On the Button

by Jaime Samms

Delivering a stone down the ice has never been so complicated.

Local curling legend Perry Hasting’s life is all about curling and Evan, and he likes it that way.

He still can’t believe Evan followed him out of a party all those years ago, just because Perry told him to. He tries not to think about the day Evan realizes Perry isn’t enough for him.

New to the curling world, Evan Baily learned to curl because of Perry’s love of the game.

He’ll do pretty much whatever Perry asks of him, and has discovered not only does he love Perry’s game, he’s more than halfway decent at it. But he’s not so oblivious he doesn’t see Perry cracking under the pressure of Evan’s intensity on and off the ice.

Who knows how things might have gone, if not for that one fateful tournament, a sucker punch, and a bossy Skip suddenly in need of a new team.

Suddenly gold medal dreams they never knew they had hinge on undeniable chemistry and unexpected partnerships. The road to the winter games is a long one, but Alan Channing could give Perry and Evan everything they’ve always wanted, both at the top of the podium and in love.

On the Button is part of the Love On The Podium shared queer romance series.

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 2, 2026

About the author

Jaime Samms is a plaid-hearted Canadian who spends the too-long winters writing stories about love between men and the too-short summers digging in the garden. There are dust bunnies in the corners of her house—which she blames on a husky named Kai. There are dishes on the counter—which is clearly because teenagers! There is hot coffee in the pot and the occasional meal to keep her from starving—because her husband is remarkable and patient.

A multi-published author whose work has been translated into French, Italian, and German, Jaime delights in the intricate dance of words that leads her through tales of the lost and broken hearted men she writes about to the love stories that find and mend them.

And when the muse is being stubborn, she also makes pretty things with yarn and fabric scraps because in her world, no heart is too broken to love, and nothing is too worn or tired it can’t be upcycled into something beautiful. All it takes is determination and the ability to see life a little bit left of center.

Reviews

[brogay · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️

On The Button follows Perry and Evan, boyfriends who play on the same curling team. Their strong relationship is evident from very early on, where we see them through Alan’s eyes. Alan is on the curling team that is considered the Olympic Hopefuls, and he has an interest in both Perry and Evan. Personally and professionally. When their paths cross, Alan isn’t subtle about his intent.

Perry and Evan’s relationship is incredibly sweet, each of them needing the other to ground them. Evan is grounded mostly by sex from Perry, which includes D/s dynamics, as well Perry taking control. Whereas Perry is grounded by Evan through any form of physical touch and the way Evan can so easily read him and use his words to settle his mind. However with stresses and tensions rising, their relationship becomes a little bit rocky and neither of them really know how to handle it.

Alan is steady, stable, someone who commands a room and has a level head. He’s charming and straight forward, and more than anything he wants to help Perry and Evan in anyway that he can. His communication is top tier and he has the respect and love of everyone around him.

I am a sucker for polyam and this story really does deliver. It’s fast-paced, sweet, spicy and positively adorable. If you’re a fan of found family vibes, D/s dynamics, polyam or mm romance, I highly recommend this one. The relationship is portrayed in such a beautiful way, from the communication the main characters have with one another, to the struggles they face along the way. Jaime Samms really does deliver some wonderful characters, main and side!

[PalenMisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think I've ever read a book about curling before, let alone a romance, but this was quite good. There was an amazing found family dynamic between the entire team which I loved and there were a few side relationships going on as well (I'd love to see Carol and Michael get their own book). The dynamic between Perry, Evan and Alan worked really well and I liked that they didn't just dive into everything right away, especially since Perry and Evan were already an established couple when they met Alan. There was communication along the way and they were all careful to make sure they understood each other. The various games were not glossed over, but were still high level enough to stay interesting so this definitely felt like it was about curling in addition to the romance (instead of being a romance about people who happen to be curlers, but we never see them do anything sport related). I definitely enjoyed this and would recommend it if you're looking for something that does not rely on miscommunication to carry the story.

[CatOnABlueBackground · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about the sport of curling. I've never read one on this topic, so this was all new to me. Problem is, the most curling I've seen is a little bit on tv and I didn't know most of the terminology. I was a bit confused as to what was going on when they were playing (this is entirely MY issue, but I wish I'd known more about the sport before I asked for the arc).

Liked the romance. Perry & Evan are on a team, already romantic partners. Alan's team is headed for the Olympics, but they decide to cut some members who weren't working out right at the sign-up deadline. Alan asks Perry & Evan (& Robbie) to join the team at the last minute. They join and practice begins. Eventually they make it to the Olympics. The romance is MMM, with Alan added into what Perry & Evan already have. It's a nice group, with a great set of side characters.

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book from the author, so thank you to the author for that! my honest review is as follows:

I've read three of the five in the Love on the Podium series, and this one has been my favorite so far. A good balance of the sport and the romance, but also a healthy mix of found family domesticity. I know NOTHING about curling, but the energy and chemistry of the team was incredible, and getting to see how everything came together (pun...not (?) intended...?) was wonderful.

I will say there were a few errors that messed with me a little, like calling Evan "Even" at one point, or extra words that seemed part of an original idea that got rewritten, things like that. But they were few and far between, so it wasn't a constant issue pulling me out of the immersion.

Once again, huge thanks to the author, I really genuinely enjoyed this one!