Tape to Tape

Atlanta Firebirds #3

by Riley Bauer

Dom Marchetti believes in love stories. He's the guy who cried reading Heated Rivalry on a team flight and isn't sorry about it. So when a shoulder injury lands him in daily rehab sessions with the Firebirds' new physical therapist — a Southern boy with steady hands and professional boundaries he has no intention of crossing — Marchetti knows exactly what this is. He's read this book. He knows the tropes. He is completely, devastatingly unprepared for the real thing. Because the real thing involves career-ending professional ethics violations, a treatment room that gets smaller every session, and half his teammates narrating his love life using romance novel vocabulary in the group chat.

Genres: M M Romance, Hockey, Sports

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 30, 2026

Reviews

[Monikat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition to this gorgeous series. The compound issues of being black in a white world, being gay, and having a secret relationship with the most visible, most outspoken player on the team while he is also your patient as PT of the team makes this story almost claustrophobic. The writing is stunning and poetic in its description. The setting repetition makes the point and drives home each feeling. I loved it.
Again the team as a whole is absolutely fantastic, as are the ratings, book club, kittens, Nonna, Nan and fam. The banter and hockey are their own character.

[laureneliza]

The description needs updating as that's... Not the main character's name? Anyway. Two Grandma's boys in a workplace romance. Solid and a bit more light-hearted than book 2, I'm lukewarm on workplace romance but I thought it was well handled here. I continue to be more invested in the team than the romances which isn't unusual for me but I do wish at least one of the couples made me really squeal/sigh/smile more.

[TJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4* Just!

This is a m/m sports romance. Its starts off strong with a big hit of instant spicy action and then delves into more of a slow burn as the 2 MCs try to navigate a hidden romance when the pressure of work issues and having something to prove are stifling.
I did enjoy this book but I felt the flow wasn't great. Its advertised as a stand alone from a series but I think this leads to a wee bit of confusion. Like the sudden whole chapter about random kittens. It wasn't until reading the blurb about the earlier books I was like ok, now I understand the kittens!
Things happening off page too like the two MCs swapping numbers and messaging each other songs, considering one is pretending to not know the other outside of doc/patient how did they end up swapping numbers and texts!
Overall a decent spicy romance that I'd probably give 3.5 stars too and would recommend books read in order rather than as standalones within a series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather MacDonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book as much as I did the first two but I felt as if it fell a little flat. The connection between the main characters was not as deep, with a lot of skimming of their interactions. There wasn’t much dialogue between them to establish their connection. I also felt as if we didn’t get as much of the Firebirds as in the other books and the special bond the boys have was missed. The timelines were also very off. As one point Fountenot claims that Bug chewed his charging cable in October but the kittens weren’t even born then! This happened so many times in the book that it threw me off. I also was looking forward to hearing the reveal of Fountnot and Volkov’s relationship like we did Ash and Avi’s in book 2. Hopefully that is included in the 4th book! I am excited to read Berber’s story as I felt a large part of this book was written just to set that up.

[Veronica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked this book least of the series so far. These books cannot be read as standalone even though the description says they can. I had a hard enough time following it and I have read them in order. The fact of the captain and assistant captain being together was only alluded to rather than stated and that fact is essential to the allusion. Tyler is never actually introduced so when he suddenly appeared without explanation that was confusing. Teo and Zay exchanging numbers and beginning to text each other was also done off the page and considering the way the characters constantly rationalize all there interactions, suddenly seeing that Zay sent Teo a song felt totally out of place. Also, since the books overlap, the timeline really should have been more concrete, it was confusing to follow.
I really like the way that the characters act and interact with each other in these books even though it’s a little bit unusual, especially for everyone to behave in that manner.

[Andrea Smedley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm enjoying this series which I think can be read as standalones or out of order. The timelines overlap so you just get a different context depending on what order you read in (I've gone no 2, no 3, prequel, no 1!). The prequel does help set some background and introduce a number of characters, and it's available for free from the author's website so a great place to start anyway. For this book, it's Teo Marchetti's turn to find romance and he does so with team physio Zay. I enjoyed their chemistry and interactions, and they way they handled their forbidden romance. They try to resist each other but are both drawn in. The author also doesn't shy away from the difficulties of an inter-racial gay romance in a professional hockey setting. We also get more insight into the hockey season as the Firebirds are gunning for the playoffs, and as a newly formed expansion team the players all want to prove their worth. The author is a bit overly descriptive at times for me, but I disagree with any reviewer saying the books are hard to follow, they aren't at all.

[Susanna Meloni · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm jumping in in this book, #3, so be aware of this.
I think these books can't be read as standalone even though the description says they can.
It seems to me that kittens showed out of thin air and the book club too didn't have any introduction. Same as Tyler, who I feared to be a bad guy.
Storyline is a bit inconsistent.
The two main characters stays a bit flat. Although the synossi says Tommaso believes in love stories, You don't catch that in the book, for examples. Another example: Zay is presented as deeply rooted in the queer community in Atlanta, but in the story you can't see any of this.
The mood lands a bit melancholy all along the reading, witch is not my cup of tea but I really enjoyed the #teamchats and the kittens.
I'm sorry if my english is not clear but i've really done my best to contribute with an honest review.

p.s.
I received an advanced copy of this book from the author via BookFunnel in exchange for an honest review.

[Paddy Waymark · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.4

This is a generous story rating, given that it requires additional proofreading. Most of the errors are not simple and interrupt the flow of meaning. This is a disservice to readers and to the story. Please fix this.
That snark aside, the message of black professionals in all white, mainly male workplaces and their extraordinary need to adjust to it rings true. In this case, trainer Zay and hockey player Teo become hidden lovers and the strain is on. Well done on that score as we wait for the axe to fall. The kitten is great, the families are supportive and the love is warm and well rendered. Zay’s boss is extraordinary as is the accuracy of what the job of trainer actually is. The detail is amazing.

[Kri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though I already “knew” and liked Marchetti, it took me longer to get into this one. Partly, I think, bc Zay isn’t on the team so I didn’t already have a sense of him. That also meant there were more scenes with only one or the other. I co to ye to like Riley’s writing and love the ensemble cast and side characters—this book added the Marchetti sisters (and the grandmothers). And I like the emotional development of the MCs. But I always feel like we could get a bit more explicit info about the MCs’ developing impressions of each other. I felt that even more in this book than the others. There’s time lapse while it happens at least, and some signs that imply it, but little explicit treatment, or less than in most books.

[Jo Atkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the perfect mix of emotional slow burn, humour, and hockey romance. Matteo’s loud, joking personality hiding deeper feelings makes him such an appealing character, while Zay’s professionalism and quiet restraint add so much tension to their connection. I love the forbidden aspect of the therapist-player relationship and the way the locker room book club keeps narrating their romance in real time even if they're not sure it's happening. Add in the two families and this book contains combination of vulnerability, chemistry, real family and family team dynamics makes this feel heartfelt, funny, and a great addition to the series.

[Karen T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book for its mix of hockey romance, humour, and emotional tension. Matteo Marchetti’s confident, teasing personality hides a more vulnerable side, which pairs perfectly with Zay’s calm professionalism and reserved nature. Their forbidden relationship as player and physio creates constant anticipation, while the locker room book club adds plenty of entertaining commentary throughout. The chemistry between Matteo and Zay feels genuine as they struggle to resist their growing connection. Combined with strong team dynamics and a satisfying happy ending, this was an engaging and enjoyable read.

[Metz874 · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review
My first book in this series and it was really good. I love when an anonymous meeting is the start of something big, and the MC's have no idea that this will change their life shortly. Teo and Zay are the sweetess. The way they managed to contain a relationship when working together and still keep it professional when at work was admirable. I love their families, their sensitive personalities and similarities.
This slow-burn, hockey romance is a good choice when craving something sweet to spend your time on.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marcetti and Zay share similar backgrounds, both coming from large, loving, and supportive families. They follow in the footsteps of other couples who have already mastered the balance of working for the same team.
The book was a light, predictable read, which led me to focus on the secondary characters. I enjoyed their presence as I know them from the books before.
I am now eagerly awaiting Berger's story.

[Penelope Miller · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m not going to lie I don’t think I’m going to finish it nothing happens in this book I think they hit good points of the story line that need to be discussed but other than that I feel like I’m reading about them walking through hallways over and over and the relationship is progressing but we don’t really see it being built. I kept trying to push through but all the book is encouraging me to do is read the next book in the series because they seem more focused on him then their own story

[Blake Webb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring

The thing about this author is they have very funny moments, though the author pushes it and inserts scenes that are not funny, but you can tell they are meant to be. Still, the author writes very well. What drove me crazy was how the author ends chapters; they never let you know how the characters felt about a final scene or comment. They would just end the chapter instead with the characters having some random thought that I, quite frankly, could not care less about.

[Lacy Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Romance with a main POC character

I loved that this book has a POC as a main character in this romance. And the fact that this book actually acknowledges and makes a statement about racism which usually just gets ignored.

Aside from that, this romance was simply beautiful. The care given to both characters. How they always supported each other and understood the other. And no meaningless 3rd act breakup.

[Rin · Rating 5 out of 5]

sooo good…

I am loving this series. This one was extra special. The hockey is legit and the romance feels real. The dialogue has a quality where what’s left unsaid feels just as important as what is said out loud. The last two books feature the characters l’ve been most curious about. Looking forward to the next one.

[Anja_DK · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read all three (+ the bonus intro) books in the Atlanta Firebirds series, and Tape to Tape is my favorite so far.
In this we get to met Teo and Zay's friends and families too, which in my opinion gives more depth to the characters asweel as the story.
Both Teo and Zay are sweethearts, who deserved their well earned HEA.

[AuntieChrist · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far this was my favorite of the series.

The author’s style remains but is less repetitive, leaving a cleaner impression.

The chemistry was there for the MC. Low drama.

Really like the use of the team chats to keep the thru line of the series.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story to read and dream away with.

I comfortably retreated with a cup of tea and read it in one sitting. Both MCs really appeal to me and get under your skin in a good way.

💞Thank you to the Author for the opportunity to read and review this ARC💖

[Shelle Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely book. I loved how the author navigated what white people miss that a black (or any other non-white person) has to deal with second by second. It increased my empathy toward a situation I often miss.
I cannot wait for the next one.

PS the cats need their on POV :D

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The YEARNING. The EMOTION. I need Riley Bauer to write faster because I cannot get enough of the Atlanta Firebirds and need the next books to come out faster. Tee and Zee were perfect for each other and they filled into each others cracks and curves.

[L. Ward Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keep getting better!❤️

This series just keeps getting better! Affirming to see a Black physical therapist in the mix, especially in a MM hockey romance.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 or 4- I wish there was a bit more about how their actual relationship began/developed during the season.

[Alicia Meyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh

This is just okay. It isn't nearly as dramatic as the blurb would have said he reader believe and it is not a slow burn either.

[Lori Rhynold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found a new favourite!

I love this series! I binged these books in two days! Can’t wait for the next one, laugh out loud funny and all the feels!

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ didn’t really love this until 70% in when the great character work hit

[Kobie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this one, too,. Now that I know I'll be on a game cliff, I'm okay, It's not my favorite. It's sad because this book rocks. The series is terrific.

[CB · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one got a little slow in the middle for me, but I will keep reading the series!

[claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

nothing defines a man like his relationship with his italian grandmother