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Atlanta Firebirds #2
Face Off
Two years ago, Nikolai Volkov and Luke Fontenot nearly destroyed each other in a playoff series that ended with an ugly hit and words in the handshake line that neither can take back. Now they're wearing the same jersey for the Atlanta Firebirds, and their captains expect them to play nice. They can't even be in the same room without the temperature dropping ten degrees. Then the team cat has kittens — bonded siblings who scream when separated — and somehow Volkov and Fontenot each end up with one. Same building. Shared elevator. Mandatory kitten visitation schedules. Co-parenting with the man you hate most in professional hockey wasn't in anyone's contract, but neither was discovering that the person who drives you out of your mind on the ice might be the only one who makes sense off it.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 19, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
Did Not Finish
May 17, 2026Once I started thinking there might be AI involved in the making of this series I just couldn't continue reading it.
As I mentioned on my review of the first book, from February till now, may 2026, this author has written 4 books (a novella included). And 3 more books are coming in this universe by the end of June. It doesn't feel plausible to me to write so many books in so little time. And to be able to already translate 3 of them to a different language.
While I am not certain AI is involved, the writing is just a bit off to make me consider it.
At the moment, without feeling confident one way or another, I am not going to continue the series.
As I mentioned on my review of the first book, from February till now, may 2026, this author has written 4 books (a novella included). And 3 more books are coming in this universe by the end of June. It doesn't feel plausible to me to write so many books in so little time. And to be able to already translate 3 of them to a different language.
While I am not certain AI is involved, the writing is just a bit off to make me consider it.
At the moment, without feeling confident one way or another, I am not going to continue the series.
May 19, 2026
This book was weird. Do cats do that? Get so attached they can’t live without each other?
So much of this book was strange, especially the whole reason they don’t like each other for most of the book. I thought it would be bigger.
This one was the book I liked the least in the series. And the ending? Missing again… This book felt the most AI generated of all of them.
(And for people keeping count: the best friend who knows first is very present in this one…)
So much of this book was strange, especially the whole reason they don’t like each other for most of the book. I thought it would be bigger.
This one was the book I liked the least in the series. And the ending? Missing again… This book felt the most AI generated of all of them.
(And for people keeping count: the best friend who knows first is very present in this one…)
March 29, 2026
The stream of consciousness writing was kinda hard to follow at points
May 11, 2026
Looooooved it!
As a huge hockey fan, I sometimes hate reading the game portions in books. They can feel too confusing, too long, and boring. But this one? I actually love it. It gets me excited as if I’m watching the games and plays unfold in real time. Credit to the author for writing the hockey scenes so well.
Also, want to be in the book club even more.
Also also, I’m mesmerized by how the cats are such catalysts for the romance in these books.
As a huge hockey fan, I sometimes hate reading the game portions in books. They can feel too confusing, too long, and boring. But this one? I actually love it. It gets me excited as if I’m watching the games and plays unfold in real time. Credit to the author for writing the hockey scenes so well.
Also, want to be in the book club even more.
Also also, I’m mesmerized by how the cats are such catalysts for the romance in these books.
Read
May 22, 2026Enemies forced to co-parent their bonded kittens. Delightful premise. Continues the excellent team dynamics of the first book and the relationship is stronger but a few parts felt like some necessary character beats were underdeveloped for the actions to ring true. Still solid!
March 24, 2026
Emotional enemies to lovers story
4.5 stars…Enemies to lovers is a favorite trope of mine and I have been wanting to get the story behind Fontenot and Volkov since the prequel novella. I was not disappointed. Once again we get a book with an emotional rollercoaster where the crisis moment was absolutely gutting. More sobbing. (Not as much as in book one but enough that my throat is still sore as I write this!)
The ADHD MC and the stoic MC. That’s a challenge for an author to write and Bauer delivers. I can feel Baz jittering as I read. I can sense Tikh’s silence. Two complete opposites. The device of the bonded kittens is genius. How else do you get two entrenched guys to coexist in close proximity? Cute kittens of course.
The crisis moment is brutal as you can just see the train wreck coming. I love the way the group book chat covers this as they discuss a book! I was a little perturbed with both of them being upset and off kilter and yet not having the wherewithal to deal with it. The resolution when it finally came was heartwrenching. What we do to men in this culture, and particularly to athletes, is just so toxic and unhealthy. One reason I love reading mm romance is to see men being allowed the full range of emotions. The author threads this needle well.
I absolutely ADORE the book chat/tropes device!
I’m looking forward to the next book!
4.5 stars…Enemies to lovers is a favorite trope of mine and I have been wanting to get the story behind Fontenot and Volkov since the prequel novella. I was not disappointed. Once again we get a book with an emotional rollercoaster where the crisis moment was absolutely gutting. More sobbing. (Not as much as in book one but enough that my throat is still sore as I write this!)
The ADHD MC and the stoic MC. That’s a challenge for an author to write and Bauer delivers. I can feel Baz jittering as I read. I can sense Tikh’s silence. Two complete opposites. The device of the bonded kittens is genius. How else do you get two entrenched guys to coexist in close proximity? Cute kittens of course.
The crisis moment is brutal as you can just see the train wreck coming. I love the way the group book chat covers this as they discuss a book! I was a little perturbed with both of them being upset and off kilter and yet not having the wherewithal to deal with it. The resolution when it finally came was heartwrenching. What we do to men in this culture, and particularly to athletes, is just so toxic and unhealthy. One reason I love reading mm romance is to see men being allowed the full range of emotions. The author threads this needle well.
I absolutely ADORE the book chat/tropes device!
I’m looking forward to the next book!
March 28, 2026
3.8⭐️ 2🌶️
April 8, 2026
Kittens!
Not quite as good as the first book, but still pretty good. I’m still living for the cats, but this one dug up a lot of emotions, too. Hoping for some better communication in the next book because these guys are stressing me!
Not quite as good as the first book, but still pretty good. I’m still living for the cats, but this one dug up a lot of emotions, too. Hoping for some better communication in the next book because these guys are stressing me!
July 31, 2026
Blue recommended this bc it’s about enemies to lovers who adopt kittens that are actually a bonded pair. What an Amazing concept - except about 3/4 of the way through, I realised this wasn’t just written terribly - it’s AI-generated.
Inconsistencies, flat-out errors, repetitive scenes and repeated sentences, and one-dimensional characters, one of whom has the surname Thompson (a classic AI surname).
Alas……… don’t read this book. Unless you want to know what to avoid!!! (Sorry Blue)
Inconsistencies, flat-out errors, repetitive scenes and repeated sentences, and one-dimensional characters, one of whom has the surname Thompson (a classic AI surname).
Alas……… don’t read this book. Unless you want to know what to avoid!!! (Sorry Blue)
May 17, 2026
3.75 stars
I've come to the realization that I really enjoy the way Bauer writes relationships, but not so much their character work.
Like in Fresh Ice, Face Off features a quiet romance. We have two characters who have animosity towards each other over something that happened in the Playoffs two years prior, forced not only to work together on the ice but also to co-parent a pair of bonded kittens who are literally dying apart from each other. Slowly, and quite naturally, they begin to integrate into each other's lives. The development of their relationship feels quite inevitable and natural, although the lack of clear communication definitely hinders them in the long run.
But then we have Bastian and Tikhon themselves, and I just feel like, while their voices are quite distinct, I don't really know much about them. Like, we didn't even know Baz would get traded often and was considered a physical player until the 85% mark, even though it turns out to be a huge part of his complex--a complex that was basically invisible until it became a problem, which is another problem I had. When such core issues spring out of nowhere, it feels odd. It was equally odd to read this book right on the heels of book one, because Fontenot being put out that Volkov ignored him when he basically made it impossible for them to share space for the past few months is... a lot. Especially when they don't address it. We didn't know about Volkov's hockey past before, either. No idea what their family situation is like, either. I felt this way about Avi and Ash in book one, too. Like, I knew them, but if anyone asked me to share details about them, I wouldn't have much to share beyond their personalities and neuroses.
Then we have the climax. It made me quite anxious but also very confused. Like, kudos for Bauer for writing the spiral so convincingly because I was spiraling alongside them. But honestly, anytime I stopped to think... I was confused.
I also thought it was rather odd to have Avi and Ash's coming-out scene be from someone else's POV. I understand that this moment changes things for Baz and Thik, but it's still their moment, you know?
Just like in book one, I really enjoy the team and group chats, and I'm looking forward to seeing who's the next to catch the love bug, LOL.
Speaking of bugs, if anything happens to Bug or Mishka, I am suing.
I've come to the realization that I really enjoy the way Bauer writes relationships, but not so much their character work.
Like in Fresh Ice, Face Off features a quiet romance. We have two characters who have animosity towards each other over something that happened in the Playoffs two years prior, forced not only to work together on the ice but also to co-parent a pair of bonded kittens who are literally dying apart from each other. Slowly, and quite naturally, they begin to integrate into each other's lives. The development of their relationship feels quite inevitable and natural, although the lack of clear communication definitely hinders them in the long run.
But then we have Bastian and Tikhon themselves, and I just feel like, while their voices are quite distinct, I don't really know much about them. Like, we didn't even know Baz would get traded often and was considered a physical player until the 85% mark, even though it turns out to be a huge part of his complex--a complex that was basically invisible until it became a problem, which is another problem I had. When such core issues spring out of nowhere, it feels odd. It was equally odd to read this book right on the heels of book one, because Fontenot being put out that Volkov ignored him when he basically made it impossible for them to share space for the past few months is... a lot. Especially when they don't address it. We didn't know about Volkov's hockey past before, either. No idea what their family situation is like, either. I felt this way about Avi and Ash in book one, too. Like, I knew them, but if anyone asked me to share details about them, I wouldn't have much to share beyond their personalities and neuroses.
Then we have the climax. It made me quite anxious but also very confused. Like, kudos for Bauer for writing the spiral so convincingly because I was spiraling alongside them. But honestly, anytime I stopped to think... I was confused.
I also thought it was rather odd to have Avi and Ash's coming-out scene be from someone else's POV. I understand that this moment changes things for Baz and Thik, but it's still their moment, you know?
Just like in book one, I really enjoy the team and group chats, and I'm looking forward to seeing who's the next to catch the love bug, LOL.
Speaking of bugs, if anything happens to Bug or Mishka, I am suing.
June 15, 2026
I looked at some other reviews to see if someone else noticed what I noticed and the closest thing I found was the mention of editing misses but nothing specifically said. Well let me point out the biggest editing miss: THE TIMELINE. It scrambled my brain. How do you miss something like that??
In the first book the kittens are found in FEBRUARY but this book starts in JANUARY and that is also when the kitten distribution takes place because apparently the kittens are freaking time benders. Not only that but the first half of the book takes place in JANUARY. HOW??
Let me elaborate a bit. The kittens find their homes a few days after the 6th of January (the day when Fontenot received praise from Avi), so I will aproximate it to Jan 10th, then around 3 days pass untill they notice that the kittens are losing weight so they go to the vet (but not on the 3rd day so lets just approximate again to Jan 14th) and that is when the arrangement starts. Then in chapter 11 it is mentioned that it has been 3 weeks since the coparenting started (which means +21 days so that gets us to JANUARY 35TH 🤦🏻♀️). And in chapter 16, somehow, it is STILL JANUARY (well, for a moment it wasn't, because on the drive home from Avi's apartment Volkov mentions "the February dark", but only for a moment because a few pharagraphs later we are back to "January night").
And also, what is up with the obssesion with 3 weeks? Fontenot talking about Sadie mentioning her ex girlfriend 3 weeks ago. Volkov mentions that Fontenot left his adderall on his counter 3 weeks ago. Them clicking on the ice wouldn't have happened 3 weeks ago. When Fontenot was in Junior hokey in Minesota the appartment didn't have heat for 3 weeks. Volkov moved in the building 3 weeks after Fontenot. ???
I saw some comments about it being written with AI, and that might explain it but at this point I am beyond frustrated and I do not even care whether it is true or not beacause my biggest issue is with the author not checking the work properly.
PS:
1) My review is about the first half of the book since that is how much I have read. I do plan on finishing it but it is going to take some time
2) I gave it 3 stars for the effort. I do like these caracters and I do feel like the core idea for this series in general would have been exactly to my liking if more attention was paid.
3) I apologize for any spelling and grammar mistakes made above. English is not my first language.
In the first book the kittens are found in FEBRUARY but this book starts in JANUARY and that is also when the kitten distribution takes place because apparently the kittens are freaking time benders. Not only that but the first half of the book takes place in JANUARY. HOW??
Let me elaborate a bit. The kittens find their homes a few days after the 6th of January (the day when Fontenot received praise from Avi), so I will aproximate it to Jan 10th, then around 3 days pass untill they notice that the kittens are losing weight so they go to the vet (but not on the 3rd day so lets just approximate again to Jan 14th) and that is when the arrangement starts. Then in chapter 11 it is mentioned that it has been 3 weeks since the coparenting started (which means +21 days so that gets us to JANUARY 35TH 🤦🏻♀️). And in chapter 16, somehow, it is STILL JANUARY (well, for a moment it wasn't, because on the drive home from Avi's apartment Volkov mentions "the February dark", but only for a moment because a few pharagraphs later we are back to "January night").
And also, what is up with the obssesion with 3 weeks? Fontenot talking about Sadie mentioning her ex girlfriend 3 weeks ago. Volkov mentions that Fontenot left his adderall on his counter 3 weeks ago. Them clicking on the ice wouldn't have happened 3 weeks ago. When Fontenot was in Junior hokey in Minesota the appartment didn't have heat for 3 weeks. Volkov moved in the building 3 weeks after Fontenot. ???
I saw some comments about it being written with AI, and that might explain it but at this point I am beyond frustrated and I do not even care whether it is true or not beacause my biggest issue is with the author not checking the work properly.
PS:
1) My review is about the first half of the book since that is how much I have read. I do plan on finishing it but it is going to take some time
2) I gave it 3 stars for the effort. I do like these caracters and I do feel like the core idea for this series in general would have been exactly to my liking if more attention was paid.
3) I apologize for any spelling and grammar mistakes made above. English is not my first language.
August 2, 2026
Parent trapped by kittens
This is my second book by Riley Bauer, and I can honestly say I've loved both books in this series. There are still little things I wish we'd seen in each story, but I loved that some of the questions I had from the first book were answered in the second. Now I'm already wondering if book three will answer the new questions this one left me with!
No matter what, I absolutely love these stories. They take me through every emotion from beginning to end. I get hooked right from the first chapter and never want to put the book down. If I didn't have to work, I'd probably have this entire series finished already. 😂
Fonty and Volkov are enemies-to-lovers done perfectly. And honestly? Kerrimore and her babies deserve some of the credit for this romance. Their kittens bonding meant Fonty and Volkov had to keep spending time together because the little fluffballs refused to be apart. It was basically the cutest little Parent Trap ever. I swear those kittens knew their dads belonged together.
Fonty definitely had some things to work through, and wow... he messed up in a big way. I was so frustrated with him for a while! Thankfully, he got himself together before it was too late, because I needed my happily ever after. These two are absolutely perfect together, and watching them find their way to each other made every emotional moment worth it.
I can't wait to dive into book three!
This is my second book by Riley Bauer, and I can honestly say I've loved both books in this series. There are still little things I wish we'd seen in each story, but I loved that some of the questions I had from the first book were answered in the second. Now I'm already wondering if book three will answer the new questions this one left me with!
No matter what, I absolutely love these stories. They take me through every emotion from beginning to end. I get hooked right from the first chapter and never want to put the book down. If I didn't have to work, I'd probably have this entire series finished already. 😂
Fonty and Volkov are enemies-to-lovers done perfectly. And honestly? Kerrimore and her babies deserve some of the credit for this romance. Their kittens bonding meant Fonty and Volkov had to keep spending time together because the little fluffballs refused to be apart. It was basically the cutest little Parent Trap ever. I swear those kittens knew their dads belonged together.
Fonty definitely had some things to work through, and wow... he messed up in a big way. I was so frustrated with him for a while! Thankfully, he got himself together before it was too late, because I needed my happily ever after. These two are absolutely perfect together, and watching them find their way to each other made every emotional moment worth it.
I can't wait to dive into book three!
April 1, 2026
Face Off is an intense, emotionally layered enemies-to-lovers romance that thrives on tension, vulnerability, and unexpected softness. Bastian and Tikhon start as sharp words, colder silences, and a history that refuses to stay buried. Their animosity feels real and earned, making every small shift between them incredibly satisfying.
Bastian’s loud, chaotic energy paired with his quiet self-discovery adds depth to his character, while Tikhon’s controlled, guarded nature hides a loneliness that slowly unravels. What makes their story so interesting is that neither of them are ready for what happens. The progression from forced proximity to reluctant connection feels natural, with each shared moment, whether it’s a tense elevator ride or a quiet night on the couch, building something that can't ignore.
And then there are the kittens. What could have been a simple trope becomes the emotional heart of the story, softening edges and forcing connection in a way that feels both charming and symbolic. Their co-parenting dynamic adds warmth and humour, balancing the heavier themes of identity and belonging.
With a strong found family backdrop and simmering chemistry, Face Off delivers
Bastian’s loud, chaotic energy paired with his quiet self-discovery adds depth to his character, while Tikhon’s controlled, guarded nature hides a loneliness that slowly unravels. What makes their story so interesting is that neither of them are ready for what happens. The progression from forced proximity to reluctant connection feels natural, with each shared moment, whether it’s a tense elevator ride or a quiet night on the couch, building something that can't ignore.
And then there are the kittens. What could have been a simple trope becomes the emotional heart of the story, softening edges and forcing connection in a way that feels both charming and symbolic. Their co-parenting dynamic adds warmth and humour, balancing the heavier themes of identity and belonging.
With a strong found family backdrop and simmering chemistry, Face Off delivers
June 11, 2026
I didn't love this like the first book
these two sucked at communication
I think that the writing style in this is bordering on a bit ott. it is very occupied with sounding remote and poetic but it doesn't quite give us different 'voices' for the characters. I don't have one person who thinks/looks at things one way and another who does it with a different flavour. So it means we don't ever really get a perspective on anyone. And in both book 1 and 2 we have the very emotionally astute friend who is ok with a 2am phone call for emotional ramblings but isn't actually on page making connections and being involved in conversations and daily motions.
I think that the lack of understanding I was left with is what felt off for me. Like I just never understood why T was into B... like what was the appeal, what did you like about them, and considering we have their point of view--this should be there. I also didn't fully get the push away from either.
I didn't end up laughing about the group chats etc like I did in book 1, I missed the comraderie and banter
these two sucked at communication
I think that the writing style in this is bordering on a bit ott. it is very occupied with sounding remote and poetic but it doesn't quite give us different 'voices' for the characters. I don't have one person who thinks/looks at things one way and another who does it with a different flavour. So it means we don't ever really get a perspective on anyone. And in both book 1 and 2 we have the very emotionally astute friend who is ok with a 2am phone call for emotional ramblings but isn't actually on page making connections and being involved in conversations and daily motions.
I think that the lack of understanding I was left with is what felt off for me. Like I just never understood why T was into B... like what was the appeal, what did you like about them, and considering we have their point of view--this should be there. I also didn't fully get the push away from either.
I didn't end up laughing about the group chats etc like I did in book 1, I missed the comraderie and banter
March 25, 2026
Good!
This authors writing style is unique. I noticed it in the first book. Not a bad writing style but very stylized and internal to each character. Sometimes when I come across styles similar to this I have a hard time recognizing each character’s “voice” but so far that has not been an issue. I was very excited about this story from the way these two behaved in Ash and Avi’s book. This underlying anger and seeming hatred in the background … however, while I truly enjoyed this book, that fire that was seen from the perspective of the first two in the first book was not really there. The explanation for the anger felt a bit weak in my opinion. I expected based on the previous book there to be something bigger to cause all the issues between these two characters and it just wasn’t there but I did still enjoy their story there was just more buildup and not much explosiveness (if that makes sense).
This authors writing style is unique. I noticed it in the first book. Not a bad writing style but very stylized and internal to each character. Sometimes when I come across styles similar to this I have a hard time recognizing each character’s “voice” but so far that has not been an issue. I was very excited about this story from the way these two behaved in Ash and Avi’s book. This underlying anger and seeming hatred in the background … however, while I truly enjoyed this book, that fire that was seen from the perspective of the first two in the first book was not really there. The explanation for the anger felt a bit weak in my opinion. I expected based on the previous book there to be something bigger to cause all the issues between these two characters and it just wasn’t there but I did still enjoy their story there was just more buildup and not much explosiveness (if that makes sense).
June 15, 2026
I enjoyed this second installment, though I will say, Fontenot and Volkov are essentially Ash and Avi all over again. Truly, the characters are too similar in many ways, and that weakened my overall enjoyment. That said, I still enjoyed it overall. The kittens were fun, and the other members of the team are also fun (though, again, many of them seem pretty similar -- I kind of feel like Bauer only has two characters built, and he just cycles through them a bit). There are also some inconsistencies with the timeline and plot (for instance, in the first book, the coach gets one of the kittens and is seen with it a few times; in this book, all the kittens are taken by the players, and the coach is left with nothing). I also wished we could see more of Avi and Ash. I've read the summary of book 3, and I'm not interested (because the second part of the romance isn't on the team), and I'm also not sure I want to read the 4th one. But I will pick up #5 when it comes out, I think.
August 3, 2026
Being the second book in the Firebirds series, I was already invested to see how the team and the romances between them would develop. Both Bas and Tikh's story was an enjoyable read, and the initial conflict between them at the start of their story, does explain itself towards the end of the book. However, that explanation along with the stubborn, misfired path Bas set himself on did not make a lot of sense to me, unless with his ADHD, this is just how his thought processes worked. The book felt light and warm and the kittens helped the story come off the page. It's always at three quarters of the way in a spanner in the works appears, and this was no exception. Both of the MC's were well written, with great supporting characters too, all likeable and add to the feel of the Firebirds universe. I look forward to seeing how book three develops and how the team who nobody thought would amount to anything, can change everyone's minds and hearts.
April 26, 2026
This was a quick easy read.
Bastian and Tikhon were good together but I didn’t really feel a lot. It was good to see them slowly start getting a long and how they kept using the cats as an excuse was funny. But I wish as a reader we got more of them in a way? It just fell really flat and I think it was the writing that made it seem that way as once again this book had a lot of telling and not enough showing. I also wish we got a more of a closed off ending because to me it was as if it just ended randomly, I even wanted to see the teams reaction to finding out as most of them already knew lol but i’m assuming that’ll be in one of the previous books.
I did love the team moments, and ai loved having chapters of the team group chats and also how they first started suspecting the two of them.
Bastian and Tikhon were good together but I didn’t really feel a lot. It was good to see them slowly start getting a long and how they kept using the cats as an excuse was funny. But I wish as a reader we got more of them in a way? It just fell really flat and I think it was the writing that made it seem that way as once again this book had a lot of telling and not enough showing. I also wish we got a more of a closed off ending because to me it was as if it just ended randomly, I even wanted to see the teams reaction to finding out as most of them already knew lol but i’m assuming that’ll be in one of the previous books.
I did love the team moments, and ai loved having chapters of the team group chats and also how they first started suspecting the two of them.
May 18, 2026
Knew I’d love it just from the premise.
I kind of wish we’d had a little bit more of the enemies thing going on, since basically from the first chapter when they see each other in the bar they’re no longer antagonizing each other.
The cat thing was adorable. Everything was “for the cats”.
I do wish we’d seen Volkov express more feelings throughout the book. It felt very much like Fontenot had all the feelings and all the doubts and Volkov just let him get away with everything. I understand his feelings were implied but I think it was too many implications. Basically nothing was said about how he’d been more comfortable in his sexuality that he went out to gay bars, or how he even felt about this relationship with Fontenot. Sometimes it felt like he was indifferent to it, or that maybe he just thought it was convenient.
I kind of wish we’d had a little bit more of the enemies thing going on, since basically from the first chapter when they see each other in the bar they’re no longer antagonizing each other.
The cat thing was adorable. Everything was “for the cats”.
I do wish we’d seen Volkov express more feelings throughout the book. It felt very much like Fontenot had all the feelings and all the doubts and Volkov just let him get away with everything. I understand his feelings were implied but I think it was too many implications. Basically nothing was said about how he’d been more comfortable in his sexuality that he went out to gay bars, or how he even felt about this relationship with Fontenot. Sometimes it felt like he was indifferent to it, or that maybe he just thought it was convenient.
May 9, 2026
🐈KITTEN ALERT📢 PEOPLE! THIS HAS KITTENS!🐈📢
This is a strange one. Don't get me wrong, I loved it, just as I'm loving the series so far. It was just...loudly quiet. So many silences making the description poetic. I waited for them to realize what they became to each other. Waited for them to discuss.. anything. A true slow burn. Bastian and Tishka took forever to talk it out and even then it was laced in nuance. Misunderstandings kept for so long tend to take on a life of their own and fester.
*A hockey romance for sure.
*FIVE HOLE FICTION #2 chapter is a freaking CHEF'S KISS 💋 💋 💋 🤣😉😎 Inspired writing as comedic relief 🏆
*I think it had repetition, perhaps an oversight, perhaps writer's allowance, but it was visible not annoying.
This is a strange one. Don't get me wrong, I loved it, just as I'm loving the series so far. It was just...loudly quiet. So many silences making the description poetic. I waited for them to realize what they became to each other. Waited for them to discuss.. anything. A true slow burn. Bastian and Tishka took forever to talk it out and even then it was laced in nuance. Misunderstandings kept for so long tend to take on a life of their own and fester.
*A hockey romance for sure.
*FIVE HOLE FICTION #2 chapter is a freaking CHEF'S KISS 💋 💋 💋 🤣😉😎 Inspired writing as comedic relief 🏆
*I think it had repetition, perhaps an oversight, perhaps writer's allowance, but it was visible not annoying.
June 29, 2026
DNF @ 10%
Really not a fan of the writing here. Way too many short, snappy sentences that just told us what was happening. It was fine for Baz' first chapter since he was panicking about going to a gay bar, it was not fine for the next chapters to ALL have the same sentence structure.
Also, I'm very suspicious of the author. Each of the books in this series came out around one month after the other AND there's a second book series about soccer that's also set to have the same release cadence. Now, I can guess that contemporary sports romances probably aren't the hardest books to write, but 8+ books in less than a year sounds insane to me. All the covers also scream AI which doesn't help.
2 stars for the writing, but I'm putting this author on my DNR list.
Really not a fan of the writing here. Way too many short, snappy sentences that just told us what was happening. It was fine for Baz' first chapter since he was panicking about going to a gay bar, it was not fine for the next chapters to ALL have the same sentence structure.
Also, I'm very suspicious of the author. Each of the books in this series came out around one month after the other AND there's a second book series about soccer that's also set to have the same release cadence. Now, I can guess that contemporary sports romances probably aren't the hardest books to write, but 8+ books in less than a year sounds insane to me. All the covers also scream AI which doesn't help.
2 stars for the writing, but I'm putting this author on my DNR list.
August 21, 2026
A difficult read
The first book was really good. This book was really not good. Extremely difficult to get through and very repetitive. Short, nondescript sentence structures from BOTH main characters. I don't understand why the author felt this necessary or a good writing style choice. One MC has anxiety/ADHD. This might suggest one thinking in this type sentence structure but definitely not both. This could've been really good and helped in the understanding of someone who lives with this diagnosis. It did not. Skip this book and maybe jump to the next one. Hopefully its written much better and in a text that allows you to actually follow along without reading things two and three times and it still not making any sense.
The first book was really good. This book was really not good. Extremely difficult to get through and very repetitive. Short, nondescript sentence structures from BOTH main characters. I don't understand why the author felt this necessary or a good writing style choice. One MC has anxiety/ADHD. This might suggest one thinking in this type sentence structure but definitely not both. This could've been really good and helped in the understanding of someone who lives with this diagnosis. It did not. Skip this book and maybe jump to the next one. Hopefully its written much better and in a text that allows you to actually follow along without reading things two and three times and it still not making any sense.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I do enjoy a gay ice hockey romance and they seem to be currently having a moment. In this enemies to lovers romance 2 people who seem to hate each other finally start to realise there might be more there. I loved Volkov, who is a really thoughtful and sensitive guy, hiding behind a stern Russian exterior because he's sick of getting constantly traded. He put in so much effort for Sebastian. I spent a good chunk of the book thinking Sebastian really didn't deserve him but fortunately he comes good in the end. Look forward to more in this series.
May 15, 2026
I was so curios about this pairing as their story already started long before they ended on the same roster. Their dynamic is so fun to read — they communicate through routines, dry humor, and shared habits. The “cat parent” angle provides a natural excuse for their constant proximity, making it feel normal rather than forced.
The funniest parts for me are definitely the kitten distribution rankings, the Coach Bodies interviews, and Berger’s ongoing rating system — they add so much charm and humor to the story.
The funniest parts for me are definitely the kitten distribution rankings, the Coach Bodies interviews, and Berger’s ongoing rating system — they add so much charm and humor to the story.
May 27, 2026
So I dropped this book 😭
The main reason is how different from Avi and Ash book, the couple here develops so fast, that I felt that everything was about sex and less about them.
Like they never talk with each other, the few times that happens are focused on the cats (the best part of the story).
And I definitely didn't like Fontenots POVs. He was the pure stereotype of a ADHD person, while Volkov felt more real, with questions that I could relate.
Maybe this book really wasn't for me. But I'm curious about the next couples and will definitely give a try
The main reason is how different from Avi and Ash book, the couple here develops so fast, that I felt that everything was about sex and less about them.
Like they never talk with each other, the few times that happens are focused on the cats (the best part of the story).
And I definitely didn't like Fontenots POVs. He was the pure stereotype of a ADHD person, while Volkov felt more real, with questions that I could relate.
Maybe this book really wasn't for me. But I'm curious about the next couples and will definitely give a try
July 16, 2026
I was so excited to read thaf there were multiple cat dads in this book, alas the kittens are the only thing that interested me. The group chats were funny, but I got tired of the repeated sms quotes.
I didn't feel any tension netween the wo MCs' interactions, and the reason they hated each other for 7 years was such a nothingburger that I just threw my hands up in frustration. Like come on, give me something good, something solid here, but nah-h it was as bland as white bread and honestly made no sense.
Verdict: Cats 1, Rest of it: -20.
I didn't feel any tension netween the wo MCs' interactions, and the reason they hated each other for 7 years was such a nothingburger that I just threw my hands up in frustration. Like come on, give me something good, something solid here, but nah-h it was as bland as white bread and honestly made no sense.
Verdict: Cats 1, Rest of it: -20.
March 21, 2026
Face Off is the second book in the Atlanta Firebirds series and I think it helps to read the series in order. This is a hurt/comfort, enemies to lovers read about Volkov and Fontenot. When I read the first book it got me intrigued about what went on between these two and I was so happy to see this as the next book, now I am just waiting for the next one. I am so here for this series, love these guys.
May 4, 2026
It’s ok. It was longer than it needed to be.
The writing style, while not inherently bad, often makes it difficult to track which character is speaking. There’s not a lot of tone or character specific pattern of speech. Same issue felt with book one - a lot of repetitive phrases that fill pages but don’t move things forward.
The names and nicknames and so many players also makes it challenging sometimes. And the hockey is DENSE.
The writing style, while not inherently bad, often makes it difficult to track which character is speaking. There’s not a lot of tone or character specific pattern of speech. Same issue felt with book one - a lot of repetitive phrases that fill pages but don’t move things forward.
The names and nicknames and so many players also makes it challenging sometimes. And the hockey is DENSE.
May 7, 2026
4.7
Baez and Tikh, Cajun and Russian, are very complex characters and Bauer does his best to make sense of them, not easy, as one has ADHD and the one is intensely contained. It seems that taking care of two bonded arena kittens together breaks the ice, but it takes a long, long time for it to melt. The saga of the team kittens is great, but the pain of these two characters is stark and the positive ending does not wholly relieve my concern. Well worth reading.
Baez and Tikh, Cajun and Russian, are very complex characters and Bauer does his best to make sense of them, not easy, as one has ADHD and the one is intensely contained. It seems that taking care of two bonded arena kittens together breaks the ice, but it takes a long, long time for it to melt. The saga of the team kittens is great, but the pain of these two characters is stark and the positive ending does not wholly relieve my concern. Well worth reading.
June 15, 2026
3.25⭐️
i enjoyed the dislike to love aspect and the co-parenting situation but the conflict was downright confusing and it felt like they had the same conversation twice but one ended in “leave” and the other ended in reconciliation so i was really confused what they were even having conflict about… idk just felt like not a lot of depth compared to the first book which sucks but still had a good time reading so slay for that.
i enjoyed the dislike to love aspect and the co-parenting situation but the conflict was downright confusing and it felt like they had the same conversation twice but one ended in “leave” and the other ended in reconciliation so i was really confused what they were even having conflict about… idk just felt like not a lot of depth compared to the first book which sucks but still had a good time reading so slay for that.
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