed to more why the hell she seemed to be so familiar with him and why Jake was honest with her when he was putting up a front with everyone else. I needed a tiny sentence hinting at their history or a quick acknowledgement of who they were to each other. Something to ground their dynamic because as it was, she just felt like she materialized out of nowhere to help Jake work through his issues while we have no idea of what she means to him. Really emphasized how the story felt life we were just dropped in without proper context.
TL;DR: Has the opposite problem that most books tend to have. Not nearly enough exposition to make the story feel complete. The author does a good job of the "don't tell" part of "show, don't tell" but we are shown isn't enough to give context on what's currently happening.
The story felt ungrounded, like we were just dropped into the middle of something and expected to roll with it. That's fine for the beginning (in fact, I like it when the author forgoes lengthy expo dumps in favor of showing us what happened then explaining) but the problem I have here is that we don't really get much of a frame of reference for things before the story started. We didn't see how Jake lived before the injury and becoming a meme, so I didn't know how to measure how shitty his life was now. We didn't see how organized and calm Evan's life was before Jake's supposed chaos, so the disruption in his life felt ephemeral. I needed to see where these guys started and not just where they ended up (a chapter or flashback showing what their previous status quo was would've done wonders here).
Jake getting a bit of redemption with that writer's article felt incredibly rushed. I thought him dealing with his public image and putting on a front was supposed to be his character arc. Giving him validation that he was a victim of media and letting him breathe a little felt like it should've happened in the third act, not the first 20%
I don't think we got enough interactions between Jake and Evan to justify Evan's "I want Jake to come back" line after they fought. Nearly every interaction between them had been about spreadsheets and hockey, and next to no actual demonstration of why Evan would find Jake endearing when he was so chaotic. Yeah, there was clearly physical attraction, but little to no emotional attraction to speak of (Jake caring about Evan's well-being in hockey was a start, but not nearly enough especially considering how hockey players are basically expected to get hurt anyway)
I DNFED when the random author showed up again (with zero introduction on how she and Jake actually know each other again). It was fine that we didn't get her life story and how she was connected to Jake the first time, but I needed to more why the hell she seemed to be so familiar with him and why Jake was honest with her when he was putting up a front with everyone else. I needed a tiny sentence hinting at their history or a quick acknowledgement of who they were to each other. Something to ground their dynamic because as it was, she just felt like she materialized out of nowhere to help Jake work through his issues while we have no idea of what she means to him. Really emphasized how the story felt life we were just dropped in without proper context.
TL;DR: Has the opposite problem that most books tend to have. Not nearly enough exposition to make the story feel complete. The author does a good job of the "don't tell" part of "show, don't tell" but we are shown isn't enough to give context on what's currently happening.
August 26, 2025
I always enjoy a Declan Rhodes book, no matter the topic, and this one is no exception. His characters are always realistic, relatable, interesting, and engaging, people you end up wishing you could know. Jake and Evan are perfect examples of that wish. Jake is a new member of the Thunder Bay Storm, a small town minor league hockey team in Ontario. He has come from an injury, a reality tv show, and a rap video that had people laughing at him, not with him, leaving chaos in his wake. Not a very promising beginning as his teammates demonstrate. His new teammate and roommate, Evan, is a man with everything under control, labeling everything from leftovers to socks to hockey equipment, creating spreadsheets, and living his life with rules and order. The two are opposites, but somehow click, the longer they know each other, the more they see the person underneath all the chaos or control, the person looking for something the other might be able to provide, if they dig deep enough. Jake covers things with humor, snark, diversions, while Evan’s labels allow order in his life. As he tries to adjust to Jake’s chaos, and Jake adjusts to Evan’s structure, the two find a connection that both fear losing, but desperately hope will stay the course.
The teammates and a podcast journalist are the supporting characters, and they are as crucial an element as our two MCs. They help drive the connection between Jake and Evan, helping them realize things about themselves and each other, that have a positive effect on their hockey, their team, and their personal lives.
I adored Evan’s labeling and spreadsheets for everything as he tried to create order and control in a life which didn’t have that in his younger years. He holds himself aloof much of the time, not wanting to let anyone too close for fear they will leave. Jake helped him loosen up and take himself not quite so seriously all the time, and open himself up to the attraction and connection between them.
Jake’s facade was so obvious, keep them laughing and deflecting so they can’t see the hurt and disappointment underneath, don’t let the sensitive person underneath be seen to avoid more ridicule or showing what he wants to keep hidden.
There was a lot of hockey in the story, and I could easily picture the game in my head. There was romance of a sort, some spicy encounters, but balanced in the story so they moved the story forward but didn’t become the main focus. I found myself smiling very often and had a very positive feeling at the end of the book. These two men had found their person and a happiness neither expected. I can easily recommend this book for the developing relationship, the hockey, the cookies and knitted emotional supports, the banter among teammates, and the feeling of genuine caring between Jake and Evan, and their teammates. It is an enjoyable read.
I received an ARC from the author and this is my voluntary review.
The teammates and a podcast journalist are the supporting characters, and they are as crucial an element as our two MCs. They help drive the connection between Jake and Evan, helping them realize things about themselves and each other, that have a positive effect on their hockey, their team, and their personal lives.
I adored Evan’s labeling and spreadsheets for everything as he tried to create order and control in a life which didn’t have that in his younger years. He holds himself aloof much of the time, not wanting to let anyone too close for fear they will leave. Jake helped him loosen up and take himself not quite so seriously all the time, and open himself up to the attraction and connection between them.
Jake’s facade was so obvious, keep them laughing and deflecting so they can’t see the hurt and disappointment underneath, don’t let the sensitive person underneath be seen to avoid more ridicule or showing what he wants to keep hidden.
There was a lot of hockey in the story, and I could easily picture the game in my head. There was romance of a sort, some spicy encounters, but balanced in the story so they moved the story forward but didn’t become the main focus. I found myself smiling very often and had a very positive feeling at the end of the book. These two men had found their person and a happiness neither expected. I can easily recommend this book for the developing relationship, the hockey, the cookies and knitted emotional supports, the banter among teammates, and the feeling of genuine caring between Jake and Evan, and their teammates. It is an enjoyable read.
I received an ARC from the author and this is my voluntary review.
August 19, 2025
The hockey guy made famous for the wrong reasons falls for a very organized fellow player
Declan Rhodes does an excellent job developing characters in this story of minor league hockey and poor decisions made by some. Jake Riley is portrayed as someone who gained fame for the wrong reasons, including an appearance on dating shows and a viral rap song about hockey. He now seeks to improve his reputation by returning to the game of hockey as a player.
He joins the Thunder Bay Storm hockey team, a scrappy group of players with a very loyal fanbase, even when they lose. His roommate is Evan Carter, who has a background of being in the foster care system until he aged out after his mother died and his father turned into an alcoholic. Always prepared to move to the next foster home, he became highly organized, labeling most everything and using spreadsheets to manage and keep track of his life.
Though there's some friction between Evan and Jake —about socks left in the fridge and loud singing in the shower—it’s mostly light-hearted. Over time, they settle into the hockey club, where their teammates become their trusted, adopted family.
The author's real talent lies in telling this story with deep, complex feelings that are clearly understood. Evan Carter's organizational skills help him cope with his troubled childhood, while Jake Riley's continuous efforts to deflect and rewrite his bad publicity show his desire to move forward. The two find that they share more than they expected. There are beautiful moments where they realize their compatibility can help them both and strengthen their team. These moments are vividly depicted in the locker room and through newfound trust that improves the team’s performance on the ice.
The romance deepens when Jake reacts physically when Evan is denounced as a "neurotic cookie gay" in the locker room of his temporary assignment. Evan recognizes Jake's noble act of defending him, and their story begins a new chapter.
This book showcases the range of Declan Rhodes’s talent, from scientific evaluations of fire spreading to series about brothers, hockey players, and other athletes. He also writes about relationships, brothers, and first responders—demonstrating his understanding of their crafts and the emotions these men feel about themselves and each other.
Early in the story, a podcast host reviews Jake Riley as part of her coverage of local hockey, mentioning his past appearance on a dating show, where he wore sequins and the not-well-received hockey rap. She becomes a connector to their story, helping advance some of the plot through her podcasts and advice to these two men.
This is a great work, with the wonderfully developed and interesting characters - and there are a bunch - to the well-written description of the hockey plays, using a lot of hockey terminology that is unknown to me, but with Mr. Rhodes inferences, I got the feeling of watching the game.
It is an easy read and I look forward to reading the next in the series when it becomes available.
Declan Rhodes does an excellent job developing characters in this story of minor league hockey and poor decisions made by some. Jake Riley is portrayed as someone who gained fame for the wrong reasons, including an appearance on dating shows and a viral rap song about hockey. He now seeks to improve his reputation by returning to the game of hockey as a player.
He joins the Thunder Bay Storm hockey team, a scrappy group of players with a very loyal fanbase, even when they lose. His roommate is Evan Carter, who has a background of being in the foster care system until he aged out after his mother died and his father turned into an alcoholic. Always prepared to move to the next foster home, he became highly organized, labeling most everything and using spreadsheets to manage and keep track of his life.
Though there's some friction between Evan and Jake —about socks left in the fridge and loud singing in the shower—it’s mostly light-hearted. Over time, they settle into the hockey club, where their teammates become their trusted, adopted family.
The author's real talent lies in telling this story with deep, complex feelings that are clearly understood. Evan Carter's organizational skills help him cope with his troubled childhood, while Jake Riley's continuous efforts to deflect and rewrite his bad publicity show his desire to move forward. The two find that they share more than they expected. There are beautiful moments where they realize their compatibility can help them both and strengthen their team. These moments are vividly depicted in the locker room and through newfound trust that improves the team’s performance on the ice.
The romance deepens when Jake reacts physically when Evan is denounced as a "neurotic cookie gay" in the locker room of his temporary assignment. Evan recognizes Jake's noble act of defending him, and their story begins a new chapter.
This book showcases the range of Declan Rhodes’s talent, from scientific evaluations of fire spreading to series about brothers, hockey players, and other athletes. He also writes about relationships, brothers, and first responders—demonstrating his understanding of their crafts and the emotions these men feel about themselves and each other.
Early in the story, a podcast host reviews Jake Riley as part of her coverage of local hockey, mentioning his past appearance on a dating show, where he wore sequins and the not-well-received hockey rap. She becomes a connector to their story, helping advance some of the plot through her podcasts and advice to these two men.
This is a great work, with the wonderfully developed and interesting characters - and there are a bunch - to the well-written description of the hockey plays, using a lot of hockey terminology that is unknown to me, but with Mr. Rhodes inferences, I got the feeling of watching the game.
It is an easy read and I look forward to reading the next in the series when it becomes available.
August 15, 2025
Jake Riley is joining Thunder Bay Storm, small town Thunder Bay, Ontario's hockey team, a family, a tight knit group of men who love their hockey even if they are not in the big leagues.
Evan Carter is the team's incredibly precise defenceman, nickname Spreadsheet for reasons that become clear almost as soon as the story opens. He loves his team and teammates even if he isn't as outgoing.
Jake had to drop out of the big leagues after a shoulder injury. He became famous for Love On Ice, the reality tv show which, as it transpires, was anything but real and made a joke of his true feelings. He tried to let go of the humiliation by creating a hockey rap in his friend's garage only to have it go viral. Now he is in a new locker room with a new team and all he knows how to do is make them all laugh, laugh at himself and try not to admit how much he is really hurting inside.
Evan endured years in foster care, always scared that there was no control, never knowing when he would be moved again, what type of family he would be placed with. Control over everything, labels and spreadsheets keep him sane. Stress baking the best ever cookies keeps him grounded and calm. Then Jake comes along, not only an addition to the team but also Evan's new roommate. It could be disastrous. It could be the best thing ever for both.
Neither Jake or Evan are prepared for the effect that they will have on one another. An initial feeling of dread, of not knowing how to cope with the other's eccentricities slowly becomes something more. It could be the camaraderie of the team, their friendliness, willingness to welcome everyone to their big, mad family, or it could simply be that they balance one another in ways it will take them time to work out. Whatever it is there is something magical taking place and it is changing both Jake and Evan, gradually, happily. As they realise they are seeing one another, the true person and that they are choosing one another, quirks and all, they have to face one big challenge.
With themes of forced proximity, chaotic hockey families, fame, hockey games, baking, mental health and people who stay, regardless, this story will fill your heart to bursting and cause bursts of laughter too! I have two favourite lines -
"Hog's booming voice erupted: "—don't care what your nutritionist sister says, Pickle. Banana bread is bread. Bread with fruit. That makes it basically a salad."
"The sheets were a disaster—Jake never made the bed, claiming it was polite to leave it open for napping emergencies."
Open your hearts and minds, grab this book now, settle in for an outstanding read!
Evan Carter is the team's incredibly precise defenceman, nickname Spreadsheet for reasons that become clear almost as soon as the story opens. He loves his team and teammates even if he isn't as outgoing.
Jake had to drop out of the big leagues after a shoulder injury. He became famous for Love On Ice, the reality tv show which, as it transpires, was anything but real and made a joke of his true feelings. He tried to let go of the humiliation by creating a hockey rap in his friend's garage only to have it go viral. Now he is in a new locker room with a new team and all he knows how to do is make them all laugh, laugh at himself and try not to admit how much he is really hurting inside.
Evan endured years in foster care, always scared that there was no control, never knowing when he would be moved again, what type of family he would be placed with. Control over everything, labels and spreadsheets keep him sane. Stress baking the best ever cookies keeps him grounded and calm. Then Jake comes along, not only an addition to the team but also Evan's new roommate. It could be disastrous. It could be the best thing ever for both.
Neither Jake or Evan are prepared for the effect that they will have on one another. An initial feeling of dread, of not knowing how to cope with the other's eccentricities slowly becomes something more. It could be the camaraderie of the team, their friendliness, willingness to welcome everyone to their big, mad family, or it could simply be that they balance one another in ways it will take them time to work out. Whatever it is there is something magical taking place and it is changing both Jake and Evan, gradually, happily. As they realise they are seeing one another, the true person and that they are choosing one another, quirks and all, they have to face one big challenge.
With themes of forced proximity, chaotic hockey families, fame, hockey games, baking, mental health and people who stay, regardless, this story will fill your heart to bursting and cause bursts of laughter too! I have two favourite lines -
"Hog's booming voice erupted: "—don't care what your nutritionist sister says, Pickle. Banana bread is bread. Bread with fruit. That makes it basically a salad."
"The sheets were a disaster—Jake never made the bed, claiming it was polite to leave it open for napping emergencies."
Open your hearts and minds, grab this book now, settle in for an outstanding read!
September 28, 2025
26%
The weird cover art - why does this man look like a boy scout with arms that are the same diameter as hockey sticks. It's vaguely creepy, in a way that makes me think AI. Also, the shape of the hockey stick is wrong. What the heck is that? And holding it upside down? And his arms aren't in the right position or flex for holding it. Creeps me out.
And the way it's written feels disjointed. New roomie, but we do not see the move in. It's off page, which is pretty unsatisfying. This is a continued pattern. The continuity feels broken, agaon and again.
And things like - he spills an entire bowl of cereal, walks out of the kitchen and puts on his shoes and goes out for a walk. And his shoes squelch? Was he wearing socks that got completely soaked? To the point that they soaked through his canvas shoes? And he just left that entire mess for his roommate to clean up, brcause they were arguing? What is he, five?
I appreciated the backstory for Evan, developing his control issues because of the unpredictability of his childhood in foster care. And it seems Jake is supposed to be a good guy done wrong on a reality show, but the oblique references get tiring after a while. Characters keep referring to it, but we aren't shown much, and so our own opinions don't get to develop with or against theirs. We are still waiting for enough details to understand, let alone have an informed opinion.
Also, that cover.
I just keep seeing that guy on the cover and it takes me so far out of the story. Because if that's supposed to be Jake, ew. Not a hockey player physique. Though, since this hockey player eats bowls of rice krispies and chocolate muffins (with "chunks of cinnamon"???? actual chunks of tree bark in a muffin??) maybe those are supposed to be his arms.
Anyway, too many odd moments of not enough on page action, awkward flirting, chunks of cinnamon, and not enough on page interactions to build full characters.
The weird cover art - why does this man look like a boy scout with arms that are the same diameter as hockey sticks. It's vaguely creepy, in a way that makes me think AI. Also, the shape of the hockey stick is wrong. What the heck is that? And holding it upside down? And his arms aren't in the right position or flex for holding it. Creeps me out.
And the way it's written feels disjointed. New roomie, but we do not see the move in. It's off page, which is pretty unsatisfying. This is a continued pattern. The continuity feels broken, agaon and again.
And things like - he spills an entire bowl of cereal, walks out of the kitchen and puts on his shoes and goes out for a walk. And his shoes squelch? Was he wearing socks that got completely soaked? To the point that they soaked through his canvas shoes? And he just left that entire mess for his roommate to clean up, brcause they were arguing? What is he, five?
I appreciated the backstory for Evan, developing his control issues because of the unpredictability of his childhood in foster care. And it seems Jake is supposed to be a good guy done wrong on a reality show, but the oblique references get tiring after a while. Characters keep referring to it, but we aren't shown much, and so our own opinions don't get to develop with or against theirs. We are still waiting for enough details to understand, let alone have an informed opinion.
Also, that cover.
I just keep seeing that guy on the cover and it takes me so far out of the story. Because if that's supposed to be Jake, ew. Not a hockey player physique. Though, since this hockey player eats bowls of rice krispies and chocolate muffins (with "chunks of cinnamon"???? actual chunks of tree bark in a muffin??) maybe those are supposed to be his arms.
Anyway, too many odd moments of not enough on page action, awkward flirting, chunks of cinnamon, and not enough on page interactions to build full characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2025
Declan Rhodes is off to a strong start with his new Storm Warning, hockey series. Puck Wild is the first book in the series about the members of the Thunder Bay Storm. A minor league hockey team from Ontario. They are a group of rag tag hockey players who are not only building their team strength on the ice but also as a found family off the ice. The guys on the team all have their flaws but they also have their strengths. Their respect and support of one another despite their differences is what builds the Thunder Bay Storm.
Jake Riley joins the Storm because he has nowhere else to go. Due to a series of poorly made decisions Jake’s hockey career is crashing and burning before his eyes. All he wants to do is keep his head down, play hockey, and start over. This all changes on his first day on the team when he meets Evan Carter. Evan is closed off, rigid, and exudes control. He seems to be the opposite of Jake but completely knocks Jake off his axis. Jake and Evan not are they drawn to each other; they end up being roommates.
Puck Wild is a great, opposites attract, forced proximity, found family story, focused around two flawed but likable characters. A lot of the story focuses on hockey so if you do not have an interest in the sport, this might not appeal to you. This is a well written story with a great plot and a fun cast of characters. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Jake Riley joins the Storm because he has nowhere else to go. Due to a series of poorly made decisions Jake’s hockey career is crashing and burning before his eyes. All he wants to do is keep his head down, play hockey, and start over. This all changes on his first day on the team when he meets Evan Carter. Evan is closed off, rigid, and exudes control. He seems to be the opposite of Jake but completely knocks Jake off his axis. Jake and Evan not are they drawn to each other; they end up being roommates.
Puck Wild is a great, opposites attract, forced proximity, found family story, focused around two flawed but likable characters. A lot of the story focuses on hockey so if you do not have an interest in the sport, this might not appeal to you. This is a well written story with a great plot and a fun cast of characters. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
August 13, 2025
I received a free copy. This review is submitted voluntarily.
The author once again surprises me. He takes two radically different characters and weaves a story that has them coming together. Jake has started with the Thunder Bay Storm as a sort of last resort. He has been a joke in the hockey world because of his actions, though many were not of necessarily of his doing. On the other hand, Evan is a man who uses spreadsheets and colour as a way of organizing everything so that he can maintain. They share an apartment and rather quickly develop feelings. They have a couple of major arguments, but both end up changing in good ways. Where Jake had been a bit of a showboat on arrival, he eventually develops into a team player, even defending Evan while during his call-up to a higher level of hockey, when another player makes homophobic comments. Both put in the work, and the author does a great job of describing their evolution. The cast of secondary characters does an excellent job of giving them fabulous advice, especially Juno the podcaster and Hog the teammate. Pickle is a rookie teammate whose energy seems limitless. And there are a few less important characters who also help plot development. Speaking of which, the plot appears fairly straightforward on its way to a happy ending.
Mr. Rhodes rarely disappoints, and this book is very well-written.
The author once again surprises me. He takes two radically different characters and weaves a story that has them coming together. Jake has started with the Thunder Bay Storm as a sort of last resort. He has been a joke in the hockey world because of his actions, though many were not of necessarily of his doing. On the other hand, Evan is a man who uses spreadsheets and colour as a way of organizing everything so that he can maintain. They share an apartment and rather quickly develop feelings. They have a couple of major arguments, but both end up changing in good ways. Where Jake had been a bit of a showboat on arrival, he eventually develops into a team player, even defending Evan while during his call-up to a higher level of hockey, when another player makes homophobic comments. Both put in the work, and the author does a great job of describing their evolution. The cast of secondary characters does an excellent job of giving them fabulous advice, especially Juno the podcaster and Hog the teammate. Pickle is a rookie teammate whose energy seems limitless. And there are a few less important characters who also help plot development. Speaking of which, the plot appears fairly straightforward on its way to a happy ending.
Mr. Rhodes rarely disappoints, and this book is very well-written.
August 29, 2025
Jake and Evan . . .
Jake Riley has approached notoriety in an awkward way, not ending up with what he was trying to portray but instead ending up with an embarrassing reputation. So he picks up and starts over fresh (he hopes) with the Thunder Bay Storm hockey team. His roommate is Evan Carter who insists on an orderly, precise life to the point of alphabetizing condiments, and arranges his life to make it perfectly predictable and organized so that he can deal with it. However, his roommate Jake is definitely not one of the organized predictability type personalities. He is the one who sings in the shower and puts his socks in the fridge! Yes, an unusual guy. Yet there is something that has each gravitating to the other, and it’s working. Even the other teammates begin to feel comfortable and like members of one big, crazy family. And it really seems to work for them, even while on the ice. Will Jake and Evan see each other behind the facades they project and fully accept the person they are deep inside?
This author again and again brings out the best in his characters so that the reader cares deeply for each of them and their struggles. We become attuned to what is truly important in life and the things that really matter.
Jake Riley has approached notoriety in an awkward way, not ending up with what he was trying to portray but instead ending up with an embarrassing reputation. So he picks up and starts over fresh (he hopes) with the Thunder Bay Storm hockey team. His roommate is Evan Carter who insists on an orderly, precise life to the point of alphabetizing condiments, and arranges his life to make it perfectly predictable and organized so that he can deal with it. However, his roommate Jake is definitely not one of the organized predictability type personalities. He is the one who sings in the shower and puts his socks in the fridge! Yes, an unusual guy. Yet there is something that has each gravitating to the other, and it’s working. Even the other teammates begin to feel comfortable and like members of one big, crazy family. And it really seems to work for them, even while on the ice. Will Jake and Evan see each other behind the facades they project and fully accept the person they are deep inside?
This author again and again brings out the best in his characters so that the reader cares deeply for each of them and their struggles. We become attuned to what is truly important in life and the things that really matter.
August 30, 2025
This is the first book in the Storm Warning and it bodes good things for the future. I really enjoyed this book. It is well written and easy to read. This book is about the Thunder Bay Storm minor league team. It focuses on Jake Riley and Evan Carter. Jake has already played professional hockey until a shoulder injury sidelined him. Then a few unfortunate choices and his life is in need of a reset. He hopes going to Thunder Bay will be the new beginning that he needs. Evan is a strong defenseman who ends up with an unexpected roommate. Evan is all about organization and control. With his background while growing up, it is no surprise that he wants to control everything that he can. This new living arrangement is going to shake up both their lives. This is their story. I enjoyed watching the two of them interact and slowly learn to trust each other. My other two favourite characters are Connor “Hog” Hawkins. He is loud but he has his heart in the right place. And you will see that Juno plays an important role as well. It is a fun book to read. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 12, 2025
PUCK WILD - STORM WARNING BOOK 1
This is the first story in a new series following characters from the Thunder Bay Storm Hockey Team. In true Declan Rhodes fashion, the reader will be drawn in, immersed in the characters and small town feels, and emotionally connected to it all by the end of the book. This author knows how to create people and places you want to know and be a part of.
While it may be considered a slow burn romance, looking at the timeline from their meeting to the conclusion of this story, there is a lot of life and love shared between Jake and Evan. While often quirky and needing the order his labeling and spreadsheets bring him, Evan also realizes a bit of chaos shared by Jake is exactly what he needs in his world. While Jake discovers that having a place to call home with Evan and the Storm are actually more important than skating in the minors or even majors because you can’t trade the happiness you get when you can finally be your true self.
There are great supporting characters throughout that the reader is introduced to, and they will engage you enough to want to learn their stories as well. Start to finish, this is worth the read.
This is the first story in a new series following characters from the Thunder Bay Storm Hockey Team. In true Declan Rhodes fashion, the reader will be drawn in, immersed in the characters and small town feels, and emotionally connected to it all by the end of the book. This author knows how to create people and places you want to know and be a part of.
While it may be considered a slow burn romance, looking at the timeline from their meeting to the conclusion of this story, there is a lot of life and love shared between Jake and Evan. While often quirky and needing the order his labeling and spreadsheets bring him, Evan also realizes a bit of chaos shared by Jake is exactly what he needs in his world. While Jake discovers that having a place to call home with Evan and the Storm are actually more important than skating in the minors or even majors because you can’t trade the happiness you get when you can finally be your true self.
There are great supporting characters throughout that the reader is introduced to, and they will engage you enough to want to learn their stories as well. Start to finish, this is worth the read.
August 13, 2025
Once again Rhodes provide proof that his writing is worth reading. In this book, the story line is one of two mismatched roommates forced together by a hockey club that cannot afford much. They each have their past which is more vivid in the case of Rtley but was probably more impactful in the case of Spreadsheet.
Riley, the active one trying to prove himself was looking to move up to a professional hockey club and took an opportunity to fill-in for two weeks but in his first week some of his team mates started to make fun of Spreadsheet and Riley got angry in the locker room, which made him realize he truly cared about Evan.
Once back in Thunder Bay not only did his relationship with Evan develop well, the whole team became real contenders and became a community. Riley changed as did Evan who now could see opportunities to have fun and skip spending time making spreadsheets.
I had to tell that much of the story so that I can talk about what the author did really well and that was to show how our past molds us but how when we find love we can let go of some of those old ways to become more real.
Riley, the active one trying to prove himself was looking to move up to a professional hockey club and took an opportunity to fill-in for two weeks but in his first week some of his team mates started to make fun of Spreadsheet and Riley got angry in the locker room, which made him realize he truly cared about Evan.
Once back in Thunder Bay not only did his relationship with Evan develop well, the whole team became real contenders and became a community. Riley changed as did Evan who now could see opportunities to have fun and skip spending time making spreadsheets.
I had to tell that much of the story so that I can talk about what the author did really well and that was to show how our past molds us but how when we find love we can let go of some of those old ways to become more real.
August 19, 2025
This is quite a very slow burn with two absolute opposite characters. I love that this book is set in the minor league, something you hardly see in the sea of hockey romances.
Jack seems to be at his last chance, his reality TV and bad music performance are seem to attract more attention than his hockey skills. He is hiding between the constant need to make everything a performance while not really knowing who he is anymore.
Thrown together with Ethan who is more than just interest in order and rules. Hiding behind spreadsheets, labels and organising is a deeply insecure man who is desperate for love but is always prepared for people leaving him.
On one hand these two couldn’t be more different, on the other hand, they fit together and need each other.
It’s lovely to read how both are discovering what they really want and how far they go to see the other as their home.
There is plenty of development how both are realising what it means to be themselves and letting go of playing a role - Jack - and of hiding behind structure and order - Ethan.
I love Pickles and Hog, they are amazing side characters and I hope to see more of them.
Jack seems to be at his last chance, his reality TV and bad music performance are seem to attract more attention than his hockey skills. He is hiding between the constant need to make everything a performance while not really knowing who he is anymore.
Thrown together with Ethan who is more than just interest in order and rules. Hiding behind spreadsheets, labels and organising is a deeply insecure man who is desperate for love but is always prepared for people leaving him.
On one hand these two couldn’t be more different, on the other hand, they fit together and need each other.
It’s lovely to read how both are discovering what they really want and how far they go to see the other as their home.
There is plenty of development how both are realising what it means to be themselves and letting go of playing a role - Jack - and of hiding behind structure and order - Ethan.
I love Pickles and Hog, they are amazing side characters and I hope to see more of them.
August 23, 2025
I love how Declan Rhodes builds characters, I fall in love with them all so quickly.
Evan is such a complex creature, he’s got seemingly un-diagnosed OCD ... he’s got some serious tendencies. He is quiet, and conservative, and keeps to himself, a complete opposite to Jake who is bold, and outgoing, and full of life. Jake is loud and likes to make the jokes before he becomes one... trying to curb the nasty bite from his past viral flops. He doesn't seem to have and major quirks, but he quickly understands that Evan does. He is quite sweet to Evan right from the start. This was not insta love but a quiet understanding between two people which slowly built to a steady solid relationship. I enjoyed the evolution of this couple, with their quirky apartment encounters, to their karaoke moments, and especially the cookie moments. I was quite snacky while reading this story! "Two people figuring out how to build something real in the space between chaos and control."
Overall, I really loved this story. The side characters Pickles and Hog were awesome, especially Hog who seemed to be the voice of reason when you were least expecting him. I can't wait to read Hogs story! :)
Evan is such a complex creature, he’s got seemingly un-diagnosed OCD ... he’s got some serious tendencies. He is quiet, and conservative, and keeps to himself, a complete opposite to Jake who is bold, and outgoing, and full of life. Jake is loud and likes to make the jokes before he becomes one... trying to curb the nasty bite from his past viral flops. He doesn't seem to have and major quirks, but he quickly understands that Evan does. He is quite sweet to Evan right from the start. This was not insta love but a quiet understanding between two people which slowly built to a steady solid relationship. I enjoyed the evolution of this couple, with their quirky apartment encounters, to their karaoke moments, and especially the cookie moments. I was quite snacky while reading this story! "Two people figuring out how to build something real in the space between chaos and control."
Overall, I really loved this story. The side characters Pickles and Hog were awesome, especially Hog who seemed to be the voice of reason when you were least expecting him. I can't wait to read Hogs story! :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2025
Thank you for the book, here is my honest opinion:
This is the first book in a new hockey series and there is a lot that makes this a promising start. First, the characters are quite good, main and side characters are unique and compelling. Evan desire for control and predictability is so sad, the repercussion of the foster care system. Jake is a character type I’ve read many times over, the bad boy athlete looking for redemption but Jake is different. He is earnest in a way that makes him stand apart. The team is also wonderful, a good foundation for the series with a pretty lovely captain in Hog and a quirky but lovable rookie in Pickles. I will say it is a little slow moving on the relationship front and there’s some repetition of some words and phrase that was noticeable. The plot is fairly straightforward and a bit predictable, with Jake’s inevitable dreaded call up to the big leagues hanging over their fledgling relationship. I rounded up to four stars because the characters are truly exceptional and I loved the team dynamics- very fun and supportive. Looking forward to more.
This is the first book in a new hockey series and there is a lot that makes this a promising start. First, the characters are quite good, main and side characters are unique and compelling. Evan desire for control and predictability is so sad, the repercussion of the foster care system. Jake is a character type I’ve read many times over, the bad boy athlete looking for redemption but Jake is different. He is earnest in a way that makes him stand apart. The team is also wonderful, a good foundation for the series with a pretty lovely captain in Hog and a quirky but lovable rookie in Pickles. I will say it is a little slow moving on the relationship front and there’s some repetition of some words and phrase that was noticeable. The plot is fairly straightforward and a bit predictable, with Jake’s inevitable dreaded call up to the big leagues hanging over their fledgling relationship. I rounded up to four stars because the characters are truly exceptional and I loved the team dynamics- very fun and supportive. Looking forward to more.
August 13, 2025
OMG this one hit me in the feels HARD. I cried several times. In this new series we're following the men of the Thunder Bay Storm minor league hockey team. Book 1 features the story of teammates and roommates Jake and Evan. Jake is trying to live down his disastrous reality show edit followed by a viral rap video that has become the butt of many a joke. Evan is an extremely organized man who uses that illusion of control to soothe the wounds of his unstable childhood. They both could use a little bit of the other to smooth out the rough patches. Their burgeoning relationship will have to work through Jake's chance at the show and Evan's fear of abandonment to find an HEA. I really enjoyed these characters and their interactions with one another. And once real feelings are added to the spicy parts, I was all in. What got me weepy was the way the talked about and to one another. My favorite line being "he's not my chaos, he's my compass." I would highly recommend this one and look forward to the rest of the series.
August 20, 2025
Cell B47, label maker, emotional support snickerdoodles, cow chewing cud, hockey pied piper, chaos agent, cookie karma
This is a great book! Canadian minor league hockey at its best. It takes place in Thunder Bay, ONT, adjacent to Lake Superior. The Thunder Bay Storms hockey team is front and center. The team leads the league in losses partly because they can't act as one.
Defenseman Evan Carter is an organizing and color coding maniac. He needs to feel in control of his life. The best way he can achieve that is by being as organized as he can be. His former roommate is traded, but he enjoys the quiet and solitude. It isn't long before a replacement player comes on board.
Jake Riley is a walking joke and mess. He's new to town after his life spectacularly goes to pieces. He's Evan's new roommate who gets on Evan's nerves by being messy and loud. Jake is also trying to get past his 'meltdown' on reality TV and his embarrassing viral video.
I really enjoyed this book. So much so, I readily recommend it.
This is a great book! Canadian minor league hockey at its best. It takes place in Thunder Bay, ONT, adjacent to Lake Superior. The Thunder Bay Storms hockey team is front and center. The team leads the league in losses partly because they can't act as one.
Defenseman Evan Carter is an organizing and color coding maniac. He needs to feel in control of his life. The best way he can achieve that is by being as organized as he can be. His former roommate is traded, but he enjoys the quiet and solitude. It isn't long before a replacement player comes on board.
Jake Riley is a walking joke and mess. He's new to town after his life spectacularly goes to pieces. He's Evan's new roommate who gets on Evan's nerves by being messy and loud. Jake is also trying to get past his 'meltdown' on reality TV and his embarrassing viral video.
I really enjoyed this book. So much so, I readily recommend it.
August 21, 2025
A CONTROL FREAK AND A CHAOS DEMON!💕📝🏒
What do you call it when a control freak and a chaos demon have to share an apartment?- Evolution
“Two people figuring out how to build something real in the space between chaos and control.”
I absolutely loved this new Ice Hockey series by Declan Rhodes and I can see we are in store for so much more fun, chaos and entertainment with this hockey team!
Jake “Soft Hands” Riley and Evan “Spreadsheets” Carter were just so much fun to read about!
It was so amazing to see how they had so much chemistry on and off the ice and how they just adapted to each other’s control and chaos and fit so perfectly together like two lost puzzle pieces that were drawn to each other like magnets that found their true north!
I loved the found family that grew with the team dynamic and how they worked as a team and friends on and off the ice!
It was so nice to get to know all the main players that will each get their own story in the series- Hog is next… 🧶
I voluntarily received an ARC and this is my honest non biased review.
What do you call it when a control freak and a chaos demon have to share an apartment?- Evolution
“Two people figuring out how to build something real in the space between chaos and control.”
I absolutely loved this new Ice Hockey series by Declan Rhodes and I can see we are in store for so much more fun, chaos and entertainment with this hockey team!
Jake “Soft Hands” Riley and Evan “Spreadsheets” Carter were just so much fun to read about!
It was so amazing to see how they had so much chemistry on and off the ice and how they just adapted to each other’s control and chaos and fit so perfectly together like two lost puzzle pieces that were drawn to each other like magnets that found their true north!
I loved the found family that grew with the team dynamic and how they worked as a team and friends on and off the ice!
It was so nice to get to know all the main players that will each get their own story in the series- Hog is next… 🧶
I voluntarily received an ARC and this is my honest non biased review.
August 13, 2025
Chaos and Control
How do two guys on the same hockey team come together when they’re diametrically opposite personality types? Brace yourself because it’s a bumpy ride with quite a bit of drama on and off the ice. How does one remain true to oneself yet allow someone in who’s a polar opposite and make a home together? As with all of Rhodes’s novels there is spice as well as life lessons. Plus, he always adds a dynamic that hasn’t existed in his previous novels. Fights, practices, NHL, minors, spreadsheets, labels, X, Molson Canadian (the best ever), wins, losses, PDAs, talk shows, performances, streaming, crying, knitting, cookies, total chaos, rivalry, gay bashing, recovery, bars, dart boards, karaoke. And Thunder Bay is a beautiful place to put on your bucket list. This is his first novel in his Storm Warning Series and I can hardly wait for the second novel to be released. Once again, Rhodes has outdone himself in Puck Wild.
How do two guys on the same hockey team come together when they’re diametrically opposite personality types? Brace yourself because it’s a bumpy ride with quite a bit of drama on and off the ice. How does one remain true to oneself yet allow someone in who’s a polar opposite and make a home together? As with all of Rhodes’s novels there is spice as well as life lessons. Plus, he always adds a dynamic that hasn’t existed in his previous novels. Fights, practices, NHL, minors, spreadsheets, labels, X, Molson Canadian (the best ever), wins, losses, PDAs, talk shows, performances, streaming, crying, knitting, cookies, total chaos, rivalry, gay bashing, recovery, bars, dart boards, karaoke. And Thunder Bay is a beautiful place to put on your bucket list. This is his first novel in his Storm Warning Series and I can hardly wait for the second novel to be released. Once again, Rhodes has outdone himself in Puck Wild.
August 16, 2025
This was so sad. Really, it was so sad to see amazing people being treated like trash, disrespected, disregarded, ignored… it was really sad. It gets better, and that’s a very good thing, but it’s such a sad beginning. And it’s portrayed beautifully! I loved how Declan Rhodes shows us a character that is seen as shallow, as someone who played a part, and got stuck in it. But he gets out, and he is seen, and appreciated, and loved. It’s a beautiful journey. I cried quite a bit at the beginning because I could relate to Jake, being judged by others for one thing, and one thing alone. I was so glad Evan came into his life, and even though he had preconceived notions about Jake, he looked deeper, until he saw him. It’s a really beautiful story about being who you are, being seen for who you are, being loved for who you are, and finding those people who will take the time, who will make an effort to see you and accept you. I recommend it.
August 17, 2025
Few people write books that make me feel the way this author does. He writes with heart and as such touches my heart with every book. I am sucker for minor league hockey boys like Jake and Ethan. Opposites in all ways but the perfect compliment for one another. They need each other just did not realize they need what the other one has to offer. Jake made me laugh as he became famous for all the wrong reasons so hoping Thunder Bay will bring him stability, and it does in his overly organized and schedule roommate, Evan. While the work out typical roommate issues, somewhere along the way relationships happen too, A beautiful story with emotion and heart and no one writes better about relationships than does this author. I always experience the range of emotions from tears, smiles, and laughter. A wonderful new series and so ready for book two. A must read. I did receive an ARC and leave this honest review.
August 25, 2025
ARC review
A very well written story where the author really manage to show of Evan and Jake's complicated and clearly misunderstood personalities. Where most people just see what's right in front of them, Jake and Evan see what is under the surface. In each other they both find the one person who understands and accept them exactly the way they are.
Jake and Evan play for the same hockey team, not in a big league, and this is where they meet for the first time. On top of that they have to share an apartment. In the beginning they drive each other nuts with their quirks, but whats irritating in the beginning soon becomes comfortable, and they find a way to live side by side.
Their hockey team is also an important part of Evan and Jake's life as the found family that will always have their backs and support each other.
This is a great read and I'm eagerly awaiting the next book. Pick up this one and enjoy the ride.
A very well written story where the author really manage to show of Evan and Jake's complicated and clearly misunderstood personalities. Where most people just see what's right in front of them, Jake and Evan see what is under the surface. In each other they both find the one person who understands and accept them exactly the way they are.
Jake and Evan play for the same hockey team, not in a big league, and this is where they meet for the first time. On top of that they have to share an apartment. In the beginning they drive each other nuts with their quirks, but whats irritating in the beginning soon becomes comfortable, and they find a way to live side by side.
Their hockey team is also an important part of Evan and Jake's life as the found family that will always have their backs and support each other.
This is a great read and I'm eagerly awaiting the next book. Pick up this one and enjoy the ride.
August 31, 2025
An opposites-attract slow-burn romance with a Felix-and-Oscar vibe could easily fall into stereotypes and ordinary tropes, but--not surprisingly--Declan Rhodes gives us humor, pathos, sports action and even flips the script on social media for a great story.
Jake and Evan both have their reasons for how they live their lives--chaos vs control--but we quickly see that their learned behaviors are not the whole story. They draw each other along a path to vulnerability and better decisions, supported by their teammates and the grace of the podcaster, Juno.
The hockey had a visceral edge to it that ran through the relationships in the book like a chain, linking all the characters together in bursts of action that offset the introspection and affection. Each of the supporting characters brings their own story that I look forward to learning.
I highly recommend this excellent start to a new series.
Jake and Evan both have their reasons for how they live their lives--chaos vs control--but we quickly see that their learned behaviors are not the whole story. They draw each other along a path to vulnerability and better decisions, supported by their teammates and the grace of the podcaster, Juno.
The hockey had a visceral edge to it that ran through the relationships in the book like a chain, linking all the characters together in bursts of action that offset the introspection and affection. Each of the supporting characters brings their own story that I look forward to learning.
I highly recommend this excellent start to a new series.
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