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A legacy he never chose. A love he never expected.
Jari Lankinen never asked to inherit his father’s sins, but the name alone is enough to poison every room he walks into. The Railers haven’t forgotten the brutal hit Aarni Lankinen delivered to Tennant Rowe, and they sure as hell don’t want his son wearing their jersey. Jari is a gifted forward with the skill to change games, but his last name makes him a target before he even skates his first shift. Earning respect means pushing through hostility and suspicion, fighting every day to prove he isn’t his father. To the fans, he’s the son of a villain. To his teammates, he’s a reminder of the past. To himself, he’s a man trapped in a shadow he can’t escape.
A steady force in the high-pressure world of professional baseball, Cameron Blackburn has built his career on focus, discipline, and staying level-headed when others lose theirs. He isn’t flashy, but he’s respected, trusted, and known for bringing balance to every team he’s played on. When their paths cross at a shared training facility, Cam is drawn to Jari’s restless energy—the fight in every move, the loneliness in his silence, the way he carries his past like armor. Where others feel only wariness at Jari’s name, Cam sees someone worth knowing, worth trusting, worth holding onto. And while opening his heart to Jari may test the limits of his own control, Cam has never been afraid to stand firm when the storm comes.
Fly is a legacy, redemption, and opposites-attract romance set against the backdrop of professional sport. Featuring a hockey forward fighting to escape his father’s shadow, a disciplined baseball player who refuses to be shaken, the clash of storm and calm, and a love that proves sometimes the biggest risks are the ones worth taking.
Jari Lankinen never asked to inherit his father’s sins, but the name alone is enough to poison every room he walks into. The Railers haven’t forgotten the brutal hit Aarni Lankinen delivered to Tennant Rowe, and they sure as hell don’t want his son wearing their jersey. Jari is a gifted forward with the skill to change games, but his last name makes him a target before he even skates his first shift. Earning respect means pushing through hostility and suspicion, fighting every day to prove he isn’t his father. To the fans, he’s the son of a villain. To his teammates, he’s a reminder of the past. To himself, he’s a man trapped in a shadow he can’t escape.
A steady force in the high-pressure world of professional baseball, Cameron Blackburn has built his career on focus, discipline, and staying level-headed when others lose theirs. He isn’t flashy, but he’s respected, trusted, and known for bringing balance to every team he’s played on. When their paths cross at a shared training facility, Cam is drawn to Jari’s restless energy—the fight in every move, the loneliness in his silence, the way he carries his past like armor. Where others feel only wariness at Jari’s name, Cam sees someone worth knowing, worth trusting, worth holding onto. And while opening his heart to Jari may test the limits of his own control, Cam has never been afraid to stand firm when the storm comes.
Fly is a legacy, redemption, and opposites-attract romance set against the backdrop of professional sport. Featuring a hockey forward fighting to escape his father’s shadow, a disciplined baseball player who refuses to be shaken, the clash of storm and calm, and a love that proves sometimes the biggest risks are the ones worth taking.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 5, 2026
About the author
R.J. Scott
315 books2,726 followersRJ Scott writes heartwarming, passionate MM/gay romance stories where every man finds his happily ever after. When not writing, she enjoys reading books, watching movies, spending time with her family, following Formula 1 (Forza Ferrari!), and cheering on the Pittsburgh Penguins. Email her here: rj@rjscott.co.uk
Find RJ here: Amazon | BookBub | Facebook - Also, Never miss a release
Find RJ here: Amazon | BookBub | Facebook - Also, Never miss a release
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
March 18, 2026
This was such a frustrating read and read more like an outline than a fully finished story, and I'm not sure why I'm surprised anymore because all of the recent books in this story universe have gone the same way. I'd much rather have less books that are good quality and have an actual story rather than endless books that have zero substance and cardboard cutout characters who just have sex.
There was so much potential here for Jari as the son of the man who tried to kill the revered Tennant Rowe coming to the Railers to continue his own hockey career, but it totally fell flat and missed every single opportunity to add any depth to this story.
It's mentioned that some teammates are talking shit about Jari behind his back, and in front of him, yet nothing comes of it. The crowd are continually booing Jari even months into his season.
Where were the conversations about this and how it was affecting him between Jari and his captain, Jari and his coach, Jari and his psychologist, Jari and his teammates.... Why was no one on his team concerned with the fact he was living in a hotel? Why did no one spend time with him outside of work until almost the end of the book? For all the Railers rhetoric about being a real family, they sure treated Jari like the ostracised creepy uncle no one wants to be around.
The romance made no sense either because the book wasn't long enough or detailed enough. They meet a handful of times but any conversations or getting to know each other is done off page, except for Jari telling Cam he liked pineapple upside down cake. There was no progression, it was just 'strangers' to 'I love you'. The sex scenes were pretty much all problematic and were always Jari using Cam as a way to escape whatever conversation he'd just had with his abusive dad. Cam is presumably a decade older than Jari, I don't know that we ever get Jari's age, and he's self-aware and knows he has issues with a saviour complex, yet he just goes with it everytime because his dick leads him?! It totally contradicted everything we were being told about who Cam was.
What was the big deal with Cam wanting rent his pool house out to someone when he said multiple times he lived in a huge house alone? The way his cousin was so immediate to say that he was doing something wrong felt insane to read! It made no sense, came out of nowhere, and disappeared just as quickly.
The final straw was Jari's mum randomly turning up with a completely new boyfriend at the end of the book when she was supposedly so ill she needed to live in a full time care facility for the rest of the book? Why did she never mention to her son that she had a new relationship? Why did she never mention that it was actually her money that paid for the care, not the abusive dad who was coercing his son into continuing to play hockey or he'd stop his mum's care? Why the fuck could no one in this book have an actual conversation?!
The whole story had more plot holes than a pair of fishnets!!!
I think I have to officially give up on books from this pair of authors because they just frustrate me too much now. There's genuinely more substance to candy floss....
There was so much potential here for Jari as the son of the man who tried to kill the revered Tennant Rowe coming to the Railers to continue his own hockey career, but it totally fell flat and missed every single opportunity to add any depth to this story.
It's mentioned that some teammates are talking shit about Jari behind his back, and in front of him, yet nothing comes of it. The crowd are continually booing Jari even months into his season.
Where were the conversations about this and how it was affecting him between Jari and his captain, Jari and his coach, Jari and his psychologist, Jari and his teammates.... Why was no one on his team concerned with the fact he was living in a hotel? Why did no one spend time with him outside of work until almost the end of the book? For all the Railers rhetoric about being a real family, they sure treated Jari like the ostracised creepy uncle no one wants to be around.
The romance made no sense either because the book wasn't long enough or detailed enough. They meet a handful of times but any conversations or getting to know each other is done off page, except for Jari telling Cam he liked pineapple upside down cake. There was no progression, it was just 'strangers' to 'I love you'. The sex scenes were pretty much all problematic and were always Jari using Cam as a way to escape whatever conversation he'd just had with his abusive dad. Cam is presumably a decade older than Jari, I don't know that we ever get Jari's age, and he's self-aware and knows he has issues with a saviour complex, yet he just goes with it everytime because his dick leads him?! It totally contradicted everything we were being told about who Cam was.
What was the big deal with Cam wanting rent his pool house out to someone when he said multiple times he lived in a huge house alone? The way his cousin was so immediate to say that he was doing something wrong felt insane to read! It made no sense, came out of nowhere, and disappeared just as quickly.
The final straw was Jari's mum randomly turning up with a completely new boyfriend at the end of the book when she was supposedly so ill she needed to live in a full time care facility for the rest of the book? Why did she never mention to her son that she had a new relationship? Why did she never mention that it was actually her money that paid for the care, not the abusive dad who was coercing his son into continuing to play hockey or he'd stop his mum's care? Why the fuck could no one in this book have an actual conversation?!
The whole story had more plot holes than a pair of fishnets!!!
I think I have to officially give up on books from this pair of authors because they just frustrate me too much now. There's genuinely more substance to candy floss....
Review of advance copy
3.5*
I'm not sure just what it was about this book that made it feel like the pacing was off but, for me anyway, it seemed like Jari and Cam didn't even meet properly - or at least they only saw each other at a big gathering - and yet they were having all sorts of feels.
It felt like I'd missed a chapter where they actually had more than one conversation before Jari was thinking Cam was a soothing presence when he was having an anxiety attack and yet they'd only shared a glance across a meeting room.
This just put me out of sorts with the narrative for a while, especially as I couldn't work out how old Jari was supposed to be either, until they'd actually been in each other's presence enough that I believed they were developing feelings.
Once that settled in, then the rest of the storyline was very sweet.
Jari was dealing with a lot being the son of Aarni Lankinen, the guy who almost killed Tennant Rowe, while Cam was coming towards the end of his successful baseball career and dealing with his compulsion to try and save everyone the way he'd stepped up for his cousin when he was suffering from severe depression.
There were a lot of emotions in this plotline, things were all over the place at a rapid rate of knots, however, ultimately I did feel the connection between these two very different men and there were a lot of the love between them.
It's a very slow burn story intimately, although the emotions come much quicker, but that suited the storyline and I felt it matched their character.
The Legacy series has been a bit of a mixed bag for me and I did find it the case here, where there seemed to be a quickening towards the ultimate end and Epilogue. Perhaps they just needed a few more chapters to bake before everything wraps up.
#ARC kindly received from the authors, I am voluntarily leaving a review
I'm not sure just what it was about this book that made it feel like the pacing was off but, for me anyway, it seemed like Jari and Cam didn't even meet properly - or at least they only saw each other at a big gathering - and yet they were having all sorts of feels.
It felt like I'd missed a chapter where they actually had more than one conversation before Jari was thinking Cam was a soothing presence when he was having an anxiety attack and yet they'd only shared a glance across a meeting room.
This just put me out of sorts with the narrative for a while, especially as I couldn't work out how old Jari was supposed to be either, until they'd actually been in each other's presence enough that I believed they were developing feelings.
Once that settled in, then the rest of the storyline was very sweet.
Jari was dealing with a lot being the son of Aarni Lankinen, the guy who almost killed Tennant Rowe, while Cam was coming towards the end of his successful baseball career and dealing with his compulsion to try and save everyone the way he'd stepped up for his cousin when he was suffering from severe depression.
There were a lot of emotions in this plotline, things were all over the place at a rapid rate of knots, however, ultimately I did feel the connection between these two very different men and there were a lot of the love between them.
It's a very slow burn story intimately, although the emotions come much quicker, but that suited the storyline and I felt it matched their character.
The Legacy series has been a bit of a mixed bag for me and I did find it the case here, where there seemed to be a quickening towards the ultimate end and Epilogue. Perhaps they just needed a few more chapters to bake before everything wraps up.
#ARC kindly received from the authors, I am voluntarily leaving a review
March 9, 2026
I think this one might be my favorite of the series. I love all of them and I thought Speed was my favorite but then I read Blitz and that one became my favorite. Until I read Powder and was SURE that would be my favorite. But then RJ and V.L. said hold my beer😅
My heart hurts for Jari. He didn’t deserve to have such a horrible person as a father. For him to carry the burden of being the son of the man that almost unalived Ten was unfair.
He was judged for something he didn’t do and lumped in the same pile as his pos dad. He was never given the chance to show who he was, he was hated by default.
I loved that the Railers didn’t believe he was like his father and took a chance on him. Loved that Noah was one of the first ones to welcome him to the team considering how much his dad wanted to let Arni know he knew people😂
However, it was Cam who really saw him. He saw his pain and the weight he carried. He knew what that haunted look meant and even without knowing Jari, went on protective mode.
Cam being a rambling mess was the most adorable thing. It was like his brain stopped functioning properly whenever he was around Jari.
My favorite part of the book was Ten being his amazing self. I loved him for what he said to Jari and made me love him even more for it.
Jari deserved to be loved and accepted. Being traded to the Railers was exactly the new start he needed. Nobody else cared enough to see how much he was suffering, it was easier for them to see him as the bad guy than to get to know him.
This was the most perfect found family story. Jari went from being an outcast to being part of a team and finding the love of his life.
I’m sad the series is over but I’ll be rereading it over and over because it’s become my favorite comfort read🥰
My heart hurts for Jari. He didn’t deserve to have such a horrible person as a father. For him to carry the burden of being the son of the man that almost unalived Ten was unfair.
He was judged for something he didn’t do and lumped in the same pile as his pos dad. He was never given the chance to show who he was, he was hated by default.
I loved that the Railers didn’t believe he was like his father and took a chance on him. Loved that Noah was one of the first ones to welcome him to the team considering how much his dad wanted to let Arni know he knew people😂
However, it was Cam who really saw him. He saw his pain and the weight he carried. He knew what that haunted look meant and even without knowing Jari, went on protective mode.
Cam being a rambling mess was the most adorable thing. It was like his brain stopped functioning properly whenever he was around Jari.
My favorite part of the book was Ten being his amazing self. I loved him for what he said to Jari and made me love him even more for it.
Jari deserved to be loved and accepted. Being traded to the Railers was exactly the new start he needed. Nobody else cared enough to see how much he was suffering, it was easier for them to see him as the bad guy than to get to know him.
This was the most perfect found family story. Jari went from being an outcast to being part of a team and finding the love of his life.
I’m sad the series is over but I’ll be rereading it over and over because it’s become my favorite comfort read🥰
March 6, 2026
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.75 stars
Fly is the fourth in the Railers Legacy series and technically it can be read as a standalone. But the book will mean more to those familiar with the original Harrisburg Railers series. After his brutal and life-altering attack on Tennant Rowe, Aarni Lankinen became a pariah within the league. Now, his son Jari has been traded to the Railers and Jari is desperate to escape his father’s shadow on the ice and his domineering abuse off of it. Jari is clearly a man on the ragged edge and it’s impossible not to care about his character. He’s fragile and holding on by a thread, but he refuses to give up and I loved that he knew he needed help and was willing to get it.
Read Sue's review in its entirety here.
3.75 stars
Fly is the fourth in the Railers Legacy series and technically it can be read as a standalone. But the book will mean more to those familiar with the original Harrisburg Railers series. After his brutal and life-altering attack on Tennant Rowe, Aarni Lankinen became a pariah within the league. Now, his son Jari has been traded to the Railers and Jari is desperate to escape his father’s shadow on the ice and his domineering abuse off of it. Jari is clearly a man on the ragged edge and it’s impossible not to care about his character. He’s fragile and holding on by a thread, but he refuses to give up and I loved that he knew he needed help and was willing to get it.
Read Sue's review in its entirety here.
March 5, 2026
Jari, son of the hated Aari Lankinen, is the perfect person to be included in this series and so deserved his own story. It was as emotional as I expected, and I couldn’t help feeling for Jari as he wanted so much to be accepted for himself and not who his father is. Then there is Cam, who is a sweetheart, and who wants to take care of everyone, so he is so good for Jari. I loved watching him care for and help Jari deal with his anxieties as they became friends and then more. Their story is full of tenderness between Cam and Jari, other players showing their support, and heartwarming happiness for everyone in the end. I loved this book and highly recommend it as a great read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wonderful end to the series 😍
4.5 stars
If you’re a die hard fan of RJ and Vicki’s original Harrisburg series, you definitely haven't forgotten the moment Arnie Lakinen took out Tennant Rowe, nearly ending his career right there on the ice. I’ve loathed Arnie with the heat of a thousand suns ever since. But after finding out what he's doing to his son, Jari? Let’s add a zero to that, my hatred is officially clocking in at 10,000 suns.
Anyhoo, despite my lingering rage, I loved Jari’s story. Even though it starts off in a dark place, watching him being treated like a hockey outcast is so sad. It’s honestly heartbreaking watching him deal with hate from fans and teammates just for his last name. He’s on his fourth club and has been the designated villain at every single one, until now.
Everything in his life is all over the place. Jari is spiralling, but meeting Cam changes all of that. A calm and caring basketball player, Cam is the perfect foil to Jari's internal chaos. Their chemistry is immediate, but Cam dampens his own desires after seeing how overwhelmed Jari is. Jari is an emotional wreck, like a rabbit in the headlights, so Cam stays behind the scenes, watching his back.
It was so rewarding watching Jari finally find his feet! RJ and Vicki write the found family theme so well. I loved seeing the Harrisburg community, and especially Tennant, Stan (who delightfully hasn't changed one bit 😉)and Eric rally around him, the whole thing is incredibly moving, proving that often the found family we choose is often the best one to have.
The ending is absolutely wonderful and so emotional. Jari finally gets his HEA in spades! It was incredibly satisfying to see everything work out for his family, while Arnie (🤮) finally gets exactly what was coming to him.
Jari finds his place in the world, he and Cam truly earn the love they find.
Vicki and RJ write so well as a team, I've enjoyed the whole of this series so much. My only tiny whinge I have is that I would have loved to see the Cam and Jari spend a little more time together at the very end. While the conclusion was happy, it felt a bit sudden. Then again, that might just be me, I always find myself wanting more from these ladies!
4.5 stars
If you’re a die hard fan of RJ and Vicki’s original Harrisburg series, you definitely haven't forgotten the moment Arnie Lakinen took out Tennant Rowe, nearly ending his career right there on the ice. I’ve loathed Arnie with the heat of a thousand suns ever since. But after finding out what he's doing to his son, Jari? Let’s add a zero to that, my hatred is officially clocking in at 10,000 suns.
Anyhoo, despite my lingering rage, I loved Jari’s story. Even though it starts off in a dark place, watching him being treated like a hockey outcast is so sad. It’s honestly heartbreaking watching him deal with hate from fans and teammates just for his last name. He’s on his fourth club and has been the designated villain at every single one, until now.
Everything in his life is all over the place. Jari is spiralling, but meeting Cam changes all of that. A calm and caring basketball player, Cam is the perfect foil to Jari's internal chaos. Their chemistry is immediate, but Cam dampens his own desires after seeing how overwhelmed Jari is. Jari is an emotional wreck, like a rabbit in the headlights, so Cam stays behind the scenes, watching his back.
It was so rewarding watching Jari finally find his feet! RJ and Vicki write the found family theme so well. I loved seeing the Harrisburg community, and especially Tennant, Stan (who delightfully hasn't changed one bit 😉)and Eric rally around him, the whole thing is incredibly moving, proving that often the found family we choose is often the best one to have.
The ending is absolutely wonderful and so emotional. Jari finally gets his HEA in spades! It was incredibly satisfying to see everything work out for his family, while Arnie (🤮) finally gets exactly what was coming to him.
Jari finds his place in the world, he and Cam truly earn the love they find.
Vicki and RJ write so well as a team, I've enjoyed the whole of this series so much. My only tiny whinge I have is that I would have loved to see the Cam and Jari spend a little more time together at the very end. While the conclusion was happy, it felt a bit sudden. Then again, that might just be me, I always find myself wanting more from these ladies!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I love a good redemption story and Jari and Cam, well it is for Jari but it also isnt :) a wonderful read and the ending is so good! it kinda wraps up a few little ends from over time!
April 12, 2026
Yet another great story in the continuing Scott & Locey Hockey Universe. So much to love here and for those who have been riding this train from the very beginning, waybackwhen in Harrisburg Railers, you will recognize the last name of one of the MCs, Lankinen and you're probably not remembering it kindly. To paraphrase the old adage, you can't judge the son by the father's sins. This is perfect example of just that. Unfortunately, Jari punishes himself, after all he's had a lifetime of facing his father's sins and sharing the name that went along them. I won't say anything more specific for those who are new here but just know, Aarni Lankinen is not a good man but Jari is nothing like him.
There is actually two things about Fly that puts this higher up on my list than others, which says a lot because the difference between every book I've read in the authors' hockey world is so infinitesimal that if they were a row of cars lined up on the street I would be afraid to stick my hand between them. So the 2 things that stood out: baseball and MS.
Last year in the Railers Legacy second entry, Blitz, we got to see a dual sports relationship when one MC was nearing the end of his football career, well here we get to see a baseball player who is set in his own career and very much drawn to Jari. When it comes to sports, I'm much more a baseball fan than I am hockey and unfortunately I have not had a chance to read too many baseball stories in the LGBTQ genre so this was a very nice surprise.
As for why the MS is important to me? My grandfather lived with MS for 42 years before he was called home and was in a wheelchair by the time I came along so I grew up around MS, and find myself having a much tighter judgement scale where the condition is concerned. Here in Fly, it is Jari's mom who has MS and though we don't see a great deal of her on page and the MS is a minor part of the story scene/wordage-wise, it is a main focus on Jari's mind when it comes to why he puts up with his father's crap(for lack of a better word😉). Knowing the authors' work as I do, I knew they would give it the respect it deserves but I still held a much stronger magnifying glass to those parts while reading. The concern Jari has for his mother and getting the proper care is spot on in regards to how much it can wear on a person and his need to "leave it in the locker room". It's these details that can lift a wonderful story into great storytelling.
I've talked mostly about Jari here but I can't forget Cam, the baseball player. He has his own struggles that he still maneuvers around, especially his need to want to help people. Now on the surface that is not much of a struggle but what makes it an issue is his want to jump in and fix things without asking the other party(Jari in this case) if they want his fixes. What I loved about this part of his character is he sees what he's doing and faces it before he lets it get out of hand.
I'm going to end there before I start giving away too much. Fly is an emotionally charged and still fun incredible piece of storytelling that keeps you hooked from beginning to end. There is character growth on both sides of the couple coin but more than "growth" its accepting those parts of themselves that has caused pain that helped me connect with them. Can't wait to see where their hockey universe travels to next.
There is actually two things about Fly that puts this higher up on my list than others, which says a lot because the difference between every book I've read in the authors' hockey world is so infinitesimal that if they were a row of cars lined up on the street I would be afraid to stick my hand between them. So the 2 things that stood out: baseball and MS.
Last year in the Railers Legacy second entry, Blitz, we got to see a dual sports relationship when one MC was nearing the end of his football career, well here we get to see a baseball player who is set in his own career and very much drawn to Jari. When it comes to sports, I'm much more a baseball fan than I am hockey and unfortunately I have not had a chance to read too many baseball stories in the LGBTQ genre so this was a very nice surprise.
As for why the MS is important to me? My grandfather lived with MS for 42 years before he was called home and was in a wheelchair by the time I came along so I grew up around MS, and find myself having a much tighter judgement scale where the condition is concerned. Here in Fly, it is Jari's mom who has MS and though we don't see a great deal of her on page and the MS is a minor part of the story scene/wordage-wise, it is a main focus on Jari's mind when it comes to why he puts up with his father's crap(for lack of a better word😉). Knowing the authors' work as I do, I knew they would give it the respect it deserves but I still held a much stronger magnifying glass to those parts while reading. The concern Jari has for his mother and getting the proper care is spot on in regards to how much it can wear on a person and his need to "leave it in the locker room". It's these details that can lift a wonderful story into great storytelling.
I've talked mostly about Jari here but I can't forget Cam, the baseball player. He has his own struggles that he still maneuvers around, especially his need to want to help people. Now on the surface that is not much of a struggle but what makes it an issue is his want to jump in and fix things without asking the other party(Jari in this case) if they want his fixes. What I loved about this part of his character is he sees what he's doing and faces it before he lets it get out of hand.
I'm going to end there before I start giving away too much. Fly is an emotionally charged and still fun incredible piece of storytelling that keeps you hooked from beginning to end. There is character growth on both sides of the couple coin but more than "growth" its accepting those parts of themselves that has caused pain that helped me connect with them. Can't wait to see where their hockey universe travels to next.
March 19, 2026
4.25 stars - Jari’s story has been brewing for a long time now. The hatred for the actions of his father have affected the entire Railers community, and unfortunately, Jari has been paying the price ever since. Not only has that hatred transferred to Jari through the fans and even other players, but his career has suffered through his playing and being traded numerous times. He has generally walled himself off to insulate against the boos and poor treatment, all while having to deal with his father who basically mistreats him and blackmails him with taking care of his sick mother in Finland. There are hints his abuse was also physical, but this is never really addressed beyond the mention of scars. The Harrisburg Railers are the winners of his most recent trade which presents a unique opportunity at a second lease on life.
Cam is the pitcher for Harrisburg’s baseball team. He is a bit further along in his career and life, although he has a few issues of his own, mainly his need to take care of and help people, whether they ask for it or not. He immediately sees something in Jari and in his desire to become friends, the two hit it off and become friends with special benefits.
Much of this story is about Jari learning to trust the other shoe isn’t about to drop and to accept the forgiveness and acceptance of those he shouldn’t have even needed that through, had he not been Aarni Lankinen’s son. Everything that Jari is dealing with has a direct impact on his playing, so add that onto the list of issues. Thankfully, it doesn’t take long for him to start gelling with his linemates and his play to improve which, in turn, helps comfort the teammates and fans so they ease up on the hostility.
I love this story and especially seeing the rest of the guys now at various stages of their careers and lives. Legacy Railers is generally about the “children” of players from the original series, so it is definitely helpful, especially given this story, to know all the back story is important to fully enjoy what is going on in this one. The story moves along at a fairly steady pace until the last 20% where things wrap up rather quickly, almost too much so. It felt as though the issues surrounding Jari’s mother and father could have been a little more detailed in the end, and some aspects didn’t really get addressed, such as the PI Cam hired, which was big enough to send him to his therapist but never became an issue on any level after that.
That said, this book, and all the previous ones, are extremely enjoyable with a wonderful hockey community and many fabulous characters to fall in love with. I’m rather sad to see it end, although it seems there will be another shoot-off in the near future. You can never go wrong with this author pairing, and I wouldn’t hesitate to grab anything from either of them at this point.
Review written for Love Bytes Reviews.
March 18, 2026
Fly is the fourth book in the ‘Railers Legacy’ series. It stars Jari Lankinen, a young hockey player, and Cameron Blackburn, baseball pitcher. This is told in first person from Jari and Cameron’s povs.
First the cover. I really like it. I can imagine Jari looking like the cover model.
The blurb does a good job explaining the basic plot. This is an opposite attracts, age-difference.
Jari has a lot of pressure on him because other players resent how his father destroyed the career, and almost life, of a respected and beloved hockey player. Jari reminds me a lot like Ilya in Heated Rivalry. Jari’s father demands a lot of money, or he’ll put Jari’s mother in a worse nursing home. Jari pays for everything. Like Ilya pays for all the care for his father. Ilya sends the money back to Russia to his demanding brother who is obviously keeping it for himself. There’s also an instance when Jari or Cameron is talking, and they use the word, “Together”, in a one-word sentence, just like Shane. There are other instances of Jari reminding me of Ilya in different ways. That’s not bad, it’s just something I noticed. Anyway, Jari is not anything like his father, but the other players think he is and won’t give him a chance to prove he’s not.
The only person who accepts Jari, is Cameron, because he isn’t in the same sport and doesn’t know much about hockey. Which is what Jari needs. Cameron is steady and helps Jari come out of his self-inflicted confinement and helps bolster Jari’s self-esteem. The authors did a good job convincing me to believe in these men as a couple. They’re well suited to each other.
In the beginning there was too much monologue when Cameron described his baseball practice and what went into that. I found my mind drifting. Less monologue in the story would have been nicer. Also, there was one thing that I wanted to know about that I don't remember being answered. Jari's mother ended up having a boyfriend. There wasn't any mention about where they met or how long they'd been dating since his mother stayed in the nursing home. It felt like an incomplete scene but it was critical to the story and how it set Jari free from caring for his mother.
Overall, I liked Fly. It was a nice blend of hockey and baseball, and the characters made a good pair. I did, however, think that Jari had quite a few aspects that reminded me of Ilya in Heated Rivalry. I give this book, 4 Stars.
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.
First the cover. I really like it. I can imagine Jari looking like the cover model.
The blurb does a good job explaining the basic plot. This is an opposite attracts, age-difference.
Jari has a lot of pressure on him because other players resent how his father destroyed the career, and almost life, of a respected and beloved hockey player. Jari reminds me a lot like Ilya in Heated Rivalry. Jari’s father demands a lot of money, or he’ll put Jari’s mother in a worse nursing home. Jari pays for everything. Like Ilya pays for all the care for his father. Ilya sends the money back to Russia to his demanding brother who is obviously keeping it for himself. There’s also an instance when Jari or Cameron is talking, and they use the word, “Together”, in a one-word sentence, just like Shane. There are other instances of Jari reminding me of Ilya in different ways. That’s not bad, it’s just something I noticed. Anyway, Jari is not anything like his father, but the other players think he is and won’t give him a chance to prove he’s not.
The only person who accepts Jari, is Cameron, because he isn’t in the same sport and doesn’t know much about hockey. Which is what Jari needs. Cameron is steady and helps Jari come out of his self-inflicted confinement and helps bolster Jari’s self-esteem. The authors did a good job convincing me to believe in these men as a couple. They’re well suited to each other.
In the beginning there was too much monologue when Cameron described his baseball practice and what went into that. I found my mind drifting. Less monologue in the story would have been nicer. Also, there was one thing that I wanted to know about that I don't remember being answered. Jari's mother ended up having a boyfriend. There wasn't any mention about where they met or how long they'd been dating since his mother stayed in the nursing home. It felt like an incomplete scene but it was critical to the story and how it set Jari free from caring for his mother.
Overall, I liked Fly. It was a nice blend of hockey and baseball, and the characters made a good pair. I did, however, think that Jari had quite a few aspects that reminded me of Ilya in Heated Rivalry. I give this book, 4 Stars.
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 * rounded up.
Ever since Neutral Zone, I wanted to see if the issue with Aari Lankinen would come up again and I am really glad that Scott/Lucy decided to take on this issue and how they did it.
You just want to take Jari and wrap him in bubble wrap. I felt so sorry for him. He is trapped between his evil father, his talent and the fact that he can't be himself. I think his character is really well done; you can see his anxiousness, his desire to finally find a home and settle but the constant fear of being uplrooted again because he can't show what he's actually capable of.
All because of his surname, all because of what his dad did to Ten.
Cam has an absolute saviour complex, his superhero coat is constantly next to him and while originally he may just thought Jari needs someone to help him, it becomes very clear that there has also attraction developing between these two. I really think there is chemistry between these two though.
It goes fairly fast from meeting at a charity event to a coffee date to spending time together and developing a friendship. You can feel that's on one hand Jari really starts believing in Cam's feelings but just can't ignore the fact that with him not being out he is doing Cam a disservice by agreeing to a relationship.
The story does have some holes, the bomb Jari's mom is dropping towards the end is the biggest one for me. I can understand that she kept that development a secret but I also feel that she blindside Jari. Yes, it was the catalyser for him to embrace himself and cut all ties but I would've loved more if he would be able to do this more on his own instead of his mom's secret.
The biggest positive point in the book is how Ten and also Noah chose to deal with Jari's arrival at the Railers. If you read Rivals, the authors already showed that Ten closed that chapter in his life but the way he embrace Jari and puts his name behind it together with Noah's defence in the locker room it's just so great to read.
Ever since Neutral Zone, I wanted to see if the issue with Aari Lankinen would come up again and I am really glad that Scott/Lucy decided to take on this issue and how they did it.
You just want to take Jari and wrap him in bubble wrap. I felt so sorry for him. He is trapped between his evil father, his talent and the fact that he can't be himself. I think his character is really well done; you can see his anxiousness, his desire to finally find a home and settle but the constant fear of being uplrooted again because he can't show what he's actually capable of.
All because of his surname, all because of what his dad did to Ten.
Cam has an absolute saviour complex, his superhero coat is constantly next to him and while originally he may just thought Jari needs someone to help him, it becomes very clear that there has also attraction developing between these two. I really think there is chemistry between these two though.
It goes fairly fast from meeting at a charity event to a coffee date to spending time together and developing a friendship. You can feel that's on one hand Jari really starts believing in Cam's feelings but just can't ignore the fact that with him not being out he is doing Cam a disservice by agreeing to a relationship.
The story does have some holes, the bomb Jari's mom is dropping towards the end is the biggest one for me. I can understand that she kept that development a secret but I also feel that she blindside Jari. Yes, it was the catalyser for him to embrace himself and cut all ties but I would've loved more if he would be able to do this more on his own instead of his mom's secret.
The biggest positive point in the book is how Ten and also Noah chose to deal with Jari's arrival at the Railers. If you read Rivals, the authors already showed that Ten closed that chapter in his life but the way he embrace Jari and puts his name behind it together with Noah's defence in the locker room it's just so great to read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
If there’s a fictional character that I have more hate in my heart for than Aarni Lankinen, I’d be hard-pressed to name them. After what Aarni did to my beloved Ten (in the Railers original series), I was incensed. Nobody hurts my book boyfriends! So when I learned that this story was about Aarni’s son, I had to do a lot of complicated deep-breathing manoeuvres before I opened this book. I was so prepared to hate Jari.
But Scott and Locey had other ideas for me. They grabbed my bruised feelings and stuffed them away and instead created a character I immediately liked. Also scarred by his sperm donor, Jari is evidence that biology doesn’t always dictate. And the way the Railers embraced him, while surprising, was extra-ordinary (& I think Ten’s leadership in that matter was splendid).
Then there’s Cam, who just happens to play my second-favourite sport, baseball. And of course the two cross paths at the state-of-the-art athletic training centre the teams share. Much hilarity ensues as Cam’s nervous verbal diarrhea just doesn’t quit, until you have burning second-hand embarrassment for him.
But he redeems himself when later he says, of Jari, “I could feel his defenses lowering, his openness coming to the fore, his sweet sense of humor bubbling up like ginger ale over ice. I was smitten. I knew the signs. The smile when his text rolled in, the flutter in my gut when he sent me a stupid GIF…”. Once he realizes he’s invested in this relationship he is 100% in, making for a mesmerizing partnership.
I love how Cap just volunteers the newly-traded Jari, refusing to allow him to stay at arm’s length from the team. But most of all, I love Cam’s patience and caring with Jari’s anxiety. He’s the type of partner everyone deserves.
And I don’t know how the authors did it, I wouldn’t have said it was possible, but I hate Aarni even more than I did before.
I devoured this one and loved the men’s romance so much. Five stars.
But Scott and Locey had other ideas for me. They grabbed my bruised feelings and stuffed them away and instead created a character I immediately liked. Also scarred by his sperm donor, Jari is evidence that biology doesn’t always dictate. And the way the Railers embraced him, while surprising, was extra-ordinary (& I think Ten’s leadership in that matter was splendid).
Then there’s Cam, who just happens to play my second-favourite sport, baseball. And of course the two cross paths at the state-of-the-art athletic training centre the teams share. Much hilarity ensues as Cam’s nervous verbal diarrhea just doesn’t quit, until you have burning second-hand embarrassment for him.
But he redeems himself when later he says, of Jari, “I could feel his defenses lowering, his openness coming to the fore, his sweet sense of humor bubbling up like ginger ale over ice. I was smitten. I knew the signs. The smile when his text rolled in, the flutter in my gut when he sent me a stupid GIF…”. Once he realizes he’s invested in this relationship he is 100% in, making for a mesmerizing partnership.
I love how Cap just volunteers the newly-traded Jari, refusing to allow him to stay at arm’s length from the team. But most of all, I love Cam’s patience and caring with Jari’s anxiety. He’s the type of partner everyone deserves.
And I don’t know how the authors did it, I wouldn’t have said it was possible, but I hate Aarni even more than I did before.
I devoured this one and loved the men’s romance so much. Five stars.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received a free copy. This review is submitted voluntarily.
Jari Lakinen is the so of the worst kind of bigot. It brought me back to the disgusting incident where Aarni deliberately injured a hero in the first series. He’s continued his despicable behaviour by forcing Jari to wear his number by threatening to withhold money for Jari’s mother’s accommodations where she is treated for her MS. Jari has just been traded to the Railers, the team Tennant played for when Aarni inflicted the injury on him. Shortly after arrival, he meets Cam, a starting pitcher for the Harrisburg Iron Horse pro baseball team, at an organizing meeting for a charity. Both men notice each other and eventually get together. But Jari cannot come out, despite being gay, because of his father’s big-time prejudice.
Jari is extremely troubled because of his father and the view people have of him. He even has a panic attack that Cam helps him through. He has fleeting thoughts of self-harm to get out of his father’s control. I found myself being totally sympathetic to his situation. Luckily, Cam is an irrepressible do-gooder (and I mean that in a very admiring way). He also has experience dealing with depression in his cousin Kirby. Knowing full well that the authors wrote them as compatible, in all the hundreds of books I’ve read I’ve hardly ever seen other couples who were so meant for each other. While they mostly have to deal with the problems on their own, they are well supported by a number of teammates, both Jari’s and Cam’s. And, of course, Jari has to deal with his father’s evil nature. I have read about many nasty characters, and Aarni is right up there in his evilness. I was cheering against Aarni almost as much as I was cheering for the two MCs.
In my view, the authors have another winner with this book.
Jari Lakinen is the so of the worst kind of bigot. It brought me back to the disgusting incident where Aarni deliberately injured a hero in the first series. He’s continued his despicable behaviour by forcing Jari to wear his number by threatening to withhold money for Jari’s mother’s accommodations where she is treated for her MS. Jari has just been traded to the Railers, the team Tennant played for when Aarni inflicted the injury on him. Shortly after arrival, he meets Cam, a starting pitcher for the Harrisburg Iron Horse pro baseball team, at an organizing meeting for a charity. Both men notice each other and eventually get together. But Jari cannot come out, despite being gay, because of his father’s big-time prejudice.
Jari is extremely troubled because of his father and the view people have of him. He even has a panic attack that Cam helps him through. He has fleeting thoughts of self-harm to get out of his father’s control. I found myself being totally sympathetic to his situation. Luckily, Cam is an irrepressible do-gooder (and I mean that in a very admiring way). He also has experience dealing with depression in his cousin Kirby. Knowing full well that the authors wrote them as compatible, in all the hundreds of books I’ve read I’ve hardly ever seen other couples who were so meant for each other. While they mostly have to deal with the problems on their own, they are well supported by a number of teammates, both Jari’s and Cam’s. And, of course, Jari has to deal with his father’s evil nature. I have read about many nasty characters, and Aarni is right up there in his evilness. I was cheering against Aarni almost as much as I was cheering for the two MCs.
In my view, the authors have another winner with this book.
March 6, 2026
I loved this book so much! It's a bit of a slow burn (their first kiss happened at about 54%), but it’s also sweet and hot. It touched my heart in many places and made my eyes leak.
Jari is the son of Aarni Lankinen, a very bad person who deliberately hurt another beloved hockey player, Tennant Rowe, who used to play for the team that Jari has now been traded to. Jari is surprised at the welcome he receives from his new team; he expected to be hated by everyone.
I loved how the Railers accepted Jari and didn’t hold him responsible for his father’s bad acts. Aarni was one of those characters who could never be redeemed and he finally got his comeuppance in this story.
I could go into a lot more detail about Jari and Cameron and how Cameron helped Jari when he has panic attacks but I really just want to say if you’ve loved the other hockey stories written by RJ and VL I don’t think you’ll want to miss this one. If you’re new to their books this can probably be read as a standalone but the impact might be a little stronger if you’ve read the Harrisburg Railers series.
An advanced copy of this book was provided to me at my request; my review was voluntary and not influenced by the authors.
Jari is the son of Aarni Lankinen, a very bad person who deliberately hurt another beloved hockey player, Tennant Rowe, who used to play for the team that Jari has now been traded to. Jari is surprised at the welcome he receives from his new team; he expected to be hated by everyone.
I loved how the Railers accepted Jari and didn’t hold him responsible for his father’s bad acts. Aarni was one of those characters who could never be redeemed and he finally got his comeuppance in this story.
I could go into a lot more detail about Jari and Cameron and how Cameron helped Jari when he has panic attacks but I really just want to say if you’ve loved the other hockey stories written by RJ and VL I don’t think you’ll want to miss this one. If you’re new to their books this can probably be read as a standalone but the impact might be a little stronger if you’ve read the Harrisburg Railers series.
An advanced copy of this book was provided to me at my request; my review was voluntary and not influenced by the authors.
March 12, 2026
This is a beautifully written story about carrying the burden of family name's legacy and undeserved backlash from unforgiving general public and even piers. That's what's Jari is dealing with and not without consequences on his pshyche.
Cam also grew up with expectations of excellence. Luckily he was able to meet them and enjoy the ride along the way but his cousin and also best friend wasn't that lucky, so he witnessed the devastating consequences that kind of pressure can leave behind. He's a genuinely kind man who gets most satisfaction out of helping others, no credits necessary.
When the two meet attraction is palpable. It could be match made in heaven but Cam has to thread carefully because based on experience Jari doesn't trust anyone and hopes for nothing much anymore in his professional or personal life.
I really enjoyed this series and this book is a great conclusion to it.
Cam also grew up with expectations of excellence. Luckily he was able to meet them and enjoy the ride along the way but his cousin and also best friend wasn't that lucky, so he witnessed the devastating consequences that kind of pressure can leave behind. He's a genuinely kind man who gets most satisfaction out of helping others, no credits necessary.
When the two meet attraction is palpable. It could be match made in heaven but Cam has to thread carefully because based on experience Jari doesn't trust anyone and hopes for nothing much anymore in his professional or personal life.
I really enjoyed this series and this book is a great conclusion to it.
March 13, 2026
„Fly“ is book 4 in the Railers Legacy Series
Two athletes - one a hockey and one a baseball player - fall in love and get their HEA. 💗 Oooo! Sports romance!!!
Jari - shy, battered from a life under his father’s thumb (oh I full on h@te this „father“ again) doesn’t have it easy… Traded multiple times, a legacy that weighs heavy on his shoulders. He tries to fit in/ blend in the background - surviving… not enjoying a life that’s forced on him… closeted and desperate for someone who just by existing makes everything better in a heartbeat.
Enter Cam - sweet and caring - definitely superhero material. He has experience with all the weight and all the hard times of life. He instantly likes Jari and wants to take all his troubles away…
He is very cute when nervous - rambling on about nonsense and cheese 😂 SO adorable!
They start slow as friends but soon can’t get enough of each other and Cam gives Jari the strength to finally stand up for himself… ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Two athletes - one a hockey and one a baseball player - fall in love and get their HEA. 💗 Oooo! Sports romance!!!
Jari - shy, battered from a life under his father’s thumb (oh I full on h@te this „father“ again) doesn’t have it easy… Traded multiple times, a legacy that weighs heavy on his shoulders. He tries to fit in/ blend in the background - surviving… not enjoying a life that’s forced on him… closeted and desperate for someone who just by existing makes everything better in a heartbeat.
Enter Cam - sweet and caring - definitely superhero material. He has experience with all the weight and all the hard times of life. He instantly likes Jari and wants to take all his troubles away…
He is very cute when nervous - rambling on about nonsense and cheese 😂 SO adorable!
They start slow as friends but soon can’t get enough of each other and Cam gives Jari the strength to finally stand up for himself… ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Author
Fourth in series (Railers Legacy), but can be read as a standalone. Age gap. Hurt/comfort. Mental health representation. Slow burn. Dual POV.
Jari’s family name haunts and follows him, his hockey career tainted by his awful father. Professional baseball pitcher Cam sees the hurt Jari is hiding, and can’t help wanting to take care of Jari, being his friend and possibly more.
This story has a caring, generous Cam and a struggling Jari that has had to carry all his hurts alone for a long time. I appreciated that Cam is in touch with overprotective instincts and tempers them and that Jari is willing to open himself up to Cam’s care. Also, the fact that both men attend therapy and have supportive friends and some family that were dedicated was a really enjoyable aspect to this story. It was cute that Cam would ramble when nervous and that Jari trusts Cam to be his safe place.
Jari’s family name haunts and follows him, his hockey career tainted by his awful father. Professional baseball pitcher Cam sees the hurt Jari is hiding, and can’t help wanting to take care of Jari, being his friend and possibly more.
This story has a caring, generous Cam and a struggling Jari that has had to carry all his hurts alone for a long time. I appreciated that Cam is in touch with overprotective instincts and tempers them and that Jari is willing to open himself up to Cam’s care. Also, the fact that both men attend therapy and have supportive friends and some family that were dedicated was a really enjoyable aspect to this story. It was cute that Cam would ramble when nervous and that Jari trusts Cam to be his safe place.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a fantastic book!
Love Jari and Cam together.
At any given moment I wanted to just hug Jari so, so tight.
The emotions we are put through are, in no particular order....anger, sadness, laughing so hard I ended up scaring my cat, aww-ing all over the place, needing a fan and extremely happy with possibly shouting YES!
This book just takes you on a ride that at times made me tear up. I also and one point was gleefully anticipating something, and the authors DID NOT disappoint!
We get to spend time with old friends from previous books which I always love.
We also get new people to love both main and supporting.
I don't want to give anything away because each thing deserves to be experienced the by reader firsthand.
Again, fantastic story all around.
Love Jari and Cam together.
At any given moment I wanted to just hug Jari so, so tight.
The emotions we are put through are, in no particular order....anger, sadness, laughing so hard I ended up scaring my cat, aww-ing all over the place, needing a fan and extremely happy with possibly shouting YES!
This book just takes you on a ride that at times made me tear up. I also and one point was gleefully anticipating something, and the authors DID NOT disappoint!
We get to spend time with old friends from previous books which I always love.
We also get new people to love both main and supporting.
I don't want to give anything away because each thing deserves to be experienced the by reader firsthand.
Again, fantastic story all around.
March 5, 2026
Rating 4.5
This is the fourth book in the Railers Legacy hockey series. I love these books and it was great seeing how the authors would deal with a son of Aarni Lankinen. When we first met Aarni when he injured Ten, he was a horrible, so I was very curious to see how his son turned out. I was not disappointed as these authors are great at tackling the issues. I also love that the Railers Legacy series is introducing other sports than Hockey. Another high point for me is seeing characters from other books. Great character development and a wonderful pace. I can’t wait for another installment in this series.
This is the fourth book in the Railers Legacy hockey series. I love these books and it was great seeing how the authors would deal with a son of Aarni Lankinen. When we first met Aarni when he injured Ten, he was a horrible, so I was very curious to see how his son turned out. I was not disappointed as these authors are great at tackling the issues. I also love that the Railers Legacy series is introducing other sports than Hockey. Another high point for me is seeing characters from other books. Great character development and a wonderful pace. I can’t wait for another installment in this series.
March 5, 2026
Fourth in the Railers Legacy series but fully readable as a standalone, this is a tender, character‑driven slow burn that balances emotional healing with believable sports‑world stakes. Cam is a caring, generous presence whose nervous rambling is charming; Jari is a guarded hockey player haunted by his family name and a painful past. Their friendship grows into something deeper in a way that feels earned, with both men doing the hard work of opening up. A warm, emotionally honest romance about learning to be safe with someone again. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy slow‑burn, hurt/comfort romances with realistic mental‑health portrayals and strong emotional payoff.
March 6, 2026
I love a good redemption story. Jari is hated because of who his father is. Yes, his father did a monstrous thing, but Jari is not his father and is tired of living in that villainous shadow. He has to fight for each crumb of respect and is always struggling alone. Cameron is known for his level head and never losing control. One is order and the other a kind of chaos. This is a true opposites attract trope with some redemption arc built in. Jari earns his wings that allow him to truly fly. Watching these two find their way together was such a fulfilling read, not that I would expect anything less from this duo of authors. The Harrisburg Railers win yet again!
March 10, 2026
It is so much fun to watch the next generation of hockey. Cam and Jari are such great people that I wanted to see them happy. I love that the Railers truly embrace the notion of found and chosen family, and don’t let biological family interfere with that truth. Jari should be embraced for exactly the reason that so many distrust/hate him. If only professional sports IRL would read a bit of MM Romance, the world would be a better place. Of course, the LOL moments (especially with Stan & Erik) make this universe a joyful place to escape. Perhaps it is time that I revisit the origin stories. . .
March 6, 2026
Fly is the fourth book in the Railers Legacy series and can be read as a standalone. This is a slow burn, hurt/comfort read about Cam and Jari. I really enjoyed this story and the wonderful characters, the storyline of Jari being Aarni's son is amazing, I do wish it went more into how horrible things were. If you have been reading VL/RJ's hockey series since the start, you will understand more of what Jari has been through, so really this is an excuse to go back and read their hockey books from the beginning.
March 6, 2026
I love how RJ Scott and VL Locey are able to translate difficult and complicated emotions into writing. The book is drowned in brilliantly written hurt / comfort vibes. Jari as a character initiated my Mama Bear feels from page one and he did not let go of the vice grip on my heart for even a second! Being able to empathise and connect to a character from the get go is something I absolutely love and which to me proves that the authors created a relatable, believable MC.
RJ Scott and VL Locey wrote another book I couldn't put down. What else is new?!
RJ Scott and VL Locey wrote another book I couldn't put down. What else is new?!
March 11, 2026
nice novel
I love RJ’s books but this one was just ok. The Jari character is very damaged and his mother has MS. His father is a monster who-controls him by using the mother as a metaphorical hostage. The book moved slowly through the MC working through his troubled feelings and fractured legacy until about 80% of the way through. Then BAM in a few pages everything is resolved and tied up in a perfect bow. Give me a break. It all felt too forced and too perfect and completely out of sync with all that came before.
I love RJ’s books but this one was just ok. The Jari character is very damaged and his mother has MS. His father is a monster who-controls him by using the mother as a metaphorical hostage. The book moved slowly through the MC working through his troubled feelings and fractured legacy until about 80% of the way through. Then BAM in a few pages everything is resolved and tied up in a perfect bow. Give me a break. It all felt too forced and too perfect and completely out of sync with all that came before.
Read
March 5, 2026I've always appreciated the way the Railers treat everyone on their team and Jari's move to join the team puts that to the test in the very best ways... I love how Cam just love bombs him and gives him a safe place to be himself - and to let everything out! I also appreciate how well integrated and accepted going to therapy is...
The love story is wonderful, made even better by the supportive teams, friends and family.. I love the ending!
The love story is wonderful, made even better by the supportive teams, friends and family.. I love the ending!
March 6, 2026
Age gap, Hurt/comfort, Mental health representation, Slow burn
Jari has lived under the weight and shadow of his father's monstrous legacy his whole life.
That and the implied pain at his father's hands have left him an anxious ball of nerves.
Cam begins a friendship with him because he sees that he needs someone in his corner.
His caretaking and nurturing were exactly what Jari needed.
Jari has lived under the weight and shadow of his father's monstrous legacy his whole life.
That and the implied pain at his father's hands have left him an anxious ball of nerves.
Cam begins a friendship with him because he sees that he needs someone in his corner.
His caretaking and nurturing were exactly what Jari needed.
Review of advance copy received from Author
These ladies never fail to make me love what they write.
This to me had a lovely slow relationship development around very emotinal characters dealing with things from the past and learning how to move forward.
Jari and Cam make a great couple, I loved the baseball element as well as the hockey. And how the two came together.
Another fab read.
This to me had a lovely slow relationship development around very emotinal characters dealing with things from the past and learning how to move forward.
Jari and Cam make a great couple, I loved the baseball element as well as the hockey. And how the two came together.
Another fab read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Jari and Cam comes from similar backgrounds. Jari's is hockey and Cam's baseball. They both have some issues to deal with and helping each other is what they do. I liked these two together. They had good chemistry and I was rooting for them. I loved the connection Jari had to Ten and the acceptance he got. Definitely worth the read. 😍
Review of advance copy received from Author
Where hockey and baseball collide. Jari and Cam come together just when the other needs them the most. Between Cam coming to the end of his career and Jari trying to out skate his father's past this was one of those books that pulls on your heartstrings. RJ Scott blends the best of both worlds while allowing anxiety meld with new beginnings. A great read.
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