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All These Lights #1
Trick Shot
Not yet published
Expected 31 May 26Searching for something to read after Heated Rivalry? Look no further – you will love Trick Shot! 🏒Closeted NHL captain Nick Tiernan has always played it safe. He’s responsible for leading his team to victory—and that’s all that matters.
Then Matt bursts into Nick’s world. Charismatic, openly gay, and gorgeous, Matt is the frontman of a rock band whose queer euphoria lights up every stage he steps on. Their chemistry is impossible to ignore, even as Matt challenges everything Nick thought he knew about himself.
Their secret dates soon spark something more thrilling than either of them expected. But with Nick’s career hanging in the balance and the conservative hockey world watching his every move, can Nick risk it all for a love as thrilling and unpredictable as the game itself?
⛸️⛸️⛸️
You won’t want to miss this one! Perfect for fans of Rachel Reid, Emily Rath, and Chelsea Curto, be prepared to fall in love with Nick and Matt in 2026 🎤🏒
Then Matt bursts into Nick’s world. Charismatic, openly gay, and gorgeous, Matt is the frontman of a rock band whose queer euphoria lights up every stage he steps on. Their chemistry is impossible to ignore, even as Matt challenges everything Nick thought he knew about himself.
Their secret dates soon spark something more thrilling than either of them expected. But with Nick’s career hanging in the balance and the conservative hockey world watching his every move, can Nick risk it all for a love as thrilling and unpredictable as the game itself?
⛸️⛸️⛸️
You won’t want to miss this one! Perfect for fans of Rachel Reid, Emily Rath, and Chelsea Curto, be prepared to fall in love with Nick and Matt in 2026 🎤🏒
386 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 31, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 208 reviews
March 30, 2026
I’ve had a pretty tough week. Nothing major, just work stuff and a promise to my agent to deliver an edited draft of my manuscript. So I worked my ass off. With that, I needed a lighter read, one that made me smile and root for the main character. So I started reading Trick Shot.
There’s so much to love about this story: the media‑infused chapters, the great writing, the adorable poly cats, the way Nick came out (goosebumps crawled over my arms). And still…
I wanted less insta‑love. More slow burn. Fewer breakups. And most of all, more depth. Why not explore Nick’s relationship with his mom more? And what the f.. happened with Connor in the past?
I needed a lighter read and I definitely got one. But I also found out that I need a little bit more to really love a story. For me, this is just an in‑between. Okay, but not more than that. So if you want to read it, please check out more positive reviews!
Thank you, One More Chapter and Edelweiss, for this ARC.
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There’s so much to love about this story: the media‑infused chapters, the great writing, the adorable poly cats, the way Nick came out (goosebumps crawled over my arms). And still…
I wanted less insta‑love. More slow burn. Fewer breakups. And most of all, more depth. Why not explore Nick’s relationship with his mom more? And what the f.. happened with Connor in the past?
I needed a lighter read and I definitely got one. But I also found out that I need a little bit more to really love a story. For me, this is just an in‑between. Okay, but not more than that. So if you want to read it, please check out more positive reviews!
Thank you, One More Chapter and Edelweiss, for this ARC.
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April 20, 2026
5⭐️
NHLx Rockstar
He falls first
Secret relationship
Yearning
⚠️ Spoiler Disclaimer: This review contains minor spoilers.
What a beautiful book!!
Honnestly, this one completely surprised me. Going in, I expected a cute, light MM romance like many I’ve read before, but Trick Shot turned out to be so much more.
I loved every aspect of it. The writing was genuinely captivating, and it pulled me in from start to finish, I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for future releases from L.A. Jasper.
Normally, I hate miscommunication tropes or unjustified breakups, but both breakups felt justified and added such a strong sense of realism to the story. Nothing felt forced or overly dramatic, it all made sense for the characters and their journeys. I also loved the hockey setting, the team dynamic, and especially the way music was incorporated. I loved that the band is made up of ex-hockey players all from the LGBTQ+ community it adds such an authentic layer because they truly understand the world of hockey and the challenges that come with it but also for their community. Also loved that the fact that we don’t get actual lyrics, only descriptions of the songs and their vibes, made the experience even more immersive and unique. I normally find it’s so annoying when we get the lyrics sometimes it takes me out of the story because i dont connect to it.
Matt and Nick completely stole my heart. Their relationship, despite everything happening around them, felt so genuine and beautifully developed. There were grand gestures, but done in a subtle, meaningful way that made them feel even more impactful. Even with the spice, the spice/lust never felt like the main focus, it always came back to the emotional connection and the way they kept falling for each other more and more. (The jersey garder scene? God dam)
One of my favorite elements was how the coming-out storyline was handled. It felt empowering to see it portrayed as something shared and supported, rather than putting the weight on one person to go first and be the only one in the spot light! I think NHL players should take notes on this. It was the most perfect coming in sport i’ve read so far. It sent such a strong message, that everyone deserves to shine and be accepted for who they are and it doesn’t take away from the career and their success!
Overall, I think this book was excellent, and I highly recommend it. I’ll definitely be buying myself a physical copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and LA Jasper for providing me with an ARC and the opportunity to share my honest review.
NHLx Rockstar
He falls first
Secret relationship
Yearning
⚠️ Spoiler Disclaimer: This review contains minor spoilers.
What a beautiful book!!
Honnestly, this one completely surprised me. Going in, I expected a cute, light MM romance like many I’ve read before, but Trick Shot turned out to be so much more.
I loved every aspect of it. The writing was genuinely captivating, and it pulled me in from start to finish, I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for future releases from L.A. Jasper.
Normally, I hate miscommunication tropes or unjustified breakups, but both breakups felt justified and added such a strong sense of realism to the story. Nothing felt forced or overly dramatic, it all made sense for the characters and their journeys. I also loved the hockey setting, the team dynamic, and especially the way music was incorporated. I loved that the band is made up of ex-hockey players all from the LGBTQ+ community it adds such an authentic layer because they truly understand the world of hockey and the challenges that come with it but also for their community. Also loved that the fact that we don’t get actual lyrics, only descriptions of the songs and their vibes, made the experience even more immersive and unique. I normally find it’s so annoying when we get the lyrics sometimes it takes me out of the story because i dont connect to it.
Matt and Nick completely stole my heart. Their relationship, despite everything happening around them, felt so genuine and beautifully developed. There were grand gestures, but done in a subtle, meaningful way that made them feel even more impactful. Even with the spice, the spice/lust never felt like the main focus, it always came back to the emotional connection and the way they kept falling for each other more and more. (The jersey garder scene? God dam)
One of my favorite elements was how the coming-out storyline was handled. It felt empowering to see it portrayed as something shared and supported, rather than putting the weight on one person to go first and be the only one in the spot light! I think NHL players should take notes on this. It was the most perfect coming in sport i’ve read so far. It sent such a strong message, that everyone deserves to shine and be accepted for who they are and it doesn’t take away from the career and their success!
Overall, I think this book was excellent, and I highly recommend it. I’ll definitely be buying myself a physical copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and LA Jasper for providing me with an ARC and the opportunity to share my honest review.
April 1, 2026
ARC read
5⭐️ 3🌶️
Read this if you love: M/M Hockey romance, opposites attract, secret dating, and NHL player & rockstar dynamic.
Key Themes/Tropes: Secret Relationship, Rockstar x Athlete, Found Family, Forced Proximity, High Heat, Grumpy/Sunshine
Thoughts:
Why it's good: The contrast between the disciplined, high-pressure world of professional hockey of the NHL and the euphoria of the music scene made it such a fun read. It’s a refreshing take on the genre. I loved the dichotomy of an out queer rockstar vs a closeted queer NHL star and how that was blended. I LOVED the ending.
Character thoughts: Nick Tiernan is a lovable idiot but responsible captain who is completely out of his depth when he meets Matt. Matt is a breath of fresh air! I loved his patience with Nick’s internal struggle makes their connection feel genuine.
Plot/Pacing: The pacing is excellent. It starts with lots of yearning and builds into a high-stakes emotional conflict as Nick has to decide if he can balance his career with his public persona. The secret date provided plenty of sweet and steamy moments to keep the plot moving and addictive.
✨ Final Verdict: Must-Read! If you enjoyed Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid or Remember My Name by Rebecca Rathe, this needs to be your next read. It’s the perfect balance of heart and heat.
5⭐️ 3🌶️
Read this if you love: M/M Hockey romance, opposites attract, secret dating, and NHL player & rockstar dynamic.
Key Themes/Tropes: Secret Relationship, Rockstar x Athlete, Found Family, Forced Proximity, High Heat, Grumpy/Sunshine
Thoughts:
Why it's good: The contrast between the disciplined, high-pressure world of professional hockey of the NHL and the euphoria of the music scene made it such a fun read. It’s a refreshing take on the genre. I loved the dichotomy of an out queer rockstar vs a closeted queer NHL star and how that was blended. I LOVED the ending.
Character thoughts: Nick Tiernan is a lovable idiot but responsible captain who is completely out of his depth when he meets Matt. Matt is a breath of fresh air! I loved his patience with Nick’s internal struggle makes their connection feel genuine.
Plot/Pacing: The pacing is excellent. It starts with lots of yearning and builds into a high-stakes emotional conflict as Nick has to decide if he can balance his career with his public persona. The secret date provided plenty of sweet and steamy moments to keep the plot moving and addictive.
✨ Final Verdict: Must-Read! If you enjoyed Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid or Remember My Name by Rebecca Rathe, this needs to be your next read. It’s the perfect balance of heart and heat.
April 18, 2026
4.25
Trick Shot is an MM romance following the lead singer in an emo band and the captain of Nevada's NHL team.
I loved this book so much! The hockey, the friend group, all the side characters and more importantly the romance.
The couple gets together very early on in the book. It is not a slow burn, it's more about exploring the struggles of their secret relationship in the public eye, how they fit into eachother's busy lives and discovering themselves as a couple and individuals.
This book had me giggling and kicking my feet in the first few chapters and then shedding a tear or two in the last ones. It is a beautiful story and I definitely recommend.
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!
Trick Shot is an MM romance following the lead singer in an emo band and the captain of Nevada's NHL team.
I loved this book so much! The hockey, the friend group, all the side characters and more importantly the romance.
The couple gets together very early on in the book. It is not a slow burn, it's more about exploring the struggles of their secret relationship in the public eye, how they fit into eachother's busy lives and discovering themselves as a couple and individuals.
This book had me giggling and kicking my feet in the first few chapters and then shedding a tear or two in the last ones. It is a beautiful story and I definitely recommend.
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!
March 23, 2026
“You all know him. You all love him. But not like I love him.” 🎸🏒
NHL player x rockstar??? Need I say more??!!!?!
This is one of my favorite ARC reads of all time!! I adore Nick, Matt, and the entire (found) family in this book. The plot was enough to keep me interested and I was able to easily see myself in the characters; Nick especially (my poor anxious boy).
If you are a fan of Heated Rivalry, I would 100% recommend putting this on your TBR! I can’t wait to follow the rest of the series. 🩷
Thank you to the publisher, LA Jasper, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read!
NHL player x rockstar??? Need I say more??!!!?!
This is one of my favorite ARC reads of all time!! I adore Nick, Matt, and the entire (found) family in this book. The plot was enough to keep me interested and I was able to easily see myself in the characters; Nick especially (my poor anxious boy).
If you are a fan of Heated Rivalry, I would 100% recommend putting this on your TBR! I can’t wait to follow the rest of the series. 🩷
Thank you to the publisher, LA Jasper, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read!
April 26, 2026
Thank you One More Chapter and Netgalley for the e-arc!! I genuinely don’t think I’ll ever shut up about this book.
If you’ve finished Heated Rivalry and want to keep that high going… Look no further!! This book is IT.
This is the kind of story that crawls under your skin and stays there. The kind that makes your chest ache a little while you’re reading because you can feel exactly what the characters are going through. I didn’t just read this, I felt it.
Nick and Matt completely consumed me. Watching them find each other, lose pieces of themselves, and slowly, painfully build something honest and real felt so intimate. Not just in the big moments, but in the quiet ones. The glances, the hesitation, the almosts. The things left unsaid that somehow said everything.
Nick’s journey hit me in a way I wasn’t prepared for. As someone who grew up an athlete, trying to understand yourself while existing in a space that doesn’t always feel safe for that kind of honesty is complicated. It’s scary. And L.A. Jasper didn’t soften that. The fear, the pressure, the loneliness of it is all there, and it’s written with so much care. There were moments I had to sit with because they felt a little too real.
And then there’s Matt. Steady, patient, soft in a way that never feels weak. The way he loves Nick without expectation, without force, just quiet understanding completely wrecked me. You can feel how much he wants him, but more importantly, how much he wants Nick to be okay. Had me in awe.
One of the most beautiful parts of this book is how it holds both intensity and tenderness at the same time. Yes, there’s heat. Yes, there’s tension. But what stood out to me was the softness. The brushing of hands, the lingering looks, the moments where they let their guards down just enough. It felt raw and warm all at once, and it made everything hit so much harder.
I also can’t stop thinking about the dual worlds in this book. The team and the band. Two completely different families, both so full of life and loyalty, and somehow they come together in a way that feels seamless. Like what do you mean we got TWO found families and I loved them all.
This book isn’t just about falling in love. It’s about allowing yourself to be seen. It’s about choosing yourself, even when it’s terrifying. And choosing someone else not because you have to, but because you finally can. Proudly.
#PaintYourPride🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
If you’ve finished Heated Rivalry and want to keep that high going… Look no further!! This book is IT.
This is the kind of story that crawls under your skin and stays there. The kind that makes your chest ache a little while you’re reading because you can feel exactly what the characters are going through. I didn’t just read this, I felt it.
Nick and Matt completely consumed me. Watching them find each other, lose pieces of themselves, and slowly, painfully build something honest and real felt so intimate. Not just in the big moments, but in the quiet ones. The glances, the hesitation, the almosts. The things left unsaid that somehow said everything.
Nick’s journey hit me in a way I wasn’t prepared for. As someone who grew up an athlete, trying to understand yourself while existing in a space that doesn’t always feel safe for that kind of honesty is complicated. It’s scary. And L.A. Jasper didn’t soften that. The fear, the pressure, the loneliness of it is all there, and it’s written with so much care. There were moments I had to sit with because they felt a little too real.
And then there’s Matt. Steady, patient, soft in a way that never feels weak. The way he loves Nick without expectation, without force, just quiet understanding completely wrecked me. You can feel how much he wants him, but more importantly, how much he wants Nick to be okay. Had me in awe.
One of the most beautiful parts of this book is how it holds both intensity and tenderness at the same time. Yes, there’s heat. Yes, there’s tension. But what stood out to me was the softness. The brushing of hands, the lingering looks, the moments where they let their guards down just enough. It felt raw and warm all at once, and it made everything hit so much harder.
I also can’t stop thinking about the dual worlds in this book. The team and the band. Two completely different families, both so full of life and loyalty, and somehow they come together in a way that feels seamless. Like what do you mean we got TWO found families and I loved them all.
This book isn’t just about falling in love. It’s about allowing yourself to be seen. It’s about choosing yourself, even when it’s terrifying. And choosing someone else not because you have to, but because you finally can. Proudly.
#PaintYourPride🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
April 15, 2026
Thank you HarperCollins UK and One More Chapter for this ARC!
I have mixed feelings about this book. Overall, it was a good read, but there were several things that just didn’t fully work for me.
First and foremost: Nick being so deeply closeted for the entire book was honestly frustrating. What bothered me most wasn’t that he struggled with coming out—it was that, even while falling in love with Matt, he barely seemed to consider telling his teammates or imagining a future where he could be open. Then, after the classic third-act breakup, he suddenly decides to make this huge grand gesture and come out publicly. I didn’t mind the gesture itself, but the internal progression didn’t feel convincing to me.
That said, I really liked the secondary characters. They added a lot of charm to the story. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that everything remained a little superficial, as though the emotional depth never fully landed.
Matt was probably the most interesting character for me, and I really wish we’d gotten some chapters from his point of view. I think that would have added a lot more nuance and emotional connection.
I also wasn’t a huge fan of the third-person narration. It created even more distance for me, and I never felt fully immersed in the story.
I think a lot of readers will love this book, especially if they enjoy sports romance with a celebrity dynamic. For me, though, it was just… meh. And the spice? Also meh. Maybe I’m biased because I usually read steamier books, but for me this was about a 1.5/5 on the spice scale.
Overall: a solid concept with some enjoyable elements, but it didn’t completely click for me.
I have mixed feelings about this book. Overall, it was a good read, but there were several things that just didn’t fully work for me.
First and foremost: Nick being so deeply closeted for the entire book was honestly frustrating. What bothered me most wasn’t that he struggled with coming out—it was that, even while falling in love with Matt, he barely seemed to consider telling his teammates or imagining a future where he could be open. Then, after the classic third-act breakup, he suddenly decides to make this huge grand gesture and come out publicly. I didn’t mind the gesture itself, but the internal progression didn’t feel convincing to me.
That said, I really liked the secondary characters. They added a lot of charm to the story. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that everything remained a little superficial, as though the emotional depth never fully landed.
Matt was probably the most interesting character for me, and I really wish we’d gotten some chapters from his point of view. I think that would have added a lot more nuance and emotional connection.
I also wasn’t a huge fan of the third-person narration. It created even more distance for me, and I never felt fully immersed in the story.
I think a lot of readers will love this book, especially if they enjoy sports romance with a celebrity dynamic. For me, though, it was just… meh. And the spice? Also meh. Maybe I’m biased because I usually read steamier books, but for me this was about a 1.5/5 on the spice scale.
Overall: a solid concept with some enjoyable elements, but it didn’t completely click for me.
April 2, 2026
Thank you not Netgalley for providing me with an earc in exchange for an honest review.
I do just be a girl yearning for yearning and banter, and this (mostly) delivered!
This is truly one of the better hockey romances I’ve read! I did really enjoy it and found the characters engaging. I do wish the timeline of their relation had been a bit slower so it could feel more solid by the time they had to deal with outside circumstances affecting their relationship to avoid the feeling of insta love!
I do just be a girl yearning for yearning and banter, and this (mostly) delivered!
This is truly one of the better hockey romances I’ve read! I did really enjoy it and found the characters engaging. I do wish the timeline of their relation had been a bit slower so it could feel more solid by the time they had to deal with outside circumstances affecting their relationship to avoid the feeling of insta love!
Did Not Finish
March 23, 2026Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.
DNF @21%
There is nothing inherently wrong with this book honestly. I think the problem is I'm falling into a reading slump and every time I put this down, I have no motivation to pick it back up. It's taken me days to read 20% and I could not care less. I'll probably come back to this one at a later date and give it another chance as I don't think this is the books fault- it's my own.
DNF @21%
There is nothing inherently wrong with this book honestly. I think the problem is I'm falling into a reading slump and every time I put this down, I have no motivation to pick it back up. It's taken me days to read 20% and I could not care less. I'll probably come back to this one at a later date and give it another chance as I don't think this is the books fault- it's my own.
March 20, 2026
4.5/5!! Full review to come but thank you HarperCollins and Netgalley for the ARC!!!
If you liked Heated Rivalry please read this when it’s out!
If you liked Heated Rivalry please read this when it’s out!
April 26, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
*3.5 stars*
I went into Trick Shot expecting something quick and fun, and that’s pretty much exactly what I got. It’s an easy, fast-paced read with just enough tension and chemistry to keep you turning the pages.
The relationship dynamic was definitely the highlight for me. There’s a good amount of build-up and emotional tension that made their connection feel engaging, and I liked how their personalities played off each other.
That said, the pacing felt a bit uneven at times, especially when it came to the breakup and makeup. It all happened so quickly that it didn’t fully land emotionally for me, which was a bit disappointing because the story had the potential to hit harder in those moments. I just wanted a little more time spent there to really feel the impact.
Overall, I still enjoyed it for what it was: a light, entertaining read with solid chemistry. Not perfect, but definitely worth picking up if you’re in the mood for something quick and engaging.
*3.5 stars*
I went into Trick Shot expecting something quick and fun, and that’s pretty much exactly what I got. It’s an easy, fast-paced read with just enough tension and chemistry to keep you turning the pages.
The relationship dynamic was definitely the highlight for me. There’s a good amount of build-up and emotional tension that made their connection feel engaging, and I liked how their personalities played off each other.
That said, the pacing felt a bit uneven at times, especially when it came to the breakup and makeup. It all happened so quickly that it didn’t fully land emotionally for me, which was a bit disappointing because the story had the potential to hit harder in those moments. I just wanted a little more time spent there to really feel the impact.
Overall, I still enjoyed it for what it was: a light, entertaining read with solid chemistry. Not perfect, but definitely worth picking up if you’re in the mood for something quick and engaging.
May 5, 2026
ARC read <333
My life got really busy in April so this one took me way too long to read the first half in between all my life things going on, but now that it’s finally calmed down I was able to fly through the second half of this book.
I really loved the writing of this book and every single side character we got. It was so inclusive in a very well done way that didn’t feel performative. I really just loved Matt and Nick. This book had me giggling at times and definitely teary eyed towards the end. It was such a fun read every time I was actually able to pick this up even if I was only able to get a chapter in a night for a while there.
Without spoiling I will say #PaintYourPride had me crying and filled my heart with so much joy. It was such a hopeful thing to read given the current political climate we are dealing with right now.
If you like emo boys/ rockstars, hockey players, great side characters and secret dating with a bunch of sweetness all in a well written story definitely give this one a try <3
ARC review from NetGalley.
My life got really busy in April so this one took me way too long to read the first half in between all my life things going on, but now that it’s finally calmed down I was able to fly through the second half of this book.
I really loved the writing of this book and every single side character we got. It was so inclusive in a very well done way that didn’t feel performative. I really just loved Matt and Nick. This book had me giggling at times and definitely teary eyed towards the end. It was such a fun read every time I was actually able to pick this up even if I was only able to get a chapter in a night for a while there.
Without spoiling I will say #PaintYourPride had me crying and filled my heart with so much joy. It was such a hopeful thing to read given the current political climate we are dealing with right now.
If you like emo boys/ rockstars, hockey players, great side characters and secret dating with a bunch of sweetness all in a well written story definitely give this one a try <3
ARC review from NetGalley.
April 6, 2026
This was a little rocky for me at the beginning, but by the end I loved it. If you love M/M romance, hockey romance, opposites attract, you will love this book! I rated this book 4 ⭐️s with 2🌶️s.
Nick is the star of the Las Vegas NHL team and Matt is the frontman for a rock band. Their feelings grow quickly for each other, but Nick is struggling with his life feeling like a lie. In the NHL he is not accepted as himself, and he has to craft a persona to show the world. This story follows Nick navigating through falling in love and learning how to show the world his true self.
I didn’t love the miscommunication between the couple and wished their feelings for each other were better expressed, but all in all it was a great love story! The ending was magical and I cannot wait to see what this author writes next!
Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and L.A. Jasper for allowing me to read an early copy of Trick Shot!
Nick is the star of the Las Vegas NHL team and Matt is the frontman for a rock band. Their feelings grow quickly for each other, but Nick is struggling with his life feeling like a lie. In the NHL he is not accepted as himself, and he has to craft a persona to show the world. This story follows Nick navigating through falling in love and learning how to show the world his true self.
I didn’t love the miscommunication between the couple and wished their feelings for each other were better expressed, but all in all it was a great love story! The ending was magical and I cannot wait to see what this author writes next!
Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and L.A. Jasper for allowing me to read an early copy of Trick Shot!
April 26, 2026
I just want to thank NetGalley and L. A. Jasper for approving my request to read this book. This book was an honest 4 ✨. I’m so happy to have this much luck when reading this book and I can’t wait to read the next one when it comes out.
From the start I knew who our love interests were going to be and I was so happy that I was right even though it was obvious. Matt and Nick were the absolute cutest couple and people in this book. They were just so pure and nice and they knew who they were while also trying to figure themselves out.
With past loves and new side quests to venture on to, Matt and Nicky had a rocky relationship at the start and took their time to get to know each other. With all of the concerts and hockey games going on, I can barely keep track of the wins and losses. No matter knows there will always be someone who will love you for who you are.
Let’s just say that Nick’s past love is like that; someone who you’ll never forget but someone who you will always appreciate. With a bunch of found family and friends on the set list and roster of this book, Matt and Nick have to find out a way to be together. The best part of this book in my opinion is definitely the friendships that you don’t expect and that there is little to no miscommunication. Even though feelings are hard to express that what our characters did: express all that they had and wear their hearts on their sleeve. I just want to thank NetGalley and L. A. Jasper one more time for approving me to read this book.
From the start I knew who our love interests were going to be and I was so happy that I was right even though it was obvious. Matt and Nick were the absolute cutest couple and people in this book. They were just so pure and nice and they knew who they were while also trying to figure themselves out.
With past loves and new side quests to venture on to, Matt and Nicky had a rocky relationship at the start and took their time to get to know each other. With all of the concerts and hockey games going on, I can barely keep track of the wins and losses. No matter knows there will always be someone who will love you for who you are.
Let’s just say that Nick’s past love is like that; someone who you’ll never forget but someone who you will always appreciate. With a bunch of found family and friends on the set list and roster of this book, Matt and Nick have to find out a way to be together. The best part of this book in my opinion is definitely the friendships that you don’t expect and that there is little to no miscommunication. Even though feelings are hard to express that what our characters did: express all that they had and wear their hearts on their sleeve. I just want to thank NetGalley and L. A. Jasper one more time for approving me to read this book.
March 25, 2026
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for letting me read this arc.
5★ / 2🌶️
⤷ from “And for the last time, I don’t have a crush on Matt,” to “Matt. I love you so fucking much, you have no idea”
♡ hockey player x singer
♡ MM
♡ stranger to friends with benefits to lovers
♡ secret relationship
Oh my god….i loved this so so much!!!! I knew I would enjoy this from reading the description but omg !!!
I love the universe of hockey in here !! And the relationship between Matt and Nick ?? So fucking cute. Matt was such a green flag, always so understanding and patient with Nick…so caring and he even wrote him a whole damn song..even though they were only friends with benefits at that time…
I really loved Nick development through the book and how he was able to be more confident, more himself in the end.
Also the friendship between Nick and Connor was so adorable, how they supported each other, and were still close friends after what happened.
5★ / 2🌶️
⤷ from “And for the last time, I don’t have a crush on Matt,” to “Matt. I love you so fucking much, you have no idea”
♡ hockey player x singer
♡ MM
♡ stranger to friends with benefits to lovers
♡ secret relationship
Oh my god….i loved this so so much!!!! I knew I would enjoy this from reading the description but omg !!!
I love the universe of hockey in here !! And the relationship between Matt and Nick ?? So fucking cute. Matt was such a green flag, always so understanding and patient with Nick…so caring and he even wrote him a whole damn song..even though they were only friends with benefits at that time…
I really loved Nick development through the book and how he was able to be more confident, more himself in the end.
Also the friendship between Nick and Connor was so adorable, how they supported each other, and were still close friends after what happened.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2026
Yays:
- The inclusion of media posts at the beginning of each chapter
- Matt - you are a dream
- The love between Matt and Nick was just so sweet and lovely
- We love a found family - watching Nick become more comfortable with himself on his journey to self acceptance was great
- Just amazing side characters
- Queer joy!!!!
- Maybe the ending was a bit unrealistic but I still loved it
Nays:
- Was kind of hard to suspend disbelief that an 18 year old would be named captain of a brand new franchise. Let alone win back to back Stanley cups in his rookie years? Connor being drafted over the age of 21…
Overall, a great debut. Had the right amount of tender sweet moments balanced with the right amount of angst and conflict! Will read future books in the universe!
Thank you to Netgalley,Harper Collin’s UK, and One More Chapter for the ARC!
- The inclusion of media posts at the beginning of each chapter
- Matt - you are a dream
- The love between Matt and Nick was just so sweet and lovely
- We love a found family - watching Nick become more comfortable with himself on his journey to self acceptance was great
- Just amazing side characters
- Queer joy!!!!
- Maybe the ending was a bit unrealistic but I still loved it
Nays:
- Was kind of hard to suspend disbelief that an 18 year old would be named captain of a brand new franchise. Let alone win back to back Stanley cups in his rookie years? Connor being drafted over the age of 21…
Overall, a great debut. Had the right amount of tender sweet moments balanced with the right amount of angst and conflict! Will read future books in the universe!
Thank you to Netgalley,Harper Collin’s UK, and One More Chapter for the ARC!
May 12, 2026
So, if you are looking for like the Wayne's World mega-happy ending, this is romance, I'm not counting that as a spoiler, pick this up. What a world. We've got gay hockey player meets gay rockstar but also its the gayest rock band like as gay as the Ottawa Centaurs. I will say, there is a LOT of on again off again here, but the drama is pretty minimal. The boys are sweet to each other for the most part, lots of diverse queer rep, and the hockey bros are pretty great overall. It's a light read if you are looking for more gay hockey. Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the ARC. All opinions mine.
April 5, 2026
While I thought this started a bit slow I was pleased that that didn’t last long! Nick is such a great guy and he is so conflicted. Bring a gay hockey player is not easy and when he meets Matt his life gets more complicated.
I loved Nick’s friends! He has a great found family and just adored their relationship! Matt and his band mates were awesome characters. For being rock stars they were so down to earth.
I love reading about sports and hockey is huge right now! I think this has a good amount of play in it without it being too much for those who don’t like to read the sports part.
I’m looking forward to more in this series!!!!!
ARC received from NetGalley
All thoughts and opinions are my own
I loved Nick’s friends! He has a great found family and just adored their relationship! Matt and his band mates were awesome characters. For being rock stars they were so down to earth.
I love reading about sports and hockey is huge right now! I think this has a good amount of play in it without it being too much for those who don’t like to read the sports part.
I’m looking forward to more in this series!!!!!
ARC received from NetGalley
All thoughts and opinions are my own
April 13, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
This is was so cute I simply couldn’t put it down.
Exactly what it says on the back featuring a cast of characters who are too adorable for words.
I loved the whole fantasy element involved of the NHL not actually being the spawn of Satan in this one. Sports reporters and Twitter remain the enemy against common decency.
This is was so cute I simply couldn’t put it down.
Exactly what it says on the back featuring a cast of characters who are too adorable for words.
I loved the whole fantasy element involved of the NHL not actually being the spawn of Satan in this one. Sports reporters and Twitter remain the enemy against common decency.
April 13, 2026
thank you netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!!!!
omg, this book had me absolutely squealing and kicking my feet with glee! just absolutely the cutest secret hockey/rockstar romance!!
look, there may be a trope or two that i don’t like in there (cough cough, third act breakup) but maybe because i’m on my period, i don’t care enough to rate it lower 🤭
omg, this book had me absolutely squealing and kicking my feet with glee! just absolutely the cutest secret hockey/rockstar romance!!
look, there may be a trope or two that i don’t like in there (cough cough, third act breakup) but maybe because i’m on my period, i don’t care enough to rate it lower 🤭
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC*
3 ⭐️
I really liked the boys, but I got tired of the "on and off" for a bit. I understood why they did it, tho. I appreciated the fact that the book didn't have a love triangle, even thought I though it would happen.
3 ⭐️
I really liked the boys, but I got tired of the "on and off" for a bit. I understood why they did it, tho. I appreciated the fact that the book didn't have a love triangle, even thought I though it would happen.
March 30, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley and to HarperCollins for sending me this book… God, you guys never miss!!
REVIEW IN ENGLISH
What would happen if it came out that a major NHL star likes men? The hockey league would probably never be the same again. That’s exactly what’s on our protagonist Nick Tiernan’s mind when he meets Matt, the lead singer of the hottest rock band of the moment.
Formal aspects:
It’s a storyline that, while predictable, works really well. It’s a super quick read, and the chapters are short, which is always a plus. Each one starts with a snippet or transcript from a news piece, tweet, podcast, YouTube video, etc., a detail I absolutely loved. YES, GIVE ME MORE, I love it when authors incorporate different types of text!!
The author’s writing style deserves a special mention. It pleasantly surprised me. It reads incredibly easily and is highly engaging. A solid ten from me, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how her writing develops and improves in future works.
Don’t let the third-person narration fool you—it’s not that common in this type of book. Once you get used to it, it’s great. It’s very well executed and naturally helps you understand each character’s perspective. At times, you even realize they’re unreliable narrators, which is quite hard to pull off in third person.
Character development:
As for the characters, we follow them from the moment they meet and witness several key moments in their careers. This works perfectly in making you grow attached to them. In fact, I NEED to know more about them. For example, I would absolutely read an entire book about Lindsay and Marco’s lives.
However, there was one detail that made me raise an eyebrow. Pansexuality does noooooot exist…
Sport:
Lastly, let’s talk about hockey. As I’ve said in other sports romance reviews… the sport itself doesn’t need to be perfectly portrayed. THAT’S NOT THE POINT. The goal is to entertain and to show a romance within a setting where, in this case, hockey is played. That’s it! If you want accuracy, go watch a documentary or something.
I also think that here hockey acts as a thread connecting the different situations between the characters (a trip, an important game, a final, etc.).
Give it a chance, seriously. You don’t even need to like hockey. If you’ve enjoyed books in this style—even if they featured a different sport… you’re going to like this one. Trust me!!!!
RESEÑA EN ESPAÑOL
¿Qué pasaría si se descubriera que a una gran estrella de la NHL le gustan los hombres? Probablemente la liga de hockey dejaría de ser tal y como la conocemos ahora. Esto es precisamente lo que ronda la cabeza de nuestro prota, Nick Tiernan, cuando conoce a Matt, el líder de la banda de rock del momento.
Aspectos formales:
Es una trama que, aunque predecible, funciona muy bien. Se lee muy rápido y los capítulos son cortos, que siempre gusta. Todos empiezan con un fragmento o transcripción de alguna noticia, tweet, podcast, video de YouTube, etc, detalle que me ha encantado. SÍ, DAME MÁS, me encanta cuando los autores deciden meter otros tipos de texto.
Cabe destacar la pluma de la autora. Me ha sorprendido gratamente. Se lee súper sencillo, entretiene muchísimo hasta leer que un personaje tiene sueño. Mis dieces y espero ver cómo se pule y mejora en próximas obras.
No te dejes engañar por la tercera persona, que no es habitual en este tipo de libro. En cuanto te acostumbras, es genial. Está muy bien usado ese recurso y ayuda a conocer un poco la perspectiva de cada personaje de manera muy natural. Incluso a veces te das cuenta de que no son narradores fiables, algo difícil de introducir utilizando la tercera persona.
Desarrollo de personajes:
En cuanto a los personajes, les acompañamos desde que se conocen y vemos varios momentos importantes de sus carreras. Todo esto funciona a la perfección a la hora de cogerles cariño. Es más, NECESITO saber más de ellos. Por poner un ejemplo, me leería un libro entero de la vida de Lindsay y Marco, la verdad.
Sin embargo, un detalle que me hizo torcer la nariz. La pansexualidad nooooo existe…
Deporte:
Por último, hablemos de hockey. Como ya he dicho en otras reseñas de sport romance… El deporte en cuestión no debe estar perfectamente plasmado. NO ES ESE EL OBJETIVO sino entretener y mostrar un romance en un contexto donde se practica, en este caso, el hockey. ¡Y ya está! Si quieres algo fiel mírate un documental, no sé.
Creo que además en este caso el hockey actúa como hilo conductor de las distintas situaciones que se producen entre los personajes (un viaje, un partido importante, la disputa de una final, etc).
Dale una oportunidad, de verdad. Ni siquiera necesitas que te guste el hockey. Si has disfrutado libros de este estilo, aunque se practicase otro deporte… Te va a gustar este. Hazme caso!!!!
REVIEW IN ENGLISH
What would happen if it came out that a major NHL star likes men? The hockey league would probably never be the same again. That’s exactly what’s on our protagonist Nick Tiernan’s mind when he meets Matt, the lead singer of the hottest rock band of the moment.
Formal aspects:
It’s a storyline that, while predictable, works really well. It’s a super quick read, and the chapters are short, which is always a plus. Each one starts with a snippet or transcript from a news piece, tweet, podcast, YouTube video, etc., a detail I absolutely loved. YES, GIVE ME MORE, I love it when authors incorporate different types of text!!
The author’s writing style deserves a special mention. It pleasantly surprised me. It reads incredibly easily and is highly engaging. A solid ten from me, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how her writing develops and improves in future works.
Don’t let the third-person narration fool you—it’s not that common in this type of book. Once you get used to it, it’s great. It’s very well executed and naturally helps you understand each character’s perspective. At times, you even realize they’re unreliable narrators, which is quite hard to pull off in third person.
Character development:
As for the characters, we follow them from the moment they meet and witness several key moments in their careers. This works perfectly in making you grow attached to them. In fact, I NEED to know more about them. For example, I would absolutely read an entire book about Lindsay and Marco’s lives.
However, there was one detail that made me raise an eyebrow. Pansexuality does noooooot exist…
Sport:
Lastly, let’s talk about hockey. As I’ve said in other sports romance reviews… the sport itself doesn’t need to be perfectly portrayed. THAT’S NOT THE POINT. The goal is to entertain and to show a romance within a setting where, in this case, hockey is played. That’s it! If you want accuracy, go watch a documentary or something.
I also think that here hockey acts as a thread connecting the different situations between the characters (a trip, an important game, a final, etc.).
Give it a chance, seriously. You don’t even need to like hockey. If you’ve enjoyed books in this style—even if they featured a different sport… you’re going to like this one. Trust me!!!!
RESEÑA EN ESPAÑOL
¿Qué pasaría si se descubriera que a una gran estrella de la NHL le gustan los hombres? Probablemente la liga de hockey dejaría de ser tal y como la conocemos ahora. Esto es precisamente lo que ronda la cabeza de nuestro prota, Nick Tiernan, cuando conoce a Matt, el líder de la banda de rock del momento.
Aspectos formales:
Es una trama que, aunque predecible, funciona muy bien. Se lee muy rápido y los capítulos son cortos, que siempre gusta. Todos empiezan con un fragmento o transcripción de alguna noticia, tweet, podcast, video de YouTube, etc, detalle que me ha encantado. SÍ, DAME MÁS, me encanta cuando los autores deciden meter otros tipos de texto.
Cabe destacar la pluma de la autora. Me ha sorprendido gratamente. Se lee súper sencillo, entretiene muchísimo hasta leer que un personaje tiene sueño. Mis dieces y espero ver cómo se pule y mejora en próximas obras.
No te dejes engañar por la tercera persona, que no es habitual en este tipo de libro. En cuanto te acostumbras, es genial. Está muy bien usado ese recurso y ayuda a conocer un poco la perspectiva de cada personaje de manera muy natural. Incluso a veces te das cuenta de que no son narradores fiables, algo difícil de introducir utilizando la tercera persona.
Desarrollo de personajes:
En cuanto a los personajes, les acompañamos desde que se conocen y vemos varios momentos importantes de sus carreras. Todo esto funciona a la perfección a la hora de cogerles cariño. Es más, NECESITO saber más de ellos. Por poner un ejemplo, me leería un libro entero de la vida de Lindsay y Marco, la verdad.
Sin embargo, un detalle que me hizo torcer la nariz. La pansexualidad nooooo existe…
Deporte:
Por último, hablemos de hockey. Como ya he dicho en otras reseñas de sport romance… El deporte en cuestión no debe estar perfectamente plasmado. NO ES ESE EL OBJETIVO sino entretener y mostrar un romance en un contexto donde se practica, en este caso, el hockey. ¡Y ya está! Si quieres algo fiel mírate un documental, no sé.
Creo que además en este caso el hockey actúa como hilo conductor de las distintas situaciones que se producen entre los personajes (un viaje, un partido importante, la disputa de una final, etc).
Dale una oportunidad, de verdad. Ni siquiera necesitas que te guste el hockey. Si has disfrutado libros de este estilo, aunque se practicase otro deporte… Te va a gustar este. Hazme caso!!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The copy for this one said “looking for something to read after Heated Rivalry?” and while I wasn’t (hockey is not really my thing), well, if you ARE, you definitely should read this.
I liked most of this book - Nick and Matt were great and I have to admit I really liked that Matt is a rockstar in the exact specific way that I like. Actually the music and pop culture references are all shit that I like and that remind me very much of being a teenager in the 00s. (We’ll circle back to this later).
The pacing and plot beats worked for me - I was a bit baffled by there being TWO break ups; after the miscommunication breakup at 50% I was expecting the 75% point to be some kind of public outing for Nick before the HEA, but what actually happened is that around the 65% mark Nick broke up with Matt for (misguided) career reasons, they got back together again around 70% while apart (band reasons, hockey reasons) and THEN Nick planned a big public outing for himself and a few other NHL players. The book ended bombastically with the Stanley cup win (hardly a spoiler, this is a romance novel), the big out and proud reveal and an epilogue a few weeks later with a pride event and concert. It was exactly the right level of drama and wish fulfilment.
It veered sappy and saccharine in places, with supportive and nontoxic friendships and family relationships. Speaking of, juxtaposed with all of Nick and Matt’s unproblematic teammates, friends and family, the One villain character was hilariously cartoonishly evil: Bam-Bam, Nick’s homophobic teammate, whose ONLY interactions with Nick throughout the whole book is to be mean and menacing and homophobic to Nick. That’s all he ever does. It makes him a dud tbh, because he’s nothing but a puppet - not a fully realised character at all, just a movable cardboard piece who’s only there to be homophobic until he’s traded and never spoken of again. Lazy and pointless.
Circling back to pop culture references: I can overlook Britney Spears bc I know she’s a gay icon, but everything else was very firmly stuck in the 00s, from Nick’s other cultural references and likes (I know Grey’s Anatomy is still on air and I know why *I* am watching it - because I’m 38 and have been watching it since I was 15 - but why on earth is Nick? A 23yo who was a small child when it started airing?) and the music references all came across like the author is similar to me in age and just didn’t bother giving the much younger characters any contemporary pop culture likes. I mean, the music alone - there was a setlist in there and I caught several references to 00s and early 10s rock and pop-rock (not to mention emo and scene) music in there that was at odds with the 2022-2023 setting. BRB I suddenly have a strong need to listen to some old Kill Hannah records. This was jarring and annoying and kept pulling me out of my immersion.
One final point, and the main reason why this is four stars (rounded up, or I’d have given 3.5) is the fucking epithets throughout the book. There weren’t THAT many which I hope is a sign that the editor fought to take them out, but Jesus fucking Christ, nothing is as disruptive as reading a scene in which only two characters are present, two characters who know each other intimately, and then suddenly “the musician” “the older man” or even worse: “the blond”, as if there’s suddenly a mystery third character present. I mean. This book is Nick’s POV. You’re really telling me that not only does Nick think of the love of his life as “the musician” but he thinks of *himself* as “the blond”?????????????? this more than the anachronistic pop culture references broke immersion and made me almost put the book down. I had to force myself to ignore this bullshit in order to be able to keep reading.
So, I did like most of this book. I’m not sure I want to read anything else by this author, because in my experience an author that likes epithets is going to continue to use them and I’m very much *not* into it.
I received an ARC from HarperCollins & Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I liked most of this book - Nick and Matt were great and I have to admit I really liked that Matt is a rockstar in the exact specific way that I like. Actually the music and pop culture references are all shit that I like and that remind me very much of being a teenager in the 00s. (We’ll circle back to this later).
The pacing and plot beats worked for me - I was a bit baffled by there being TWO break ups; after the miscommunication breakup at 50% I was expecting the 75% point to be some kind of public outing for Nick before the HEA, but what actually happened is that around the 65% mark Nick broke up with Matt for (misguided) career reasons, they got back together again around 70% while apart (band reasons, hockey reasons) and THEN Nick planned a big public outing for himself and a few other NHL players. The book ended bombastically with the Stanley cup win (hardly a spoiler, this is a romance novel), the big out and proud reveal and an epilogue a few weeks later with a pride event and concert. It was exactly the right level of drama and wish fulfilment.
It veered sappy and saccharine in places, with supportive and nontoxic friendships and family relationships. Speaking of, juxtaposed with all of Nick and Matt’s unproblematic teammates, friends and family, the One villain character was hilariously cartoonishly evil: Bam-Bam, Nick’s homophobic teammate, whose ONLY interactions with Nick throughout the whole book is to be mean and menacing and homophobic to Nick. That’s all he ever does. It makes him a dud tbh, because he’s nothing but a puppet - not a fully realised character at all, just a movable cardboard piece who’s only there to be homophobic until he’s traded and never spoken of again. Lazy and pointless.
Circling back to pop culture references: I can overlook Britney Spears bc I know she’s a gay icon, but everything else was very firmly stuck in the 00s, from Nick’s other cultural references and likes (I know Grey’s Anatomy is still on air and I know why *I* am watching it - because I’m 38 and have been watching it since I was 15 - but why on earth is Nick? A 23yo who was a small child when it started airing?) and the music references all came across like the author is similar to me in age and just didn’t bother giving the much younger characters any contemporary pop culture likes. I mean, the music alone - there was a setlist in there and I caught several references to 00s and early 10s rock and pop-rock (not to mention emo and scene) music in there that was at odds with the 2022-2023 setting. BRB I suddenly have a strong need to listen to some old Kill Hannah records. This was jarring and annoying and kept pulling me out of my immersion.
One final point, and the main reason why this is four stars (rounded up, or I’d have given 3.5) is the fucking epithets throughout the book. There weren’t THAT many which I hope is a sign that the editor fought to take them out, but Jesus fucking Christ, nothing is as disruptive as reading a scene in which only two characters are present, two characters who know each other intimately, and then suddenly “the musician” “the older man” or even worse: “the blond”, as if there’s suddenly a mystery third character present. I mean. This book is Nick’s POV. You’re really telling me that not only does Nick think of the love of his life as “the musician” but he thinks of *himself* as “the blond”?????????????? this more than the anachronistic pop culture references broke immersion and made me almost put the book down. I had to force myself to ignore this bullshit in order to be able to keep reading.
So, I did like most of this book. I’m not sure I want to read anything else by this author, because in my experience an author that likes epithets is going to continue to use them and I’m very much *not* into it.
I received an ARC from HarperCollins & Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love a queer hockey romance, and y'all know I can be convinced to read almost anything that lists Heated Rivalry as a comp title, so...here we are.
This was a bit different from a lot of the other hockey romances I've read in that it features a professional hockey player who's dating a well-known, openly queer musician. Although I don't normally care for the rock star/celebrity romance thing, I appreciated how Matt's own notoriety—and how being very publicly queer—impacted Nick and sort of substantiated his fears around being found out as gay, and it was nice to see Matt never pressure Nick into coming out despite having taken a different path for himself.
I thought this book started off strong but didn't stick the landing quite as smoothly as it could've. For all the discussion of Nick's prior relationship with Connor and the very obvious effect it had on him, basically all of the important conversations between the two of them about what happened and why Connor left took place off page and were never really divulged to the reader. I was glad to see them rekindle their friendship and to see Nick move on from the hurt he had felt when their romantic relationship ended, but, like Nick, I wanted an explanation for Connor's actions and was frustrated that I didn't get it.
Nick and Matt's relationship also developed a little too quickly, in my opinion. Their initial attraction to one another was obvious and made sense, as did the fact that they acted on it and slept together almost right away. What I found a bit confusing was how sudden and seemingly out of nowhere Nick's romantic feelings toward Matt were. I never really saw those feelings develop, and I would've liked a little more showing rather than telling in that regard. That being said, I did think Nick and Matt were a cute couple. They clicked well and understood and supported each other in the ways you'd hope your MC and LI would. I was, however, somewhat bothered by the on-again, off-again nature of their relationship, mostly because I felt like Matt was letting Nick call the shots without much consideration for himself. Because the entire book is written from Nick's POV, it's hard to know exactly what Matt is thinking or feeling all the time, and I think in this instance that was a slight hindrance. When Nick broke up with Matt for the second (and more official) time, Matt was hurt and angry and expressed that he wasn't just going to wait around for Nick to be ready for their relationship even if he understood Nick's fears and hesitations, yet he was also the one singing Nick's favorite song on the radio and running back to him the second Nick indicated he wanted them to be together. Although I was rooting for them, I wanted Matt to be more of his own person and not just a prop for Nick's character arc.
All of that being said, I think what I struggled with the most was Nick's coming out. I'm all for a grand gesture if that's what's right for the character, I liked that Nick included Connor and several other side characters in the moment, but it just felt so unrealistic. I know, I know, it's fiction, and sometimes fiction is about defying what's considered possible in the real world. But still. I just don't buy that the NHL, or even one singular NHL team, would be okay with a player going about things the way Nick did literal seconds after a Stanley Cup win. It was a lovely idea but perhaps too far-fetched for me to really enjoy in the moment.
I liked the cast of characters in this book, and I think I'll definitely revisit the series to see who's at the forefront of its future installments. This was, as far as I know, the author's debut novel, and while I think that shows a bit, it also means there's plenty of opportunity for growth moving forward.
Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was a bit different from a lot of the other hockey romances I've read in that it features a professional hockey player who's dating a well-known, openly queer musician. Although I don't normally care for the rock star/celebrity romance thing, I appreciated how Matt's own notoriety—and how being very publicly queer—impacted Nick and sort of substantiated his fears around being found out as gay, and it was nice to see Matt never pressure Nick into coming out despite having taken a different path for himself.
I thought this book started off strong but didn't stick the landing quite as smoothly as it could've. For all the discussion of Nick's prior relationship with Connor and the very obvious effect it had on him, basically all of the important conversations between the two of them about what happened and why Connor left took place off page and were never really divulged to the reader. I was glad to see them rekindle their friendship and to see Nick move on from the hurt he had felt when their romantic relationship ended, but, like Nick, I wanted an explanation for Connor's actions and was frustrated that I didn't get it.
Nick and Matt's relationship also developed a little too quickly, in my opinion. Their initial attraction to one another was obvious and made sense, as did the fact that they acted on it and slept together almost right away. What I found a bit confusing was how sudden and seemingly out of nowhere Nick's romantic feelings toward Matt were. I never really saw those feelings develop, and I would've liked a little more showing rather than telling in that regard. That being said, I did think Nick and Matt were a cute couple. They clicked well and understood and supported each other in the ways you'd hope your MC and LI would. I was, however, somewhat bothered by the on-again, off-again nature of their relationship, mostly because I felt like Matt was letting Nick call the shots without much consideration for himself. Because the entire book is written from Nick's POV, it's hard to know exactly what Matt is thinking or feeling all the time, and I think in this instance that was a slight hindrance. When Nick broke up with Matt for the second (and more official) time, Matt was hurt and angry and expressed that he wasn't just going to wait around for Nick to be ready for their relationship even if he understood Nick's fears and hesitations, yet he was also the one singing Nick's favorite song on the radio and running back to him the second Nick indicated he wanted them to be together. Although I was rooting for them, I wanted Matt to be more of his own person and not just a prop for Nick's character arc.
All of that being said, I think what I struggled with the most was Nick's coming out. I'm all for a grand gesture if that's what's right for the character, I liked that Nick included Connor and several other side characters in the moment, but it just felt so unrealistic. I know, I know, it's fiction, and sometimes fiction is about defying what's considered possible in the real world. But still. I just don't buy that the NHL, or even one singular NHL team, would be okay with a player going about things the way Nick did literal seconds after a Stanley Cup win. It was a lovely idea but perhaps too far-fetched for me to really enjoy in the moment.
I liked the cast of characters in this book, and I think I'll definitely revisit the series to see who's at the forefront of its future installments. This was, as far as I know, the author's debut novel, and while I think that shows a bit, it also means there's plenty of opportunity for growth moving forward.
Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 23, 2026
Thank you to One More Chapter for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
Closeted NHL captain Nick Tiernan has always played it safe. He’s responsible for leading his team to victory—and that’s all that matters. Then Matt bursts into Nick’s world. Charismatic, openly gay, and gorgeous, Matt is the frontman of a rock band whose queer euphoria lights up every stage he steps on. Their chemistry is impossible to ignore, even as Matt challenges everything Nick thought he knew about himself. Their secret dates soon spark something more thrilling than either of them expected. But with Nick’s career hanging in the balance and the conservative hockey world watching his every move, can Nick risk it all for a love as thrilling and unpredictable as the game itself?
Nick is terrified of someone discovering his sexuality, and I totally get it. A sport like ice hockey is seen as incredibly macho and alpha male, so many seem to struggle to work out how a gay guy could do it (cue major eye roll). But it’s what he has spent his life doing and cannot find a wait to stop being closeted. I think what I loved most about Nick was the fact that even if he wasn’t open about his sexuality to everyone, he was incredibly open with his emotions. He supported his entire team through ups and downs, remaining a rock for those who needed it and a laugh when things became somber. But the way he opened up with Matt was next level and oh so wonderful! If I could have just another 50,000 books of those two together and their tenderness, I’d be very happy.
Matt is a massive teddy bear and I absolutely love him. He’s proud of his queerness and is incredibly open about it. But the way he supports Nick goes beyond the understanding of being ready to be your true self. He is there in the big ways and the little and it just made my heart melt. His openness meant that Nick felt free to do the same and I loved how Matt’s band joined in with the support too. He’s such a great guy - I wish we could have had time from his POV so we could peek inside his head.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book but good lordy, it was everything I could have wanted and needed. I adore ice hockey romances and whilst I haven’t jumped on the Heated Rivalry train, when I do it had better live up to this absolute stunner! The plot is fantastic and really driven with emotion, which I adore. The way we really get to dig deep into self-acceptance and the pressure to conform to the standards of others, whilst not compromising on a story filled with light and laughter, really hooked me. Enough that I read half the book in a single sitting (thank you weekend!) and scarcely wanted to put it down! With it being a hockey romance, we are exposed to a lot of characters - even more so since one half is involved in the music industry! But despite the large amount of names popping up, it never felt overwhelming. We spent time with key characters and getting to see their relationships and connections with the lead boys, which meant that those popping in and out added to the story but didn’t confuse because they all had purpose. It’s a tricky balance with so many people involved in the book but Jasper has done a stellar job. Like the plot, the romance here is extremely driven by emotion, but that’s what made it feel so real and engaging for me. The support that they both offer each other had my heart melting to goo because it felt so genuine. The connection they share is out of the world and the spicy scenes we got were explosive too. The fact they only bolstered the story instead of hindering it in any way is proof of that. The ending was absolute perfection and made my queer heart oh so happy. Many a happy tear was shed!
Overall, Trick Shot is a stunner of a sports romance you don’t want to miss!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you again to One More Chapter for an advanced copy of this book.
Closeted NHL captain Nick Tiernan has always played it safe. He’s responsible for leading his team to victory—and that’s all that matters. Then Matt bursts into Nick’s world. Charismatic, openly gay, and gorgeous, Matt is the frontman of a rock band whose queer euphoria lights up every stage he steps on. Their chemistry is impossible to ignore, even as Matt challenges everything Nick thought he knew about himself. Their secret dates soon spark something more thrilling than either of them expected. But with Nick’s career hanging in the balance and the conservative hockey world watching his every move, can Nick risk it all for a love as thrilling and unpredictable as the game itself?
Nick is terrified of someone discovering his sexuality, and I totally get it. A sport like ice hockey is seen as incredibly macho and alpha male, so many seem to struggle to work out how a gay guy could do it (cue major eye roll). But it’s what he has spent his life doing and cannot find a wait to stop being closeted. I think what I loved most about Nick was the fact that even if he wasn’t open about his sexuality to everyone, he was incredibly open with his emotions. He supported his entire team through ups and downs, remaining a rock for those who needed it and a laugh when things became somber. But the way he opened up with Matt was next level and oh so wonderful! If I could have just another 50,000 books of those two together and their tenderness, I’d be very happy.
Matt is a massive teddy bear and I absolutely love him. He’s proud of his queerness and is incredibly open about it. But the way he supports Nick goes beyond the understanding of being ready to be your true self. He is there in the big ways and the little and it just made my heart melt. His openness meant that Nick felt free to do the same and I loved how Matt’s band joined in with the support too. He’s such a great guy - I wish we could have had time from his POV so we could peek inside his head.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book but good lordy, it was everything I could have wanted and needed. I adore ice hockey romances and whilst I haven’t jumped on the Heated Rivalry train, when I do it had better live up to this absolute stunner! The plot is fantastic and really driven with emotion, which I adore. The way we really get to dig deep into self-acceptance and the pressure to conform to the standards of others, whilst not compromising on a story filled with light and laughter, really hooked me. Enough that I read half the book in a single sitting (thank you weekend!) and scarcely wanted to put it down! With it being a hockey romance, we are exposed to a lot of characters - even more so since one half is involved in the music industry! But despite the large amount of names popping up, it never felt overwhelming. We spent time with key characters and getting to see their relationships and connections with the lead boys, which meant that those popping in and out added to the story but didn’t confuse because they all had purpose. It’s a tricky balance with so many people involved in the book but Jasper has done a stellar job. Like the plot, the romance here is extremely driven by emotion, but that’s what made it feel so real and engaging for me. The support that they both offer each other had my heart melting to goo because it felt so genuine. The connection they share is out of the world and the spicy scenes we got were explosive too. The fact they only bolstered the story instead of hindering it in any way is proof of that. The ending was absolute perfection and made my queer heart oh so happy. Many a happy tear was shed!
Overall, Trick Shot is a stunner of a sports romance you don’t want to miss!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you again to One More Chapter for an advanced copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As always, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
I was excited to read Trick Shot because of my Heated Rivalry obsession (as I am sure many others will be).
This book has the elements of a great MM romance, however, it falls flat in most areas.
Starting off the book with the mystery of Connor and then failing to explain any of what happened, was frustrating. As the reader, I wasn’t sure if Nick was supposed to be pining over Connor still, if we should be rooting for Connor, or if we should be mad at him and be ready for Nick to get in a new relationship.
At around 40%, we get some additional insight into what happened and that definitely helped. However, I was expecting the falling out to be over something significant, and the payoff was not worth it at all.
Matt, frontman of Sticks + Stone, is obviously appealing. Tall, witty, sweet, and in a rock band obviously. However, they hooked up way too soon. Very insta-love in a way that was not executed well. In HR, Shane and Ilya obviously hooked up at the beginning, but their relationship continued to develop. Nick and Matt really lacked any real sort of depth/connection other than “you’re hot” “I like your band” “Hockey is cool”.
Sticks + Stones having multiple hockey themed songs was also incredibly cringey. The halloween scene nearly made me DNF the book. However, at 32% I figured it was worth pushing forward since I have a lofty reading goal to hit this year. But, I would HIGHLY recommend completely omitting or changing the song titles, it was nearly unbearable to read and not visible cringe. Very millennial. Very dated.
There are quite a few music/pop culture references that fall flat. I think the Fall Out Boy Christmas references were funny, but other than that, it’s only dating the book and making it feel millennial. Having a club scene where “Bring me to life” is playing is absurd. I understand that the author is just trying to set the scene, but it’s clunky and poorly executed.
While I take issue with the plot points/insta-love, my biggest issue with this book is the writing. Show, don’t tell. Rather than stating how Nick feels, show us! Don’t just say that he likes Matt and cares about him. Show us!!! It’s like this book was just a vehicle for smut and allegedly humorous dialogue.
Also, as a connoisseur of MM smut and an avid ao3-user, this really could use some work. The logistics were not there (this is coming from a straight woman so take it with a grain of salt). The romantic scenes were rushed and seemed juvenile as well. Really lacked any sort of emotional depth. The romantic scenes did nothing to push the book forward. Typically with insta-love, the physical intimacy is used as a vehicle to propel the emotional connection forward, this was not the case here.
I do appreciate that in the third-act breakup that Matt decided to finally stand up for himself. Everything was on Nick’s terms from the start and it was refreshing to see him finally get a backbone.
However, the last 30% of this book was a drag! I was absolutely over it.
I definitely would not recommend this book, and do not see myself reading anything by this author in the future unfortunately.
I understand if my review seems harsh, but I was extremely disappointed by this book. Given that this is targeted to an adult audience (as a result of the explicit open door scenes), I was expecting more. I would highly recommend omitting the smut and making this a book for a younger audience. I cannot fathom a grown adult enjoying this book.
I was excited to read Trick Shot because of my Heated Rivalry obsession (as I am sure many others will be).
This book has the elements of a great MM romance, however, it falls flat in most areas.
Starting off the book with the mystery of Connor and then failing to explain any of what happened, was frustrating. As the reader, I wasn’t sure if Nick was supposed to be pining over Connor still, if we should be rooting for Connor, or if we should be mad at him and be ready for Nick to get in a new relationship.
At around 40%, we get some additional insight into what happened and that definitely helped. However, I was expecting the falling out to be over something significant, and the payoff was not worth it at all.
Matt, frontman of Sticks + Stone, is obviously appealing. Tall, witty, sweet, and in a rock band obviously. However, they hooked up way too soon. Very insta-love in a way that was not executed well. In HR, Shane and Ilya obviously hooked up at the beginning, but their relationship continued to develop. Nick and Matt really lacked any real sort of depth/connection other than “you’re hot” “I like your band” “Hockey is cool”.
Sticks + Stones having multiple hockey themed songs was also incredibly cringey. The halloween scene nearly made me DNF the book. However, at 32% I figured it was worth pushing forward since I have a lofty reading goal to hit this year. But, I would HIGHLY recommend completely omitting or changing the song titles, it was nearly unbearable to read and not visible cringe. Very millennial. Very dated.
There are quite a few music/pop culture references that fall flat. I think the Fall Out Boy Christmas references were funny, but other than that, it’s only dating the book and making it feel millennial. Having a club scene where “Bring me to life” is playing is absurd. I understand that the author is just trying to set the scene, but it’s clunky and poorly executed.
While I take issue with the plot points/insta-love, my biggest issue with this book is the writing. Show, don’t tell. Rather than stating how Nick feels, show us! Don’t just say that he likes Matt and cares about him. Show us!!! It’s like this book was just a vehicle for smut and allegedly humorous dialogue.
Also, as a connoisseur of MM smut and an avid ao3-user, this really could use some work. The logistics were not there (this is coming from a straight woman so take it with a grain of salt). The romantic scenes were rushed and seemed juvenile as well. Really lacked any sort of emotional depth. The romantic scenes did nothing to push the book forward. Typically with insta-love, the physical intimacy is used as a vehicle to propel the emotional connection forward, this was not the case here.
I do appreciate that in the third-act breakup that Matt decided to finally stand up for himself. Everything was on Nick’s terms from the start and it was refreshing to see him finally get a backbone.
However, the last 30% of this book was a drag! I was absolutely over it.
I definitely would not recommend this book, and do not see myself reading anything by this author in the future unfortunately.
I understand if my review seems harsh, but I was extremely disappointed by this book. Given that this is targeted to an adult audience (as a result of the explicit open door scenes), I was expecting more. I would highly recommend omitting the smut and making this a book for a younger audience. I cannot fathom a grown adult enjoying this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow. Trick Shot is the definition of hockey romance. It is not a romance book where one of the protagonists happens to be an athlete but that actually has very little to do with the plot; this is a romance book that heavily observes and critiques hockey culture in all the best ways. I love ice hockey but its lack of diversity and inclusivity hurts. L.A. Jasper’s commentary on everything that hockey is and everything that hockey should be is perfect.
I can’t pretend to know anything about what it would be like to be Nick, but I can try to imagine it. My knowledge and experience of ice hockey culture leaves me fearful for anyone in Nick’s shoes. His journey feels so real; his anxiety and fear and insecurity coupled with external pressures to hide and minimise himself are exactly how I’d imagine a closeted NHL player to feel. It’s heartbreaking. It’s also what makes this book so good; everything that happens within these pages feels like it could happen tomorrow. L.A. Jasper’s knowledge of hockey is evident and so so impactful in making Trick Shot read like a real-life account.
Nick is lucky to have an incredible support system, and something that shines through in this book is the unquestioning love that his friends and (most of his) colleagues have for him. It shows a side that I hope is truly present in the NHL and professional sports as a whole: acceptance and, more than that, love. His friends don’t love Nick in spite of his sexuality; they love him because of it. Even those he is close with who don’t have his sexuality confirmed but suspect it treat him with so much grace and do what they can to let him know that, if and when he is ready to let them in, they’ll be there with open arms, ready to accept anything he brings their way.
Sticks & Stones as a group of characters are just lush. Their unapologetic nature of being themselves is beautiful and so important, and I hope that the kids of tomorrow have role models like that to look up to. I also desperately hope that organisations like the NHL cling to those groups and show them off, not for monetary gain but for proving that hockey is for everyone, that those who disagree are (or should be) in the minority.
Trick Shot is a tale of love but, more than that, it is a tale of being true to yourself, of being brave when you can be but treating yourself with grace and acceptance when you can’t, of loving who you love, and that “the best way to make a space more welcoming is to occupy it as unapologetically as possible and reach out to those who want to do the same.”
I loved this book. I’ll think about it for a long time. I really hope the events of this tale come true, and that we see players able to live their lives as their true, authentic selves. Love is love is love. It’s beautiful. And, hey, I really, really hope the real Nevada team can take a lesson from this book and learn from their endless mistakes. The best time to change and grow was yesterday; the second best time is today.
Thank you to One More Chapter for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I can’t pretend to know anything about what it would be like to be Nick, but I can try to imagine it. My knowledge and experience of ice hockey culture leaves me fearful for anyone in Nick’s shoes. His journey feels so real; his anxiety and fear and insecurity coupled with external pressures to hide and minimise himself are exactly how I’d imagine a closeted NHL player to feel. It’s heartbreaking. It’s also what makes this book so good; everything that happens within these pages feels like it could happen tomorrow. L.A. Jasper’s knowledge of hockey is evident and so so impactful in making Trick Shot read like a real-life account.
Nick is lucky to have an incredible support system, and something that shines through in this book is the unquestioning love that his friends and (most of his) colleagues have for him. It shows a side that I hope is truly present in the NHL and professional sports as a whole: acceptance and, more than that, love. His friends don’t love Nick in spite of his sexuality; they love him because of it. Even those he is close with who don’t have his sexuality confirmed but suspect it treat him with so much grace and do what they can to let him know that, if and when he is ready to let them in, they’ll be there with open arms, ready to accept anything he brings their way.
Sticks & Stones as a group of characters are just lush. Their unapologetic nature of being themselves is beautiful and so important, and I hope that the kids of tomorrow have role models like that to look up to. I also desperately hope that organisations like the NHL cling to those groups and show them off, not for monetary gain but for proving that hockey is for everyone, that those who disagree are (or should be) in the minority.
Trick Shot is a tale of love but, more than that, it is a tale of being true to yourself, of being brave when you can be but treating yourself with grace and acceptance when you can’t, of loving who you love, and that “the best way to make a space more welcoming is to occupy it as unapologetically as possible and reach out to those who want to do the same.”
I loved this book. I’ll think about it for a long time. I really hope the events of this tale come true, and that we see players able to live their lives as their true, authentic selves. Love is love is love. It’s beautiful. And, hey, I really, really hope the real Nevada team can take a lesson from this book and learn from their endless mistakes. The best time to change and grow was yesterday; the second best time is today.
Thank you to One More Chapter for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 28, 2026
4.25 stars. Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for sending me an ARC of Trick Shot in exchange for an honest review.
Queer 👏 sports 👏 romance!!! Give me more. This was perfect for fans of Heated Rivalry looking for a lil something to scratch that itch 🌈🏒
Nick is a closeted NHL captain, who is just fine keeping his truth a secret thank you very much. At least he is until out and proud pop-punk frontman sensation Matt enters his life. Nick finds himself pulled into Matt’s orbit - their chemistry is undeniable, and for the first time he finds himself wanting more for himself.
With the world of the NHL watching hot shot Nick’s every move, he struggles to maintain the balance of his personal and professional identities. He knows what he has with Matt is worth everything, but is it worth risking his career for?
This was so tender and lovely, what a treat! I loved the dynamic of Nick and Matt being from different areas of fame with the opposite experiences and approach to their public identities. It breaks my heart that professional athletes so often feel unable to live their truth and instead feel that they have to spend their lives masking who they are.
Matt was such a delightful character, I really loved him. He was supportive and understanding of Nick’s precarious position and didn’t put any pressure whatsoever on him to do anything he wasn’t comfortable with. What a gem 💕 also him being an emo kid was perfect!
Nick I struggled with a bit more- he was so dumb at times! One thing I don’t love in a romance is when the main character is wilfully ignorant to what is actually happening in their relationship and doesn’t believe that they are seriously wanted. Like, Matt was making his feelings SO obvious! And Nick is just an oblivious baby, bless him!
The conflicts felt earned and organic, and it didn’t take long for both of these men to be honest about what they want and how they feel.
There was a lot more hockey in this than in your average hockey romance, but that wasn’t an issue for me! I loved it, even though I have barely any understanding of the sport 😂
The supporting cast of characters was excellent, a huge range of personalities and sexualities with authentic representation that didn’t feel the least bit forced or performative.
This also featured perhaps the most mature and healthy relationship between exes that I have ever experienced in media! I loved how Nick and Connor were handled and the rekindling of their genuine friendship - it was beautiful!
If you’re a sports romance fan who enjoys found family, alllllll the yearning, spice, Chelsea Curto/Rachel Reid/Emily Rath’s hockey series and the BEST CAT RELATIONSHIPS, please do yourself a favour and pick Trick Shot up. You won’t regret it!
Queer 👏 sports 👏 romance!!! Give me more. This was perfect for fans of Heated Rivalry looking for a lil something to scratch that itch 🌈🏒
Nick is a closeted NHL captain, who is just fine keeping his truth a secret thank you very much. At least he is until out and proud pop-punk frontman sensation Matt enters his life. Nick finds himself pulled into Matt’s orbit - their chemistry is undeniable, and for the first time he finds himself wanting more for himself.
With the world of the NHL watching hot shot Nick’s every move, he struggles to maintain the balance of his personal and professional identities. He knows what he has with Matt is worth everything, but is it worth risking his career for?
This was so tender and lovely, what a treat! I loved the dynamic of Nick and Matt being from different areas of fame with the opposite experiences and approach to their public identities. It breaks my heart that professional athletes so often feel unable to live their truth and instead feel that they have to spend their lives masking who they are.
Matt was such a delightful character, I really loved him. He was supportive and understanding of Nick’s precarious position and didn’t put any pressure whatsoever on him to do anything he wasn’t comfortable with. What a gem 💕 also him being an emo kid was perfect!
Nick I struggled with a bit more- he was so dumb at times! One thing I don’t love in a romance is when the main character is wilfully ignorant to what is actually happening in their relationship and doesn’t believe that they are seriously wanted. Like, Matt was making his feelings SO obvious! And Nick is just an oblivious baby, bless him!
The conflicts felt earned and organic, and it didn’t take long for both of these men to be honest about what they want and how they feel.
There was a lot more hockey in this than in your average hockey romance, but that wasn’t an issue for me! I loved it, even though I have barely any understanding of the sport 😂
The supporting cast of characters was excellent, a huge range of personalities and sexualities with authentic representation that didn’t feel the least bit forced or performative.
This also featured perhaps the most mature and healthy relationship between exes that I have ever experienced in media! I loved how Nick and Connor were handled and the rekindling of their genuine friendship - it was beautiful!
If you’re a sports romance fan who enjoys found family, alllllll the yearning, spice, Chelsea Curto/Rachel Reid/Emily Rath’s hockey series and the BEST CAT RELATIONSHIPS, please do yourself a favour and pick Trick Shot up. You won’t regret it!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I want to start by thanking NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of Trick Shot by L.A. Jasper in exchange for an honest review. This sports meets rockstar romance follows Nick, a hockey player who is deeply closeted, and Matt, a rockstar who brings so much charm to the story. As a former emo kid, I absolutely loved Matt because he was basically every emo kid's dream crush. While I loved the books core, I ended up with very mixed feelings, landing at a solid 3.5/5 stars rounded up to 4.
The relationship between Nick and Matt was adorable, and I loved how domestic it became even while Nick was trying to insist things were just casual. It was so obvious that both of these guys were desperate for something more. The scenes at the concert and the Halloween party were highlights for me, and I loved the relationship between the band and the players. It was such a great touch that the band members actually played hockey so that Matt and Nick could connect through that shared passion.
However, the plot drama really tested my patience. I absolutely hate third act breakups, and this book somehow managed to have two of them. Both were fueled by miscommunication and men being idiots. It was frustrating to watch them cycle through breakups for misguided career reasons instead of just having a conversation, especially when they were so amazing together when they actually talked.
The depth was also lacking when it came to the subplots. Marco is Nick’s best friend and we know Nick came out to him at some point during their six year friendship, but it was never expressly explained how that conversation actually happened. The situation with Connor was even more confusing. We only get bits of why he left for Europe and never made it to the NHL, which seemingly happened just because he was scared? The media narrative about a rivalry between him and Nick made zero sense because they were always friendly in public and even hugged on the ice.
The ending was a bit of a whirlwind since Nick spent the entire book insisting he would never come out, only to pull a massive 180 at the very end. While the scene where he gets all the gay players to come out together was beautiful and gave me goosebumps, the internal progression didn't feel entirely convincing given how stubborn he was for the majority of the book.
Ultimately, it was a lighter read with some great high points and a top tier love interest, but the repetitive drama kept it from being a perfect read for me.
The relationship between Nick and Matt was adorable, and I loved how domestic it became even while Nick was trying to insist things were just casual. It was so obvious that both of these guys were desperate for something more. The scenes at the concert and the Halloween party were highlights for me, and I loved the relationship between the band and the players. It was such a great touch that the band members actually played hockey so that Matt and Nick could connect through that shared passion.
However, the plot drama really tested my patience. I absolutely hate third act breakups, and this book somehow managed to have two of them. Both were fueled by miscommunication and men being idiots. It was frustrating to watch them cycle through breakups for misguided career reasons instead of just having a conversation, especially when they were so amazing together when they actually talked.
The depth was also lacking when it came to the subplots. Marco is Nick’s best friend and we know Nick came out to him at some point during their six year friendship, but it was never expressly explained how that conversation actually happened. The situation with Connor was even more confusing. We only get bits of why he left for Europe and never made it to the NHL, which seemingly happened just because he was scared? The media narrative about a rivalry between him and Nick made zero sense because they were always friendly in public and even hugged on the ice.
The ending was a bit of a whirlwind since Nick spent the entire book insisting he would never come out, only to pull a massive 180 at the very end. While the scene where he gets all the gay players to come out together was beautiful and gave me goosebumps, the internal progression didn't feel entirely convincing given how stubborn he was for the majority of the book.
Ultimately, it was a lighter read with some great high points and a top tier love interest, but the repetitive drama kept it from being a perfect read for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed this read, even though it definitely had moments that frustrated me. One of my favorite scenes was Nick’s pep talk with the rookie—especially the detail of him noticing the kid’s shaking hands while putting on his socks. It’s such a small moment, but it adds a lot of emotional weight and shows how observant Nick can be. That same attention to detail really shines during the SticksN’Stones concert, where Nick takes in the crowd and notices all the different people, their outfits, and their mannerisms—it made the whole scene feel vivid and real.
At the same time, Nick himself can be…a lot. He seriously got on my nerves more than once, especially with how he treats Matt. His inability to communicate his feelings—and even ghosting him—was frustrating to read, but it also felt very real. He’s not an idealized main character, and I actually appreciated that. His flaws made him more believable, even when I wanted to shake him.
There are moments where that characterization felt a little inconsistent, though. In private, he comes across one way with his friends, but in public, he’s hyper-focused on appearing completely straight. Sometimes those two sides didn’t fully blend—like certain more casual scenes that didn’t quite match the intensity of how guarded he is elsewhere.
I also found myself wishing we got Matt’s perspective. Because Nick is so caught up in his fear of being outed, it would’ve added a lot to see what Matt was thinking, especially in the early stages of their relationship. And speaking of that relationship, the pacing felt a bit rushed—Nick opens up quickly and jumps into calling him “babe” pretty early, which made the progression feel a little less natural.
Some plot points didn’t fully land for me either. It was a bit hard to believe how easily Nick was able to secretly hook up with multiple guys, especially when he’s shown to be so anxious about being seen in relatively low-risk situations. And while there’s a lot of buildup around Connor LaPorte, there’s not much payoff, which made his presence feel a little underdeveloped despite how important he seems to Nick’s life.
Even with those issues, though, there’s a lot here that worked for me—the emotional moments, the vivid scenes, and especially the flawed, messy characterization. It’s not a perfect book, but it’s one that stuck with me, and I ended up liking it a lot overall.
At the same time, Nick himself can be…a lot. He seriously got on my nerves more than once, especially with how he treats Matt. His inability to communicate his feelings—and even ghosting him—was frustrating to read, but it also felt very real. He’s not an idealized main character, and I actually appreciated that. His flaws made him more believable, even when I wanted to shake him.
There are moments where that characterization felt a little inconsistent, though. In private, he comes across one way with his friends, but in public, he’s hyper-focused on appearing completely straight. Sometimes those two sides didn’t fully blend—like certain more casual scenes that didn’t quite match the intensity of how guarded he is elsewhere.
I also found myself wishing we got Matt’s perspective. Because Nick is so caught up in his fear of being outed, it would’ve added a lot to see what Matt was thinking, especially in the early stages of their relationship. And speaking of that relationship, the pacing felt a bit rushed—Nick opens up quickly and jumps into calling him “babe” pretty early, which made the progression feel a little less natural.
Some plot points didn’t fully land for me either. It was a bit hard to believe how easily Nick was able to secretly hook up with multiple guys, especially when he’s shown to be so anxious about being seen in relatively low-risk situations. And while there’s a lot of buildup around Connor LaPorte, there’s not much payoff, which made his presence feel a little underdeveloped despite how important he seems to Nick’s life.
Even with those issues, though, there’s a lot here that worked for me—the emotional moments, the vivid scenes, and especially the flawed, messy characterization. It’s not a perfect book, but it’s one that stuck with me, and I ended up liking it a lot overall.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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