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Shift Change
On the ice, Weston Hale and Malikai Stone were rivals.
But off the ice, they found something in each other that neither love.
For Kai, love was something to share.
For Wes, love was something to hide from.
Their love was like the game they played—built on motion, instinct, and fleeting moments.
But like the best plays on the ice, Kai was only here for a moment, then he was gone.
Nearly two years later, Wes is skating through life on autopilot—playing, surviving, but never really living.
Then comes Lucas Barrett, a forward traded to the Oregon Timberwolves.
Luke is sunshine personified; radiant, exuberant, and warm-hearted.
Caught between a past he can't let go of and a future he never thought he'd have, Wes must learn that moving forward isn't the same as forgetting.
In both life and hockey, every shift change carries its own purpose.
One taught him how to love; one is teaching him how to live.
But off the ice, they found something in each other that neither love.
For Kai, love was something to share.
For Wes, love was something to hide from.
Their love was like the game they played—built on motion, instinct, and fleeting moments.
But like the best plays on the ice, Kai was only here for a moment, then he was gone.
Nearly two years later, Wes is skating through life on autopilot—playing, surviving, but never really living.
Then comes Lucas Barrett, a forward traded to the Oregon Timberwolves.
Luke is sunshine personified; radiant, exuberant, and warm-hearted.
Caught between a past he can't let go of and a future he never thought he'd have, Wes must learn that moving forward isn't the same as forgetting.
In both life and hockey, every shift change carries its own purpose.
One taught him how to love; one is teaching him how to live.
- GenresHockeyM M RomanceGay
434 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 27, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
will-not-read
July 15, 2026ai slop
March 25, 2026
😭
Had me balling through the last half of the book. Story was well written and explored many issues that really brought the characters to life. Looking forward to reading the 2nd book although I feel like I’ll need a box of tissues to get through it.
Had me balling through the last half of the book. Story was well written and explored many issues that really brought the characters to life. Looking forward to reading the 2nd book although I feel like I’ll need a box of tissues to get through it.
July 11, 2026
This was one of the most beautiful stories I've ever read. Easily an infinity-star read for me, and it has already become my favorite book of 2026.
Going into this story, I knew it was going to be emotional, but I was completely unprepared for just how much it would wreck me. From the very beginning, we know that Kai isn't in the present-day timeline, and yet I still let myself fall completely in love with him. Maybe that's what made it hurt even more.
I'm a sucker for a dual timeline, so I absolutely loved the way the story moved between the past and present. Watching Wes's journey unfold piece by piece made every reveal hit that much harder. As we slowly approached the present day, we finally began to understand why Wes had become the guarded, closed-off man he was. Every layer peeled back made my heart ache for him.
Kai and Wes completely stole my heart. I rooted for them with everything I had. Their love felt so genuine, so hopeful, and so painfully bittersweet.
But then there's Luke.
Luke is quite possibly the sweetest character to ever exist. He wears his heart on his sleeve and simply wants to be loved and accepted. He gives Wes everything without hesitation, while Wes struggles to let anyone truly in. My heart broke for him over and over again.
I desperately wanted a happy ending for every single person in this story. Even through all the heartbreak and tears, I loved every second of it. This book shattered me in the best possible way.
I am absolutely foaming at the mouth waiting for book two. I need it immediately.
Infinity stars. No notes.
Going into this story, I knew it was going to be emotional, but I was completely unprepared for just how much it would wreck me. From the very beginning, we know that Kai isn't in the present-day timeline, and yet I still let myself fall completely in love with him. Maybe that's what made it hurt even more.
I'm a sucker for a dual timeline, so I absolutely loved the way the story moved between the past and present. Watching Wes's journey unfold piece by piece made every reveal hit that much harder. As we slowly approached the present day, we finally began to understand why Wes had become the guarded, closed-off man he was. Every layer peeled back made my heart ache for him.
Kai and Wes completely stole my heart. I rooted for them with everything I had. Their love felt so genuine, so hopeful, and so painfully bittersweet.
But then there's Luke.
Luke is quite possibly the sweetest character to ever exist. He wears his heart on his sleeve and simply wants to be loved and accepted. He gives Wes everything without hesitation, while Wes struggles to let anyone truly in. My heart broke for him over and over again.
I desperately wanted a happy ending for every single person in this story. Even through all the heartbreak and tears, I loved every second of it. This book shattered me in the best possible way.
I am absolutely foaming at the mouth waiting for book two. I need it immediately.
Infinity stars. No notes.
July 2, 2026
Even with the trigger warnings I was not prepared.
First of all - so good. Excellent writing. I can’t believe this is a debut novel.
But second - omg the tears. I knew Kai was not in the present timeline but I did not expect how hard it was going to be to navigate through his relationship with Wes.
This is a dual timeline and I love that. In the past we’re watching the relationship between Wes and Kai develop while in the present watching Wes and Luke. And not fully understanding the hurtful behavior Wes is throwing at this little puppy dog of a character Luke.
Eventually we can’t help falling in love with our golden retriever Kai. And it breaks our hearts along with Kai’s as we watch Wes struggle with his own demons. I loved Kai so much that I almost felt guilty loving Luke.
I love everything about this book. The family and side characters are wonderful. The grief is written so authentically that there’s no chance it won’t hit hard. The farther into the book I got the harder I cried. Right up until the last page.
We don’t get a true HEA but we do get the sense things are going to work out in the next book.
5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Highly recommend.
First of all - so good. Excellent writing. I can’t believe this is a debut novel.
But second - omg the tears. I knew Kai was not in the present timeline but I did not expect how hard it was going to be to navigate through his relationship with Wes.
This is a dual timeline and I love that. In the past we’re watching the relationship between Wes and Kai develop while in the present watching Wes and Luke. And not fully understanding the hurtful behavior Wes is throwing at this little puppy dog of a character Luke.
Eventually we can’t help falling in love with our golden retriever Kai. And it breaks our hearts along with Kai’s as we watch Wes struggle with his own demons. I loved Kai so much that I almost felt guilty loving Luke.
I love everything about this book. The family and side characters are wonderful. The grief is written so authentically that there’s no chance it won’t hit hard. The farther into the book I got the harder I cried. Right up until the last page.
We don’t get a true HEA but we do get the sense things are going to work out in the next book.
5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Highly recommend.
June 22, 2026
Tissues.. tissues.. and some more tissues. This story broke my heart. The struggle that Wes goes through, no one should have to experience with their identity, but it happens far too often. A second chance at love is what he needs. Also.. don’t forget the tissues.
July 22, 2026
I'm struggling to put into words how this book has made me feel, the only words that come to mind are utterly heartbroken.
A story of love, loss, hockey,and second chances.
The love Kai and Wes shared, then to have everthing taken away gutted me, I knew heartbreak was coming, I knew Kai was gone but that did not make reading it any easier, I have sat here for the past two hours with tears pouring down my face.
I just keep thinking of Wes taking the glass.
Wes thought he could love anyone else after Kai but then along came Luke, he shown him that he can love and live again, Wes just needs to let Luke in.
This book ends on a cliffhanger and I'm patiently waiting for August to read the next book.
A story of love, loss, hockey,and second chances.
The love Kai and Wes shared, then to have everthing taken away gutted me, I knew heartbreak was coming, I knew Kai was gone but that did not make reading it any easier, I have sat here for the past two hours with tears pouring down my face.
I just keep thinking of Wes taking the glass.
Wes thought he could love anyone else after Kai but then along came Luke, he shown him that he can love and live again, Wes just needs to let Luke in.
This book ends on a cliffhanger and I'm patiently waiting for August to read the next book.
March 27, 2026
Wonderful
I adored this book!!! From start to finish it had me hooked and I’m not normally a fan of “then & now” books but oh my goodness I loved every single second of this one. Just fabulous
I adored this book!!! From start to finish it had me hooked and I’m not normally a fan of “then & now” books but oh my goodness I loved every single second of this one. Just fabulous
February 28, 2026
Wow. Just wow.
Loved this book. Cried during it. Broke my heart. Smiled. Laughed. And. Sat in silence when I finished it. Definitely ready for the next book.
Loved this book. Cried during it. Broke my heart. Smiled. Laughed. And. Sat in silence when I finished it. Definitely ready for the next book.
March 16, 2026
WOW! This was brilliant. Wish I waited to read as now I need to wait until September for the next one.
PSA - don’t read when you’re “supposed” to be working. I ended up sobbing through a meeting.
PSA - don’t read when you’re “supposed” to be working. I ended up sobbing through a meeting.
July 26, 2026
I was hesitant to read this because of the cliffhanger but my besties encouraged me to push through and I’m glad I did. There are a lot of heart wrenching and heart breaking moments in this book. A few rays of hope which is what keeps us on the edge of our seats. Lots of hurt people hurting people. I cried the entire last 10% of the book. I hope to see the resolution we’re all rooting for in Book 2.
March 5, 2026
I think it’s very interesting that both of this author’s books are a direct copy of titles by Ryan Taylor and Joshua Harwood that have already been released. Coincidence? I think not.
April 17, 2026
Wow! Totally immersed in this story - I cannot wait for the second book.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews