What do you think?
Rate this book
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.
- GenresM M Romance
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 19, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
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!
March 29, 2026
The stream of consciousness writing was kinda hard to follow at points
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
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).
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I like the concept of the book. I just couldn’t get into it with all the miscommunication, I did like the concept of the kittens and taking care of them.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 14, 2026
Second book as good as the first
I enjoyed the book. The characters were relatable, It definitely held your interest, And I cannot wait for the next one . I would definitely recommend this book the series and this author to anyone who enjoys MM hockey romances.
I enjoyed the book. The characters were relatable, It definitely held your interest, And I cannot wait for the next one . I would definitely recommend this book the series and this author to anyone who enjoys MM hockey romances.
March 21, 2026
This was so good!
Come on guys, enemies to lovers, 2 cute kittens, closed proximity, and the team is absoutely delicious!!! I laughed too hard at their antiques.
Come on guys, enemies to lovers, 2 cute kittens, closed proximity, and the team is absoutely delicious!!! I laughed too hard at their antiques.
April 2, 2026
This missed being a five star because Bastian is a bonehead.
April 12, 2026
I was so happy this couple was next. I don't think I could have handled another book of 'they either need to f*** or fight'.
The book club and the kittens are worth the read alone.
The book club and the kittens are worth the read alone.
April 16, 2026
It felt i was reading the 1st book all over again.
April 18, 2026
she did good
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews