James Joining the Boston College Bears to complete my final weeks of Physiotherapy placement might be first in my long list of monumental errors of judgement. Though, on second thought, unknowingly hooking up with their sexy young captain on day one takes the cake, proving the old adage is true—you can’t have it and eat it too.
Cory Bold. Cocky. An awkward, glasses-wearing, superhero nerd. A fearless leader of men. A fuck boy twink. Only one version of me belongs in the BC Bears locker room. Or so I thought. Turns out all I needed to become the real me—all of them—was a man. A real man. Older. Wiser. Most definitely forbidden.
Bindi Kennedy lives in Melbourne, Australia with her husband, two eternally embarrassed daughters, and the true loves of her life, her fur babies. She loves potatoes, hates balloons, and has an unhealthy obsession with Scottish Highlanders in kilts.
When she’s not adding a heartfelt twist to her fun, flirty and spicy romcoms, Bindi can be found reading, or listening to Taylor Swift...probably while crying.
This was a 50/50 read for me. I really liked the plot, the hockey aspect, and the strong sense of friendship throughout the story. The family dynamics were definitely the best part for me. I had never read anything that included characters on the spectrum, so I wholeheartedly loved how thoughtfully and respectfully it was handled.
I liked both main characters individually, James and Cory. Loved reading about their families and Cory’s relationship with his closest friends on the team.
The one thing I wasn't totally into, that is sadly the most important part, was their relationship. It just came across as too immature and superficial to me. They had a great start and I loved them, great instant attraction and chemistry, but... that's kind of all it was. There was a lot of teasing and sexual talk, but to me it never evolved into anything deeper than just physical attraction and lust. They said they cared for each other and even loved each other at one point, but their actions and even the way they talked to each other still came across as either a crush or simply childish. So it was kind of hard for me to root for them and their relationship...
6 freaking ⭐️ Thank you to Gay Romance Reviews for an advanced copy of Cubby Season! This book deserves 6 stars for the humor alone! I seriously laughed out loud through the entire thing. SO FUNNY!
James and Cory were SO FUCKING PERFECT! I could not get enough of them. I wanted to scream and throw my kindle into the fireplace when they started on the “let’s just be friends” thing! Like, NO, you two are destined to make sweet sweet love forever and ever, amen.
James is anti-people. Like, he just plain hates them…. Well, with the exception of Cory aka Cubby aka Cub aka Kid aka TwinkieBearBear aka Mr. Ripley aka young Matt Damon with his slutty little glasses, hockey ass (ahem* Connor Storrie), floppy Dean Winchester hair and nerdy fuckboy attitude. Who wouldn’t love that? Right? Don’t worry, I didn’t forget about our smokin’ hot, furry, tree trunk thighs, Aussie physiotherapist, James! I just love him. I loved everything about their relationship and the family situational trauma bonding. I ATE THIS BOOK UP. The side characters were amazing. Like, all of them. Dylan and Cory’s relationship took my breath away. Cherry and Cory had the best sibling relationship… I could have read an entire book just about the twins. For real! I need more Cory and James, 360 pages wasn’t near enough!! I did feel like the end was a tad bit rushed, but still so satisfying!
Bonus points for the ON POINT Autistic spectrum rep!
When I applied to be an ARC reader for this book, I felt that I’d struck gold and picked a damn good read. And although I haven’t read any other books by Bindi yet, I think this was a great way to start 🥰
Cory’s personality was adorable and ridiculous at the same time—sweet, too—and everything he went through made me want to pull him into a hug.
A character who deserves special mention is Jamie: autism didn’t only affect Dylan in his family, but Jamie himself as well. The contrast between the two of them was portrayed beautifully, as were the difficulties Jamie faced due to the changes in his life—while trying to hold his ground at work and within his family. If anyone truly deserved happiness, it was him. Despite the three-year age gap between Cory and Jamie, he came across as much older throughout the entire book, especially whenever he kept calling Cory “kid.”
I really loved how hard Cory tried to get Jamie’s attention, even when Jamie was angry with him. And the little finger-holding moments… 🥹 those small, quiet gestures that somehow meant everything. Just as much as I loved how beautifully Cory and Dyl connected almost from the very first moment. Sam and Lucas… ahh those two boys, my God 🥹 I’ll be honest, I totally ship them (sorry, I’m an MM romance fan—I can ship any boy/boy pairing).
What I did NOT like: Trent — I don’t think I even need to explain why. Anyone who reads the book will know… Faith — yes, I know there was truth in what she said, but she crossed a line she had no right to cross, and I couldn’t forgive her for that. And honestly, I don’t even want to 🙄
Overall: I was completely obsessed with this book. Yes, I got a little emotional a few times, but I’m sure I’ll reread it in the future, because I truly loved it.
Bindi, thank you for the ARC—this is my honest opinion.
I received this book as an ARC and am voluntarily submitting a review. Every book has things you like and don’t like about it. So, I’m gonna do this review as a list: Likes: -Neurodivergent rep-with an understanding of how ASD presents and is -family situation for both (not every character has to come from an easy backstory) -the storyline was fun and the characters all were dynamic in their own way -the inner monologues of the two MMCs
Dislikes: -The two MMCs are constantly being called different names, even by each other. -the ASD rep was wonderful, but the bluntness of many was missing, there wasn’t much in the form of communication on the page
Now, this is a short list, but these were the things that stuck out and I wanted to comment on. Overall, I enjoyed this story and was low key shouting at them to pull their heads out of the holes they were stuck in. I’m so glad they listened 😉.
I’m so thankful I got given this as an arc, so thankyou to the author 💕
I really enjoyed this book I am in my mm hockey romance era, I really enjoyed James and Corey’s story this is the first book I’ve read from this author I do want to read the second book in this series, hopefully will get to it soon but I really enjoyed James looking after his autistic brother and seeing the autism rep, I loved seeing the lgbtq representation and I really enjoyed the friendship. This book was also so fast paced I read this book in a day, so if your in a reading slump I highly recommend this series.
I did feel like this relationship didn’t have a lot of depth though it felt quite physical and I would have liked to see more connection and I didn’t feel insanely connected to the main characters but I’m definitely going to read the second book and hopefully the rest that come out of this series and I did enjoy this.
For me, this rounds up to 4 stars. The story wasn’t bad at all and had several moments I genuinely enjoyed. One highlight for me was the autism representation of James’s brother—it felt respectful, thoughtful, and well done. I also really liked the forbidden aspect of the story, especially how the MCs met through a dating/hook-up app and how their relationship developed from there.
That said, I personally had a hard time connecting with the main characters. I couldn’t fully put myself in their shoes, which made it difficult for me to emotionally engage with the story at times. This doesn’t mean the book is bad— it just didn’t completely click for me on that level.
Overall, the book is filled with strong and important representation, and that alone makes it worth reading and supporting. Stories like this matter.
MM, Hockey Romance, with endlessly banter, found family, character development. I absolutely ADORED that both characters weren't written in a stereotypical MM role, they both bought so much to the story separately and together. The hockey was just enough to not overwhelm the story, Loved the found family in this as well, the way people can surprise you and support you unexpectedly.
My only wish was that it was slightly longer with more relationship building, to overcome some of the immaturity in their relationship. However, absolutely freaking loved the playful banter between them both, it was so funny.
Bindi Kennedy is taking readers back to the hockey rink for book 3 in her Green Line Ice series. James is a graduate student helping the Boston College hockey team with their physiotherapy, and Cory (Cubby) is the team captain. This story is filled with amazing autism representation, queer representation, mental health representation and more! Readers will enjoy a lot of humor and lighthearted banter as well, to balance the more serious parts of the storyline. If you are a fan of MM college hockey, get ready for Cubby Season!
Wow just wow! This was just honestly amazing! Yet another 5 Star read from the amazing Bindi Kennedy! I am honestly speechless, my brain can't form words, so you are just going to have to trust me that this book was AMAZING!
If you love a good college hockey romance or a good MM book (or both 🤭), then you definitely need to read Cubby Season when it releases!
I wish goodreads would allow a higher star rating because this book deserves a 10/10 thats for sure. I have never read a book where the main characters are very relatable like Jamie and Cory are espically when it comes to having a family member that needs you to care for them. These two together was hot the spice was spicy which i love but i loved even more their connection with one another and the little moments like them holding pinkies together that made my heart melt. Jamie and Cory's personal growth in this book was incredible as well as their growth as a couple.
Thank you Bindi for giving me the opportunity to ARC read this book
“He laughs, and it’s full and hearty and again, wow. He has dimples.”
Oh those two! Such an adorable and perfect continuation of this series.
James is such a gentle giant. I really liked how his autism was depicted in this, it’s real and raw. I loved how big he was but how soft he was too. I loved how he cared for his family and loved them with everything he had. The way he tries to fight his attraction to Cory and keep within the rules is so good, and the moment he decides to screw the rules is just perfect. Oh and he has a moustache!
Cory is fun and adorable. I love how he’s tiny to James’s big. His arc was beautiful, how he learned to accept himself, not just his sexuality, but the true nerdy self, glasses and all. I love how he gains his friendship group too, as well as becoming the captain for the team. Your heart breaks for him with what his family is going through and how James helps become a pillar for him whilst he struggles.
As much as time skips make me want to cry, I loved how when the moment was right, James got his man back.
“All that remains is a slutty sleeveless workout tee, gray sweats that highlight all those manly lumps and a frown. It’s a killer combo.”
I love them, they are both so adorable and sweet and I love them. (Did I mention I love them?)
And I loved getting to see everyone from this series again. I love how Brady becomes Corys friend, and how the others all make appearances. And the newer players that become his friends I can’t wait to see how their stories come to life. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
“Maybe you could try hanging on to me for a little while. See if we can ride the waves together.”
I loved this book so much! The characters were great, and really made you feel some feels! Loved the cute story! Thanks Gay Romance Reviews for this copy.