Rough Draft: The Games We Play - Season 2

The Games We Play

by R.J. Scott, V.L. Locey

Success isn’t measured in goals or stats; it’s a rough draft waiting to be rewritten.

Walker Hannan was supposed to be the next big thing in the NHL. But instead of carving out a legendary career, he's been sent down to the minors to fix his game—and his attitude. The rink used to be his sanctuary, but now it feels like his prison. Angry, frustrated, and desperate to claw his way back, the last thing Walker needs is a distraction.

Enter Finn Carter—elementary school art teacher, eternal optimist, and the human equivalent of sunshine. With his paint-stained hands and infectious smile, Finn is everything Walker isn’t: open, warm, and willing to see the beauty in the mess. He knows life isn’t about perfection—it’s about expression. And somehow, against all odds, he starts to chip away at the walls Walker has spent years building.

But just when Walker begins to believe there’s more to life than hockey, he gets the call he’s been waiting for—his shot at the NHL, his second chance.

Now, with his career on the line and his heart tangled in something real, Walker has to Can he fight for his place on the ice without losing the one person who taught him how to live beyond it?

Rough Draft is a heartfelt opposites-attract, grumpy/sunshine, MM hockey romance about love, ambition, and finding a home where you least expect it.

The Games We Play - Season 2 is the second season of this multi-author minor league hockey romance series! All titles run concurrently through the same hockey season and the books can be read in any order, so jump in anywhere!

Genres: Hockey, M M Romance, Contemporary, Sports, Romance, M M Sports Romance

204 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 7, 2025

About the author

RJ Scott writes heartwarming, passionate MM/gay romance stories where every man finds his happily ever after. When not writing, she enjoys reading books, watching movies, spending time with her family, following Formula 1 (Forza Ferrari!), and cheering on the Pittsburgh Penguins. Email her here: rj@rjscott.co.uk

Find RJ here: Amazon | BookBub | Facebook - Also, Never miss a release

Reviews

[Penumbra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rough Draft: The Games We Play – Season 2 is part of a multi-author, minor league hockey, romance series. It stars Walker Hannan, hockey defenseman, and Finn Carter, elementary school art teacher. This is told in first person from Finn and Walker’s povs.

I enjoyed this story. The blurb does a good job of explaining the plot so I’ll only add a little to it. Walker has anger issues stemming from his childhood. This gets him sent to the hockey minors and he’s required to take art lessons as psychological therapy. That art class includes four other teammates with their own issues. I liked the balance of romance and tension from outside events. One of the issues was Finn having to deal with a troublesome father of one of his young students. I would call this an insta-lust story, but about half way through the book Walker mentions he’s falling in love with Finn. Which I though was fast since they hadn’t hung out together that much. Most of their interactions came through art class. But since the book wasn’t that long, I suppose the romance had to be sped up.

Another thing I liked was the author wrote about Walker's interactions with his psychologist that worked for the hockey team. The psychologist was able to get Walker talking about himself and the issues he had without Walker being aware of it. Walker's respect for the psychologist grew the more sessions they had together.

I liked both Walker and Finn. They are opposite attracts, grumpy/sunshine tropes. Walker quickly loses much of his anger issues once he decides to ask Finn out. Readers are shown Walker’s protective and romantic side. Finn is talented, patient, and kind. He doesn’t think of himself as brave, except he’s very protective of the kids in his class. And since he’s a teacher, he applies his teaching methods to the guys in the art class, which works well. Especially on Walker. I’m glad the author chose names for the characters that were very dissimilar. They also had distinct personalities and voices which made it easy to keep the characters apart when reading.

Rough Draft was a good story. It’s not fluffy because it has some serious topics, but there is romance, humor, and growing friendships between all the characters. The next book involves one of the other players in the art class and I’m interested in reading that. I recommend this book, and give it a solid 4 Stars.

I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest and unbiased review.

[Elle Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one hit me right in the feels. Walker, a hockey player, has had such a traumatic childhood and never dealt with it. Then his NHL team kicks him down to the minors and mandates anger management therapy and art therapy. Enter teacher Finn, an elementary art teacher who teaches adults on the side. The art classes feature five struggling men, all wrapped up in their own issues and anger. And it just hurts, walking with these men. But Finn’s sunshiny personality slowly breaks down barriers and, as he and Walker draw closer, a delightfully nuanced relationship is built. That doesn’t make any of Walker’s past trauma any less difficult, but somehow, together, they find a way toward healing.

Walker’s goth sister Harper adds to his back story and current struggles as she stays resolutely by his side. The bond they share is heart warming.

Finn goes through his own trauma and the experience draws the men closer together. This is a couple you can’t help but root for. As usual, Scott and Locey excel at depicting found family. 5 stars.

[LeeAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story put me through many emotions in rapid succession.
Sadness, anger, protectiveness, sweetness, hope, excitement and love (Awwww).
These people...I tell ya I just can't even begin to say how quickly they all grabbed my heart!
Yes, the main characters obviously but also the supporting characters too.
Walker and Fin were made for each other. They each have what the other needs and want in a partner.
There may or may not...no, no I cannot say what I was going to, or I'll spoil things.
Just know this, love is given and received, hockey is played, past experiences are shared, there is teasing, fear is felt and dealt with, connections are made, and innocence is able to start healing.

Did I mention MUCH hotness? Yeahhhhh

Enjoy!

[Hellsbells · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always looking for a new series to sink my teeth into, and this being written by a favourite author of mine it lured me right in.

There were a lot of aspects that I really loved about this story, the characters and their world. I loved the details about each character and their traits and how they all were able to blend together. Things moved along at a fairly steady pace, which kept you reading and not wanting to stop.

Really enjoyed and would definitely recommend if you love MM hockey romance.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed it. I've been having a bad stuck and needed a good book to cheer me up and RJ and VL do not disappoint. I loved Walker and Finn and how Finn helped Walker find peace and how Walker became Finn's hero. It was incredibly sweet

[Tom]

DNF when the teacher of —adult— students doesn’t treat them as adults. I’m not waiting around to see how much more this Scott/Locey works devolves…

[Edga · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is about Walker Hannan, a professional hockey player who is, yet again, in deep trouble with his ice hockey club, and has been sent down. Then there's Finn Carter, an elementary school art teacher who is the human equivalent of sunshine.

As usual RJ and Vicki deal with sensitive subjects beautifully, and you can't help but empathise with the MCs. Walker in particular, is so easy to love, despite his prickly exterior. His struggles with anger issues, due to the terrible physical abuse doled out by his deadbeat dad, when he was a child, are understandable. This makes his eventual transformation and kindness all the more satisfying.

The real turning point in the story lies in his relationship with Finn. Walker is smitten with him from the word go, when he and others from the team who are problematic in their own way, attend a therapeutic art class led by Finn it's a revelation for all involved. They are so very different, Finn's bright and sunny personality slowly, but surely, brings a little light into Walker's life. Finn isn't just a love interest though; he and Walker's budding relationship pushes Walker to see the value in connecting with others, especially with the art guys. I loved how they all came together as a unit and had one another's backs. I adored these guys, Chip, Arnaud, Bob and Taft. All are crazy lovable in one way or another, but eventually they all really bond, and together they're a hoot. Even though the subject matter is quite heavy in parts, the story itself is not.

When Walker finally gets called up to the main team once again, he makes a choice and that left me with a lovely feeling of hope and happiness. If you enjoy a sports romance with interesting characters, and a beautiful message about finding love, this is a must read. The ending is sweet and so romantic. I'm already looking forward to finding out what RJ and Vicki have in store for Chip and Co.

[Kaje Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walker has a temper - it gets him into trouble on and off the ice. He's made it to the top hockey league, and he's now rich and successful, but the echoes of a very rough childhood simmer under the surface, making him quick with his fists. One night, drunk and rowdy, he chases a young guy who stole his phone and beats him up. Team management and circumstances keep him from a trial and jail, but he's sent to counseling and then down to the minor leagues, to get his act together. There he meets elementary school teacher Finn, who does art or art therapy classes on the side. And Finn's sweetness is an antidote for the darkness Walker lives with.

I liked that Walker got counseling, got medications, his issues were not solved by being with Finn. I appreciated that while his past was painful, the details weren't wallowed in, but used to motivate his behavior. The attraction was fast, but they spent time before falling into bed. And the secondary characters - siblings and the other members of the team who also were in counseling - were fun and added a lot of life and humor to the story.

You do have to take Finn's role in leading the art the class as given - normally art therapy is a clinical program that requires a masters, licensing or credentialing, continuing education, etc. There's not a lot of evidence that Finn has all the background and expertise for that role. But assuming this was more of an extracurricular activity for the guys, not true therapy, then as such, the sweet elementary teacher with an art background is the perfect foil for the men and their team camaraderie and issues.

I really enjoyed the read. Walker made me want to hug him, all the way through. The other players made me laugh. The ending is sweet but not improbable, and I believe that despite the uncertainties of a pro-hockey life where trades are a constant threat, these two guys are in it for the long term.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual with this author duo, I fell in love with the story from the word go. This book took me through every emotion possible.

Scott and Locey are notorious for bringing life's hard truths into their stories. This story includes trauma from childhood abuse and how it shaped Walker's attitude and life choices. Abuse plays a big role throughout the book, as Walker sees himself in the dangerous situation one of Finn's students goes through in the present day.

Finn is happy and light, and unprepared for the danger teachers often face when they have to make difficult choices. From the time Walker sees Finn enter as the teacher of his mandated art class, he's hooked. When things go badly for the little boy in Finn's class, it really hits Walker, and he is there when he's needed the most.

When Walker finally gets a call, the decision needs to be made. Is what Walker dreamed of worth the price that could be paid, or will all his dreams come true?

I thought this story was well written and full of the whole gambit of emotions. The hockey, the art guys, Walker's sister, all came together to create a beautiful story.

Happy reading!

~𝓘 𝓻𝓮𝓬𝓮𝓲𝓿𝓮𝓭 𝓪𝓷 𝓐𝓡𝓒 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓘 𝓪𝓶 𝓵𝓮𝓪𝓿𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓶𝔂 𝓱𝓸𝓷𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀.~

[Ana Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another gem by RJ and V.L.

I’m quickly becoming addicted to these two wonderful authors co-writing. All the books I’ve read by them so far, have been absolutely fantastic.

Walker is a pro hockey player whose anger issues lands him in the minors. He was sent there to reflect on his temper and control his need for violence.

Finn is an elementary art teacher who’s tasked with teaching Walker and a few of his teammates how to deal with their issues. Finn has no idea what he’s walking into but one thing’s clear, Walker has his attention.

Walker is immediately drawn to Finn’s sunshine personality and positive outlook in life. He feels being around him makes life better. He can forget his crappy life whenever he’s around Finn.

Their friendship develops into something more the more time they spend together. Finn grounds Walker in ways nobody else ever could.

I really loved how they connected in a more emotional way than a physical one. It was about the comfort they brought each other by simply being together, than the need to have sex.

Loved how much of a gentleman Walker was. I’m glad his parental trauma didn’t dim the beautiful man inside.

Lovely story. Can’t wait to read the rest of the stories.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Walker knows he has issues. The kind of childhood trauma he endured left him with some anger and his only source of releasing it was through hockey. But hockey isn’t enough. Not when he gets into an altercation off the ice and he gets bumped from his NHL team down to the minors to regroup. He’ll need to get on meds, talk to a therapist, and…take an art class. He knows he has a lot to work on when it comes to himself and he’ll put in the work to get his second chance at the NHL. He just didn’t imagine falling in love while he was healing. Finn is an elementary school art teacher who loves his job even when things get rough. And when he takes on an art class to some hockey players all struggling with their own issues, he is surprised by the friendships he makes with them. Especially with Walker. He sees Walker for who he is and who he is trying to be. The connection between these two is strong and I loved how they slowly worked their way to a relationship beyond friends. It’s what both needed and only made them falling in love that much sweeter. I loved the cast of characters we got here and I’m glad to see a series is in the works to follow them! I will definitely be checking those out!

[SNik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of a multi-author series (The Games We Play: Season 2), but can be read as a standalone. Hurt/comfort. Found family. Slow burn. Dual POV. Heed content warnings.

Walker is a hockey player with anger issues, sent down to the minors and ordered to actively work on his attitude; he never expects to find his art therapy teacher attractive. Finn is an elementary school teacher and artist, and when he finds himself interested in a troubled Walker, he can’t resist the glimpses of kindness he sees whenever Walker is with him.

This is a sweet story about a man grappling with his past and even though he finds a special person he wants to be with, Walker does all the work to be the person he hopes to be and finds in Finn someone willing to hold his hand while he does. I really appreciated that Finn’s affection isn’t the solution for Walker and they both are so good at communicating and embracing the relationship that they build together. A likable set of characters, surrounded by really supportive friends and family, this was such a fun read, and a great start to a future series coming from the co-authors. 4.25

[Elaine Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rough Draft is a heartfelt installment in the multi-author The Games We Play series, blending minor league hockey with slow-burning romance and emotional growth. Told in alternating first-person perspectives from Walker Hannan, a hockey defenseman with a troubled past, and Finn Carter, a compassionate elementary school art teacher, this story explores healing, connection, and unexpected love. Walker’s anger issues—rooted in childhood trauma—land him in the hockey minors, where he’s assigned to an art therapy class alongside four teammates, each grappling with their own emotional baggage. Finn, the instructor, brings patience and warmth to the group, and his interactions with Walker spark a chemistry that quickly escalates from attraction to something deeper. While Rough Draft isn’t a lighthearted romp—it touches on serious themes—it balances emotional weight with humor, romance, and camaraderie. It’s a satisfying read for fans of sports romance, opposites-attract dynamics, and stories of personal growth.

[Manon · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like the hockey books by RJ Scott and VL Locey, you will like this one.

It's part of a multi-author world but they are fully stand-alones.

I like the set-up of a player with severe anger management issues being demoted to the farm team/AHL team and made to have therapy. Enter Finn, the primary school teacher who does art classes and is now faced with 5 hockey players with a variety of issues.

Finn and Walker are great together, it's a bit of a insta-lust case but there is definitely chemistry. I like how Finn slowly gets Walker to open up and let himself get vunerable by being in the relationship.
It's not plain sailing, Walker has baggage which he needs to work through. The sessions with his therapist are great to read.

There are plenty of on-ice scenes and even if you don't know ice hockey, you won't get lost reading it.

There is a hint of other books about this team to come and I do want to know what goes on with the other Art Boys (as Finn calls his group).

I like the fact that the end is a bit different and a bit more realistic.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very enjoyable read, and although it’s part of a multi-author series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone. The main characters, Finn and Walker, are terrific. Walker has anger issues from his childhood, which have caused him to be demoted from the NHL, while Finn is an elementary school teacher and the sunshine to Walker’s grumpy demeanour.
This is a sweet and heartwarming story, despite some serious topics, and although to me I felt it began as a bit of a slow-burn as we get to know the characters, it soon turned to heat. I loved how Walker worked on overcoming the trauma of his past and how he supported Finn in return when he suffered trauma of his own. The secondary characters added a lot to the story, especially the art guys, who are awesome, and I can’t wait to read each of their stories.
I highly recommend this book as a great read.

[mmreads430 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one ticked a lot of boxes for me: hockey, a grumpy/sunshine pairing, and a redemption story. Hockey players getting sent down for a variety of reasons is a thing, so I found the premise of Walker’s journey interesting from the start. I loved the pairing of a hockey player with an art teacher, and how their differences were a strength to each other -- Finn’s patience and Walker’s perseverance were essential to getting where they needed to be. There were serious issues in Walker’s past, and it was gratifying to see him beginning to confront those issues and heal as he is getting the support he needs from Finn and others. Stories where characters become better versions of themselves and feel worthy of another’s love and affection are a welcome balm to lessen some of the sting of these troubled times.

[kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book in one sitting. Rough Draft is a great story with lots of heart. Walker is a pro hockey player with a traumatic childhood he has yet to deal with. When bad choice lead him to be sent down to the minor leagues with orders to attend therapy he thinks it is the end of the world. Little does he realize it will be the beginning of living a full, loving life!
Fin is an school teacher who specializes in the arts. He is such a bright light that shines on all around him.
These two click and fit together perfectly. I loved their journey to their well deserved HEA.
This story is full of terrific secondary characters that I hope will be getting their own HEA's.

[Kendra Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Walker needs an attitude adjustment so he's taking an art class for therapy. Finn is a sunshine, glass is full art teacher that's patient and helpful. These two together are like oil and water but they go together like peanut butter and jelly. Opposites attract and make a hockey story sweet.

I liked Walker and Finn together. They made a good couple. I liked the hockey and art aspects as well. I did think the book was too short for the seriousness of Walker's issues. Their insta love was too fast considering the time spent together. I felt like there was some things that were kind of glossed over and needed more time to explain and explore. Otherwise an good read and time well spent.

[Belinda Zamora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hockey player/art teacher, opposites attract

Walker is in a big bind.
His career is hanging by a thread, having been sent down to the minors for his anger management issues.
He's forced to take an art therapy class.
There, he meets Finn, the sweet sunshine art teacher, and there's immediate chemistry between them.
There's also a wonderful group of guys that he becomes friends with.
Walker is dealing with a lot of heavy trauma, and because of his past experiences, he's able to see that one of Finn's students seems to be in a similar situation and there is a problem but it's very well resolved.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

B/B-

I really liked the characters and most of the story. Walker had some challenging issues and they were handled well. The romance was a bit insta-love, but it was sweet. I didn't quite understand Finn's job as a 1st grade art teacher. He said the teacher's meeting was about 10 or 12 people, which seems really small for a school. Plus he ever only mentioned one class he taught at the end of the day.

Other than being confused about his job, the interactions between him and Walker got really sappy around the 60% mark and the story dragged some. That said I liked the side characters as well, and am interested in reading Locey's spin off series about the coming out next year.

[Nicki - The Overflowing Bookcase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being sent down to work out his anger management, Walker thinks this will be the worst thing that could happen the the hockey pro, but when he is set up to take an art class to work out his frustrations he comes face to face with Finn, the teacher who knocks him for a loop. RJ Scott and VL Locey once again give their readers a wonderful romance filled with laughter, love and overcoming the hurt that comes from an abusive upbringing. To have Walker realize what happened to him and come full circle helping others with the same baggage was a joy to read.

[Heather MMRomanceReviewed]

This was a different sort of hockey book from RJ and V.L. It focused more on Walker and his needs outside of hockey than the game, and his strong connection to Finn. I love how this opposites attract story unfolds and how Walker's life changes affect how he approaches his relationship with Finn. I'm always a sucker for a grumpy/sunshine story and this is definitely one of my new faves. I can't wait to see where this season of The Games We Play series goes in this multi-author universe after starting strong with Rough Draft!

[Helen Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rate this book 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3 stars. Walker and Finn's story was pleasant most of the time, occasionally amusing, but mostly unremarkable. The overall premise that led to the MCs' meeting was implausible to me. The pacing was inconsistent and the emotional shifts happened a bit too quickly to be believable. I got the impression that this story was written hastily and as a result many plot points were simplistic and not explored as fully as they should have been. Not recommended.

[K-Me · Rating 4 out of 5]

Walker had a lot of built-up feelings from his past that his current situation was not helping. Once he met Finn, I appreciated that Finn gave him a new focus and chance at a relationship, but this was not a cure all. Finn's genuine niceness and positive outlook on life complimented Walker's situation. They grew together generically. We meet some interesting side characters so looking forward to the next romance in the series!

[Rachel Winters · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt so sorry for Walker when he was kicked down from the NHL and sent to the minors with orders to attend therapy, but in the end it turned out to be a really good thing. He meets Finn at a mandatory art therapy class (he is the teacher), who is just the sweetest person ever. There are sexy times, thrilling times, scary, tear jerking times, yet it ends on a very high sweet note. Highly recommend. HEA. Can't wait to see the art group have their own stories.

[Kathy Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating 4.5
This is part of a multi author Hockey series. This was a wonderful story where the hockey player got into a trouble with his pro team and is sent down to the minors and there, he discovers all the things he was missing. The characters were wonderful and the pace was fabulous. I loved the characters and all their quirks.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I would've liked to see a bit more of Walker's mental health journey, and I thought the pace of Finn and Walker's relationship was rather fast, especially because Walker wasn't very far along on his mental health journey when they met. Also, why didn't Finn see a therapist after being held at gun point.

[Tracy Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story with all the feels. I loved Walker and Finn. They connected so easily, fell in love fast and got their happy, hopefully we’ll be able to read more of their story in Chip’s book next year!

[Nick Vallina (MisterGhostReads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I dunno. I liked this. I like Walker a lot. And Finn was nice. And I always love a band of idiots (the art guys).

I liked this one more than my previous experience with these authors collaborating. I'll def be checking out the AHL series they're spinning off from this book.

[Cristy Elizondo · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say about Walker and Finn. I loved getting to know them. I loved the art therapy and the rag tag group of guys that were there.