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Hockey Guys #4
My Kind of Guy
He’s a backup goalie with a broken game. The only thing he needs more than a win is the hot, grumpy bartender who pours his weekly beer.
Becker James is having a spectacularly bad season. Once a top draft pick, he’s now riding the bench in the minors, one failed save away from being cut. The highlight of his week? A lonely hour on a barstool at Sportsballs, Denver’s queerest watering hole—and Forest, the bartender with flannel sleeves, a gruff voice, and a beard that stars in Beck’s dreams.
Opportunity strikes when Forest’s LGBTQ hockey team—the Stickhandlers—loses their goalie last-minute. Beck makes Forest an offer: he’ll help them beat the most hated team in the beer league, but he wants something in return—one night together.
Cue the record scratch, because Seth Forrester doesn’t do hookups. After his last one went horribly wrong, he swore off men for good. He’s definitely not falling for the awkward hottie who just stammered through an indecent proposal.
But Beck is prepared to press his case, no matter how awkward it gets. And one beer league game turns into something messier, sweeter, and so much harder to walk away from…
Becker James is having a spectacularly bad season. Once a top draft pick, he’s now riding the bench in the minors, one failed save away from being cut. The highlight of his week? A lonely hour on a barstool at Sportsballs, Denver’s queerest watering hole—and Forest, the bartender with flannel sleeves, a gruff voice, and a beard that stars in Beck’s dreams.
Opportunity strikes when Forest’s LGBTQ hockey team—the Stickhandlers—loses their goalie last-minute. Beck makes Forest an offer: he’ll help them beat the most hated team in the beer league, but he wants something in return—one night together.
Cue the record scratch, because Seth Forrester doesn’t do hookups. After his last one went horribly wrong, he swore off men for good. He’s definitely not falling for the awkward hottie who just stammered through an indecent proposal.
But Beck is prepared to press his case, no matter how awkward it gets. And one beer league game turns into something messier, sweeter, and so much harder to walk away from…
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 24, 2026
493 people are currently reading
10749 people want to read
About the author
Sarina Bowen
108 books19.6k followers
Sarina Bowen is the 24-time USA Today bestselling and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary fiction, including: The Five Year Lie, the True North series, and the Brooklyn Hockey series. She's the co-author of Him/Us and the WAGs series with Elle Kennedy. And more!
You can find a complete reading order list of Sarina's books on her website. Or see what's coming next from Sarina, and sign up for her newsletter so you don't miss a new book or a deal.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 580 reviews
March 28, 2026
I had mixed feelings about this book when I started it, but it go a lot better for me later on.
I could say the same thing about Beck's character. I wasn't sure what to think of him at first. He was kind of funny and adorkable with his unfiltered ramblings, but his blatant flirting with Forest sometimes felt off-putting and forced to me. Thankfully, it was more subdued as the story progressed and I actually grew to love him so much.
Even though he is younger than Forest, he felt more mature. I loved his honesty and thoughtfulness. I feel he was the one giving more for the longest time, which made their relationship uneven. It was breaking my heart to see him pine for Forest, wanting more, but thinking he could never have that. I understood Forest's issues, but I wanted to shake him so many times.
I really loved what Beck did regarding Forest. I would have done the same. I loved how the story ended, both when it comes to hockey and their relationship. Beck deserved it all. Obviously, I'm happy for Forest, too, but Beck's happiness felt more satisfying.
I really liked the wonderful group of friends and teammates, all the hockey games that I was invested in as much as in the romance part, and the lovely connection between Beck and Charlie. They're adorable. Also, Beck has an excellent taste in music.
I could say the same thing about Beck's character. I wasn't sure what to think of him at first. He was kind of funny and adorkable with his unfiltered ramblings, but his blatant flirting with Forest sometimes felt off-putting and forced to me. Thankfully, it was more subdued as the story progressed and I actually grew to love him so much.
Even though he is younger than Forest, he felt more mature. I loved his honesty and thoughtfulness. I feel he was the one giving more for the longest time, which made their relationship uneven. It was breaking my heart to see him pine for Forest, wanting more, but thinking he could never have that. I understood Forest's issues, but I wanted to shake him so many times.
I really loved what Beck did regarding Forest. I would have done the same. I loved how the story ended, both when it comes to hockey and their relationship. Beck deserved it all. Obviously, I'm happy for Forest, too, but Beck's happiness felt more satisfying.
I really liked the wonderful group of friends and teammates, all the hockey games that I was invested in as much as in the romance part, and the lovely connection between Beck and Charlie. They're adorable. Also, Beck has an excellent taste in music.
March 26, 2026
If there's an instinct for shame, Becker James had it excised at birth. Just vibing around, devoid of shame. I've never seen someone so colossally desperate that it laps itself and circles round to being earnestly adorable.
His friends - if he had any, would probably die of secondhand embarrassment (and they'd be the lucky ones) because those of us who had to experience it every time he spoke (or thought) wanted to die.
But with a persistent smile nonetheless because OH MY GOD, BECK, SHUT UP.
As a devout skimmer of sex scenes, this time I savored them because it was a few minutes of peace from Beck being the most enthusiastically desperate version of himself that it's possible to be.
Forest's beer league hockey team is down a goalie? Oh my God, how fortuitous! You're a goalie. You can totally cover them for that game. If he'll take you home after and fuck you.
He said no to your proposition? NOT TO WORRY! You can still show up. Nobody ever got a yes by accepting a no.
Double texting? Who's that? Think 10, 20 unanswered texts. No biggie. You'll just text again.
No response? Not. A. Problem. Just show up to that man's place unannounced. He probably wants to see you.
His kid's around? That's epic! You LOVE playing the same video game he plays. Isn't that a sign? That's a sign.
HE CAN'T GHOST YOU IF YOU JUST KEEP SHOWING UP.
He's a hoot a minute, but you can't help liking him because he's not just intense about Forest, he's intense about everything.
Can't fault Forest for folding. He stood no chance. Except, he really should have known there's no way to give Beck an inch(hehe) without him taking a mile. And then some.
The texting intensifies. Because why not?
"Also, you haven't said anything filthy to me in days and I'm starting to wilt like one of those plants that needs misting. Hope your night's good."
💀
This goes on for most of the story. Beck trying his hardest. Forest letting his demons, and literally everything else, stop him from giving anything back.
Which gets old REALLY fast, let me tell you.
Though, to be fair, Forest DID say he had nothing to offer but sex. And Beck said okay (even though, c'mon. It's Beck lol. He's a huge ball of 'care').
But I can't explain how utterly it broke my heart that months after starting their benefits only arrangement, Beck gets deliriously sick and genuinely, to the core of his soul, believes he can't call up Forest because 'Forest wouldn't care'.
And he's valid to think it. Forest leaves him on read like they're giving awards for it, pulls away the second anything gets remotely real and only engages for sex. Well. Aside from the one time he has nobody to call for help with his kid.
Which was giving less 'I like you and want you in my life' and more 'Don Draper dumping his kids on whichever unsuspecting person happens to be in his periphery in times of crisis'.
Still. I knew the score. And was still as sucker punched by it as Beck was when he metaphorically stretched a hand out and had it SWIFTLY chopped off.
That said. Unbelievably proud of how no contact Beck went after being given his marching papers. For a person dealing with first time heartbreak from his first love, I was really proud.
Also, deeply surprised. But happy to be surprised.
Seeing Forest be miserable over it was soothing to my soul, especially the moment when he realized that Beck had taken him at his request and finally truly moved on from him.
Seeing him send a paragraph and only get a thumbs up react on it? Hahahaha. Wonderful business. Nowhere close to making up for the thousands of texts he left unanswered during their run, but enough to get the point across.
Wish it had gone on longer than it did.
But. In fairness, Forest had his reasons for fearing attachment. He wasn't just waking up each day excited to be a dick to Beck, though he did end up being a dick most of the time.
I understood his reasons. Just hated how long it took for him to work that shit out.
Also wish he'd have been subjected to a longer apology tour but Beck is Beck, so you know if he had a tail it would have been wagging for dear life the moment Forest came to get him.
Stillllllll. Not perfect for me because I feel like their relationship dynamic is still unequal at the end. Yes, Forest makes actual attempts to be better at showing Beck how much he loves him and wants him in his life.
But it's very clear that Beck still feels like he's in it more. I would have loved an epilogue showing Beck be more secure in how loved he is. Because from the house thing, Beck still feels like Forest maybe isn't as all in as he is.
But it's so glaringly obvious to me that Forest's the lucky one.
Oh, also! Loved that Beck's a goalie. They're never beating the 'weird' allegations, though.
I just generally love Beck's attitude. Every other backup or farm team MC seems to feel a type of way about not being on the A team, which is valid. But Beck?
"That means I'm their new favourite spare tyre. I love this for me!"
Sick as a dog and still funny.
'I can hear colors now. Red and orange are nice. Blue is loud.'
And yes, maybe cereal IS a soup. Sure. Why not?
His friends - if he had any, would probably die of secondhand embarrassment (and they'd be the lucky ones) because those of us who had to experience it every time he spoke (or thought) wanted to die.
But with a persistent smile nonetheless because OH MY GOD, BECK, SHUT UP.
As a devout skimmer of sex scenes, this time I savored them because it was a few minutes of peace from Beck being the most enthusiastically desperate version of himself that it's possible to be.
Forest's beer league hockey team is down a goalie? Oh my God, how fortuitous! You're a goalie. You can totally cover them for that game. If he'll take you home after and fuck you.
He said no to your proposition? NOT TO WORRY! You can still show up. Nobody ever got a yes by accepting a no.
Double texting? Who's that? Think 10, 20 unanswered texts. No biggie. You'll just text again.
No response? Not. A. Problem. Just show up to that man's place unannounced. He probably wants to see you.
His kid's around? That's epic! You LOVE playing the same video game he plays. Isn't that a sign? That's a sign.
HE CAN'T GHOST YOU IF YOU JUST KEEP SHOWING UP.
He's a hoot a minute, but you can't help liking him because he's not just intense about Forest, he's intense about everything.
Can't fault Forest for folding. He stood no chance. Except, he really should have known there's no way to give Beck an inch(hehe) without him taking a mile. And then some.
The texting intensifies. Because why not?
"Also, you haven't said anything filthy to me in days and I'm starting to wilt like one of those plants that needs misting. Hope your night's good."
💀
This goes on for most of the story. Beck trying his hardest. Forest letting his demons, and literally everything else, stop him from giving anything back.
Which gets old REALLY fast, let me tell you.
Though, to be fair, Forest DID say he had nothing to offer but sex. And Beck said okay (even though, c'mon. It's Beck lol. He's a huge ball of 'care').
But I can't explain how utterly it broke my heart that months after starting their benefits only arrangement, Beck gets deliriously sick and genuinely, to the core of his soul, believes he can't call up Forest because 'Forest wouldn't care'.
And he's valid to think it. Forest leaves him on read like they're giving awards for it, pulls away the second anything gets remotely real and only engages for sex. Well. Aside from the one time he has nobody to call for help with his kid.
Which was giving less 'I like you and want you in my life' and more 'Don Draper dumping his kids on whichever unsuspecting person happens to be in his periphery in times of crisis'.
Still. I knew the score. And was still as sucker punched by it as Beck was when he metaphorically stretched a hand out and had it SWIFTLY chopped off.
That said. Unbelievably proud of how no contact Beck went after being given his marching papers. For a person dealing with first time heartbreak from his first love, I was really proud.
Also, deeply surprised. But happy to be surprised.
Seeing Forest be miserable over it was soothing to my soul, especially the moment when he realized that Beck had taken him at his request and finally truly moved on from him.
Seeing him send a paragraph and only get a thumbs up react on it? Hahahaha. Wonderful business. Nowhere close to making up for the thousands of texts he left unanswered during their run, but enough to get the point across.
Wish it had gone on longer than it did.
But. In fairness, Forest had his reasons for fearing attachment. He wasn't just waking up each day excited to be a dick to Beck, though he did end up being a dick most of the time.
I understood his reasons. Just hated how long it took for him to work that shit out.
Also wish he'd have been subjected to a longer apology tour but Beck is Beck, so you know if he had a tail it would have been wagging for dear life the moment Forest came to get him.
Stillllllll. Not perfect for me because I feel like their relationship dynamic is still unequal at the end. Yes, Forest makes actual attempts to be better at showing Beck how much he loves him and wants him in his life.
But it's very clear that Beck still feels like he's in it more. I would have loved an epilogue showing Beck be more secure in how loved he is. Because from the house thing, Beck still feels like Forest maybe isn't as all in as he is.
But it's so glaringly obvious to me that Forest's the lucky one.
Oh, also! Loved that Beck's a goalie. They're never beating the 'weird' allegations, though.
I just generally love Beck's attitude. Every other backup or farm team MC seems to feel a type of way about not being on the A team, which is valid. But Beck?
"That means I'm their new favourite spare tyre. I love this for me!"
Sick as a dog and still funny.
'I can hear colors now. Red and orange are nice. Blue is loud.'
And yes, maybe cereal IS a soup. Sure. Why not?
April 4, 2026
and i start talking about how cereal is really a soup?
FIRST holy shit guys, i’m in the top 100 most popular goodreads reviewers in the UK for this last month, thank you all so so much, i haven’t been here very long but i love this little community 💛
second off, let me say that i did enjoy this book, i desperately needed something easy, low key and ideally something that wouldn't rip my fucking heart out of my chest with every page.
and this book was exactly that. something i needed.
i have read two previous hockey guy books and i think the familiarity of them and the fact they're just comfy and silly loosens the heaviness of most books i tend to read!
however i do not think it's a particularly good book, and this is probs a hot take, but i think two things can be true: me enjoying the book and it not being particularly good.
it's formulaic, it's rushed, it's pretty unrealistic, the drama is forced and the reconciliation inevitable and too quick. but this has to be the case because sarina bowen writes shorter, comfier books and that's so fine. she's not trying to write anything groundbreaking. it's a system that works, but i just don't think the system is amazing.
i have to say, i did love beck, he was unashamedly himself and that is so refreshing to read in a book, it's what i strive to be in my life and it was nice to see that celebrated by the others characters and not ridiculed or put down.
forest - i could take and leave tbh. he didn't really have a personality other than lumberjack dad lol, i understand why some people might like him but he wasn't for me, and beck far overshadowed him.
that being said, the positivity and joy radiated from this book (made even better by the pink cover).
i did enjoy it, it was what i needed, march was rough and i honestly feel meh, but this book did make me feel a little brighter and i am thankful for that.
FIRST holy shit guys, i’m in the top 100 most popular goodreads reviewers in the UK for this last month, thank you all so so much, i haven’t been here very long but i love this little community 💛
second off, let me say that i did enjoy this book, i desperately needed something easy, low key and ideally something that wouldn't rip my fucking heart out of my chest with every page.
and this book was exactly that. something i needed.
i have read two previous hockey guy books and i think the familiarity of them and the fact they're just comfy and silly loosens the heaviness of most books i tend to read!
however i do not think it's a particularly good book, and this is probs a hot take, but i think two things can be true: me enjoying the book and it not being particularly good.
it's formulaic, it's rushed, it's pretty unrealistic, the drama is forced and the reconciliation inevitable and too quick. but this has to be the case because sarina bowen writes shorter, comfier books and that's so fine. she's not trying to write anything groundbreaking. it's a system that works, but i just don't think the system is amazing.
i have to say, i did love beck, he was unashamedly himself and that is so refreshing to read in a book, it's what i strive to be in my life and it was nice to see that celebrated by the others characters and not ridiculed or put down.
forest - i could take and leave tbh. he didn't really have a personality other than lumberjack dad lol, i understand why some people might like him but he wasn't for me, and beck far overshadowed him.
that being said, the positivity and joy radiated from this book (made even better by the pink cover).
i did enjoy it, it was what i needed, march was rough and i honestly feel meh, but this book did make me feel a little brighter and i am thankful for that.
March 19, 2026
Really really hate that a character used AI multiples times. That is never and will never be a good plot point no matter how minor in the story. Especially with how minor it is in this book, I’d have rather had the character talk to himself to make the point of being lonely and feeling isolated. We all need to be anti-AI in every aspect of life.
I am such a sucker for a hockey romance and this was no exception! Beck and Forest are such a perfect pairing and I immediately fell in love with them. The way they balance each other out and bring out the best in one another is so charming. I really loved the dynamic between the team and the friend group and will need to go read more asap.
I love getting weird goalie representation but feel kind of off about this one. Beck was very charming to me and I loved him instantly but having him mellow out, by just saying he’s weird and no longer showing it, once he got into a relationship just felt odd and made his rambling and quirks at the beginning feel forced.
Another small thing that really is such a personal annoyance, I really hate how the younger characters talk and use slang words. As an early 20-some, it is not an accurate representation of how that generation speaks and really took me out of the book.
Thank you to Sarina Bowen and team for this ARC!
I am such a sucker for a hockey romance and this was no exception! Beck and Forest are such a perfect pairing and I immediately fell in love with them. The way they balance each other out and bring out the best in one another is so charming. I really loved the dynamic between the team and the friend group and will need to go read more asap.
I love getting weird goalie representation but feel kind of off about this one. Beck was very charming to me and I loved him instantly but having him mellow out, by just saying he’s weird and no longer showing it, once he got into a relationship just felt odd and made his rambling and quirks at the beginning feel forced.
Another small thing that really is such a personal annoyance, I really hate how the younger characters talk and use slang words. As an early 20-some, it is not an accurate representation of how that generation speaks and really took me out of the book.
Thank you to Sarina Bowen and team for this ARC!
March 29, 2026
I was actually looking forward to this, but when the author decided to include an AI Chatbot, you lost me. WHY is the main character repeatedly using an AI chatbot for advice on what to do in his love life???
I am surprised and honestly appalled that the author who repeatedly uses her own social platforms to speak out against AI use has included it in her story.
I also find it dangerous to normalize the use of AI chatbots in our modern-day stories. It has been shown repeatedly that relying on these chatbots for personal advice is harmful. Why would we want to normalize this when we are actively trying to fight against it?
In a new study published in Science, Stanford computer scientists showed that artificial intelligence large language models are overly agreeable, or sycophantic, when users solicit advice on interpersonal dilemmas. Even when users described harmful or illegal behavior, the models often affirmed their choices. “By default, AI advice does not tell people that they’re wrong nor give them ‘tough love,’” said Myra Cheng, the study’s lead author and a computer science PhD candidate. “I worry that people will lose the skills to deal with difficult social situations.”
Quoted from this article:
https://news.stanford.edu/stories/202...
I am including in my review a few more articles citing how using AI chatbots for personal advice can be harmful.
https://www.usnews.com/news/business/...
https://www.tc.columbia.edu/articles/...
I am surprised and honestly appalled that the author who repeatedly uses her own social platforms to speak out against AI use has included it in her story.
I also find it dangerous to normalize the use of AI chatbots in our modern-day stories. It has been shown repeatedly that relying on these chatbots for personal advice is harmful. Why would we want to normalize this when we are actively trying to fight against it?
In a new study published in Science, Stanford computer scientists showed that artificial intelligence large language models are overly agreeable, or sycophantic, when users solicit advice on interpersonal dilemmas. Even when users described harmful or illegal behavior, the models often affirmed their choices. “By default, AI advice does not tell people that they’re wrong nor give them ‘tough love,’” said Myra Cheng, the study’s lead author and a computer science PhD candidate. “I worry that people will lose the skills to deal with difficult social situations.”
Quoted from this article:
https://news.stanford.edu/stories/202...
I am including in my review a few more articles citing how using AI chatbots for personal advice can be harmful.
https://www.usnews.com/news/business/...
https://www.tc.columbia.edu/articles/...
March 28, 2026
A+
Will recommend, absolutely will read again.
DE-LIGHT-FUL! ✨✨✨✨✨
I couldn't stop smiling 😊
Delightful story, exceptionally delightful writing. The dialogue, inner and outer, is top tier funny.
Great, creative writing.
Beck is.... everything. One of the best MCs I've read in a while 😊
A gorgeous book, with all the laughs and all the (low angst) drama.
..a taste of what comes out of Beck's brain:
“Be a good boy for me and don’t blow yet, okay?”
“Trying,” he pants. “But the inside of my brain right now is just your name on repeat with exclamation points—like a really aggressive text message.
Will recommend, absolutely will read again.
DE-LIGHT-FUL! ✨✨✨✨✨
I couldn't stop smiling 😊
Delightful story, exceptionally delightful writing. The dialogue, inner and outer, is top tier funny.
Great, creative writing.
Beck is.... everything. One of the best MCs I've read in a while 😊
A gorgeous book, with all the laughs and all the (low angst) drama.
..a taste of what comes out of Beck's brain:
“Be a good boy for me and don’t blow yet, okay?”
“Trying,” he pants. “But the inside of my brain right now is just your name on repeat with exclamation points—like a really aggressive text message.
March 27, 2026
Fuck AI chatbots
I refuse to root for a romantic lead that uses AI chatbots. Gross. Makes me wonder if the author also uses them, even casually if not to actually write.
I refuse to root for a romantic lead that uses AI chatbots. Gross. Makes me wonder if the author also uses them, even casually if not to actually write.
March 25, 2026
Best book in the series! ✨
April 3, 2026
Bored now, so bored. I think it’s time to finally put Sarina Bowen in the bracket of authors that worked for me once upon a time but whose newer offerings are just not it for me. It’s frequently a fun and engaging premise that quickly falls apart.
I was into this initially – Beck was a dork but I appreciated his frank communication about what he wanted, and his lack of filters was amusing.
I struggled with Forest and how his traumatic experience was handled - . Like, I get that for plot purposes he needed to be destitute and traumatised but it didn’t seem super plausible to me.
Also, it makes sense that he’d have a hard time with a random hook-up after that but it very quickly progresses beyond that with Beck, and Forest’s evasiveness/push-pull crap just annoyed me. It made sense initially but it dragged out far too long.
Beck also lost me a bit after the initial charm. Was there any reason he needed to be so catty with Beck’s ex-wife when all she’s done is act mildly taken aback upon learning that her son has been picked up by her husband’s casual shag (since that’s as far as they officially go) whom she didn’t even know about? This guy who’s been bonding with her son is a stranger to her. She’s completely justified. But fifteen seconds after meeting her, he’s already calling her a bitch in his head. Dude.
The writing felt laboured - so many awkward similes, so much Gen Z slang that’s going to date the book really quickly (and had something cringe about it, depending on which character was using it). The smut was so perfunctory I was tempted to skim. And full disclosure, I’m docking a full star for Beck’s “funny” conversations with his chatbot. I deal with enough annoyance about the environment-destroying slop regurgitron in my daily life. I don’t need it featuring in my escapist reading.
My favourite parts overall generally involved the friendships and side characters – Scully and Rigsy were great, as were all the supportive team interactions. Beck’s team’s group chat responses to his coming out was a highlight for sure.
Bottom line, quick and mildly entertaining addition to this series but it felt a bit too shoddy overall.
I was into this initially – Beck was a dork but I appreciated his frank communication about what he wanted, and his lack of filters was amusing.
I struggled with Forest and how his traumatic experience was handled - . Like, I get that for plot purposes he needed to be destitute and traumatised but it didn’t seem super plausible to me.
Also, it makes sense that he’d have a hard time with a random hook-up after that but it very quickly progresses beyond that with Beck, and Forest’s evasiveness/push-pull crap just annoyed me. It made sense initially but it dragged out far too long.
Beck also lost me a bit after the initial charm. Was there any reason he needed to be so catty with Beck’s ex-wife when all she’s done is act mildly taken aback upon learning that her son has been picked up by her husband’s casual shag (since that’s as far as they officially go) whom she didn’t even know about? This guy who’s been bonding with her son is a stranger to her. She’s completely justified. But fifteen seconds after meeting her, he’s already calling her a bitch in his head. Dude.
The writing felt laboured - so many awkward similes, so much Gen Z slang that’s going to date the book really quickly (and had something cringe about it, depending on which character was using it). The smut was so perfunctory I was tempted to skim. And full disclosure, I’m docking a full star for Beck’s “funny” conversations with his chatbot. I deal with enough annoyance about the environment-destroying slop regurgitron in my daily life. I don’t need it featuring in my escapist reading.
My favourite parts overall generally involved the friendships and side characters – Scully and Rigsy were great, as were all the supportive team interactions. Beck’s team’s group chat responses to his coming out was a highlight for sure.
Bottom line, quick and mildly entertaining addition to this series but it felt a bit too shoddy overall.
April 3, 2026
LOVED THIS!
Beck is the sweetest, and I just wanted to wrap him in my arms. I didn’t love Forest as much, but I understand his situation was more complicated.
It took me a while to get into it and I was worried it was going to be one of those over the top humour books I hate, but Beck hooked me and the feelings picked up.
Definitely want more of this series!
4.5 🌟
Beck is the sweetest, and I just wanted to wrap him in my arms. I didn’t love Forest as much, but I understand his situation was more complicated.
It took me a while to get into it and I was worried it was going to be one of those over the top humour books I hate, but Beck hooked me and the feelings picked up.
Definitely want more of this series!
4.5 🌟
March 26, 2026
I’m not sure if I want to give this book four or five stars. It’s a great story, very well written. And I love, love, love Beck! All of him! I really had an issue with Forrest though. I got that he is traumatized. And that he has money troubles. And a communication issue. But ome on! You can use emojis to acknowledge the guy every once in awhile if words are too hard. Be a grown up.
So… yeah. Great hockey book, lovely little cameos from earlier books. And great ending. Just a lot of very not nice inside turmoil that could have addressed a lot better.
Will reread (and might change the stars). And also definitely recommend. This is a great author, her books deserve a large audience
So… yeah. Great hockey book, lovely little cameos from earlier books. And great ending. Just a lot of very not nice inside turmoil that could have addressed a lot better.
Will reread (and might change the stars). And also definitely recommend. This is a great author, her books deserve a large audience
March 16, 2026
I love everything Sarina writes and she knocked it out of the park with this one. I love this series and I was so excited for this book and even more excited to be chosen as an arc reader for the book. I absolutely adored Beck and Forest. Beck is this sweet, precious, weirdo goalie and he was absolutely perfect in every way. His hilarious commentary on everything and out of the box commentary was so entertaining. I was laughing out loud at some of the things he said. Forest is this rugged and handsome bartender, but he is so closed off after experiencing a trauma. He's also a single dad with nothing but love for his son, which you know I love. These two are complete opposites in every way, minus their love of playing hockey, but they are actually the perfect match for each other. Forest helps Beck with his confidence in hockey and life in general and Beck helps Forest open up and learn how to have fun again. I loved every single thing about these two and this whole book. 10/10 read and I can't recommend it enough!
May 6, 2026
3.75 👍 Stars ✨
Although this was quite low-key, I enjoyed it much more than SB’s last couple of books.
I had reservations at first, but Beck quickly wormed his way into my affections. He’s so delightfully adorkable and impossible to resist. Single dad, Forest soon falls for his charms, but due to major trust issues 🙁, their relationship is quite uneven. Beck is 10 years younger, but much more emotionally available/mature and my heart hurt for him. Whilst I did like Forest, and completely understood all of his reservations, he was an idiot at times. It’s fair to say that Beck was my favourite.
I enjoyed all of the secondary characters, their support, the comic relief and most importantly, their acceptance. I relished all the texts when Beck came out 😂 Forest’s son, Charlie, was also portrayed realistically and I would’ve liked to have seen more of their dynamic. I especially liked Charlie’s connection with Beck.
Unfortunately, I did have a few minor issues which affected my rating slightly:
It’s a me thing, but considering Forest was Beck’s first, I found the steam a little underwhelming emotionally. They hook up fast, which is not my favourite.
I like hockey, but there was a bit too much emphasis on the game for me personally, although it was written very well.
I would’ve liked to have seen some growth from Beck’s mother, a tertiary character, but still … Beck deserved more. The same goes for Forest, as we never meet his parents and I wanted more closure on his financial woes.
However, this was a really nice comfort read when you’re not in the mood for anything heavy. Even thought it’s #4 of the series, it can be read as a stand-alone.
Although this was quite low-key, I enjoyed it much more than SB’s last couple of books.
I had reservations at first, but Beck quickly wormed his way into my affections. He’s so delightfully adorkable and impossible to resist. Single dad, Forest soon falls for his charms, but due to major trust issues 🙁, their relationship is quite uneven. Beck is 10 years younger, but much more emotionally available/mature and my heart hurt for him. Whilst I did like Forest, and completely understood all of his reservations, he was an idiot at times. It’s fair to say that Beck was my favourite.
I enjoyed all of the secondary characters, their support, the comic relief and most importantly, their acceptance. I relished all the texts when Beck came out 😂 Forest’s son, Charlie, was also portrayed realistically and I would’ve liked to have seen more of their dynamic. I especially liked Charlie’s connection with Beck.
Unfortunately, I did have a few minor issues which affected my rating slightly:
It’s a me thing, but considering Forest was Beck’s first, I found the steam a little underwhelming emotionally. They hook up fast, which is not my favourite.
I like hockey, but there was a bit too much emphasis on the game for me personally, although it was written very well.
I would’ve liked to have seen some growth from Beck’s mother, a tertiary character, but still … Beck deserved more. The same goes for Forest, as we never meet his parents and I wanted more closure on his financial woes.
However, this was a really nice comfort read when you’re not in the mood for anything heavy. Even thought it’s #4 of the series, it can be read as a stand-alone.
March 30, 2026
I liked this book fine, but it did leave me considering how I feel about authors presenting the use of AI in books even if there's no evidence AI was used in writing it. To explain: one of the main characters, an AHL player in his 20s, occasionally consults with a chatbot for advice. I HATE this but it also strikes me as perfectly in character for that kind of character. As readers, we can't rail against authors assigning favorite music or television programs that are hopelessly out of date and then deny authors the use of current technology, can we? I'm honestly still not sure. But I really liked that this book featured a hockey player who hadn't made it all the way to the big show yet and it would be wrong to say I liked it, but it was interesting to see a male main character scared by a hook up the way that women often carry a legacy of intimate partner violence.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Beck + Forest
Beck is a hockey goalie. Playing - not very successfully - for a Colorado minor league team. His dream is to start for the Cougars. But it doesn't look too good.
His private life doesn't look like anything much either.
He's lonely. His only joy is getting a beer in this gay sports bar once a week and dreamily stare at the hot bearded barkeeper.
Forest has no time and mental space for hooking up or dating. His last try ended horribly and he has his teenaged son and money problems to worry about. Plus he's way too old for this cute but weird guy.
But then usually super shy Beck goes and kinda propositions him. WTF?
Let the fun times begin...
═══════════════
That was so adorable!
Everything about it was just perfection.
It was so sweet and funny and ridiculous and sexy but also tender and emotional.
I just adored this book. And these guys! Forest is this 35 year old grumpy lumberjack barkeeper. With lots of worries in his life. And in comes this super hot 25 year old guy with his awkward monologues and weird facts and funny trivia knowledge. Forest tries to resist - but ... not a chance! LOL.
I loved those guys and the kid and the bar and their hockey, poker, and bar besties.
Perfect hockey romance!
MY KIND OF GUY was definitely my kind of hockey romance! I adored it! It was Funny, Sexy, Adorable, Hockey-y. All the things! I loved reading it! Run to your nearest bookdealer for your own Beck + Forest!
If you can't click the buy-links
from your phone - click ► HERE!
💜
💜
March 25, 2026
ARC/ALC Review
Quirky awkwardness + 🎤Teddy Hamilton for the #win!
The combination of “the story” and “the narrators” (both Teddy and 🎤Brandon Francis) really made this experience pure gold for me. I would go as far as saying that if you’re in your audio era, I highly recommend this audiobook. I don’t get to play the “this or that” is better game too often and this is one of those rare times. Do with that tidbit what you will.
I enjoyed this story so much that I parsed it out into several days just so I could feel pure joy for more days! On the surface, this is a rom-com with a delightful set of circumstances and a variety of characters that truly will have your heart bursting from joy. On the surface. This story is a whole lot more than just that! It’s a story that highlights taking chances, trusting in your circle, uplifting and rooting for the best for your circle. It highlights friends and family, heart and hope and above all, love, in whatever form it may come. So many little life “lessons” all wrapped up in one of the cutest romance stories I’ve read/listened to in a long while.
You know, Sarina is one of those authors that is so talented that whatever she decides she is going to write, it just doesn’t disappoint. Sure, there have been a few that may not have hit the mark for me throughout the years, but when you’ve been writing as long as she has, that number is negligible. I cannot tell you the number of times I have devoured series and after series, over and over again of hers. She’s consistent and dependable and she makes me happy! And this story is what I love the most about her. I honestly loved everything about Beck & Forest, from their characters to their story to everyone around them! I’d like to live in this fictional world where people actually go out of their way and care for one another. It’s a novel concept these days but one can wish…
Sidebar: If you’re reading this and happen to also struggle with Algebra, X = hockey player in a blank jersey … *looks around* questions?
Sidebar 2: I’m not saying I cried like a lunatic during the bar scene on Beck’s first time being called-up and the whole bar going crazy over it, but possibly. FINE! Possibly a few other times *sigh* *grins like a lunatic*
Quirky awkwardness + 🎤Teddy Hamilton for the #win!
The combination of “the story” and “the narrators” (both Teddy and 🎤Brandon Francis) really made this experience pure gold for me. I would go as far as saying that if you’re in your audio era, I highly recommend this audiobook. I don’t get to play the “this or that” is better game too often and this is one of those rare times. Do with that tidbit what you will.
I enjoyed this story so much that I parsed it out into several days just so I could feel pure joy for more days! On the surface, this is a rom-com with a delightful set of circumstances and a variety of characters that truly will have your heart bursting from joy. On the surface. This story is a whole lot more than just that! It’s a story that highlights taking chances, trusting in your circle, uplifting and rooting for the best for your circle. It highlights friends and family, heart and hope and above all, love, in whatever form it may come. So many little life “lessons” all wrapped up in one of the cutest romance stories I’ve read/listened to in a long while.
You know, Sarina is one of those authors that is so talented that whatever she decides she is going to write, it just doesn’t disappoint. Sure, there have been a few that may not have hit the mark for me throughout the years, but when you’ve been writing as long as she has, that number is negligible. I cannot tell you the number of times I have devoured series and after series, over and over again of hers. She’s consistent and dependable and she makes me happy! And this story is what I love the most about her. I honestly loved everything about Beck & Forest, from their characters to their story to everyone around them! I’d like to live in this fictional world where people actually go out of their way and care for one another. It’s a novel concept these days but one can wish…
Sidebar: If you’re reading this and happen to also struggle with Algebra, X = hockey player in a blank jersey … *looks around* questions?
Sidebar 2: I’m not saying I cried like a lunatic during the bar scene on Beck’s first time being called-up and the whole bar going crazy over it, but possibly. FINE! Possibly a few other times *sigh* *grins like a lunatic*
April 2, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
Encore du M/M dans le monde du hockey me direz-vous ? Eh oui, encore un ! 🤪
Bref, j'ai lu le dernier Sarina Bowen dès sa sortie, et même s'il ne m'a pas transcendée, j'ai passé un chouette moment. Cette autrice a une plume fluide et agréable, les pages et les chapitres s'enchaînent sans qu'on s'en rende compte, et ça, c'est toujours cool, non ?
Ici on a un goalie pro de 25/26 ans Vs un barman de presque 40 ans, père d'un ado, et divorcé.
Les deux hommes vont se côtoyer au bar pendant plusieurs mois, jusqu'à ce qu'un soir, Beck profite d'un concours de circonstances lui permettant de mettre ses compétences sportives au service d'une petite équipe d'amateurs pour tenter sa chance auprès du barman sur lequel il craque en silence depuis le début. Beck est du genre bavard, un peu nerd sur les bords, il déborde d'enthousiasme, alors qu'en face, Forest (cours Forest cours 🤣) est du genre taiseux, discret et méfiant. Il faut dire qu'un an auparavant, il a vécu une expérience cauchemardesque qui a brisé toute sa confiance en lui et envers les autres. L'autrice joue donc la carte des opposés qui s'attirent, avec en prime une différence d'âge.
C'est un roman sympa, j'ai apprécié la relation amoureuse entre les deux hommes. J'ai été certes frustrée par la méfiance persistante de Forest et cette façon qu'il a de toujours freiner des quatre fers, mais une fois qu'on comprend pourquoi il agit ainsi, ce n'est au final pas si surprenant.
Un tout petit aparté sur Beck : là où nous on disait "Si t'as pas d'ami, prends un Curly", eh bien lui, comme il n'a pas d'ami à qui demander des conseils, il demande à ... son amie l'IA ! 😓😂
Le gros point fort du roman ? Le hockey et l'entourage des deux personnages ! Il y a dans ce livre une belle solidarité, un fort esprit de communauté, et c'est le genre d'ambiance qui vous réchauffe le coeur et vous donne le sourire. Et les scènes de hockey sont réussies et très prenantes !
Un bon moment de lecture donc, qui peut se lire comme un one-shot (on recroise simplement quelques-uns des héros des tomes précédents).
Encore du M/M dans le monde du hockey me direz-vous ? Eh oui, encore un ! 🤪
Bref, j'ai lu le dernier Sarina Bowen dès sa sortie, et même s'il ne m'a pas transcendée, j'ai passé un chouette moment. Cette autrice a une plume fluide et agréable, les pages et les chapitres s'enchaînent sans qu'on s'en rende compte, et ça, c'est toujours cool, non ?
Ici on a un goalie pro de 25/26 ans Vs un barman de presque 40 ans, père d'un ado, et divorcé.
Les deux hommes vont se côtoyer au bar pendant plusieurs mois, jusqu'à ce qu'un soir, Beck profite d'un concours de circonstances lui permettant de mettre ses compétences sportives au service d'une petite équipe d'amateurs pour tenter sa chance auprès du barman sur lequel il craque en silence depuis le début. Beck est du genre bavard, un peu nerd sur les bords, il déborde d'enthousiasme, alors qu'en face, Forest (cours Forest cours 🤣) est du genre taiseux, discret et méfiant. Il faut dire qu'un an auparavant, il a vécu une expérience cauchemardesque qui a brisé toute sa confiance en lui et envers les autres. L'autrice joue donc la carte des opposés qui s'attirent, avec en prime une différence d'âge.
C'est un roman sympa, j'ai apprécié la relation amoureuse entre les deux hommes. J'ai été certes frustrée par la méfiance persistante de Forest et cette façon qu'il a de toujours freiner des quatre fers, mais une fois qu'on comprend pourquoi il agit ainsi, ce n'est au final pas si surprenant.
Un tout petit aparté sur Beck : là où nous on disait "Si t'as pas d'ami, prends un Curly", eh bien lui, comme il n'a pas d'ami à qui demander des conseils, il demande à ... son amie l'IA ! 😓😂
Le gros point fort du roman ? Le hockey et l'entourage des deux personnages ! Il y a dans ce livre une belle solidarité, un fort esprit de communauté, et c'est le genre d'ambiance qui vous réchauffe le coeur et vous donne le sourire. Et les scènes de hockey sont réussies et très prenantes !
Un bon moment de lecture donc, qui peut se lire comme un one-shot (on recroise simplement quelques-uns des héros des tomes précédents).
May 1, 2026
Powiedzieć, że mam słabość do Sariny Bowen, to nic nie powiedzieć.
A już zwłaszcza do jej hokeistów 😁
Rzadko która z jej książek dostaje od mnie mniej niż 4+, a to zazwyczaj i tak w zaokrągleniu w górę.
Oczywiście, wszystkiemu winni są Jamie i Wes 😜😂
Nie inaczej było i tym razem - jak zwykle, czytało mi się super i błyskawicznie, dobrze się bawiłam, nie czepiam się, daję pięć pełnych hokejowych i barmańskich gwiazdek 😁
A już zwłaszcza do jej hokeistów 😁
Rzadko która z jej książek dostaje od mnie mniej niż 4+, a to zazwyczaj i tak w zaokrągleniu w górę.
Oczywiście, wszystkiemu winni są Jamie i Wes 😜😂
Nie inaczej było i tym razem - jak zwykle, czytało mi się super i błyskawicznie, dobrze się bawiłam, nie czepiam się, daję pięć pełnych hokejowych i barmańskich gwiazdek 😁
Read
March 27, 2026This wasn't a bad book. It was, however, an uneven one.
Bowen is good at showing the developing physical relationship between the MCs – and there is a lot of physical relationship to show. But when one of the MCs is vastly more emotionally mature than the other, the dual point of view does create an uncomfortable lurching effect.
Beck is a delightful creation — young, yes, but sensible and given to most engaging and weird flights of conversational diarrhoea. He's the heart of the book.
In contrast, Forest is, I suppose, meant to be Grumpy to Beck's Sunshine. He's the man whose tortured past has driven iron deep into his wounded soul. Or, to put it another way, he's a bitter and twisted git, incapable of being kind to those around him. He may be Beck's kind of guy, but he's not mine.
This passed an hour or two, though it's a pity the best bits were all Beck suffering stoically.
Bowen is good at showing the developing physical relationship between the MCs – and there is a lot of physical relationship to show. But when one of the MCs is vastly more emotionally mature than the other, the dual point of view does create an uncomfortable lurching effect.
Beck is a delightful creation — young, yes, but sensible and given to most engaging and weird flights of conversational diarrhoea. He's the heart of the book.
In contrast, Forest is, I suppose, meant to be Grumpy to Beck's Sunshine. He's the man whose tortured past has driven iron deep into his wounded soul. Or, to put it another way, he's a bitter and twisted git, incapable of being kind to those around him. He may be Beck's kind of guy, but he's not mine.
This passed an hour or two, though it's a pity the best bits were all Beck suffering stoically.
April 1, 2026
2.5 ⭐️
This one was kinda bland? Neither very very good but I’ve also read way worse…
This one was kinda bland? Neither very very good but I’ve also read way worse…
March 25, 2026
forest wasn't really my kind of guy
March 19, 2026
So. I binged My Kind of Guy, I loved EVERY SINGLE SECOND and y’all, this book is definitely my favorite Hockey Guys book and quite possibly my favorite @sarina.bowen book. It’s SO GOOD. I loved the characters, the story, its low angst but it also made me cry, devastating but also so hopeful, and the humor made me laugh out loud. DO NOT MISS OUT ON THIS BOOK MY FRIENDS.
Goofy goalie Beck might be my favorite character Sarina has ever written. He has zero filter and he’s honest to a fault, but it’s not in a cringy way, more endearingly sweet. He’s thoughtful and kind and I love how he wears his heart on his sleeve. How this man thinks that he’s not worthy of love is beyond me. And I loved grumpy Forrest too - he’s struggling to learn to trust again and tries to keep Beck at arms length, but who can resist that guy (I know I couldn’t)?
I loved the beer league hockey aspects. I loved getting to see the Cougars players again, and I loved Beck’s wonder at seeing a queer-friendly hockey team. I love how it’s such a non-issue for him to come out (this scene was a DELIGHT) - this is not a hockey book centered around a forbidden romance, but it’s more about trying to move beyond a friends with benefits situation that felt SO REAL to me. I loved the grand gestures, all the hockey games (and Beck’s ridiculous chirps!), the scenes with Forrest’s son Charlie….. I could write SO MUCH MORE, but y’all, this book is out on March 24 and I just encourage you to go see for yourself. GET SO EXCITED!!
Goofy goalie Beck might be my favorite character Sarina has ever written. He has zero filter and he’s honest to a fault, but it’s not in a cringy way, more endearingly sweet. He’s thoughtful and kind and I love how he wears his heart on his sleeve. How this man thinks that he’s not worthy of love is beyond me. And I loved grumpy Forrest too - he’s struggling to learn to trust again and tries to keep Beck at arms length, but who can resist that guy (I know I couldn’t)?
I loved the beer league hockey aspects. I loved getting to see the Cougars players again, and I loved Beck’s wonder at seeing a queer-friendly hockey team. I love how it’s such a non-issue for him to come out (this scene was a DELIGHT) - this is not a hockey book centered around a forbidden romance, but it’s more about trying to move beyond a friends with benefits situation that felt SO REAL to me. I loved the grand gestures, all the hockey games (and Beck’s ridiculous chirps!), the scenes with Forrest’s son Charlie….. I could write SO MUCH MORE, but y’all, this book is out on March 24 and I just encourage you to go see for yourself. GET SO EXCITED!!
April 10, 2026
3.5 stars, but rounded up for Beck. This was an enjoyable, if overlong book about the quirkiest hockey player I've ever encountered, and the grumpy, closed-off bartender he develops an obsession with.
Beck is a certified weirdo, which is par for the course with hockey goalies, but he was so endearing and forthright. 4 pages in, I was like oh, another autistic hockey player, although I'm not sure he's diagnosable, just very direct with a strange sense of humour. Anyway, Beck has been coming to Sportsballs, the queer sports bar featured in previous books, to ogle the owner and bartender, Forest. He manages to get drafted onto their beer-league hockey team for a single game, but stipulates that he wants to be taken home by Forest as compensation. Forest, a divorced dad with financial issues, is extremely leery of getting in to any romantic entanglements for various reasons. So although he is very attracted to Beck, he keeps him at arm's length. Beck is all in though, and we follow them through the back-and-forth of a new romance while we watch Beck's career in ascendance.
It was decent read, with a little bit of angst, and not enough spice. I was frustrated with Forest's emotional constipation and shit communication, but I really, really liked Beck. He was a little all over the place and a little desperate, but it was actually so cute. I feel like parts of it were drawn out, a lot of interactions felt repetitious, although the short chapters help to keep it moving. In the end I enjoyed it enough to finish in 2 days, so make of that what you will.
Beck is a certified weirdo, which is par for the course with hockey goalies, but he was so endearing and forthright. 4 pages in, I was like oh, another autistic hockey player, although I'm not sure he's diagnosable, just very direct with a strange sense of humour. Anyway, Beck has been coming to Sportsballs, the queer sports bar featured in previous books, to ogle the owner and bartender, Forest. He manages to get drafted onto their beer-league hockey team for a single game, but stipulates that he wants to be taken home by Forest as compensation. Forest, a divorced dad with financial issues, is extremely leery of getting in to any romantic entanglements for various reasons. So although he is very attracted to Beck, he keeps him at arm's length. Beck is all in though, and we follow them through the back-and-forth of a new romance while we watch Beck's career in ascendance.
It was decent read, with a little bit of angst, and not enough spice. I was frustrated with Forest's emotional constipation and shit communication, but I really, really liked Beck. He was a little all over the place and a little desperate, but it was actually so cute. I feel like parts of it were drawn out, a lot of interactions felt repetitious, although the short chapters help to keep it moving. In the end I enjoyed it enough to finish in 2 days, so make of that what you will.
April 7, 2026
My least favourite of the series. It was a bit bland and the romance felt somewhat forced.
It could probably be a 3* as it had some nice moments here and there but having one of the MCs rely on an AI bot just put me right off. In fact I am so annoyed that I may even come back and bring this down to a 1*.
It could probably be a 3* as it had some nice moments here and there but having one of the MCs rely on an AI bot just put me right off. In fact I am so annoyed that I may even come back and bring this down to a 1*.
March 30, 2026
Hmm, very mixed feelings on this one. Honestly, it felt a little all over the place. A lot of it felt really OTT and unrealistic that it was hard to sink into the story. I really liked Beck a lot, but I found Forest a little exhausting, even understanding the trauma that was informing his actions. There were aspects/moments I enjoyed, and generally this was a good time, but at the end of the day it sort of felt like a mess.
April 16, 2026
DNF @ 75%
Notes I took while reading:
Omg that intro was so forward. Jesus, Beck really shot his shot. Was kinda weird how he sort of just expected Forest to be down for the whole "If we win, we have sex thing" though. That sort of pushed it from just "asking Forest out" to "expecting sex from a transaction" which is actually sort of problematic as a premise tbh.
Really not a fan of Beck just expo dumping his failure in the big leagues to us via internal monologues. It wouldn't have been hard for that stuff to come out more naturally as he and Forest got to know each other.
The scene where Beck's identity is revealed didn't really make sense? He says that the Plague probably won't recognize him unless they knew of the Ice Cats and knew of bench warming goalies but Scully recognized him and he presumably wasn't of either persuasion. I guess Beck having his face plastered on the wall could've given him a heads up, but then the way Scully talked about it seemed like he recognized Beck before pointing his face out on the wall.
I didn't get Forest's trauma around hookups stealing his shit? Did he not call the cops or anything? Surely someone drugging you, stealing your stuff from your house, AND transferring money out of your bank account would be SUPER easy to prosecute considering the paper trail on the transfer??? How would the defense even go? "Uh, he gave me all his things after one night together"? How did he not get his money back? I understand having trouble trusting hookups after that event, but if Forest's main fear was getting swindled again, why couldn't he just go home to their place instead and put a stronger lock on his phone to prevent them from opening it when he was sleeping. I have more thoughts on this when we do find out what the specifics were.
Having Beck rely on AI to navigate around social situations wasn't cute or endearing, it was off-putting. AI isn't inherently bad BUT there is negative connotation around it considering all the shit that it's being used for (particularly with regards to generative AI in creative fields). Using it in a lighthearted and humorous way here didn't add to my enjoyment, it just brought up that negative connotation. Him running to Forest's place uninvited to ask him for advice was super weird too considering he literally could've just asked the chatbot like he'd done before.
God, the longer the story went with Forest parroting the "I have issues" thing, the more I got annoyed. Why was it Beck that had to keep on reaching out? This story read like a toxic situationship fulfillment fantasy where instead of just being strung along til eternity, Beck gets his HEA from the emotionally unavailable Forest because he stuck it out. Forest needed to put in some effort into their relationship instead of just constantly ignoring Beck's texts. It was way too one sided and at some point I did believe that Beck deserved someone better (especially after he came out to his team... He literally no longer had any barriers to date other men, so him choosing to stick with Forest's flaky ass was really annoying)
Beck's friend, Riggs, was so on point with telling Forest to stop stringing Beck along because he was acting like a bad ex-GF he had. Seriously said what I was thinking about Forest kinda being an ass.
I honestly thought we were rounding the corner when Forest came over to take care of Beck when he got sick, but then the story just had to bring it all back and have
TL;DR: I mentioned earlier that this book felt like a weird fantasy fulfillment thing for a situationship with an emotionally unavailable man. Forest somehow continually stays in Beck's good graces despite him literally putting in negative effort into their relationship and that somehow works and leads to an HEA. No, that's not how I want my romances to be. I need both MCs to actually put in effort into their dynamic EVEN IN SITUATIONS LIKE THIS ONE, the reluctant MC needs to be proactive at least a couple of time BEFORE 65% of the book (which Forest did not since he just continually let Beck make the first move). I don't want to read romances where LIs can do no wrong, because I don't want to read about undying love and patience when nothing had been done to earn it 1.5 stars rounded down because I legit lost my patience.
Notes I took while reading:
Omg that intro was so forward. Jesus, Beck really shot his shot. Was kinda weird how he sort of just expected Forest to be down for the whole "If we win, we have sex thing" though. That sort of pushed it from just "asking Forest out" to "expecting sex from a transaction" which is actually sort of problematic as a premise tbh.
Really not a fan of Beck just expo dumping his failure in the big leagues to us via internal monologues. It wouldn't have been hard for that stuff to come out more naturally as he and Forest got to know each other.
The scene where Beck's identity is revealed didn't really make sense? He says that the Plague probably won't recognize him unless they knew of the Ice Cats and knew of bench warming goalies but Scully recognized him and he presumably wasn't of either persuasion. I guess Beck having his face plastered on the wall could've given him a heads up, but then the way Scully talked about it seemed like he recognized Beck before pointing his face out on the wall.
I didn't get Forest's trauma around hookups stealing his shit? Did he not call the cops or anything? Surely someone drugging you, stealing your stuff from your house, AND transferring money out of your bank account would be SUPER easy to prosecute considering the paper trail on the transfer??? How would the defense even go? "Uh, he gave me all his things after one night together"? How did he not get his money back? I understand having trouble trusting hookups after that event, but if Forest's main fear was getting swindled again, why couldn't he just go home to their place instead and put a stronger lock on his phone to prevent them from opening it when he was sleeping. I have more thoughts on this when we do find out what the specifics were.
Having Beck rely on AI to navigate around social situations wasn't cute or endearing, it was off-putting. AI isn't inherently bad BUT there is negative connotation around it considering all the shit that it's being used for (particularly with regards to generative AI in creative fields). Using it in a lighthearted and humorous way here didn't add to my enjoyment, it just brought up that negative connotation. Him running to Forest's place uninvited to ask him for advice was super weird too considering he literally could've just asked the chatbot like he'd done before.
God, the longer the story went with Forest parroting the "I have issues" thing, the more I got annoyed. Why was it Beck that had to keep on reaching out? This story read like a toxic situationship fulfillment fantasy where instead of just being strung along til eternity, Beck gets his HEA from the emotionally unavailable Forest because he stuck it out. Forest needed to put in some effort into their relationship instead of just constantly ignoring Beck's texts. It was way too one sided and at some point I did believe that Beck deserved someone better (especially after he came out to his team... He literally no longer had any barriers to date other men, so him choosing to stick with Forest's flaky ass was really annoying)
Beck's friend, Riggs, was so on point with telling Forest to stop stringing Beck along because he was acting like a bad ex-GF he had. Seriously said what I was thinking about Forest kinda being an ass.
I honestly thought we were rounding the corner when Forest came over to take care of Beck when he got sick, but then the story just had to bring it all back and have
TL;DR: I mentioned earlier that this book felt like a weird fantasy fulfillment thing for a situationship with an emotionally unavailable man. Forest somehow continually stays in Beck's good graces despite him literally putting in negative effort into their relationship and that somehow works and leads to an HEA. No, that's not how I want my romances to be. I need both MCs to actually put in effort into their dynamic EVEN IN SITUATIONS LIKE THIS ONE, the reluctant MC needs to be proactive at least a couple of time BEFORE 65% of the book (which Forest did not since he just continually let Beck make the first move). I don't want to read romances where LIs can do no wrong, because I don't want to read about undying love and patience when nothing had been done to earn it 1.5 stars rounded down because I legit lost my patience.
March 26, 2026
Apparently my hatred of ChatGPT/AI is strong enough to genuinely impact my enjoyment of a story where the MC uses it, unironically and multiple times. Ugh.
March 27, 2026
Having a character use an AI bot for advice was not the one.
I liked Beck, but I barely cared about Forest, he gave me almost nothing, and the whole break up and make up with zero grovelling or resolution was disappointing. And a goalie goal in a playoff game, by a rookie, while the other teams goalie is IN FRONT OF THE GOAL?! I’m surprised you couldn’t hear my eyes roll from here.
I liked Beck, but I barely cared about Forest, he gave me almost nothing, and the whole break up and make up with zero grovelling or resolution was disappointing. And a goalie goal in a playoff game, by a rookie, while the other teams goalie is IN FRONT OF THE GOAL?! I’m surprised you couldn’t hear my eyes roll from here.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2026
This definitely did not work for me. I actually read this whole series just to get to this particular book, and it really wasn’t worth it.
🔵 A bartender / back up goalie
🟢 Age gap 25/34
🟣 Gay / bi
🟡 "Single dad" (he's really not), some family drama on both sides, nothing much
🔵 Grumpy / sunshine
🌶️ Some sex, a lot off page; virgin; some oral, penetrative, kissing; excl t/b
Beck was actually a really good character. He’s playing for the Ice Cats, a minor league affiliate team in Loveland, and he goes to Sportsballs about once a month to check out Forest, the hot bartender. No one knows him and he's not out, so in a cute, awkward way Beck ends up offering his hockey services in exchange for sex with Forest and eventually gets what he wants, but Forrest is a mess and is constantly backing out.
“You are the opposite of ugly. Which is probably why you’re the only guy I’ve been with in almost a year.”
Yup, that's Forest for you.
Beck comes across as more put together than Forest, and he’s also clearly neurodivergent, which never really gets addressed, like I said, he’s just called “weird” in everything he does, like it’s some kind of a quirk. Beck is a catch and I was disappointed that his self-image didn’t improve much throughout the story.
Forest is broke because he lost all his money after hooking up with a guy who then robbed him, and he calls himself a "single dad", even though his wife has their kid most of the time.
"Then Ruby flies off for a medical conference, which puts Charlie at my place for the rest of the week. It’s good having him, and I make three healthy dinners in a row and bake chocolate- chip banana bread, which makes the whole house smell delicious. And I make sure he does his homework.
“You’re, like, super dad this week,” Charlie says on Thursday night."
This guy is living alone, bartending and when he does have his kid for a short amount of time, he's doing basic parenting and he's a super dad for making 3 healthy dinners in a row. Mind you, the wife is a doctor and has the kid the majority of the time, but Forest and Beck clearly don’t like her (just because) and jump at the first opportunity to call her a bitch in the one scene they all share. Splendid.
Not only was their love story boring, when it should've been anything but, considering what an interesting character Beck was, the sex should've been hotter and overall Beck should've gotten a bigger break (like actually getting the goalie position with the Cougars), also his family being mentioned went completely unresolved, they were ignoring him most of the time and Beck could've gotten at least his last laugh.
Again, Forest didn’t work for me, at all, he was not a good pick for Beck. I just didn’t like him. Not only was his character not as fleshed out, but he also didn’t really bring much to the table. He had this young, hot goalie basically thirsting after him, and he kept acting like he had better things to do all the time. Meanwhile, he’s not really a catch, and in real life I doubt he’d get many people to give him a serious shot, he has too much baggage.
"I’ll do the standup thing and let him go. Like a good guy. Because I am a good guy. Mostly. I try to be, anyway."
Aah, the proverbial good guy.
Beck really dated down here, going for the guy with the kid and an empty wallet, and he basically had no friends around to tell him to run in the opposite direction.
I feel like this was a missed opportunity to really end this series on a higher note. I feel like all the players are good in what they do, but the author points out their loses more than their wins, we've had the legend goalie and even he sucked, so the star of the show in this series is definitely coach Powers and as the best couple I'll go with him and Jetty, theirs was the best book in the series, and even that one wasn't as good as it could've been.
April 13, 2026
4.25 Stars ⭐️
I honestly do not think that I have ever NOT loved anything that I have read by Ms. Bowen. I was reading and loving her hockey series' before that was even a thing, and it amazes me that she can continue to expand this world with new and fresh characters time after time.
The thing that I absolutely ADORED more than anything about this particular story was the character of Beck - MC Becker James - the Goalie for the minor league hockey team - The Ice Cats(?) (I honestly cannot remember, but I think that was the name of his team). Anyway, Beck is so adorable. Quirky, innocent, with a mouth that seems to speak before his brain engages. He is definitely one of a kind. I would be thrilled to be able to read MANY more books with him in them - that is how wonderful of a character that he is.
The combination with Forrest - Seth Forrester - worked so perfectly because they are so very different, yet PERFECT for each other.
I loved every minute of this storyline and it was over before I knew it. THAT is how I know that I am invested in a book - when it seems to fly by without me even realizing it.
One thing I did want to mention was that as usual, I alternated between listening and reading. This was narrated by the duo of Teddy Hamilton and Brandon Francis. Teddy did his usual fantastic job (but to be fair, he ALWAYS does a fantastic job) but I did have a bit of a problem with the narration by Brandon Francis. Granted, he was a "new to me" narrator, so it might be that I just need to get used to him, or heck, maybe it was just a bad day for listening. I'll try to give him another shot at another time and see what I think then.
Other than that - this was another winner.
But truly, I would LOVE more Beck!!
I honestly do not think that I have ever NOT loved anything that I have read by Ms. Bowen. I was reading and loving her hockey series' before that was even a thing, and it amazes me that she can continue to expand this world with new and fresh characters time after time.
The thing that I absolutely ADORED more than anything about this particular story was the character of Beck - MC Becker James - the Goalie for the minor league hockey team - The Ice Cats(?) (I honestly cannot remember, but I think that was the name of his team). Anyway, Beck is so adorable. Quirky, innocent, with a mouth that seems to speak before his brain engages. He is definitely one of a kind. I would be thrilled to be able to read MANY more books with him in them - that is how wonderful of a character that he is.
The combination with Forrest - Seth Forrester - worked so perfectly because they are so very different, yet PERFECT for each other.
I loved every minute of this storyline and it was over before I knew it. THAT is how I know that I am invested in a book - when it seems to fly by without me even realizing it.
One thing I did want to mention was that as usual, I alternated between listening and reading. This was narrated by the duo of Teddy Hamilton and Brandon Francis. Teddy did his usual fantastic job (but to be fair, he ALWAYS does a fantastic job) but I did have a bit of a problem with the narration by Brandon Francis. Granted, he was a "new to me" narrator, so it might be that I just need to get used to him, or heck, maybe it was just a bad day for listening. I'll try to give him another shot at another time and see what I think then.
Other than that - this was another winner.
But truly, I would LOVE more Beck!!
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