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Tapped!: A fun, heartwarming mm contemporary romance
An NHL captain walks into a gay bar...
Skyler Shaw has the captain's C, a killer wrist shot, and the face of a franchise.
He's also straight. Completely, undeniably straight.
So why can't he stop thinking about the barback he met a month ago?
Jackson "Jacks" Mills was weeks from the NFL draft when his knee exploded and took his future with it. Now he's slinging drinks at Tampa's favorite gay sports bar, rebuilding a life he never planned. He's got his found family, his routine, and absolutely no business crushing on a straight hockey player who keeps showing up.
Because that's all this is. Friendship.
Just two guys who text constantly.
Who light up when the other walks in. Who keep finding excuses to stand too close and stare too long.
Friendship.
Sure, Skyler's never had a friend who makes his heart race. And maybe Jacks has never wanted to kiss a "friend" so badly it keeps him up at night.
But it doesn't mean anything.
...Right?
Tapped! is a slow-burn MM romance featuring an oblivious hockey bro discovering his "normal friend feelings" aren't so normal, a former athlete learning that needing help isn't weakness, and enough banter to fill a penalty box. Expect found family chaos, a glitter-obsessed bartender, teammates who see everything, and two idiots who are the last to know.
Can be read as a standalone but is better in series order. HEA guaranteed.
Skyler Shaw has the captain's C, a killer wrist shot, and the face of a franchise.
He's also straight. Completely, undeniably straight.
So why can't he stop thinking about the barback he met a month ago?
Jackson "Jacks" Mills was weeks from the NFL draft when his knee exploded and took his future with it. Now he's slinging drinks at Tampa's favorite gay sports bar, rebuilding a life he never planned. He's got his found family, his routine, and absolutely no business crushing on a straight hockey player who keeps showing up.
Because that's all this is. Friendship.
Just two guys who text constantly.
Who light up when the other walks in. Who keep finding excuses to stand too close and stare too long.
Friendship.
Sure, Skyler's never had a friend who makes his heart race. And maybe Jacks has never wanted to kiss a "friend" so badly it keeps him up at night.
But it doesn't mean anything.
...Right?
Tapped! is a slow-burn MM romance featuring an oblivious hockey bro discovering his "normal friend feelings" aren't so normal, a former athlete learning that needing help isn't weakness, and enough banter to fill a penalty box. Expect found family chaos, a glitter-obsessed bartender, teammates who see everything, and two idiots who are the last to know.
Can be read as a standalone but is better in series order. HEA guaranteed.
584 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 7, 2026
17 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Casey Morales
44 books430 followersCasey Morales is an LGBT storyteller and the author of multiple bestselling MM romance novels. Born in the Southern United States, Casey is an avid tennis player, aspiring chef, dog lover, and ravenous consumer of gummy bears.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 9, 2026
First I want to say if I could give this book more than 5 stars I would.
Skyler is one of those people who somehow became an NHL captain while still acting like emotions are a group project he forgot was due. The man can lead a team, handle pressure, and probably survive a playoff overtime, but ask him about feelings? Suddenly he’s buffering like bad Wi-Fi.
What makes Skyler so lovable is that underneath all the captain seriousness, he’s basically just a confused golden retriever trying very hard not to panic over Jackson. You can practically hear the internal screaming every time he sends a text. Half the romance in this book is Skyler staring at his phone like it personally betrayed him. But to his credit, he keeps trying. Quietly. Awkwardly. Heroically. The emotional support texting in this story deserves its own award category.
And then there’s Jackson—sweet, lovable, former football player Jackson—working at Barbacks while somehow surviving being surrounded by chaos 24/7. He’s shy, cautious, and fully convinced Skyler is straight, which means every interaction has him mentally preparing for disaster while the rest of us are screaming, “HE LIKES YOU, YOU BEAUTIFUL IDIOT.”
Honestly, Jackson being a huge TBL fan but never having gone to a game before is both adorable and offensive. Somebody needed to fix that immediately. The second he finally gets hockey-fan happiness, I was more emotional than I’d like to admit.
The chemistry between Skyler and Jackson works so well because neither of them has a clue what they’re doing emotionally. It’s basically two grown men texting each other like:
“Hey.”
“Hey.”
“What’s up?”
“Nothing.”
Meanwhile they’re both internally planning a wedding.
The Barbacks crew absolutely steals scenes left and right. Their found-family energy is chaotic perfection, and Benji? Benji deserves his own book immediately. No discussion. No debate. Just hand him the microphone and let him terrorize everyone for 300 pages. I would read it in one sitting.
Skyler’s teammates are equally nosy, which honestly feels medically required for hockey teammates in romance books. These men do not understand boundaries, privacy, or minding their own business, and thank God for that because it makes everything ten times funnier.
The hockey side of the story is done really well too. The games, locker room dynamics, and team atmosphere all feel authentic without drowning out the romance. And somehow the author managed to make endless texting between two men not only believable, but ridiculously entertaining.
Overall, this story is packed with laughs, friendship, awkward pining, self-acceptance, found family, emotional panic, and love. You’ll smile through the whole thing while also wanting to shake both main characters and yell, “JUST KISS ALREADY.
I received this ARC from BookFunnel and voluntarily leaving my review
Monica
Skyler is one of those people who somehow became an NHL captain while still acting like emotions are a group project he forgot was due. The man can lead a team, handle pressure, and probably survive a playoff overtime, but ask him about feelings? Suddenly he’s buffering like bad Wi-Fi.
What makes Skyler so lovable is that underneath all the captain seriousness, he’s basically just a confused golden retriever trying very hard not to panic over Jackson. You can practically hear the internal screaming every time he sends a text. Half the romance in this book is Skyler staring at his phone like it personally betrayed him. But to his credit, he keeps trying. Quietly. Awkwardly. Heroically. The emotional support texting in this story deserves its own award category.
And then there’s Jackson—sweet, lovable, former football player Jackson—working at Barbacks while somehow surviving being surrounded by chaos 24/7. He’s shy, cautious, and fully convinced Skyler is straight, which means every interaction has him mentally preparing for disaster while the rest of us are screaming, “HE LIKES YOU, YOU BEAUTIFUL IDIOT.”
Honestly, Jackson being a huge TBL fan but never having gone to a game before is both adorable and offensive. Somebody needed to fix that immediately. The second he finally gets hockey-fan happiness, I was more emotional than I’d like to admit.
The chemistry between Skyler and Jackson works so well because neither of them has a clue what they’re doing emotionally. It’s basically two grown men texting each other like:
“Hey.”
“Hey.”
“What’s up?”
“Nothing.”
Meanwhile they’re both internally planning a wedding.
The Barbacks crew absolutely steals scenes left and right. Their found-family energy is chaotic perfection, and Benji? Benji deserves his own book immediately. No discussion. No debate. Just hand him the microphone and let him terrorize everyone for 300 pages. I would read it in one sitting.
Skyler’s teammates are equally nosy, which honestly feels medically required for hockey teammates in romance books. These men do not understand boundaries, privacy, or minding their own business, and thank God for that because it makes everything ten times funnier.
The hockey side of the story is done really well too. The games, locker room dynamics, and team atmosphere all feel authentic without drowning out the romance. And somehow the author managed to make endless texting between two men not only believable, but ridiculously entertaining.
Overall, this story is packed with laughs, friendship, awkward pining, self-acceptance, found family, emotional panic, and love. You’ll smile through the whole thing while also wanting to shake both main characters and yell, “JUST KISS ALREADY.
I received this ARC from BookFunnel and voluntarily leaving my review
Monica
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is book #2 in Casey's "Barbacks" series. It can be read stand-alone, but to get the full impact you need to read the series in order. MC's are Jacks (short for Jackson), former FSU linebacker who gave up football after a devestating injury and is now lead barback at a gay sports bar in Tampa, along with Skyler, the captain of the Tampa Bay Lightening NHL team. This series is "low angst" rom-com material, and guaranteed to make you laugh from Chapter 1.
Four open-minded hockey players from the Lightning decide to pay a surprise visit to the new gay sports bar that has quickly become the go-to venue for Lightning hockey fans. Skyler, the team captain, and Jacks, the curly-haired barback, develop some instant chemistry during the encounter. What starts out as a friendship between these two jocks slowly but surely evolves into something much deeper emotionally, and then eventually physically. Turns out that Skyler has been privately jonesing for Jacks for awhile, including having one of Jacks' FSU football jerseys professionally framed over his living room couch. So when the fireworks start with Skyler making the first move, it's totally believable. Jacks gets all my love & respect for the way he nurtures Skyler through Skyler's coming-out process. There are plenty of issues to be dealt with that will keep you turning the pages, and eventually we get their HEA in the Epilogue (boy, it's a really dramatic HEA too!).
IMHO there are a few missing pieces in the plotline. Jacks' framed jersey on Skyler's LR wall doesn't get any play. And Skyler's agent is not involved at all in Skyler's eventual public coming-out. Little issues like that. But overall this is a great second addition to the series. Can't wait for Benji's story to follow this one! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Four open-minded hockey players from the Lightning decide to pay a surprise visit to the new gay sports bar that has quickly become the go-to venue for Lightning hockey fans. Skyler, the team captain, and Jacks, the curly-haired barback, develop some instant chemistry during the encounter. What starts out as a friendship between these two jocks slowly but surely evolves into something much deeper emotionally, and then eventually physically. Turns out that Skyler has been privately jonesing for Jacks for awhile, including having one of Jacks' FSU football jerseys professionally framed over his living room couch. So when the fireworks start with Skyler making the first move, it's totally believable. Jacks gets all my love & respect for the way he nurtures Skyler through Skyler's coming-out process. There are plenty of issues to be dealt with that will keep you turning the pages, and eventually we get their HEA in the Epilogue (boy, it's a really dramatic HEA too!).
IMHO there are a few missing pieces in the plotline. Jacks' framed jersey on Skyler's LR wall doesn't get any play. And Skyler's agent is not involved at all in Skyler's eventual public coming-out. Little issues like that. But overall this is a great second addition to the series. Can't wait for Benji's story to follow this one! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
May 10, 2026
'Tapped' (Barbacks, Book 2) (Kindle) written by Casey Morales
I thoroughly enjoyed this book (still smiling), and this series!
The MCs were so mindful of protecting each other's feelings, especially Jacks awareness of this being Skyler's first time being with a guy sexually and taking things super slow and gently with them.
Great banter, fun text messages, and mostly good communication between them, with a few expected glitches here and there.
Loved the side characters, too, from Jacks' friends and support system with his work buddies, and Sky's teammates and friends, they lucked out on the family & friends sides! Benji-the-motormouth and Eric-the-Viking were my favorite side characters, although they all were pretty great!
I really liked how they each tried to handle their own stress by keeping the communication lines with their boyfriend open (for the most part) by talking through their stress...if all else fails, grab your partner and kiss them!
Loved the creative and fun covers of the books in this series (2, so far)! Whoever created these covers did a wonderful job with the design and with the choices of the models who seemed to embody the character's personalities perfectly!
(I'd go hang out at that bar with them and their friends anytime, especially during hockey games, (go Habs!... sorry Sky, lol)
They got their message across, "Love is Love"!
🙏🏾🌈💗🪷🥰☺️🌺💞
(note: while reading this I was also listening to Carla Morrison singing 'Eres Tú' and that lovely "official video" showing two guys getting married outdoors amidst their families and friends; it's really beautiful and sweet!
I was thinking of Sky & Jacks during that!)
Two thumbs up! 👍👍
I thoroughly enjoyed this book (still smiling), and this series!
The MCs were so mindful of protecting each other's feelings, especially Jacks awareness of this being Skyler's first time being with a guy sexually and taking things super slow and gently with them.
Great banter, fun text messages, and mostly good communication between them, with a few expected glitches here and there.
Loved the side characters, too, from Jacks' friends and support system with his work buddies, and Sky's teammates and friends, they lucked out on the family & friends sides! Benji-the-motormouth and Eric-the-Viking were my favorite side characters, although they all were pretty great!
I really liked how they each tried to handle their own stress by keeping the communication lines with their boyfriend open (for the most part) by talking through their stress...if all else fails, grab your partner and kiss them!
Loved the creative and fun covers of the books in this series (2, so far)! Whoever created these covers did a wonderful job with the design and with the choices of the models who seemed to embody the character's personalities perfectly!
(I'd go hang out at that bar with them and their friends anytime, especially during hockey games, (go Habs!... sorry Sky, lol)
They got their message across, "Love is Love"!
🙏🏾🌈💗🪷🥰☺️🌺💞
(note: while reading this I was also listening to Carla Morrison singing 'Eres Tú' and that lovely "official video" showing two guys getting married outdoors amidst their families and friends; it's really beautiful and sweet!
I was thinking of Sky & Jacks during that!)
Two thumbs up! 👍👍
May 7, 2026
This was such a fun and genuinely sweet sports romance. I’m always a sucker for the “straight guy absolutely not realising he’s falling in love” trope, and Skyler delivered that perfectly. Watching him slowly spiral from “we’re just friends” into full-on heart-eyes over Jacks was both hilarious and adorable.
The chemistry between them felt really natural. I loved that the relationship had time to build instead of rushing straight into romance. The constant texting, the banter, the excuses to spend more time together, it all made the payoff feel worth it. Jacks was probably my favourite though. He was patient, grounded, and so supportive without losing his own personality in the relationship.
The found family vibes were also fantastic. The bar crew and teammates added so much humour and warmth to the story, and the whole book had that easy, low-angst rom-com energy that makes it hard to put down.
Overall, this was a really charming slow burn with lovable characters, great chemistry, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. Definitely left me excited for more in the series.
I received an arc and this is my honest review
The chemistry between them felt really natural. I loved that the relationship had time to build instead of rushing straight into romance. The constant texting, the banter, the excuses to spend more time together, it all made the payoff feel worth it. Jacks was probably my favourite though. He was patient, grounded, and so supportive without losing his own personality in the relationship.
The found family vibes were also fantastic. The bar crew and teammates added so much humour and warmth to the story, and the whole book had that easy, low-angst rom-com energy that makes it hard to put down.
Overall, this was a really charming slow burn with lovable characters, great chemistry, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. Definitely left me excited for more in the series.
I received an arc and this is my honest review
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh, my goodness! Tapped! is so much fun! I was giggling on the first page. This story had me laughing, snickering, swooning and fanning myself. Sometimes on the same page. This is what happens when a "straight" hockey player walks into a gay bar after he finds the barback used to be his favorite college football player, until a career ending injury. I mean, the hockey player has a framed poster of him. And maybe a framed jersey, too. Maybe. He'll never tell.
This story takes Skylar, the hockey player, and Jack's, the football player turned barback, through their friendship to love. There is romance and swooning and kisses along the way, along with snarky side characters, thrilling hockey games and heat.
This is book two in Casey's Barbacks series, so if you've read book one, you'll see some of the characters from that book. And there's a lovely HEA. I am really enjoying this series, set in a fictional gay sports bar in Tampa. The characters are realistic and fun. I'm learned a lot about hockey too.
This story takes Skylar, the hockey player, and Jack's, the football player turned barback, through their friendship to love. There is romance and swooning and kisses along the way, along with snarky side characters, thrilling hockey games and heat.
This is book two in Casey's Barbacks series, so if you've read book one, you'll see some of the characters from that book. And there's a lovely HEA. I am really enjoying this series, set in a fictional gay sports bar in Tampa. The characters are realistic and fun. I'm learned a lot about hockey too.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Please catch me, I'm swooning. This is may be the sweetest and most romantic book Casey Morales has written. This second book in the series focuses on two athletes, one whose career ended in college and one who is in the thick of professional sports. Jacks is happy with his life working at Barbacks with his crazy found family. He once was a rising college football star, but an injury ended all of that. Skyler is an NHL star who has come face-to-face with his football idol working as a barback. There is instant chemistry between them that they both keep rationalizing as friendship. But as they grow closer, Skyler has to admit to himself that he's not exactly straight and that Jacks might be worth coming out for. This was exactly the kind of low angst, warm hug of a book that I needed in my life. These two MCs were both sweet and supportive and nothing but good to one another. I was smiling the whole way through and just soaking up the happiness. Totally recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Jack's is living life as a barback at Barbacks. Skyler plays hockey for the Lightening, a captain. Their courtship is built on friendship and understanding. The book is humorous despite the side characters, Murph and Benji, hogging more than their share of the jokes. It's also great to have encouragement from all sides on the bi-awakening, little angst. There is the sympathy for the sacrificial naugas, such depths of empathy. " Home was no longer a place; it was a person." Profoundness interlaced with humor, warmth and the infusion of love. The full naming never gets old. Who could ask for more in a book? Casey has done it again, another favorite to add to his profile and my growing list by him. I received a copy of this and this is my voluntary opinion.
May 9, 2026
Skylar, the straight captain of the Tampa NHL team has become friends with Jacks the NFL draft pick who blew out his knee and now is a part of the crazy family at Barbacks, the hottest gay sports bar in Tampa. Skylar knows his feelings don’t seem right for a straight guy who can’t get enough of his cute gay friend. Casey Morales writes these characters that you just get attached to, each one is uniquely amazing. Skylar and Jacks are the two sweetest characters with these huge hearts. They just fit perfectly together and as their relationship unfolds my heart could hardly stand it. This book is funny, sweet and maybe the best work from Casey Morales yet.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The second installment in this series... And it has all the ingredients that made the first book a hit: fun, lightheartedness, and cute, endearing characters.
No drama... And yet Skyler is going through a major sexual crisis as he discovers, for the first time, that he’s attracted to another man. I really enjoyed watching him grow, gradually accepting what he feels, without much drama—just a bit of internal questioning and a few moments of fear. And Jacks is irresistible, full of energy, sometimes a little clumsy but so adorable. Little by little, they get to know each other, let down their guards, and find each other!
If you want to be sure to have a smile on your face when you finish reading, this is the book for you!
-----
Second volet de cette série... Et on y retrouve tous les ingrédients qui ont fait le succès du premier livre : du fun, de la légèreté, des personnages mignons et attachants.
Pas de drama... Et pourtant Skyler traverse une crise sexuelle importante puisqu'il se découvre pour la première fois attiré par un autre homme. J'ai beaucoup aimé le voir évolué, accepté peu à peu ce qu'il ressent, sans grand drama, juste un peu de questionnement interne et quelques petits moments de frayeurs. Et Jacks est irrésistible, plein d'énergie, parfois un peu maladroit mais tellement adorable. Petit à petit, ils s'apprivoisent laisse tomber leurs barrières et se trouvent !
Pour être certain d'avoir le sourire en sortant d'une lecture, c'est le livre qu'il vous faut !
No drama... And yet Skyler is going through a major sexual crisis as he discovers, for the first time, that he’s attracted to another man. I really enjoyed watching him grow, gradually accepting what he feels, without much drama—just a bit of internal questioning and a few moments of fear. And Jacks is irresistible, full of energy, sometimes a little clumsy but so adorable. Little by little, they get to know each other, let down their guards, and find each other!
If you want to be sure to have a smile on your face when you finish reading, this is the book for you!
-----
Second volet de cette série... Et on y retrouve tous les ingrédients qui ont fait le succès du premier livre : du fun, de la légèreté, des personnages mignons et attachants.
Pas de drama... Et pourtant Skyler traverse une crise sexuelle importante puisqu'il se découvre pour la première fois attiré par un autre homme. J'ai beaucoup aimé le voir évolué, accepté peu à peu ce qu'il ressent, sans grand drama, juste un peu de questionnement interne et quelques petits moments de frayeurs. Et Jacks est irrésistible, plein d'énergie, parfois un peu maladroit mais tellement adorable. Petit à petit, ils s'apprivoisent laisse tomber leurs barrières et se trouvent !
Pour être certain d'avoir le sourire en sortant d'une lecture, c'est le livre qu'il vous faut !
May 7, 2026
Thank you for the book; here is my honest opinion:
Loved every page of Skyler and Jacks’s story. This was a happy ready, with two people you decided to embrace their connection rather than run from it, I loved that Skyler and Jacks don’t build their own roadblocks. The dig in and figure it out, which is so rare and perfect. These are the most endearing characters I have come across all year, full of charm, humor, and kindness. A new favorite for me, an easy 5 stars read, for sure!
Loved every page of Skyler and Jacks’s story. This was a happy ready, with two people you decided to embrace their connection rather than run from it, I loved that Skyler and Jacks don’t build their own roadblocks. The dig in and figure it out, which is so rare and perfect. These are the most endearing characters I have come across all year, full of charm, humor, and kindness. A new favorite for me, an easy 5 stars read, for sure!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC copy of this book. Tapped is book 2 in the Barback series. Jack's is a ex football player who works as a Barback in a gay sports bar. Skyler is a famous hockey player who fanboys over Jack's football days. Skyler has always dated women, but can't seem to get this particular Barback out of his thoughts. Jack's knows Skyler is straight, but finds him drool worthy. They start hanging out at the bar and gradually become friends outside the bar. Their story will have you laughing out loud, while it's a sweet love story with plenty of questioning feelings; this author also brings the spice. Another amazing book by a truly amazing author. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
May 9, 2026
More Hockey Bar Fun!
A hockey player walks in a gay sports bar... And falls in love with the barback!
Tapped by Casey Morales is a very fun, cute, and sweet story about an NHL team captain and the ex-NCAA football player he idolizes. Skyler and Jacks are a super sweet pair. I can't wait for the rest of the Barbacks crew to get their men!
A hockey player walks in a gay sports bar... And falls in love with the barback!
Tapped by Casey Morales is a very fun, cute, and sweet story about an NHL team captain and the ex-NCAA football player he idolizes. Skyler and Jacks are a super sweet pair. I can't wait for the rest of the Barbacks crew to get their men!
Did Not Finish
May 7, 2026DNF @ 11%
The over exaggerations and “playfulness” is so forced and cringeworthy. The funny characters come off as annoying.
It’s just too much.
The over exaggerations and “playfulness” is so forced and cringeworthy. The funny characters come off as annoying.
It’s just too much.
Did Not Finish
May 8, 2026DNF @ 5% - I’m not enjoying the writing.
May 10, 2026
“You can only control your own actions. Be patient. Be honest. Let him set the pace.”
“And if the pace is glacial?”
“Then you buy a warm coat, enjoy floating on the ocean, and wait.”
Tapped! by Casey Morales is the second book in the Barbacks series. I can’t say how much I’ve liked this book! Jackson was a character that already got my attention in Popped! and I really enjoyed his story with Skyler in this book. They are the perfect definition of “idiots-in-love”.
Skyler is an NHL player, a total pro on ice, an amazing captain, but he’s socially awkward and doesn’t know how to deal with his own emotions. He’s such a golden retriever… Jackson is a former college football star who works at Barbacks, a gay sports bar. He’s a huge fan of Skyler’s team, and he’s also Skyler’s idol (since he was playing football in college). Jackson is convinced Skyler is straight, which leads to a lot of hilarious situations.
“Skyler had looked at me like I was some kind of college football stud, like I’d won the Heisman despite my career ending before it could take off. He even knew my college jersey number and remembered games I’d played years ago. I stretched my fingers, recalling how the unfairly sexy player had shaken my hand and held on a beat too long. It had been six weeks. Despite his promise to return, Skyler hadn’t come back.”
They are both hopeless at flirting, they have “zero game” (they send these painfully dry, one-text word texts while secretly imagining their entire lives together). They have that classic “clueless-in-love” energy that’s so amusing.
“He kissed me. Skyler Shaw. The hockey dude. The Lightning captain. At his apartment… It wasn’t a European cheek kiss, Benji. It was a real kiss. A… A lot of real kisses for like two hours.”
And what to say about the found family vibes? You’ve got these colourful, chaotic guys at Barbacks (bartenders and regulars) and the whole roster of nosey hockey players who basically treat Jackson and Skyler’s love life like a team sport.
Casey is one of my favourite MM authors. If you still haven’t checked him out yet, this series is the perfect place to dive in. You could read Tapped! as a standalone, but I recommend reading Popped: A funny contemporary mm romance first because it gives you the whole backstory on how Barbacks began and introduces you to the main characters. Can’t wait to see what happens in Benji’s book.
Thank you, Casey Morales for this free eARC. This is my honest review and recommendation.
“And if the pace is glacial?”
“Then you buy a warm coat, enjoy floating on the ocean, and wait.”
Tapped! by Casey Morales is the second book in the Barbacks series. I can’t say how much I’ve liked this book! Jackson was a character that already got my attention in Popped! and I really enjoyed his story with Skyler in this book. They are the perfect definition of “idiots-in-love”.
Skyler is an NHL player, a total pro on ice, an amazing captain, but he’s socially awkward and doesn’t know how to deal with his own emotions. He’s such a golden retriever… Jackson is a former college football star who works at Barbacks, a gay sports bar. He’s a huge fan of Skyler’s team, and he’s also Skyler’s idol (since he was playing football in college). Jackson is convinced Skyler is straight, which leads to a lot of hilarious situations.
“Skyler had looked at me like I was some kind of college football stud, like I’d won the Heisman despite my career ending before it could take off. He even knew my college jersey number and remembered games I’d played years ago. I stretched my fingers, recalling how the unfairly sexy player had shaken my hand and held on a beat too long. It had been six weeks. Despite his promise to return, Skyler hadn’t come back.”
They are both hopeless at flirting, they have “zero game” (they send these painfully dry, one-text word texts while secretly imagining their entire lives together). They have that classic “clueless-in-love” energy that’s so amusing.
“He kissed me. Skyler Shaw. The hockey dude. The Lightning captain. At his apartment… It wasn’t a European cheek kiss, Benji. It was a real kiss. A… A lot of real kisses for like two hours.”
And what to say about the found family vibes? You’ve got these colourful, chaotic guys at Barbacks (bartenders and regulars) and the whole roster of nosey hockey players who basically treat Jackson and Skyler’s love life like a team sport.
Casey is one of my favourite MM authors. If you still haven’t checked him out yet, this series is the perfect place to dive in. You could read Tapped! as a standalone, but I recommend reading Popped: A funny contemporary mm romance first because it gives you the whole backstory on how Barbacks began and introduces you to the main characters. Can’t wait to see what happens in Benji’s book.
Thank you, Casey Morales for this free eARC. This is my honest review and recommendation.
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