Flagrant Foul

Totally Pucked #3

by Jesse H. Reign

He’s my brother’s best friend. I’m the annoying kid who followed him everywhere.

Now we’re playing for the same team.

Sev Delorean is an NHL D-man with an excess of swagger and stickhandling techniques that made him world famous. He’s the bane of my existence and my reason for living.

He's strictly off limits though. My brother has made that perfectly clear.

I can't have him, but I can obsess over him.

Genres: M M Romance, Sports, Hockey, Sports Romance, Romance, Friends To Lovers, Forced Proximity

433 pages, Paperback

Published September 17, 2025

About the author

I'm Jesse, and I write contemporary and paranormal MM romance.

Whether my characters are born magical, or whether magic is something they make between the sheets, I strive to take the reader into the mind of the narrator. My ultimate goal is to leave the reader feeling like they’ve made a new friend or have spent a few hours flirting with a brand-new book boyfriend.

I love coffee, chocolate and daydreaming, in no particular order. I love conflicted characters, lust at first sight and angst – no seriously, ALL the angst. Give it to me!

Reviews

[kaye taz · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️
spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
format: ebook

“‘don’t fuck your bud’s baby brother. … it’s right there at the top of the bro code. it might not be a law, but it’s a serious infraction, tee. a red card and an ejection from the game… it’s a foul. a flagrant foul.’”

flagrant foul is a medium-angst, slow-burn brother’s best friend + hockey teammates romance. it features two sweet broken boys who just want to be loved, a meddling neighbor, a spoiled betta fish, and a pseudo-dual timeline (only for a handful of chapters).

i literally could. not. put. this. book. down. we are immediately thrown into the push and pull between teddy and sev, and i couldn’t get enough of the palpable tension from them. between teddy’s pining and sev’s overprotective nature, i was chomping at the bit waiting to see what was in store.
↳”sev’s possessive behavior isn’t good. it’s controlling, and i shouldn’t encourage it or read anything into it. i definitely shouldn’t masturbate to it as soon i get to my hotel room in edmonton.”

one of my favorite parts about jesse’s writing is how her characters are always obsessed with each other. the intimacy between them is completely unmatched and it makes me fall in love with these characters while they’re busy falling for each other.
↳”i knew everything about him, and not just the good things. i knew the bad too. i knew his weaknesses. his flaws and his failings. it’s not that i didn’t. it’s just that, to me, they didn’t matter. to me, he was perfect.”

a large percentage of this book deals with a pretty surface-level exploration of our main characters. it’s a slow-burn for not only the relationship to begin, but also to finally dig deeper into the backstories of teddy and sev. what i thought would be a hehe haha hockey romance actually wound up making me sob several times. sometimes even the silliest characters are hiding some big secrets and insecurities.
↳”i was insane to think someone like me, someone from this family, could be with someone like teddy.”

jesse really made us work for the spice in this book, and it was totally worth it. their chemistry was insane the entire book, but when their sexual tension finally hit its crescendo, we were rewarded splendidly. the dirty talk, the spanking, the fooling around in the locker room? perfection.
↳”’i’m going to be quick, okay, baby? i’m going to put it in, and i’m going to be as gentle as i can, but i’m going to fuck fast so we don’t get caught. it’s going to be intense. it’s going to make you want to scream, so i’m going to put my hand over your mouth so nobody hears us.’”

this is for sure my favorite of the series. the angst falls a little bit between poetry on ice and the legend next door, and was a perfect end to a perfect trilogy.

flagrant foul is available september 17.

“i want him to know what it’s like to be loved by someone with nothing to gain from it. truly loved. i want that for him. i don’t care if it hurts me or puts part of my life on hold.”

*i received a free, advanced copy of this book from the author and this is my voluntary, honest review.

bookstagram | booktok

[Pauline · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s not the book, it’s me? I think? IS IT ME?!

This… didn’t work for me as I thought it would. Like, I’m still so confused about this one?

Reign’s writing is kinda hit or miss for me depending on my mood (a new revelation), and this time it just felt like too much. Everything is written at a 100% emotional volume - super dramatic, intensely repetitive (“He’s a paradox. A puzzle. An enigma.” / “I cry. I yell. I shout.” / “No one else is around. We’re alone. Just Sev and me.”; omg WHY THO?!?), and occasionally weirdly medical (“His eyes are so blue my spinal column feels like it’s been dipped in acid” - like, what does that even mean??). I know that’s her signature style, but I clearly wasn’t in the right headspace for this level of emotional caps-lock.

It didn’t help that I struggled to get a read on Teddy for a good chunk of the book - I couldn’t understand why he was the way he was, he was completely unpredictable to me and felt like he switched personalities many times throughout. And don’t even get me started on Sev; his mixed messages gave me WHIPLASH.

The dynamic between Teddy and Sev also threw me for a loop. Teddy’s ‘my house, my rules, and no one blows you but me, I’m going to seduce you now, you left me no choice’ felt so weird - and aggressive? Unhinged? - and out of character for me. To say that to someone who rejected you twice with the reasoning ‘he doesn’t know what he wants’ didn’t sit right. I mean, we have the other POV so we know they were both pining for each other, but Teddy didn’t know and it just felt off, idk.

Also, the core conflict took forever to properly be spoken out loud (like 60%) - the miscommunication/no-communication was a common thread throughout the book - and was based on a throwaway comment from when Sev and Teddy’s bro Nate were 17??? And then Sev draws a hard line (“I love your brother too much to ever go there”) only to immediately… go there. Without resolving it. And then when the truth finally comes out, it barely matters?? I stayed confused for most of this book ngl.

The hockey aspects were also a little questionable, but honestly by that point I’d surrendered to the chaos, lol

BUT I can’t deny that the chemistry was great and because this was a slow burn, the tension built really, really well. And when it finally snapped? Oh boy, the payoff was good 🔥🫦

So yeah: horny but not deep, weirdly chaotic but addictive, emotionally unhinged in a way that sometimes worked but most of the time just had me blinking at the page. I still don’t fully know what I read, but I couldn’t stop reading it. So I guess this is a confused-but-mostly-entertained 2,5-3 stars?

I’m sorry Jesse fans, imma go hide now 🙈

PS: this book totally unexpectedly made for a phenomenal BC meeting. We were on fire fighting about it and I loved every second 🤣🔥 Love you girls!

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5 ⭐️

ARC review.

Flagrant Foul was the release I was the more excited about for this year. Ever since reading The Legend Next Door, which I thought couldn’t be beaten, I was already intrigued with Teddy ‘T-Dog’ and Sev.

Safe to say this third, and most probably final, instalment is my favorite of the series.

"When I see him like this, I don’t see bad things. I don’t even feel like I’m a bad thing. When I see him like this, I see him as he was. As he is. A sweet boy. A soft boy. A boy I want to protect."

•~•~ 𝓜𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 🏒

Jesse H. Reign’s writing is such a delight to read, and she always, always creates wonderful characters.

This time, it’s Teddy O’Reilly who stole my heart. This boy was everything I didn’t know I needed as a main character. Not only his point of view was the funniest I’ve read, but his struggles and his weaknesses were very relatable to me. His fear of rejection, of being left out hit me right in the chest because I could understand him all too well.

"I had a thing about being included, or more accurately, excluded. My mom said I was oversensitive to it. She said I perceived rejections, whether or not they actually happened, and when they did, I made them into a way bigger deal than they needed to be."

I’m very attached to him [he’s probably my favorite character written by her so far], so much I was already rooting for his happy ending at the end of the first chapter.

Teddy [24 years old] has been in love with Sev [28 years old] for half his life, but the later rejected him five years ago. Since then, the dynamic between the two men changed. During their teenage years, Teddy was the annoying kid, the kid always following his older brother, Nathan, and his best friend who happened to be Sev, around. At that time, Sev saw him as a little boy. But for Teddy, Sev was his bi-awakening. The one he wanted to impress.

"I knew everything about him, and not just the good things. I knew the bad too. I knew his weaknesses. His flaws and his failings. It’s not that I didn’t. It’s just that, to me, they didn’t matter. To me, he was perfect."

At nineteen, Teddy tried to make his move. Everything was supposed to be perfect; he was so sure Sev would reciprocate his feelings. Sadly, Sev couldn’t accept those feelings, and ended up rejecting him.

Their relationship was very interesting to me. From teenagers to adults, a lot of changes happened. After the rejection, Teddy became resentful toward Sev. The sweet boy was gone, replaced by a new version of him colder and more brutal, especially toward Sev. The snippets from the previous book showed us two men who bickered about absolutely everything. The idea I have about them was far from the truth, which was a great surprise. Those two couldn’t be more different, but they worked well together.

“You’re my Bear. My Teddy Bear.”
“Am I still?”
“Of course you are,” he said without breaking eye contact.
“Nothing could ever change that.”

Sev Delorean was a character I had troubles understanding. Not because he was mysterious or anything of that sort, but because it was clear that he liked Teddy more than just a friend. He was possessive and protective of him, yet did nothing to act on those conflicted feelings. A beautiful and frustrating contradiction.

Indecisive characters aren’t my favorite. It’s not a surprise that I do prefer men who know what they want and go for it. Sev wasn’t like that at all, at least not until the 80% mark. Of course, from the blurb, I knew Nathan, Teddy’s brother, was at fault there. He warned Sev to not ‘fuck with his brother’. Sev’s nonchalance, and him being torn between his loyalty to his best friend and his feelings for Teddy was frustrating to read at times.

“I’d never hurt you,” he murmurs, breath warm on my neck. “I’d rather die. I’d rather the entire team, management, and every single rink man catch us at it than put my dick in you one second before you’re ready to take it.”

Thankfully, he came to his senses. Since the two of them became roommates, Sev realized how much he [still] wanted Teddy, and couldn't resist him any longer.

Chapter 29 was the most gut-wrenching chapter of this book. We learned about Sev’s upbringing, and why he’s so attached to Nathan. But we also experienced Teddy’s heartbreak quite painfully. The way he loved Sev was so beautiful, I'm still not over it.

“If friendship is all he can offer me, I want to be his friend. I want to keep living with him for as long as he wants to live with me, and yes, that’s a little selfish of me because I love living with him. I feel so much happier and less anxious when he’s around. But mainly, I want him to live with me for him. I want him to live with me for long enough that by the time he leaves, he knows what it’s like to belong somewhere. I might not be the one who gets to be with him, but I am going to be the one who loves him so hard that he has the time and space he needs to heal.”

Nonetheless, Sev managed to charm me. Despite his insecurites, and his conflicted feelings, Sev felt deeply and strongly for Teddy. The way he described him in his point of view was incredibly sweet and poetic.

I simply wished Sev fought a bit harder for Teddy. It seemed to me that Teddy gave in to Sev too easily. That being said, I didn't doubt for a second his love for Teddy. Like Teddy, Sev noticed everything about him.

"He looked like something straight from my dreams. He looked like the beginning and end of the world. When he came, he said my name."

Teddy and Sev are both characters that will stay with me. The cameos from the characters of the previous books made me so happy, especially Ben's at the end. Jesse surely knows how to write impactful epilogues. Flagrant Foul's epilogue was emotional, and concluded the book on a satisfying note, with Teddy’s well deserved happy ending.

•~•~ 𝓢𝓪𝓯𝓮𝓽𝔂 𝓭𝓮𝓽𝓪𝓲𝓵𝓼 🏒

OMD/OWD:

None.

At the beginning, Sev just got out of a 'relationship'. His ex-girlfriend didn't cause any issue.

Later in the book, after a game, Sev went back to their apartment completely drunk, with a guy [Teddy and Sev became roommates at some point]. Sev didn’t have any intention of hooking-up with him, though Teddy thought so at first.

Separation:

Not really a separation, because they weren't a couple, but Teddy got rejected five years ago by Sev. During those five years, both were with other people [and were still attracted to each other]. We don't have a lot of details about Teddy’s past, but there's quite a few mentions of Sev having some partners.

No other people during the book, and after being intimate with each other.

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore this series, and I hope Jesse H. Reign keeps writing them forever, but as much as I couldn't put this book down, it also frustrated me a huge deal.

The pining! The endless teasing and being mean and wanting! And for what??? I was practically squishing my Kindle with frustration. The book will just make you want to rip your hair out.

The story is a mix between a slow-burn romance and an enemies-to-lovers... and more? It's hard to explain. I don't love time jumps, but it sort of worked here. Even though this book frustrated me, it also make me feel all of the feels, and I had a very hard time putting it down.

Enjoyable, annoying, chaotic, emotional, heart-breaking, heart-warming... I felt it all. I'm landing on 4-stars here.

goodreads|instagram

[Kati *☆･ﾟ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25**** stars


Hahahahaha, fucking slow-burn!! What got me through it tho, were the intense, sizzling moments Jesse writes so well. And I mean, it’s not that I wasn’t rewarded in the end. It was definitely worth it. And although I loathe reading slow-burn I WAS INVESTED from the start so it wasn’t as grueling as I feared. *lol

It was actually a really cute story full of pining, fantastic chemistry and such lovely moments. I truly loved it. And once more I enjoyed Jesse’s writing so much. It was funny, with great banter and the hottest dirty talk.

“You’re mine. You’ve always been mine. The only problem is that you’re too dumb to know it.

I’m not sure what to make of the conflict in this book. This was a brother’s-best-friend romance and yes, the brother (Nate) was “the problem”. Both Sev and Nate were wayyyy to protective of Teddy so that Nate didn’t want Teddy getting hurt by Sev who he always had severe crush on didn’t came as a surprise but like always this kind of “I’m not allowed”-pressure takes away agency from people to make their own choices even if they turn out to be mistakes. Not a fan.

There are eight billion people on this planet, and you could have any one of them, and what, it has to be my brother?”
“Yes!” Sev’s voice is also different […] It’s breaking, cracking, as it thunders from his core. “It has to be him! That’s what I’m saying. Out of eight billion people, it has to be him. It is him. It’s been him for years, and I can’t fight it anymore.”

Yeah, buddy, tell him!! ♡

Shoutout to the epic character that was Mae (Teddy’s fish-sitter turned friend and confidant). That old lady was a hoot and I aspire to be like her when I’m old.

“Uh, what kinds of books do you read?”
“Strictly smut, dear. I used to read more widely, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve found I really don’t have time for that spiceless crap. If a book ain’t spicy, I ain’t reading it.”

💀


The epilogue felt like a full-circle moment of all three books so I wouldn’t be surprised if this is it for this series.

************
Totally Pucked Series

Book 1 - Poetry on Ice - 4.25 stars ♡
Book 2 - The Legend next Door - 4.5 stars
Book 3 - Flagrant Foul - 4.25 stars

[BelleLovesRomance · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 3.5/5 — A full-on love–hate relationship kinda read—one minute I’m obsessed, the next I’m ready to throw my e-reader across the room 😭❤️‍🔥
🌶 2.5/5 — More slow simmer than full boil, but the tension still had me fanning myself like a drama queen 😌🔥

📣 Book Club Shoutout — aka The Collective Breakdown Squad 📣

To my BC babes—y’all are absolute menaces and I love you for it. 💀💞 We might’ve read this one separately, but the way our discussion turned into a full-blown emotional circus?? ICONIC. 🤌🏻😭 From dramatic rants to unhinged theories to collectively losing our minds over (almost) every chapter 🤣—this was hands down one of our most chaotic, hilarious, and animated reads ever. 🤭😆

I swear half the fun was screaming about it with you girls instead of the book itself. 😂📚 Love youuu, my unhinged book gremlins 💋💖

💭 My Rambling 💭

This book was one of my most anticipated reads, and holy puck, I’ve been vibrating with excitement since the moment it was announced. Like—hello?? Hockey romance AND a D-Man + Goalie pairing?? My absolute favorite. 🥵🏒 That combo owns my soul, my heart, and every last brain cell I have left. And don’t even get me started on how Poetry on Ice is my 2nd fave Jesse H. Reign book, so you know I was feral at the thought of seeing Robbie McGuire and Ant Decker again. 😍🥰 My hockey-romance-loving heart was doing backflips and ugly crying at the same time. 😭💞

BUUUTTT, here comes the real talk. 😌 I have MAJOR LOVE-HATE FEELINGS for this book and the characters. Like, I swear JHR was experimenting with a new formula here. The dynamic feels totally different from what I’ve come to expect from her. It’s slow burn and low heat—which, let’s be honest, is kinda unusual for JHR. But hey, maybe I don’t know what the hell I’m talking about; this is only my 6th book by her, after all. 😅

Still, it felt like the book couldn’t quite decide what direction it wanted to take, and the EMOTIONAL WHIPLASH was real. One minute I loved it, the next I wanted to throw it across the room. By the time I finished, I was so damn stressed trying to figure out what rating to give it. 😭🫠

🏒🥅 The MCs 🥅🏒

Teddy — My sweet, soft Teddy Bear 😭💔 Ugh, this boy went through hell growing up—being gay, bullied, dealing with anxiety and depression… but the hardest part? That deep, soul-crushing, unrequited love for Sev. Like, my man was out here pining for a decade, collecting rejections like Pokémon cards 😭💔 The hoping, the waiting, the heartbreaks, the anger—it was pure agony to read. I wanted to wrap him up in a blanket, hand him some cocoa, and tell Sev to get his shit together. 😤🫠

Sev — The bane of Teddy’s entire existence and the wolf who thinks he’s an elephant 🐺🐘🙄 He didn’t exactly have it easy either—alcoholic parents, an abusive father, and no real sense of home until Nathan came along. 😔💔 He’s been clawing his way out of that darkness, trying so damn hard to build a life that doesn’t mirror where he came from. And god, I get him, even when I wanna shake him by the shoulders and scream, “MAN UP AND JUST PICK TEDDY ALREADY!” 😫😮‍💨

💔🏒 “Permission Denied” and the Dumbass Bro Code 🧠🚫

Quote (Sev):
I was on my way to ask for permission, and I knew it. There was a slight flurry in my chest that went with that, but honestly, no part of me thought that permission wouldn’t be granted. Not even the smallest, most self-loathing part of me thought that. I thought it was a formality. The right thing to do. A nod to the bro code. A necessary check in a box.

💭 That scene right there? HUGE for me. Because Sev was all cute and nervous in his rare button-up shirt—you just know the man was trying, okay?! 🥺 Like, it screamed: “I respect Nate. I’m confident. I’m serious about Teddy.” And then… BOOM. Nate drops the emotional nuke. ❌ No permission. Nope. Denied. With bonus shade that Sev isn’t “good enough” for Teddy and a sprinkle of “if you do it, we’re done being brothers.” 🙃

And Sev? MY DUDE BACKPEDALED SO FUCKING FAST you’d think Teddy had just told him he tested positive for a brain-eating parasite. 🧠💀 As much as I wanted to hate Nate in that moment, I couldn’t—because Sev clearly wasn’t ready for Teddy. He was more afraid of losing Nate than losing the love of his life. Talk about tragic irony. 😭 This was 100% a “right person, wrong time” situation.

And yes, I get Sev. He was still young, clinging to Nate like a lifeline while trying to build a better life. But what really made me wanna yeet him off the ice was how, years later, he STILL didn’t have the guts to go after Teddy. Like… babe, how many calendar pages do you need to grow a spine? 🫠 If Teddy hadn’t made the first move, Sev would still be staring at his feelings like they’re quantum physics. 🙄

😤 The “Protective” Brother or… Something SUS AF 👀

Another character I both love and side-eye hard? Nate. 🫣 He straight-up crushed Sev and Teddy’s shot at happiness and never once looked back to rethink that decision. The man who’s supposedly “a good judge of character” and “loves them both deeply” just… never noticed he was the root cause of Teddy’s heartbreak and mental spiral? BE FOR REAL. 😩

Like—Teddy’s had a crush on Sev since he was, what, 10? 14? A decade of pining. 🫠 Nate’s so “attuned” to Teddy’s anxiety and depression, yet he never connected the dots? My brain was doing Olympic-level gymnastics trying to make sense of it. MAKE. IT. MAKE. SENSE. 😭

Honestly, part of me lowkey thinks Nate was (or is 👀) in love with Sev. Because the tension? The weird energy? The way he acted? Babe, it was giving “LOVE TRIANGLE I didn’t sign up for.” 🫣 And then that ending?! Nate shows up unannounced at Teddy’s apartment, finds out Sev’s dating him, throws a 5-second tantrum, and suddenly they’re all happy smiley besties again like nothing happened?? What the anticlimactic shit was THAT?!🧍🏻‍♀️

💅🏻 My Petty Grievances 🤨

😒 Ugh, the off-page drama. Sev still messing around with his on-off situationship Nadia for two freakin’ years, and Teddy out there hooking up with random guys? Yeah, no thanks, I didn’t sign up for that mess.

😤 Then we got Sev being so damn possessive over Teddy. Like, boy, YOU CAN’T KEEP COCKBLOCKING HIM every time he breathes near someone (poor Lockie never stood a chance 😭). Teddy’s 24, babe. Let the man flirt and live a little! I usually eat up the protective, possessive type, but here? Nah, this ain’t it. Especially when Sev ain’t even planning to love him romantically. 🙄

😩 And don’t even get me started on HOW SHORT THE HAPPY PARTS WERE. I suffered for chapters, and the reward? A CRUMB. A. Single. Crumb. Too much pain, not enough payoff, and my feelings are still in recovery. 💔

💖 Things That Stole My Cold, Bitter Heart 💖

😭 The flashbacks—holy hell, they wrecked me. Watching little Teddy grow up, trying so damn hard not to be left behind by Nate and Sev? Figuring out his sexuality, surviving the bullying, pushing himself in hockey just to feel worthy to stand beside them? Ugh, it hit me right in the chest. My poor baby Teddy deserved the world and a long-ass nap. 🥺💔

🤣 And then there’s Mae, the 82-year-old menace with a sailor’s mouth and a heart of gold. I swear, she’s my spirit animal. That woman had me cackling one second and soft the next. She’s charming, chaotic, and utterly unforgettable. Protect her at all costs, please. 🙏🏻💅🏻

🖋️ And of course, JHR’s writing—god, that woman can write. The way she strings emotions together is just chef’s kiss. 🤌🏻💋 Her words have that punch that makes everything hit harder. Even when the story made me wanna throw my e-reader, I couldn’t stop reading because her prose? Addictive as hell. 😭✨

📝 TLDR 📝

Give this one a go if you like…
💙 Slow burn MM romance with years of pining and tension that could power a small city
🏒 Sports romance vibes—hockey, locker rooms, and that tight-knit team energy
😩 The “right person, wrong time” heartbreak that makes you wanna scream into your pillow
🤝🏻 Complicated friendship-turned-love with messy emotions and loyalty tested hard
🧠 Characters dealing with anxiety, self-worth, and emotional growth
👵🏻 A hilarious 82-year-old lady who steals every damn scene she’s in

Basically, if you want a story that’ll make you yell “JUST KISS ALREADY” every ten pages while clutching your chest like a drama queen—this one’s for you 😭🔥

-
Quotes: ⚠️ Spoilers ⛔️

To this day, when anyone asks me to describe my happy place, I don’t need to think about my answer. The place that comes to mind is Sev on my right, Nate on my left, and me in the middle, grinning like an idiot.
-
When people ask what made me decide to become a goalie, I usually say I can’t remember. If they press for more, I give them a little spiel about my agility, focus, and passion for the game. What I don’t ever tell them is the truth: an offhand comment by my brother’s best friend changed the trajectory of my life. I never tell anyone that when I was ten, I marched myself into the coach’s office at the start of the season and demanded to try out for goalie. I don’t say that when he asked why I wanted to do it, I answered, “My reflexes are fire, Coach,” with absolute certainty.
-
“You’re always telling me what you’re like, Teddy, what you want and what you need, but here’s what I’m like: I will watch over you. I will make sure you’re okay, and I will step in if you’re not.”
No matter how many times my heart hears shit like this, and no matter how many times I explain to it that he doesn’t mean it like that, it takes it the wrong way—the racing, beating out of my chest, can’t breathe in or out way.
“Whatever,” I say, raising my hand and giving him the finger as I head to my car.
It’s your fault I’m like this, asshole.
-
“D-do you say fuck a lot?” I ask stupidly.
Her cheeks bunch in a sweet smile. “I do, dear. I believe in it. Did you know that on average, people who cuss a lot live five years longer than those who don’t?”
“I-I didn’t know that.”
“Well, that’s because I just made it up, but it could be true. It’s probably true. Actually, I’m quite sure it’s true. You can quote me on it if you’d like.”
-
Even though more than one therapist has assured me that Sev’s possessiveness of me is a flaw, I love it. I know it’s problematic, and it’s not a compliment or aspirational in any way.
I know it’s a red flag.
Too bad I eat that shit up.
-
I had a thing about being included, or more accurately, excluded. My mom said I was oversensitive to it. She said I perceived rejections, whether or not they actually happened, and when they did, I made them into a way bigger deal than they needed to be.
-
“I-it’s true. It’s true. The things they were saying about me. They’re all true.”
“Hey, don’t cry, Tee. This doesn’t change a thing. You’re the same person you’ve always been.”
“You’re my Bear. My Teddy Bear.”
“Am I still?”
“Of course you are. Nothing could ever change that.”
-
The magic happens when electric blue softens. Acid is neutralized and good things, soft things, flow from him to me.
It almost takes my knees out.
There he is. The sweet boy who used to follow Nate and me everywhere.
No matter how prickly or spiteful he’s been, when he smiles at me like this, none of it matters. Time doesn’t matter. When I see him like this, I don’t see bad things. I don’t even feel like I’m a bad thing.
When I see him like this, I see him as he was. As he is.
A sweet boy. A soft boy. A boy I want to protect.
-
“Uh, what kinds of books do you read?”
“Strictly smut, dear. I used to read more widely, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve found I really don’t have time for that spiceless crap. If a book ain’t spicy, I ain’t reading it.”
-
As someone who’s spent a lot of his life not feeling seen, this kind of undivided attention is like crack to me.
-
“Seducing men is easy. Just present yourself in various states of undress, and say whatever filth comes to mind. No filter, no shame. Works like a charm. You’ll have him right where you want him in no time.”
-
His ass cheeks bunch and relax as he moves. Glutes engage and extend. Engage and extend.
Each time it happens, a little more flesh peeks out at me.
Eventually, I crack. “I think you should put some pants on.”
“But I’m comfortable like this.” His lips curl and he blitzes me with a dazzling faux-innocent smirk. “Don’t you want me to be happy?”
“I want you to be happy with pants on,” I grind out.
-
“Thank you for telling me,” I say, clamping my lips together to snuff out the sound of my heart breaking. “It’s not what I wanted to hear, and I’m so fucking sorry that you went through that.” A sob rushes to the surface and leaves me, and this time, I don’t fight it. “I understand where you’re coming from now. I didn’t know lots of the things you’ve told me, but I do now. I appreciate you telling me because, for me, loving someone means loving them whole. Good things and bad. Light, happy parts and dark parts too. Love means knowing and accepting someone as they are, not as you want them to be or think they are. And I do, Sev.” My voice cracks and an avalanche of tears begins to fall. “I love you so fucking much, and I’m not going to stop. I’ve tried for years to stop, and it hasn’t worked at all. It’s only made me feel crazy and depressed. So I’m going to keep loving you as you are…” I sniff softly. “But I’m going to respect your decision.”
-
“We learned that no one touches the goalie and gets away with it, Coach.”
-
“Can I suck it?” he asks, voice laced with hope.
“No, you can’t suck it.” I shake my head and wave emphatically at our surroundings. “We’re on the street, Teddy. Of course you can’t suck it. I shouldn’t even be doing this here.”
His lip quirks up in a question. “Why are you doing it then, and more to the point, what are you doing?”
I look left and right furtively, doing a quick one-eighty to make sure no one can see us. The coast is clear, so I take my dick in my hand, circling it tightly and squeezing as I drag my hand down my shaft. A clear drop of liquid forms at the tip. I scoop it up with my middle and pointer fingers.
I hold my fingers up for him to see, letting the light hit what I have for him, making it glisten.
“I’m giving you a little something to tide you over,” I say as though it should be obvious.
He snatches my hand in both of his and brings it to his lips. His head tilts to the side and his lips part. My fingers sink into his mouth. Soft lips envelop them. Blunt teeth scrape sensitive skin, and the wet, slight roughness of his tongue laps at my fingertips.
He looks me dead in the eyes as he does it, and I moan.
I fucking moan.
There I was, thinking I’d be okay. Thinking I could touch him and survive it. Thinking I could be with him and come out of it unscathed.
Now here I am, feeding him precum on the side of the street, moaning my ass off as he eats it.
-

⚠️ Detailed spoilers below ⛔️

RC and MCs:
🏒🥅 MM, strict top/bottom
🏒🥅 Sev Delorean 28yo and Teddy "T-Dog" O'Reilly 24yo
🏒🥅 Sev: NHL D-man. Blackeyes’ first-line defenseman.
🏒🥅 Teddy: NHL goalie. Blackeyes’ first-line goalkeeper.
🏒🥅 Sev: Top, bi, shoulder-length thick black hair (tied into a bun with black hair tie), deep-set dark eyes, muscular (more than Teddy), taller than Teddy
🏒🥅 Teddy: Bottom, gay, blue eyes, pale complexion, muscular

Genre and tropes:
🏒🥅 MM contemporary romance
🏒🥅 Hockey romance
🏒🥅 Older brother’s best friend/best friend’s younger brother
🏒🥅 Teammates
🏒🥅 Forced proximity
🏒🥅 Roommates to lovers
🏒🥅 Forbidden romance (due to "bro code" 🙄)
🏒🥅 Pining/slow burn
🏒🥅 Protective older brother (Nate 😑)
🏒🥅 Possessive MC
🏒🥅 Childhood crush/sexual awakening
🏒🥅 Indirect dual timeline narrative
🏒🥅 Obsessive love (Teddy)
🏒🥅 J/P MC (Sev)
🏒🥅 Protective MC (Sev)
🏒🥅 Pet names: Teddy Bear, baby

Safety info:
🏒🥅 Angst: Medium to high
🏒🥅 OPD: Sev had an on-off two-year relationship with a girlfriend during the years when he secretly longed for Teddy. Teddy also had hookups with other men during the years he loved Sev.
🏒🥅 Cheating/sharing: No
🏒🥅 Third act breakup: No, but there are conflicts and separations of sorts caused by external pressures (brother's best friend "off limits" rule) and internal denial of feelings.
🏒🥅 Ending: HFN
🏒🥅 Epilogue: Yes (4 months later)
🏒🥅 POV: Dual, 1st person
🏒🥅 Series structure: Interconnected standalone

Spice and kinks:
Spanking, fingering, bareback, blowjob, rimming, frotting, saliva as lube

CW/TW:
Explicit sexual content, difficult childhood (alcoholic parent, off-page domestic abuse), mental health struggles (anxiety, depression, hinted but not fully explored), one instance of homophobia/bullying (resolved with violence)

[patrícia · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review – 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Flagrant Foul by Jesse H. Reign is a low-angst, brother’s best friend MM hockey romance packed with some of my favorite tropes: goalie vs. d-man, protective older brother, forced proximity, forbidden love… and the kind of excruciating, delicious pining Jesse always nails.

Jesse’s writing is addictive—she takes a small feeling and blows it up into something huge, dramatic, almost overwhelming. And I love it. Once I start her books, I’m glued to the screen until I finish.

Teddy and Sev were both incredibly sweet *and* ridiculously hot. After years of aching from afar, seeing them finally come alive together was everything. That first kiss? I swear the ground shook under me.

And Mae! The sweetest, slightly chaotic smut-reading old lady/fish-sitter—she absolutely stole my heart every time she appeared. Then the epilogue… seeing Decker, Robbie, Ben, Jelly, and Lucas together gave me chills 🥰.

A couple of things didn’t fully land: the “you can’t date my brother” conflict felt forced, especially since Teddy never confronted Nate, and Nate’s instant acceptance after years of resistance came off a bit anticlimactic. I also wished for more depth around them—the romance is so tightly focused that the world beyond their relationship felt faintly sketched.

Still, this was exactly the kind of ride I wanted: sweet, scorching, and brimming with pining. Pure Jesse H. Reign.

What's happening, Sev? Why now? What's changed?" I'm not sure I mean to say it aloud, but I do. I'm so stripped back and raw, I don't think I could hide anything from him if I wanted to.
He doesn't move except to reach a little deeper inside me. "Oh, Tee." He sighs like a weight is being lifted from him before speaking again. "I couldn't do it anymore. I couldn't be around you and not touch you. I just couldn't. All this time I've been trying not to hurt Nate, but you cried the other night, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. I didn't know how much this thing between us was hurting you. I've never been able to stand by and let anyone hurt you. And I can't, I just can't be the one that hurts you. Not ever. Not one more time.

⚠️ **Content warnings:** difficult childhood (alcoholic parent, off-page domestic abuse), one instance of homophobia/bullying (resolved with violence).

I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest opinion.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You’re my Bear. My Teddy Bear.”
Teddy's in love with Sev, and Sev might be in love with Teddy but would never ever admit it, because of his loyalty to his best friend (and Teddy's older brother) Nathan. Nathan has been an incredibly good friend to Sev, and has made Sev promise not to mess around with his little brother. But what's a hockey player to do when his best friend's little brother tells him flat-out that he's going to seduce him?

“You’re mine. You’ve always been mine. The only problem is that you’re too dumb to know it. I’ve been patiently waiting for you to figure it out for most of my life, but unfortunately for you, you just ran out of time to work it out on your own.”

This book is essentially pining, more pining, some pining, oh and did I mention pining? With a side of hockey and abs. Like all Jesse H Reign books, I absolutely loved it and couldn't put it down. Her characters are complex with relatable flaws and emotions. I could read about these characters forever and die happy. Even the supporting characters are terrific!

There I was, thinking I’d be okay. Thinking I could touch him and survive it. Thinking I could be with him and come out of it unscathed.

Reading any Jesse H Reign book is an experience. I can't wait for the next one! ♥️♥️♥️

Rating: 4.75
Angst: 4/5
Steam: 3.5/5

I received an advance copy of this book from the author and this is my honest review

[Valen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had time to digest so here's my review. I got an ARC (thank you Jesse and team!!) and these are my honest thoughts:

My favourite from this series! I really, really liked this.

First things first: this is NOT a hockey book. Don’t expect much actual hockey on page (yes there's a few games but they go quickly and mostly serve so our MCs can feel protective of one another, and the hockey is the reason for the forced proximity). Our MCs have tunnel vision and are completely consumed by each other, and everyone else fades into almost NPC background noise. Don't ask me for the names of any of their teammates (besides Ben Stirling and Jelly who make a little cameo at the end)

Onto our MCs! Sev owes his best friend Tommy everything. Tommy pulled him out of an abusive home and has always been his anchor. Tommy is literally Sev's "person". In his whole life he's only asked Sev for ONE favour, and it's that he don’t touch Tommy’s little brother, Teddy.

“We may not be blood, Sev, but you’re my brother too.” His lips pressed lightly against my crown. “You’re the brother I chose.”
‘I love and support you, bud, always… Just don’t fuck with Teddy.’”

Problem is… Teddy has been hopelessly, insanely, completely, stupidly in love with Sev forever. Growing up with him always around, Teddy’s convinced Sev only sees him as a little brother. He picks his whole hockey career based on a throwaway comment from Sev, his jersey number because of Sev, when he sleeps with people (not on page) he's thinking about Sev... you get the gist.

So what do we get instead of sports action? Pure pining and yearning, which in my opinion is Jesse's specialty and my favourite kind of Jesse. And honestly? That’s exactly why it worked for me.

Teddy only cares about his fish, his foul-mouthed elderly neighbour (a true scene stealer, she's a RIOT), and Sev.

Sev only cares about Tommy and Teddy. Teddy can't have Sev so he's snappy and a bit bratty around him. Sev is protective over Teddy and is constantly cockblocking. So when a too-eager teammate tries to move in with Teddy as a housemate, a jealous Sev moves in first to avoid that situation, and this ruins Teddy's life because he can't function around Sev if he can't have him, and they can't be together because of Sev's promise to Tommy.

The majority of the book is Teddy cracking under the pressure of having Sev in his house, and deciding he doesn't GAF anymore about ignoring his own feelings and deciding he's going to seduce Sev. This gets a bit OTT ridiculous but I could really feel Teddy's desperation.

One day Sev can't take it any longer and he tells Teddy to please stop trying, they simply cannot be together. This scene was absolutely heartbreaking, with Teddy crying and saying how he's tried not to love Sev but he's incapable of stopping, but he's going to respect his decision and love him quietly from afar, because it's all he's ever known anyway. This scene really hit me in the gut, it was so beautifully written.

Until one day they can't resist one another and this scene happens and oh my god

He kisses me sweetly on the lips. A closed-mouth kiss. No tongue. Just lips. A kiss on my right cheek. Then one on my left. A soft kiss on the lips. Three little kisses that ruin me for everyone else.

This might be Jesse’s least smutty book, but the tension is face-melting. When they finally come together (at around 70% of the book so y'all gotta be patient!) it’s explosive, I loved the sex scenes in this book, they felt so well deserved after so much waiting.

The big Tommy conflict actually resolves in just a couple of paragraphs. Tommy drops in to visit unannounced, finds out, blows up, Sev admits he’s sorry but hopelessly in love with Teddy, and Tommy basically yells a little more but then goes “alright fine.” Some readers might find that too easy of a resolution, but I actually loved that it wasn’t dragged out. Tommy isn’t the villain here, and making him one would’ve felt cheap.

If you’re here for hockey, you’ll be disappointed. But if you’re here for obsessive, aching, beautifully written pining then you’re in for a treat.

And there's a tinyyyy cameo from Jude and Romeo from Romeo falling (they all go to the same school) that made me so happy.

————

The ARC is here! I'm in a massive hockey kick atm so this is perfect timing. Jesse I have trust in you!

[Renae Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flagrant Foul is a fantastic slow-burn romance between professional hockey players and teammates Teddy and Sev. I love the pining and yearning between these two. They clearly are obsessed with each other, but due to their complicated history and the nature of their dynamic, they are forced to never acknowledge their feelings at the risk of destroying other relationships that mean so much to them.

I also appreciated the back and forth of the timelines with these two characters. It helped to understand their shared past and how their connection is so evident from the beginning. Seeing Sev show his protective side with Teddy in very key and important moments made for such a great realization of how far gone they both are for each other.

Overall, this is a great entry in the series, filled with fantastic moments of love and yearning between these two, and it had me waiting patiently for their HEA.

*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***

[⋆★taylor★⋆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this one so much!! Teddy & Sev are little sweethearts and I think this is my fav of the series

[Jane aka Coughy019 (Safety info included) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tropes: Brothers best friend, teammates, roommates, forced proximity, forbidden relationship
Feels: 4/5
Steam*: 1.75/5 (lots of sexual tension, but this is a slow burn, they don't have sex until like 76%)
Kinks: n/a
Angst: medium (the author said this was low angst, but is she on crack?! You can't have this degree of pining and hurt and call it low angst)
HEA: HEA
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings/representation: alcoholic parent, past child abuse, pining
Cheating between MCs: No
Any cheating: Kind of? Towards the end Sev tells Teddy he's been thinking of him and jerking off over him for years. But Sev had been in a committed relationship for 2 years with Nadia (on and off). That degree of feeling for Teddy, it's basically cheating on Nadia.
Other person drama: they've both been pining over each other (Teddy more so) for years, but were never together. They've both been with others over the years. In the present, once they start being roommates, neither of them is with anyone else.

3.75 stars

Teddy is 24 and he's an NHL goalie on the same team as his brother's best friend, Sev. He is gay. He has known Sev (who is bi) since he was 10, and Sev was 14. He's had a crush on him forever. Sev had affection for him as a friend, but didn't see him as a sexual being until he ran into Teddy who snuck into a nightclub at 18. When Teddy was 19, Sev wanted to be with him, but Teddy's brother Nate made it clear that Teddy was off limits, and Sev respected that because Nate is his only family. Sev has broken up with his live in girlfriend of 2 years, Nadia. And Teddy needs a roommate, so Sev invites himself to move in.

Living together makes it hard for them to avoid confronting what's been brewing between them. Especially when jealousy and possessiveness kick in. Teddy is all in and wants to make Sev his, but Sev is fighting it hard. They share the odd kiss, making excuses to have some short kisses that go nowhere, but this is a real slow burn, they don't hook up until like 76%. They both know they love the other person before they even do anything. They are both in this once they give in.

I'm conflicted about this book. It was emotional, it was compelling, there was a ton of tension and emotion. They really knew each other and loved each other both sexually and non-sexually. There was some great humorous moments. I loved Mae. The author did a good job writing emotion. But some of it just wasn't to my taste, and I also felt like there were some missteps that kept me from loving it and being fully enthusiastic over the couple:

- Personally, I'm not a fan of stories where a couple pines while apart, and when stupid things keep them apart. I just don't enjoy the pain and the needless suffering. They both put themselves through so much while they stayed away from each other for years. Teddy especially hurt. Sev lived in denial, but he wasn't happy, he forced himself not to think of Teddy. All that because Sev didn't want to blow up his relationship with Nate?! And Nate is okay with it in less than two pages?! I hate when a couple is not together because of a friendship making them off limits, but it's especially pointless when there's no other reason for them to be apart and the person who's keeping them apart is easily okay with them being together.

- Early on, Sev says that he doesn't let himself think about Teddy, that he only unwittingly dreams about him sometimes. But then at the end, he tells Teddy that he has been constantly thinking of him and jerking off over him over the last couple years. And that's inconsistent with what was said earlier. Plus it makes Sev a cheater, because he was with his girlfriend Nadia on and off for 2 years. Yeah he didn't physically cheat with Teddy, but I think if anyone thinks would they be okay with their partner doing this, Sev would be considered a cheater. I would have rather Sev just not be letting himself think of Teddy sexually.

- I don't know if this was a deliberate decision by the author or if it was a misstep, but Teddy says he's suffered from anxiety and depression for years. And with how worried Nate and Sev have been, it's hinted that when Sev rejected Teddy for the second time when he was 19, that Teddy had a bit of a breakdown. To me, it came off as if the author changed her mind and backed off of that mental health plot line but didn't catch all the references, or intended to keep that plot line but left it dangling unresolved. Not that you ever resolve a mental health condition and conclude it, lol! But if you make it such a significant part of a person's character and their struggles, I feel like you should do it more justice. They made it sound like they were worried that Teddy was going to hurt himself, and had to constantly keep an eye on him because of his mental health, not just because they were overprotective brother/brotherly figure. Then it just wasn't brought up again. I felt anxious like it was a plot line that was introduced deliberately at the beginning because something bad was going to happen to Teddy, so I was worried and couldn't relax. Mental health and self-harm are serious.

- The book didn't seem consistent or cohesive to me. It felt like it jumped around and set up certain conflicts/plot and then forgot about it and started up something else as the conflict/plot. The characters' vibes/personalities weren't consistent throughout the book.

- I didn't like that such a big part of Sev's character was Sev not wanting to be like his dad (i.e. angry and violent). Yet Teddy brought that out and made him the worst version of himself that he didn't want to be. It's nice in theory that he was protective, but he has a history of beating up people for Teddy and there's this big moment where Sev realizes Teddy is the center of all his moments of violence, and then nothing else comes out of that realization. I feel like Sev's character development should have concluded with him having more control over his instinct to violence. Rather than just flying in his mom leaving his father finally.

I know I'm saying a bunch of negative things but it was still enjoyable for what it was! I just thought it could be better.


Some notable moments:

"He does this stupid thing when he looks down at his plate, a little dance of sorts. He always does it when he’s happy with his meal choice, and he’s one of those people who is always happy with his meal choice. It’s a little hip wiggle combined with a shoulder shuffle. It’s meant to be adorable, and sadly, it is. It annoys the unholy crap out of me."

Love the reference to smut and booktok. "“Oh yes, dear. I do my best to stay current. I’m incredibly well read. I consider it a form of research. I find it really helps me stay in touch with the youth of today. Finger on the pulse and all that.” “Uh, what kinds of books do you read?” “Strictly smut, dear. I used to read more widely, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve found I really don’t have time for that spiceless crap. If a book ain’t spicy, I ain’t reading it. I’m on the BookTok and everything. That’s how I know about things like ‘very cutesy’ and ‘very demure,’ ‘holy fucking airball,’ and all that.”"

I was cackling at this outburst. "“You don’t have a clue what I think, Sev, so spare me the long-winded explanation. The only thing you need to take away from this conversation is that I’ve had it to here with you.” I gesture a furious several inches above the top of my head. “I’ve had it with you and your bullshit. To here and no further. In case you’re confused about what I’m saying, let me spell it out for you: no more blowjobs for you, ever, unless I’m the one giving them.” When that doesn’t seem quite strong enough, I add, “And no more fucking anyone either, unless that person is me.” “B-but…” “It’s not up for discussion, Sev.” I hold up a hand to silence him and deliver the line I had no idea I’ve spent my entire life waiting to say aloud. “As long as you’re living under my roof, you’ll follow my rules.” “W-what’s happening right now?” he whispers."


*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.

**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.

[JonathanSamuelReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really cute! I loved Teddy and Sev! And sweet Mae!!! Ugh so good.

Had my favorite “fuck it” moment and if your into that this book is for you!!!

Thank you Jesse for the arc I love you endlessly queen!!

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked how you could feel Teddy's emotional fragility when it came to Sev. It was like he was coming apart at the seams and one wrong move was going to shatter him so badly that he might not be able to piece himself back together again after.

Sev was difficult to understand because he didn't always seem very present in his own mind? I didn't really feel like he truly felt guilt about how he'd treated Teddy, it didn't come across that he was struggling emotionally? I'm not sure, I just know I felt less of a connection and understanding to Sev than I did to Teddy.

I really didn't like Nate though. He was so condescending about the whole situation and he never apologised for being the reason that Teddy had been so unbalanced and unhappy. Even when Nate finds out about them, I expected more. It felt like there should have been some kind of heart to heart between him and Teddy at the very least so that he understood exactly how much pain his demands on Sev had caused him.

There's also a lot of allusion towards Teddy suffering with his mental health but this isn't explored in much depth, other than the way his feelings for Sev are affecting his life and mindset. It felt like something had maybe happened to cause Nate and Sev to be concerned about Teddy's wellbeing, but we don't find out what that was? It just felt like there were a few things missing to really pull everything together.

I loved Mae though! I want a friend like her, she was funny and her advice was insane but entertaining.

*
*
*
HRCYED2: All The Animals

[Mir · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m obsessed. This author isn’t for everyone but they are for ✨me✨. The OTT descriptive writing? Yes thank you. The absolutely devastating pining? Perfection. The way these two are obsessed with each other? DROOL. The first *real* kiss scene with the hair tie…are you fucking kidding me?!?! What a gift!!! There’s even a few flashbacks which I usually despise but I was here 👏 for 👏 it 👏.

The UST, the slow burn, the humour, all of it is for meeeeee I love it. Give me more. I’m almost tempted to read the single dad book (the only book by this author I haven’t read!) I loved everything. I am running through the book in my mind as I type and becoming more and more obsessed.

I remain unimpressively impressed with how skilled authors are at making sure there’s at least one pregnant woman in a hockey romance novel. In this book we get a pregnant wife and some drama around it that affects the plot in zero way (it’s not like the mom or dad were even mildly prominent side characters) which is then heavily featured in the epilogue!! This was the only part of the book I didn’t enjoy. I was confused. Maybe I would care more about these two characters if I hadn’t skipped book 2?

I do wish there had been a bit more overall of how their relationship worked outside of their own tiny world - a bit more of the drama with Nate fleshed out, and maybe with the team? I’m not sure. It wasn’t enough to knock my rating down.

[Theodore · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow, Teddy was freaking unhinged when he actually thought that the reason Sev wasn't with him was because he didn't know what he wanted. After getting explicitly rejected not once, but two separate times, he really should've taken the hint (regardless of the mixed messages Sev was showing). He was already guilty of convincing himself of Sev's supposed attraction the second time he got rejected so I'm not sure how he didn't learn his lesson about magical thinking this time around just because his neighbor told him about her love life. Imagine thinking "No, Teddy" meant "I want you but I'm not sure how to express it" regardless of the fact that Sev actually did think that because Teddy didn't know that was what Sev was feeling inside. Gross.

Then it was like whiplash when the author then decided to walk back Teddy's decision to seduce Sev the very next chapter. Like, yeah it was unhinged and probematic, but if you were going to have Teddy come to his senses two pages later, then why even spend so much emphasis on it? It should've been an intrusive thought that Teddy automatically discounts rather than having this long internal justification that was given its own chapter (that almost made me DNF btw because of how gross the implication was)

Then Teddy decides he does want to seduce Sev because he's convinced that Sev wants him to, but at least it's palatable because Teddy explicitly states as much giving Sev the opportunity to opt out. I'm still not a fan of Teddy being so convinced that Sev was attracted to him though.

Ending the chapter after Teddy was successful in seducing Sev was lazy. Why are we supposed to fill in the blanks on what happened after they kissed? The resolution of that scene should've been shown because we needed to see the repercussions of Teddy and Sev's decision to act on their decades long attraction.

The crux of the story being "My best friend is overprotective of his brother and doesn't want us to date" needed to be stated earlier because it was so mundane. Having it only come up 50% of the way through set up expectations that the thing keeping Teddy and Sev apart was perhaps more complicated. When it came out via a flashback, all I could think was "We waited 200+ pages for this?"

Then we get Sev's more detailed explanation about how he can't bear to lose Nathan as a friend and all I was wondering was why they couldn't get Nathan's blessing to date by asking him? Why was it just taken as stone cold fact that "Dating = Betraying Nathan"? If all Nathan wanted was to protect Teddy and all Sev wanted was to be able to keep Nathan as his best friend/family, then shouldn't they have tried to convince Nathan that Teddy and Sev could be happy together? By not presenting that option, the author seemed to be trying to shift blame off Nathan by portraying him as this benevolent protector who was misguided whereas of he'd been confronted then he would've needed to address the selfishness of his so called "protection".

The super short chapters were distracting. At best they could've been rolled into the previous one, at worst they were unnecessary padding just reiterating an emotion that should have been better described in the previous scene.

Sev's possessiveness despite being the one who explicitly said nothing could happen between them got incredibly annoying. It's not romantic to claim ownership over a person's attention when he was the one standing in between them actually being together. Then seeing him give in from Teddy's perspective was a copout. Sev was the one who put up barriers because he couldn't bear to lose Nathan's friendship over Teddy's affection. Why the hell didn't we see his POV over getting over that hurdle and deciding to give in to his feelings? Just cutting to Teddy wondering what suddenly changed was so lazy because the entire conflict hinged around Sev's decision that he wanted his found family over Teddy's love. We needed to see what tipped the scales.

Then it's sex, sex, sex, weird scene where Teddy's teammate harasses him for some reason and Sev gets violent but doesn't suffer any consequences, more sex, and then Nathan shows up and gives the most pathetic angry "You're fucking my little bro?" tirade before it fizzles into the obvious acceptance it should've been from the beginning.

It's not even that Nathan was wrong for being angry, the story is disappointing because the main fucking reason for why Teddy and Sev have stayed away from each other for decades is Nathan. The fact that it's dealt with in like two pages at the very end and Nathan's suddenly ok with it after the initial anger and shock is such a non-climax. It wasn't strong enough to be the big bad that Sev built it up to be. It wasn't this gigantic hurdle that Teddy's affections needed to overcome. The entire reason Teddy and Sev's love couldn't blossom was because they were scared that an overprotective (yet generally understandable) brother didn't want his little bro to get hurt. They literally could've just talked to Nathan at any point when they realized things were serious between them and saved everybody the headache and Nathan would've done the same exact thing (be mad then accept their relationship) but much earlier.

TL;DR: The main thing keeping Teddy and Sev apart was not nearly big enough of a problem. You're telling me this love story couldn't handle the request of an overprotective brother? I love this author's ability to write individual scenes. She's very talented and evocative (just read Teddy' first chapter. The imagery and descriptions are amazing), but her story plots leave much to be desired.

[haletostilinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ 4.5 stars rounded up! ⭐️

All the books in this series have been amazing, and this was no exception.

I couldn't get enough of Teddy and Sev. This book really takes the time to showcase why they're perfect for each other, how they fell in love, and their perfect chemistry.

This also is just a great brother's best friend/best friend's younger brother trope. Sev has been best friends with Nathan, Teddy's older brother, for 14 years, and Teddy has been in love with Sev pretty much since the moment he met him, or pretty damn close to that anyway, when he was 10 years old. It was always Sev for him and no one else.

Sev (and Nate) being 4 years older, it takes until Teddy is 18 and Sev 22, having seen each other for the first time in almost a year, out at a nightclub in NYC, for Sev to see Teddy the same way. Or at least realize feelings that were probably more brotherly in nature before then, but Teddy was quite younger, so it's understandable that it was.

But Teddy as an adult, in a sexy outfit...and who is drunk but throws himself at Sev...even going so far as to kiss him...well, that changes everything for Sev.

Only...Nathan is a problem. He's always been overprotective of his brother, and Sev has adopted that overprotectiveness too...but this time, Nate has clearly warned Sev away from his brother, and Sev has been through some shit in his homelife and Nate is so important to him that he's scared of losing him, and Nate makes it clear that he probably would lose him if he went there, so he pushes Teddy away at that time instead.

Fast forward 6 years to present day and Teddy is...angry. Angry because all he wants is Sev. Sev is the only man he has ever and will ever love, but Sev seems to not feel the same way...or, he does kinda seem to feel the same but is also distant, and doesn't spend much one on one time with Teddy.

But really, Sev is just trying to stay away from Teddy, Nate's warning in mind.

Of course, they eventually give into their love, their passion, their lust, their want, but Nate finding out looms over their head.

My only reason for .5 stars off, when this would have been a full 5 star read for me, is that these two went through so much angst and pain just for Nate to find out and get over it in like...10 minutes. Like he gets angry at first but it's all resolved in one evening, in one scene and it was like...oh, that's it? When he seemed so pissed at the idea of Sev touching his little brother before??? it just felt a bit anticlimactic to me.

Like we spend over 70% getting these two together, for Sev to finally give in and kiss the fuck out of Teddy, of unbelievable UST, and the whole reason for the wait and the angst was there and gone so quickly? Why? Like idk, cut down the wait time to them getting together, or just make Nate truly angry for a bit before getting over himself?. It just made the wait seem a bit...not worth it?

Or at least, a bit like wasted time, them angsting back and forth when the thing keeping them apart, in the end, didn't matter all that much?

So yeah, I need authors to have characters get angry about finding out the thing they hinted they'd get angry at before...like lean into the drama, come on? Don't make it an easy fix for once, please!.

But other than that niggle, this was wonderful, it was perfection. I couldn't get enough of Sev and Teddy together and their chemistry was *chef's kiss*

If you've loved/enjoyed the first two books in this series, you'll definitely enjoy this one, it was as solid and amazing as the first two, in my opinion.

Absolutely can't wait for this author's upcoming work and potentially more future hockey romance stories as well - wouldn't mind a story for Nate, for sure.

So, until then! 😍

My Ratings for the Totally Pucked Series:

✨ Poetry On Ice: 5 stars (my review)
✨ The Legend Next Door: 5 stars (my review)
✨ Flagrant Foul: 4.5 stars

[vesperreads (slow updates) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️ | 3.75 🌶️

- brother’s bestfriend
- hockey players
- pining (like lots ad lots you’ll get smothered by it)
- i love my goalies

Is it so wrong to that I am more invested with Nate’s reaction more than anything? Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed this story so much, nothing less from Jessie H Reign. The sexual tension is like a bomb waiting to explode and the story just edges you with it. Teddy’s really sweet and so is Sev but it felt like the storyline where they don’t tell what is happening to Nate got really drag on the end only for him to be hysterical for a moment and be fine with it the next. But it’s just me and the big sister in me. 😅 I’m glad Nate is getting his story though. Jessie H Reign and hockey romance really goes well together. ❤️❤️

[Laura Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flagrant Foul is book three in the Totally Pucked series. This MM romance story is about Teddy and Sev.

Teddy and Sev are professional hockey players and teammates. Teddy is four years younger than Sev and they have known each other since they were younger. Teddy’s older brother Nate just so happens to be Sev’s best friend. Teddy is obsessed with Sev. His crush on Sev started when he was young and Teddy has been pining ever since. Sev is overprotective of Teddy and I loved every minute of it.

My heart hurt for both Sev and Teddy when we learned about their backstories. Thank goodness Sev had the support of his best friend Nate. And when it came to Teddy, Nate and Sev agreed they would never let anyone hurt him. When Nate knew Teddy was infatuated with Sev, Nate made it clear to Sev that Teddy was off limits.

Sev moves into Teddy’s apartment, and things finally start to change. With some advice from his delightful eighty-two year old neighbor Mae, Teddy has a plan to get his man. Boy did I enjoy the tension between Sev and Teddy. Sev definitely tries to resist Teddy, especially since he doesn’t want to hurt or lose Nate. But what happens when Sev can’t hold back anymore? We get to see how amazing Sev and Teddy are together.

There were so many sweet moments that I enjoyed and had me smiling throughout this story. There were other times that definitely had me choked up. And although the spice didn’t hit until the end, I just devoured it and couldn’t get enough. Overall I thought this brother’s best friend romance was a hit. I loved seeing Teddy and Sev get their HEA.

I received an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest review.

[Sona · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, I’m just raking my brain here, trying to write something about this book, made a mistake of finishing another before writing the review and memory of a gold fish here so let’s see because one day it’s going to pop up on my feed and I’ll have no clue what I felt unless I leave a note for future me. So, hello, future me — this one takes the cake.

I’m giving it 5 stars. And no, don’t judge me. I rate purely on enjoyment. I’m not handing out trophies for the best writing style or plot genius. My rating system is simple: did you make my heart melt? Did you make me laugh? Did you make me horny? And did you hold me by the throat from start to end? If yes, congratulations — you’re a 5-star book.

This one? Oh, absolutely.

We’ve got Teddy the baby brother who grows up with this lifelong crush on Sev, his brother Nate’s best friend. We’ve got Sev — the poor guy stuck between desire and the sacred bro code. And we’ve got Nate — a genuinely good brother and friend, but way too protective for his own good. The dynamic between these three is just gold.

The story bounces between past and present, but thankfully the flashbacks are fast — just enough to give context, not to confuse you which year you are at . Teddy’s crush starts when he’s a teenager , and by the time he’s eighteen, he’s in deep. He finally kisses Sev (drunk, of course), and Sev panics — ships him back home like a scandalous parcel from the club they met by chance and chalks it up to drunkenness Then comes the sober kiss a year later, and boom — another rejection. But not because Sev doesn’t want him — it’s because big brother Nate has drawn the ultimate line: my brother is off-limits.

Cue heartbreak, separation, and years of delicious pining.

In the present, the book turns into this fun, slow-burn chaos — forced proximity, hockey team antics, and the best side character ever: Mae, the grumpy, hilarious old neighbor who takes care of Teddy’s pet fish. (Yes, even the fish had personality. When an author makes you care about the fish, that’s talent.)

Mae tells Teddy, “seduce him, don’t give him an option not to want you,” and honestly? Iconic advice. The seduction attempts, the awkwardness, the pining — it’s all funny and sweet and endlessly entertaining.

And oh my god, the slow burn. I genuinely forgot it was an adult romance because nothing happened for so long. When they finally kissed, I checked the progress bar like, “Wait, how far into the book am I?!” And just for this I have an urge to reduce a star just because what the hell where’s my smut but oh well .

So yeah — fun, funny, slow as hell, and full of charm. Every character worked. Even the fish. That’s saying something.

Would I remember every detail? Probably not. But did I enjoy every page? Definitely yes. No regrets, no complaints. Just read it, smile through it, close it, and move on happy.

[lakshmi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t care how old I get, but putting your partners hair tie around your wrist????? That’s always gonna make me swoon. Because that shits CUTE 😭😭😭🥀🥀

And the three little kisses because Teddy needs everything in 3s????


“He kisses me sweetly on the lips. A closed-mouth kiss. No tongue. Just lips.
A kiss on my right cheek.
Then one on my left.
A soft kiss on the lips.
Three little kisses that ruin me for everyone else.”













i just know this is going to be my favorite of the series!!!💗🤞🏻✨💕

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! I absolutely loved Teddy and Sev’s story. This slow burn had all the tension and pining, seriously so much pining from both MC’s, which made it impossible to put this book down. This quickly became my new favorite book of the series.

[Monikat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, I have so many opinions, so many feelings about this one.
About elephants and small sticks. About who holds the leash in one way or another. About mental trauma and how the wrong thing said can change the trajectory of a life. How not speaking out and talking things over the right way can let years of unhappiness go by.

'Someone' had a whole lot of healing and growing up to do in order to reach for what was in front of him.
But they were adorable. This entire book was beautiful, Loved it.
This made me happy🥲

Thoughts as reading:

"This is the end of me" GAH!😭 😭 😭 😭

Small drama, I expected more.

*Dream Weaver. This is the second time I have encountered this song (one of my all-time favorites) in a book. Honorable mention to J.R.Ward's Lover Eternal. That alone sets a tone in my brain that makes me love a story.

*And may I add that the cover is TDF, absolutely stunning and a perfect representation of Teddy.✨

[Kim Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay so this book checked all the boxes for me. Forbidden feelings for your big brother's best friend? Check. Longing for a relationship with him? Check. A plan to try and seduce him? Check. Frustration because things work out differently than you thought they would? Double Check. 🤭

Teddy is the younger brother of Sev's best friend. And he has an enormous crush on said friend 💥

Sev may or may not feel similar things, but the friendship with Nate is extremely important to him.

I gotta be honest, the stress I felt at some points in this book was real, rooting for these MCs 🙈 the story is wonderfully written and makes you forget you read, cause you feel like you’re really a part of the story yourself.

I love these two with my whole heart! This one definitely comes on my re-read list 🧡

[Dani (Daniiireads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐
3 🌶️
2 tissues because tears 🤧🤧

"𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄'𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙤𝙠𝙖𝙮. 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙩𝙤𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙩. 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙞𝙩 𝙪𝙣𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙙."

THESE FUCKING TWO!!!!!!! OMFG 😭😭

Teddy has been in love with his brother's best friend since he was a kid, and being on the same professional hockey team and knowing he can't have him is slowly killing him.

When Sev's on again off again girlfriend kicks him out and breaks up with him for good, he moves into Teddy's apartment not realizing things are about to go sideways.

With the help of his elderly neighbor and fish-sitter, Teddy has a hairbrained plan to seduce Sev and make him see how perfect they are together once and for all.

It's not a smooth ride by any means... Teddy has pined after Sev for years not realizing that Sev has felt the same, only that his loyalty to Teddy's brother has been what's kept them apart. Sev admitting that absolutely broke me and crushed my heart... & poor Teddy 😭

Things work out in the end, because of course they do. Sev can't resist his feelings for Teddy any longer, and when the tension finally snaps, laaawwwdddd!!! Seriously one of the hottest kisses I have EVER read in a book. My god.

Love these two forever.

𝙒𝙃𝘼𝙏 𝙏𝙊 𝙀𝙓𝙋𝙀𝘾𝙏:
- professional hockey players
- brother's best friend
- small age gap (4 years)
- teammates/roommates to lovers
- mutual pining
- childhood crush/sexual awakening
- 'it's always been you' vibes
- forbidden romance
- slowest of the slow burns

[Courtenay (ceelovesbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gimme a past / present timeline with a lot of longing, a bit of an age gap, a dash of brothers best friend, and a sprinkle of hockey.. and I’m a happy girl.

We’ve seen a lot of Sev and Teddy in this series so far, and I was so excited to FINALLY understand what these two were always bickering about 😂 Or do we call it flirting? Are they fighting? Or f*cking? Well you’re here to find out.

Teddy has been in love with his older brothers best friend for as long as he can remember. He has been protected by, cared for, and grown up with Sev. The one person he wants, and the one and only person he can’t have. Why you ask? Because Teddys brother and Sev are best friends, more like brothers. And the one thing he asked Sev not to do? Go after his brother. He promised, after all.

To say things get complicated, well.. that’s an understatement. Lines get crossed, feelings get hurt, and what started as one friend helping another out turns into something so much more.

Although I felt like this book just wasn’t for me, I can absolutely see why it’s getting so much love already. It truly was sweet, funny, and short. Years of story packed into one fun book that features a lot of the characters we know and love, as well as some new ones (and a fish!)

I had a hard time connecting with either character here, and after about 30% this book took a bit of a turn that I wasn’t expecting. I think that’s threw me off a bit, and it was just hard to come back after that. I had a hard time understanding Teddys true personality, in some instances I felt like he was the man I got to know in the first little bit, and in others he was a completely different person that I just didn’t connect with. Some of the things he said came out of nowhere, and it was a bit aggressive for me. Again, some may really enjoy that side of him and they should!

Another part of this is the entire plot is dedicated around the fact that Teddy and Sev CANNOT be together. Forbidden. An absolute no no. But when it comes to light and their secrets are laid bare, it all wrapped up very quickly. Within seconds. Almost like it was really no big deal to begin with. That fell a little flat for me.

Overall, it was a beautiful ending, and a fun story that just ultimately wasn’t for me. I only wish it was longer, I feel like I needed more. This is also a very, VERY slow burn with low to medium level spice, which I was not expecting(?) so, maybe that’s just my own problem.

[Books_withtish · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars… Arc Review- Totally Pucked series Book 3 .. I’ve been lucky enough to arc read for Jesse for the last 4 books and I absolutely love it .. Flagrant Foul is book 3 and we meet Teddy & Sev. Sev & Nate are best friends and then we have Teddy the younger brother who tbh is completely besotted with him from the get go. As they grow up it’s no secret to Nate that Teddy has a crush on Sev but Sev doesn’t do anything about it out of respect for their friendship. As they get older both Tee & Sev get drafted and they end up on the same team, thats where we’re at when the story begins with a few flashbacks of their childhood. Teddy and Sev really made me laugh , cry and shout with all the feels in between & I think their characters were respectful and loyal but with all the pining in between, they really did deserve their HEA .. I love hockey romances and i especially love brothers best friend so this was right up my street but there was a few things that surprised me in this book which made me enjoy it more .. it only lost half a star just because at one point I was unsure where it was going and it lost my interest for a split second before peaking back up again

[melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.25⭐️
“You know how when people say ‘found family,’ you always imagine a group? Well, my found family is nothing like that. It isn’t a group of people. It’s not a collection of souls I found as I bumbled through life. It’s one person.”

You’re gonna hate me for this, but after everything Sev said about his relationship with Nate, this book should’ve been about the two of them… sorry not sorry!

It’s not that I don’t want you, it’s that I… I need him in my life. He’s my family. I won’t be okay without him.”

I’m sorry, but she fumbled so bad by throwing Teddy into the mix. Teddy is NOT in love with Sev, he’s in love with the idea of him and what their relationship could be. If he really loved him, he’d know how important Nate is to Sev, he’d know the real Sev, not just the version he shows the world while hiding the bad parts. And who was the one who knew the real Sev? His ride or die, and that was Nate. So yeah, he should’ve been the love interest.

Complicated? Complicated? No, it’s not complicated. I want you, and you want me. It’s not fucking complicated. It’s very, very simple.

Everything Teddy and Sev had up until the 75% mark of the book was just sexual tension, and the rest was sex. So I’m gonna end this review by asking these characters one question:

Teddy: are you really in love, or do you just have an idealized version of Sev and what your relationship could be?

Sev: are you actually in love with Teddy, or have you just always been sexually attracted to your friend, who happens to be your best friend’s younger brother?

Nate didn’t touch him. He didn’t need to. All he did was talk. Really quietly. Really calmly. Really clearly. He said, ‘Touch him again, and I’ll kill you.’

That man had more aura than both of you combined. I hope he gets his own book.

[Sofi · Rating 4 out of 5]

“He kisses me sweetly on the lips. A closed-mouth kiss. No tongue. Just lips. A kiss on my right cheek. Then one on my left. A soft kiss on the lips. Three little kisses that ruin me for everyone else.”

This book was really cute! I enjoyed reading it—I don’t think I’ve read another book quite like this one in terms of how everything played out. I loved the brother’s best friend trope, the slow burn, the forced proximity, and the pining was just incredible. You could feel how much both of them wanted each other. At first, I doubted Sev, because it felt like he was physically attracted to Teddy but his feelings weren’t as deep as Teddy’s. But then, when the whole conversation he had with Nate was revealed, I started to get it—and man, that level of pining will always be my favorite thing ever.

“I knew everything about him, and not just the good things. I knew the bad too. I knew his weaknesses. His flaws and his failings. It’s not that I didn’t. It’s just that, to me, they didn’t matter. To me, he was perfect.”

“For me, loving someone means loving them whole. Good things and bad. Light, happy parts and dark parts too. Love means knowing and accepting someone as they are, not as you want them to be or think they are. And I do, Sev.” My voice cracks and an avalanche of tears begins to fall. “I love you so fucking much, and I’m not going to stop. I’ve tried for years to stop, and it hasn’t worked at all. It’s only made me feel crazy and depressed. So I’m going to keep loving you as you are…”

The only thing I didn’t love was how everything happened with the whole seduction thing. I was like, “Teddy, you don’t tell him that!” I mean, I enjoyed it—it was funny and hot—but I expected something different, more tension between them. Teddy seducing Sev without Sev actually knowing what he was doing would’ve been so much better, but that’s just my personal opinion. That said, once it got going, I really enjoyed witnessing that seduction. Teddy was unhinged, and I loved every time Sev just couldn’t help himself—touching him, giving Teddy the attention he wanted.

“You’re mine. You’ve always been mine. The only problem is that you’re too dumb to know it. I’ve been patiently waiting for you to figure it out for most of my life, but unfortunately for you, you just ran out of time to work it out on your own.”

“What's happening, Sev? Why now? What's changed?" I'm not sure I mean to say it aloud, but I do.
"Oh, Tee." He sighs like a weight is being lifted from him before speaking again. "I couldn't do it anymore. I couldn't be around you and not touch you. I just couldn't. All this time I've been trying not to hurt Nate, but you cried the other night, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. I didn't know how much this thing between us was hurting you. I've never been able to stand by and let anyone hurt you. And I can't, I just can't be the one that hurts you. Not ever. Not one more time.”

“Fear dissipates and is rapidly replaced by a lust so intense that nothing else exists. Only want exists now. Only inevitability. Only certainty that Sev is mine as much as I’m his.”

Teddy is definitely not the king of subtlety when he puts his mind to something—he was so intense, and I definitely don’t hate it. I do have to say that sometimes the way he talked and acted made him seem younger than he actually was to me. I adore him, though. I loved when he just couldn’t take it anymore and acted on his feelings. And when it comes to hockey romance books, I’ll always have a soft spot for goalies—they’re just so unique, and I love it. Sev was different from what I expected, but he won me over really quickly. He was so protective and sweet toward Teddy. The way he loved and talked about his best friend was just so soft, and I only want good things to happen to him.

“I want him to know what it’s like to be loved by someone with nothing to gain from it. Truly loved. I want that for him. I don’t care if it hurts me or puts part of my life on hold. I don’t want anyone but him anyway, and I never have, so really, I’m not missing out on anything.”

“If friendship is all he can offer me, I want to be his friend. I want to keep living with him for as long as he wants to live with me, and yes, that’s a little selfish of me because I love living with him. I feel so much happier and less anxious when he’s around. But mainly, I want him to live with me for him. I want him to live with me for long enough that by the time he leaves, he knows what it’s like to belong somewhere. I might not be the one who gets to be with him, but I am going to be the one who loves him so hard that he has the time and space he needs to heal.”

Teddy and Sev were incredible together. I loved that we got both the past and the present with them—Sev protecting Teddy from bullies, Teddy coming out first to Sev, the whole apple thing, and just the absolute protectiveness… it was perfection. The way the author described their feelings was beautiful, and honestly, I didn’t expect anything less from her. Their connection felt timeless, like it had always been there, quietly waiting for the right moment to turn into something more. It was tender, hopeful, and so, so hot all at once.

“When I see him like this, I don’t see bad things. I don’t even feel like I’m a bad thing. When I see him like this, I see him as he was. As he is. A sweet boy. A soft boy. A boy I want to protect.”

“Yes!” Sev’s voice is also different from anything I’ve heard before. It’s louder for one thing, and it’s raw. Stripped back to bone. It’s breaking, cracking, as it thunders from his core. “It has to be him! That’s what I’m saying. Out of eight billion people, it has to be him. It is him. It’s been him for years, and I can’t fight it anymore. I can’t, I don’t want to…and it’s not fucking either. I’m not fucking your brother. I’m in love with him.”

“Tell me what you like, Tee. Tell me everything.”
“You,” I say with no hesitation. “I like you.”
“No.” He smiles tolerantly and kisses the tip of my nose. “I mean, how do you like to be touched? Where are you sensitive? What turns you on?”
“You,” I say again.

I liked Nate. He was an amazing friend to Sev and a good brother to Teddy, and I’ll always love a protective guy—but there has to be a limit, and Nate is my limit. Because what do you mean he assumed Teddy’s feelings were temporary and that he didn’t know what he wanted? No. I would’ve been so angry. I’m happy that he didn’t create unnecessary drama when he found out, and I know it was resolved really quickly, but Sev’s words in that scene were enough to convince anyone of how deeply he felt for Teddy, so I didn’t mind the quick forgiveness.

“Don’t fuck your bud’s baby brother.” I release my grip on him and tilt his chin up to face me. “It’s right there at the top of the Bro Code. It might not be a law, but it’s a serious infraction, Tee. A red card and an ejection from the game… It’s a foul. A flagrant foul.”

“We may not be blood, Sev, but you’re my brother too.” His lips pressed lightly against my crown. “You’re the brother I chose.”

But for me, Mae completely stole the show. I ADORE HER! Her friendship with Teddy was everything, it was perfect. I loved the support she gave him, and she was just hilarious. Her advice, her energy and everything she did was perfect in my eyes. I definitely wanted more of her.

“Uh, what kinds of books do you read?”
“Strictly smut, dear. I used to read more widely, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve found I really don’t have time for that spiceless crap. If a book ain’t spicy, I ain’t reading it. I’m on the BookTok and everything. That’s how I know about things like ‘very cutesy’ and ‘very demure,’ ‘holy fucking airball,’ and all that.”

“What position do you play?”
“Goalie.”
She takes another bite of her cookie and chews thoughtfully. “Does it ever bother you that thousands of people sit directly behind you each game, with a full view of your ass?”
I clear my throat and bite back a dry cough. “To be honest, I’ve never really thought about that until now, Mae.”
Her beatific smile turns mischievous. “I bet it will bother you now, won’t it?”
“I bet it will. Thanks for that.”

I loved that both of the past couples in this series appeared in this book. Seeing them happy and in love was everything—Ben kissing Jeremiah in front of everyone, seeing Lucas again, and witnessing how important Ben is to all the guys on the team. I loved it. Decker and Robbie were there for a small moment, but I’ll forever adore them, and I’m happy we got even a little glimpse of them.

“As always, Ben doesn’t waver. He leans down, taking his partner in his arms, and kisses him full on the mouth. When it’s done, when the kiss is over, Ben finds the camera the way he always used to. Easily and with total assurance. He finds it and stares it down, holding the attention of every person in the arena for a second. Then he raises his chin slightly. It’s an up-nod. A relic from the old days. A throwback to the hockey ritual he was famous for. More than that, it’s an act of defiance. It’s a big man, a powerful man, a hockey legend, saying this is me, take it or leave it.”

The writing was amazing, the characters were great as always, and the plot was entertaining—if a little wild. It was a good book. I’m giving it 3.7 stars, because even though I loved most of it, I expected something a bit different. When I read the second book, I predicted these two would be the stars of this one, but this time, I have no idea who’s next in the series. Either way, I’m so excited to find out!

“We’ve wanted each other for years. We’ve waited. We’ve fought it. We’ve pined. And it was worth it. Worth the wait. Worth the pain. Because when we touch, it’s magic.”

[Graciela · Rating 5 out of 5]

"What happened to you that made you think you and your things don't deserve a place to call home, Sev?"

Flagrant Foul by Jesse H. Reign

THIS BOOK!!! Yes, yes, YES! Jesse’s writing just does it for me every single time. She creates stories that are fun, memorable, and impossible to put down. Her characters feel so real, lovable, relatable, and unforgettable, and before you know it, you’ve said “just one more chapter” until suddenly, you’ve finished the whole book.

This series has been incredible, and I’m truly hoping Jesse continues with it. But this book… oh, this book hit me right in the heart. Sev’s journey resonated with me on such a deep level. My sweet Sev, I was beyond happy when he found Nate and Teddy, who became his true family. That bond pulled me into the story even more because I connected so much with that feeling of longing for a home, for a place to belong. Jesse has such a gift for making you ache and giving you hope all at once.

Sev, my heart broke for you, because I know exactly what it feels like to live in someone else’s home and still not feel at home. That’s why Teddy’s mission to give Sev a sense of belonging had me tearing up. Teddy, my sweet Teddy Bear! You may be a little brat (and I love that about you), but your strength, resilience, and unwavering belief in Sev’s place in your life were absolutely beautiful. From such a young age, you knew who you were and who you loved, and despite the pain and hurdles you faced, you still held onto that truth. Watching you live it out with Sev was powerful and so moving.

This story carried so much hurt and pain, but it also gave just as much hope. Seeing Sev and Teddy’s relationship grow had me squealing and kicking my feet like a giddy reader in love. Nate, I understood your fears, but honestly, you handled things better than I expected, and I adored that. And can we talk about the special guest appearances? I won’t spoil it, but if you’ve read the first two books, you already know who shows up, and it made me want to go back and reread the entire series from the beginning.

Jesse, once again, you delivered something so special. I’m eagerly waiting for whatever comes next. And if that author’s note hint about maybe revisiting Nate turns out to be true? Oh, I can only hope!