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Medaling
Two rivals. One room. Three weeks to ruin everything.
Declan Morrow is Team USA's most intimidating enforcer — six-foot-three, granite-jawed...and so deep in the closet he's forgotten there's a door. He's at the Winter Olympics for one gold. What he's not here for is Cole Arsenault.
Cole left the US for Quebec at sixteen and never looked back. He's bilingual, bisexual, and he's built his whole life around refusing to be anyone other than who he is. Declan has resented him for six years.
And now they're stuck sharing an apartment in the Olympic village.
The room is too small. The tension too high. And somewhere between the late-night silences and the on-ice chemistry they can't deny, something happens that neither of them has a playbook for — making every stolen hour behind a locked door harder to walk away from.
But the Games have an expiration date. Declan's agent is circling. A journalist is closing in with a story threatening to out closeted NFL players. And Cole has been here waiting for a man to choose him, watching the clock run out.
The countdown is real. And falling for each other might cost them everything they've spent their careers building.
Perfect for fans of Rachel Reid's Heated Rivalry who want higher stakes, and an Olympic clock ticking down to zero.
Medaling is a dual-POV, rivals-to-lovers MM hockey romance featuring forced proximity, a closeted athlete finding his courage, explicit open-door scenes, and a guaranteed HEA.
Declan Morrow is Team USA's most intimidating enforcer — six-foot-three, granite-jawed...and so deep in the closet he's forgotten there's a door. He's at the Winter Olympics for one gold. What he's not here for is Cole Arsenault.
Cole left the US for Quebec at sixteen and never looked back. He's bilingual, bisexual, and he's built his whole life around refusing to be anyone other than who he is. Declan has resented him for six years.
And now they're stuck sharing an apartment in the Olympic village.
The room is too small. The tension too high. And somewhere between the late-night silences and the on-ice chemistry they can't deny, something happens that neither of them has a playbook for — making every stolen hour behind a locked door harder to walk away from.
But the Games have an expiration date. Declan's agent is circling. A journalist is closing in with a story threatening to out closeted NFL players. And Cole has been here waiting for a man to choose him, watching the clock run out.
The countdown is real. And falling for each other might cost them everything they've spent their careers building.
Perfect for fans of Rachel Reid's Heated Rivalry who want higher stakes, and an Olympic clock ticking down to zero.
Medaling is a dual-POV, rivals-to-lovers MM hockey romance featuring forced proximity, a closeted athlete finding his courage, explicit open-door scenes, and a guaranteed HEA.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 7, 2026
271 people are currently reading
715 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
April 12, 2026
🏂 So I am slumping so hard… but not as "hard" as these two were, I guess.
🎯 Premise & Expectations
I was genuinely excited for this book. It had a great premise that really plays on the ridiculously hilarious condom shortage incident in the latest Winter Olympics and includes some favourite tropes.
And it delivered for the most part… except this isn’t my personal preferred writing style, and I know the book could have done so much better in some aspects.
3.5⭐
✍️ Writing Style & Flow
When it comes to the writing, I am personally not a fan of third person for MM.
I find it a bit confusing, although I must admit that Hailey (Liz) did a wonderful job in that regard.
It still put me at a distance, however, and that wasn’t helped by some storytelling devices or the fact that we didn’t completely dive into several emotional arcs. We did just enough to deliver within these 277 pages.
The first few chapters were a bit frustrating and had me worried:
• a lot of POV (of both MCs) switches in the same chapter
• repetition of the same information from both POVs
• very descriptive sequencing of actions → which made it feel monotone
However, this improved considerably after those first chapters, and the storytelling found its groove and flow.
So if you find yourself stuck in the beginning, I’d say give it a chance.
🧑🤝🧑 Characters & Themes
Both MCs, Liam and Nic, had nice personalities — whether sunshine or grumpy. ☀️🌧️
I appreciated that they didn’t really have tragic backstories (just sad romantic ones).
Not every MM needs a devastating childhood, you know? And I liked that the author steered away from that and gave them more complex, adult things to deal with.
These aspects were interesting to explore because:
• they didn’t go the mainstream route
• no one had to drastically change who they are
• there was a lot of accountability
I also love how Liz can be political enough without being overwhelming:
• showing that politics are always present in the background
• acknowledging what being queer in sports (especially for men) actually means
• highlighting bisexual erasure in a very grounded way
It made the story feel like more than just visibility; it felt intentional.
🤔 Why Not a Higher Rating?
Now, with all this praise… why isn’t this rated higher (aside from my preference for a different writing style)?
Because the emotional arc wasn’t fully fleshed out.
We moved from one emotional milestone to another without it fully translating into anything beyond the physical relationship (which, to be fair, was hot hot 🔥).
Nothing felt premature, exactly…
I just wanted:
• more emotional growth
• more depth in those transitions
• more balance between emotional intimacy and physical intimacy
At times, things didn’t completely align with the characters and their personalities, which made some moments feel a bit off.
🏁 Should you read?
Overall, this was:
• engaging
• fun
• and thematically meaningful
…but it didn’t hit as deeply as it could have.
Still worth the read. 🥊
--
Pre-read:
So Liz Shipton is experimenting with MM and a pen name, and we get the pleasure of seeing that first hand and enjoy her humour?
Yes, please.
ARC received through author's newsletter.
🎯 Premise & Expectations
I was genuinely excited for this book. It had a great premise that really plays on the ridiculously hilarious condom shortage incident in the latest Winter Olympics and includes some favourite tropes.
And it delivered for the most part… except this isn’t my personal preferred writing style, and I know the book could have done so much better in some aspects.
3.5⭐
✍️ Writing Style & Flow
When it comes to the writing, I am personally not a fan of third person for MM.
I find it a bit confusing, although I must admit that Hailey (Liz) did a wonderful job in that regard.
It still put me at a distance, however, and that wasn’t helped by some storytelling devices or the fact that we didn’t completely dive into several emotional arcs. We did just enough to deliver within these 277 pages.
The first few chapters were a bit frustrating and had me worried:
• a lot of POV (of both MCs) switches in the same chapter
• repetition of the same information from both POVs
• very descriptive sequencing of actions → which made it feel monotone
However, this improved considerably after those first chapters, and the storytelling found its groove and flow.
So if you find yourself stuck in the beginning, I’d say give it a chance.
🧑🤝🧑 Characters & Themes
Both MCs, Liam and Nic, had nice personalities — whether sunshine or grumpy. ☀️🌧️
I appreciated that they didn’t really have tragic backstories (just sad romantic ones).
Not every MM needs a devastating childhood, you know? And I liked that the author steered away from that and gave them more complex, adult things to deal with.
These aspects were interesting to explore because:
• they didn’t go the mainstream route
• no one had to drastically change who they are
• there was a lot of accountability
I also love how Liz can be political enough without being overwhelming:
• showing that politics are always present in the background
• acknowledging what being queer in sports (especially for men) actually means
• highlighting bisexual erasure in a very grounded way
It made the story feel like more than just visibility; it felt intentional.
🤔 Why Not a Higher Rating?
Now, with all this praise… why isn’t this rated higher (aside from my preference for a different writing style)?
Because the emotional arc wasn’t fully fleshed out.
We moved from one emotional milestone to another without it fully translating into anything beyond the physical relationship (which, to be fair, was hot hot 🔥).
Nothing felt premature, exactly…
I just wanted:
• more emotional growth
• more depth in those transitions
• more balance between emotional intimacy and physical intimacy
At times, things didn’t completely align with the characters and their personalities, which made some moments feel a bit off.
🏁 Should you read?
Overall, this was:
• engaging
• fun
• and thematically meaningful
…but it didn’t hit as deeply as it could have.
Still worth the read. 🥊
--
Pre-read:
So Liz Shipton is experimenting with MM and a pen name, and we get the pleasure of seeing that first hand and enjoy her humour?
Yes, please.
ARC received through author's newsletter.
March 29, 2026
This was a fine Olympic hockey MM romance. A bit shorter, easy to read in one setting.
Now here’s my problem:
I think marketing this as for fans of Heated Rivalry is maybe not the best move, as it is TOO similar to Heated Rivalry and almost reads like a fanfic. I marked about five sections in this 267 page book that felt literally lifted from the show/book. (One being bisexual and the other gay, one having autism, one speaking English and French and repeated jokes about how easy it is for him to learn languages, “probably, maybe”, a kiss in public then a “wtf are you doing”, “look at the view.”) Any of these alone wouldn’t really be an issue but all together it just felt too similar for me. I think some easy changes could be made to fix these issues, but as it stands I cannot get over feeling like it was just Re-heated rivalry.
It wasn’t bad. Still enjoyed it. Just wish it felt a little more original.
Now here’s my problem:
I think marketing this as for fans of Heated Rivalry is maybe not the best move, as it is TOO similar to Heated Rivalry and almost reads like a fanfic. I marked about five sections in this 267 page book that felt literally lifted from the show/book. (One being bisexual and the other gay, one having autism, one speaking English and French and repeated jokes about how easy it is for him to learn languages, “probably, maybe”, a kiss in public then a “wtf are you doing”, “look at the view.”) Any of these alone wouldn’t really be an issue but all together it just felt too similar for me. I think some easy changes could be made to fix these issues, but as it stands I cannot get over feeling like it was just Re-heated rivalry.
It wasn’t bad. Still enjoyed it. Just wish it felt a little more original.
April 10, 2026
This is a VERY generous 3/5 and I may come to change that when I write up my full review shortly.
_____
Right, I've sat on it. This is 2.5/5 but GR doesn't allow for half ratings.
"Perfect for fans of Rachel Reid's Heated Rivalry" and in fact it is so much like Heated Rivalry it almost reads like a fan fic more than anything else.
- One MC is gay, one is bisexual. - Which was also a little confusing since there is a mention of the gay MC having relationships and sex with men and women while finding both equally exhausting. (This is only to say that based on the phrasing of the specific paragraph this is mentioned in left some confusion when he expresses he's gay. I definitely thought we were having two bi-baddies in this.)
- The gay MC has autism.
- One MC is a French/English speaker that is Canadian. - Then also quips he speaks two and a half languages but later says he's trilingual.
- The shower room scene.
These didn't feel like nods to HR. Like I said, it just felt like fan fic in a lot of ways.
Now, I had FAR more issues than just that.
The history between these two characters is that Liam Harris broke Nicolas Arsenault's shoulder six years ago. You cannot possibly forget this. It is mentioned every other page basically.
Now this is expanded on much later but there's a scene where Nicolas is speaking to his friend and the friend, meant to be his best friend as well, says 'dislocate your shoulder.' This COULD be a small thing but since it's been harped on for nearly 100 pages by this point that Liam broke the guy's shoulder, and they're meant to be best friends, it just had me scrunching my face.
Adding that in alongside the denim that became sweats in the middle of a fondling scene, the shirts that were flung off 'approximately four feet inside' of entering their house but then are flung across the room when they get to the bedroom, and the jeans that came off but then suddenly respawned back on Nicolas before they get down to business, and being skin to skin but then also taking off their jeans (again), I was floating in a sea of inconsistencies.
Seriously, these are the quotes:
This is the same page! It's the same scene!
Those would be the jeans he had gotten off btw. Because there are like four small paragraphs between these sentences.
Followed by:
Those respawning jeans again!
This is before I even comment on the bruised ribs that just apparently aren't a problem after like three days. (Or the fact that the GR synopsis doesn't match the characters in this book. I did check Amazon just in case things changed between the ARC I have and the final version. Final version available lists the character list I had so, I remain perplexed and in my sea of inconsistencies. My inconsisten-sea.)
Nicolas' character was also just insanely annoying. Like he was feeling overwhelmed with everything and instead of considering that maybe his roommate is also feeling overwhelmed at his first Olympics, he goes with wondering 'if it was all the foreigners that made Harris so stiff.' So....racist was somehow an easier jump than equally overwhelmed???
I need to warm up for these mental gymnastics.
The line 'stupid little poutine-eating mouth' did make me laugh.
I think Liz is an incredibly funny person. I haven't picked up her works under her own name as of yet but I've been looking forward to getting them off my TBR and into my hands.
This....did not hit anything especially positive for me.
_____
Right, I've sat on it. This is 2.5/5 but GR doesn't allow for half ratings.
"Perfect for fans of Rachel Reid's Heated Rivalry" and in fact it is so much like Heated Rivalry it almost reads like a fan fic more than anything else.
- One MC is gay, one is bisexual. - Which was also a little confusing since there is a mention of the gay MC having relationships and sex with men and women while finding both equally exhausting. (This is only to say that based on the phrasing of the specific paragraph this is mentioned in left some confusion when he expresses he's gay. I definitely thought we were having two bi-baddies in this.)
- The gay MC has autism.
- One MC is a French/English speaker that is Canadian. - Then also quips he speaks two and a half languages but later says he's trilingual.
- The shower room scene.
These didn't feel like nods to HR. Like I said, it just felt like fan fic in a lot of ways.
Now, I had FAR more issues than just that.
The history between these two characters is that Liam Harris broke Nicolas Arsenault's shoulder six years ago. You cannot possibly forget this. It is mentioned every other page basically.
Now this is expanded on much later but there's a scene where Nicolas is speaking to his friend and the friend, meant to be his best friend as well, says 'dislocate your shoulder.' This COULD be a small thing but since it's been harped on for nearly 100 pages by this point that Liam broke the guy's shoulder, and they're meant to be best friends, it just had me scrunching my face.
Adding that in alongside the denim that became sweats in the middle of a fondling scene, the shirts that were flung off 'approximately four feet inside' of entering their house but then are flung across the room when they get to the bedroom, and the jeans that came off but then suddenly respawned back on Nicolas before they get down to business, and being skin to skin but then also taking off their jeans (again), I was floating in a sea of inconsistencies.
Seriously, these are the quotes:
They made it approximately four feet inside before their shirts were on the floor.
Nic moved backward onto it as Liam crawled on top of him, pulling at his clothes while they went. When both shirts had been removed and flung across the room...
This is the same page! It's the same scene!
He got Liam's jeans off and then his own and they were skin to skin....
Nic's c**k went stiff in record time inside his jeans.
Those would be the jeans he had gotten off btw. Because there are like four small paragraphs between these sentences.
Followed by:
Nic stripped the rest of the their clothes off without hurry. Jeans.
Those respawning jeans again!
This is before I even comment on the bruised ribs that just apparently aren't a problem after like three days. (Or the fact that the GR synopsis doesn't match the characters in this book. I did check Amazon just in case things changed between the ARC I have and the final version. Final version available lists the character list I had so, I remain perplexed and in my sea of inconsistencies. My inconsisten-sea.)
Nicolas' character was also just insanely annoying. Like he was feeling overwhelmed with everything and instead of considering that maybe his roommate is also feeling overwhelmed at his first Olympics, he goes with wondering 'if it was all the foreigners that made Harris so stiff.' So....racist was somehow an easier jump than equally overwhelmed???
I need to warm up for these mental gymnastics.
The line 'stupid little poutine-eating mouth' did make me laugh.
I think Liz is an incredibly funny person. I haven't picked up her works under her own name as of yet but I've been looking forward to getting them off my TBR and into my hands.
This....did not hit anything especially positive for me.
April 15, 2026
Look, any author writing enemies to lovers hockey fic in the year of our lord 2026, and in perpetuity, takes on the professional hazard of being compared to Heated Rivalry. It is what it is, we're all still coming down from our collective HR psychosis, and while this a great time to capitalize on it, you're also going to suffer in the comparison. Sorry, I don't make the rules.
That said, I actually really did enjoy this book that definitely did read a bit like HR fan fic. It's a forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine kind of story about two young Team USA players who have a checkered history with each other, now playing on the same Olympic team in Italy. Nic is actually more Canadian than American, but he is drafted onto the US team because he was born there and he ends up in the same room as Liam, a kind of glowering defenseman who broke his shoulder in a game six years prior. Quiet, asocial (autistic) Liam is an enigma to the friendly, outgoing Nic, who deep down is kind of a lovergirl. Nic is immediately attracted to Liam and spends a bit of time flirting and sussing him out. After a very specific shower scene (*ahem*), these two get physical even while understanding that this is a Bad Idea. They spend the 3 weeks of the Games in a sexy push-pull situation that I really enjoyed.
Even though this books gets 0/10 for originality, I think it was really well written, with a depth and humour that I appreciated. Both Nic and Liam are compelling characters written pretty compassionately, and their chemistry feels natural and effortless. I wish the ending (their cottage scene, if you will) was a bit more fleshed out and we got a bit more of them outside of the confines of their tiny Olympic Village room. But otherwise I don't have a huge amount of complaints with this book. I'm definitely looking forward to the rest of the series.
That said, I actually really did enjoy this book that definitely did read a bit like HR fan fic. It's a forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine kind of story about two young Team USA players who have a checkered history with each other, now playing on the same Olympic team in Italy. Nic is actually more Canadian than American, but he is drafted onto the US team because he was born there and he ends up in the same room as Liam, a kind of glowering defenseman who broke his shoulder in a game six years prior. Quiet, asocial (autistic) Liam is an enigma to the friendly, outgoing Nic, who deep down is kind of a lovergirl. Nic is immediately attracted to Liam and spends a bit of time flirting and sussing him out. After a very specific shower scene (*ahem*), these two get physical even while understanding that this is a Bad Idea. They spend the 3 weeks of the Games in a sexy push-pull situation that I really enjoyed.
Even though this books gets 0/10 for originality, I think it was really well written, with a depth and humour that I appreciated. Both Nic and Liam are compelling characters written pretty compassionately, and their chemistry feels natural and effortless. I wish the ending (their cottage scene, if you will) was a bit more fleshed out and we got a bit more of them outside of the confines of their tiny Olympic Village room. But otherwise I don't have a huge amount of complaints with this book. I'm definitely looking forward to the rest of the series.
Did Not Finish
April 21, 2026DNF @ 52%. Y’all this was SO BORING. Are the rivals in the room with us bc they sure as shit weren’t in room 14 😩 not convinced anyone was except two sacks of plain flour good lord, the scenery was more interesting than these two
This books other fatal flaw? Continuity errors. So many of them.
This books other fatal flaw? Continuity errors. So many of them.
April 9, 2026
This felt like a watered-down version of Heated Rivalry, but without the depth or emotional payoff.
Loved the rivals-to-lovers setup with the Olympics and forced proximity, and I thought it had potential, but the execution was just horrible. The conflict between the two lacked real depth. We’re told they’ve been rivals for years, but there’s barely any convincing backstory to support it. It ends up feeling shallow.
One of the characters being autistic could have added an interesting layer, but it was handled in a very surface-level way. There’s no nuance or subtlety, everything is spelled out so directly that it leaves nothing for the reader to interpret. The writing overall feels overly simplified, with little subtext or emotional depth. It honestly reads like it’s been heavily AI-assisted, especially in the dialogue and sentence structure.
I understand this is a shorter romance, so I wasn’t expecting heavy world-building or complex plotting. But even within that format, there’s room for stronger character work and more believable emotional progression. I’ve seen MM romances handle similar themes with far more care, which just made this one kind of disappointing.
I barely made it to the end.
Loved the rivals-to-lovers setup with the Olympics and forced proximity, and I thought it had potential, but the execution was just horrible. The conflict between the two lacked real depth. We’re told they’ve been rivals for years, but there’s barely any convincing backstory to support it. It ends up feeling shallow.
One of the characters being autistic could have added an interesting layer, but it was handled in a very surface-level way. There’s no nuance or subtlety, everything is spelled out so directly that it leaves nothing for the reader to interpret. The writing overall feels overly simplified, with little subtext or emotional depth. It honestly reads like it’s been heavily AI-assisted, especially in the dialogue and sentence structure.
I understand this is a shorter romance, so I wasn’t expecting heavy world-building or complex plotting. But even within that format, there’s room for stronger character work and more believable emotional progression. I’ve seen MM romances handle similar themes with far more care, which just made this one kind of disappointing.
I barely made it to the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2026
I really wanted to like this book, but unfortunately I don’t enjoy stories built on misunderstandings and lack of communication — and there’s a lot of that here. The characters are together, and then suddenly they’re not - likę in one paragraf- > lets have sex. Ok Cool. No wait we cant, oh Ok cool. and it’s not really clear why. It’s simply frustrating.
Something about the writing just doesn’t feel quite right. When I read the paragraphs, I can’t tell who is doing what. I keep mixing up the characters — one moment this one pushed him, then it was the other one; this one was sad, then the other one was sad. I don’t know, it’s just confusing
Something about the writing just doesn’t feel quite right. When I read the paragraphs, I can’t tell who is doing what. I keep mixing up the characters — one moment this one pushed him, then it was the other one; this one was sad, then the other one was sad. I don’t know, it’s just confusing
April 9, 2026
I love Hockey and read a lot m/m hockey romances and it's not easy to write something unique.
This story's setting is the Olympics and not some random Olympics but in Italy 🇮🇹 🏒❄️
America against Canada for gold? Ring any bells?
There are strong heated rivalry vibes (reads like a HR fanfiction? Is that bad? Use the momentum?)
There are sweet moments, it's entertaining, sexy and heartfelt. I spent a nice afternoon reading and enjoying an Olympic throwback.
P.S: extra points for creative use of gold medals 😂
This story's setting is the Olympics and not some random Olympics but in Italy 🇮🇹 🏒❄️
America against Canada for gold? Ring any bells?
There are strong heated rivalry vibes (reads like a HR fanfiction? Is that bad? Use the momentum?)
There are sweet moments, it's entertaining, sexy and heartfelt. I spent a nice afternoon reading and enjoying an Olympic throwback.
P.S: extra points for creative use of gold medals 😂
April 12, 2026
I really enjoyed this book. Characters were great, I liked the progression of the relationship. The enemies-to-lovers trope didn't feel forced or unrealistic. I found myself really rooting for Nic and Liam. The conflict felt real and nothing was just magically solved in the end, even with the characters ending up together.
I saw another review point out there are a lot of similarities to Heated Rivalry that seem a little too similar, and I tend to agree. A bisexual, bilingual player with a gay, autistic player. The airport pickup and the 2 week stay at Nic's place in Montreal felt very reminiscent to The Cottage. And even the ending, they aren't publicly out as a couple, but are discussing Liam signing in Montreal with Nic and maybe one day they can be together openly. Definitely a lot of similarities, but I think that might be why I enjoyed it so much. The ending felt realistic. Nothing was perfectly wrapped up in a neat little bow.
Worth the read for sure and I'll definitely keep going with this series when the next book comes out.
I saw another review point out there are a lot of similarities to Heated Rivalry that seem a little too similar, and I tend to agree. A bisexual, bilingual player with a gay, autistic player. The airport pickup and the 2 week stay at Nic's place in Montreal felt very reminiscent to The Cottage. And even the ending, they aren't publicly out as a couple, but are discussing Liam signing in Montreal with Nic and maybe one day they can be together openly. Definitely a lot of similarities, but I think that might be why I enjoyed it so much. The ending felt realistic. Nothing was perfectly wrapped up in a neat little bow.
Worth the read for sure and I'll definitely keep going with this series when the next book comes out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Received an ARC copy of this book by the author in return for an honest review.
Disclaimer: I've never read this author before, or watched Heated Rivalry, or read any other hockey romance book ever. That being said:
What this book has going for it:
CUTE main characters. Very sweet guys that are easy to root for. Loved them both.
Setting. What's not to love about the Alps and the Olympics?
Pace. This story doesn't get bogged down on any one thing. Makes for a quick, enjoyable read.
Intimate scenes are great. Just the way I like them. Not too, too graphic. Nice blend of emotional and physical connection. Hot in a good way and even though a LOT of sex was packed into a small time frame, the author knows when to spread it over the pages and when to make it tidy and fast. I'd be thinking, "ok, too soon, not ready for another intense scene" and then it would be wrapped up in a paragraph and, yep, just right, thank you.
This book is just cozy. Lots of good vibes here.
What may be lacking:
I say may be lacking because, let's be honest, this book doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is. Quick, steamy romance. And when I am in the mood for that, this is the kind of title to pick up. I can't criticize something for it's lack of depth when it didn't promise or advertise any depth, yes?
This book is surface level stuff. Characters have hints of backstories that are mentioned but not explored. Every piece of this book is skittering along the surface (that's what makes it fast and fun). But if you wanted something a little more intense (I was thinking we were looking forward to a confrontation with an ex at some point and I was SO looking forward to a protective Liam and then that just... didn't happen) this is not the book for that.
The side characters exist but they do that thing where they only seem to exist to support the leads. They don't have much of their own life, or again, it's not explored. And they seem WAY too fixated on the main characters and helping them through their issues. Is it a problem? Not really? Again, this is fast read, so there's not a ton of time to go side questing, but it does make the side characters very flat - scenery in a school play kind of characters.
The stakes. There really aren't any. The big thing that I thought could be a conflict or a problem rolled over and gave up so quickly that it never was anything. There were No Issues in here. I saw that someone else thought this work read like fanfiction, and this is where I'd have to agree. AGAIN, this doesn't have to be a problem. I've read tons of things where I don't really want anything but character connection and when that's what I'm after, trying to have a larger plot really does just get in the way and I Don't Care. In fact, I'll give kudos to the author for having the Olympics in the background but it was so in the background of the character connection that I'm glad it didn't get a ton of screen time because all I wanted was the boys being adorable and tender to each other. I think it takes a bit of talent to make a huge thing like the OLYMPICS seem like it should stay quietly in the background of what's really important here - the boys getting to know each other.
All in all, this was a lovely, little read. The writing is smooth, the characters are enjoyable, the intimate scenes are just right. I'd rank this as a palette cleanser book - sweet and satisfying.
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Review of advance copy received from Author
TW: sexual content, outing
I fear this review is going to come off harsher than it is, because I did enjoy reading this book but there was too much left unsaid for me to give it any more than 3 stars, and that seems to be pushing it. The writing was fine but not consistent, this ARC definitely needed a final check for continuity and sentence structure errors. Overall it came off as a bit too messy for a final draft. There were times I laughed out loud, perhaps more often than I should have, and at times the sentence structure felt too loose to take anything very seriously — even the serious bits.
I liked the characters but the depth of their connection was lacking because there isn’t enough information. There is hardly any inner character work (there’s some inner turmoil but it comes off more as noise rather than insight), there isn’t any detail about their past connections (other than vague mentions of Pittsburgh). There is minimal information about their personal histories and Nic has definitely been to therapy, but that wasn’t enough to support the story emotionally. For the entirety of this book readers just have to accept everything at face value which doesn’t really work for romance.
Too much telling and not showing lead to a disappointing romance that was mostly spice and little substance. I would go so far as to say that there was more hockey than character building, which is fine but its not really what I wanted. The characters obviously have chemistry so I know that some people will enjoy this book at face value and have no issues with it I just don’t think it checked enough boxes for me despite the fact that I did enjoy reading it.
He’d spent two weeks learning the shape of Nic Arsenault so deeply that the knowledge lives in his hands now. And what the fuck did that mean?
I fear this review is going to come off harsher than it is, because I did enjoy reading this book but there was too much left unsaid for me to give it any more than 3 stars, and that seems to be pushing it. The writing was fine but not consistent, this ARC definitely needed a final check for continuity and sentence structure errors. Overall it came off as a bit too messy for a final draft. There were times I laughed out loud, perhaps more often than I should have, and at times the sentence structure felt too loose to take anything very seriously — even the serious bits.
Nic had wondered at the time if this was the Olympics or some kind of sports orgy. He still wasn’t totally sure.
I liked the characters but the depth of their connection was lacking because there isn’t enough information. There is hardly any inner character work (there’s some inner turmoil but it comes off more as noise rather than insight), there isn’t any detail about their past connections (other than vague mentions of Pittsburgh). There is minimal information about their personal histories and Nic has definitely been to therapy, but that wasn’t enough to support the story emotionally. For the entirety of this book readers just have to accept everything at face value which doesn’t really work for romance.
Being invisible was starting to feel less like he was protecting himself and more like he was hurting them both.
Too much telling and not showing lead to a disappointing romance that was mostly spice and little substance. I would go so far as to say that there was more hockey than character building, which is fine but its not really what I wanted. The characters obviously have chemistry so I know that some people will enjoy this book at face value and have no issues with it I just don’t think it checked enough boxes for me despite the fact that I did enjoy reading it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Medaling by Hailey Reaves
A review by Miss Majesty Divine
Short synopsis:
Nic and Liam are both professional hockey players with similar backgrounds, but Nic managed to escape his small-town life in the United States and build a career in Canada, eventually landing on a Canadian team, something Liam seems to resent on a level he may not even fully understand. At the start of the story, both men are playing for Team USA in the Winter Olympics and are forced to share a room for the month they are in the Olympic Village.
Their shared history resurfaces when it becomes clear that Liam once hospitalized Nic and nearly ended his career during a move that was legal in the game, but ethically questionable. Both men carry a deep resentment toward each other. As time passes and circumstance forces them into close quarters, that tension begins to shift. They slowly realize what they have always felt may have been far more complicated than simple professional jealousy.
Review:
This is a wonderfully written romance set against the backdrop of the Olympic Village and the Alpine mountains. The descriptions of the opening ceremonies, the mounting tension of sudden-death hockey, and the emotional atmosphere of international competition make the story feel vivid and cinematic.
Nic and Liam are richly defined characters, and Hailey Reaves gives both men real depth on the page. Their strengths and flaws are fully visible, which makes their emotional journey feel honest. In a sport culture that is often steeped in sexism and homophobia, these two characters are pushed to the edge of what feels emotionally possible as they learn how difficult it is to be vulnerable with someone they have been conditioned not to trust.
That growing trust is beautifully contrasted against a society examining them under a microscope, waiting for any detail to exploit for the next media cycle. At its heart, this is a classic romance that celebrates the intricacies of queer joy, the right to privacy for public figures, and the slow evolution of both social attitudes and sports culture.
Highly recommended.
A review by Miss Majesty Divine
Short synopsis:
Nic and Liam are both professional hockey players with similar backgrounds, but Nic managed to escape his small-town life in the United States and build a career in Canada, eventually landing on a Canadian team, something Liam seems to resent on a level he may not even fully understand. At the start of the story, both men are playing for Team USA in the Winter Olympics and are forced to share a room for the month they are in the Olympic Village.
Their shared history resurfaces when it becomes clear that Liam once hospitalized Nic and nearly ended his career during a move that was legal in the game, but ethically questionable. Both men carry a deep resentment toward each other. As time passes and circumstance forces them into close quarters, that tension begins to shift. They slowly realize what they have always felt may have been far more complicated than simple professional jealousy.
Review:
This is a wonderfully written romance set against the backdrop of the Olympic Village and the Alpine mountains. The descriptions of the opening ceremonies, the mounting tension of sudden-death hockey, and the emotional atmosphere of international competition make the story feel vivid and cinematic.
Nic and Liam are richly defined characters, and Hailey Reaves gives both men real depth on the page. Their strengths and flaws are fully visible, which makes their emotional journey feel honest. In a sport culture that is often steeped in sexism and homophobia, these two characters are pushed to the edge of what feels emotionally possible as they learn how difficult it is to be vulnerable with someone they have been conditioned not to trust.
That growing trust is beautifully contrasted against a society examining them under a microscope, waiting for any detail to exploit for the next media cycle. At its heart, this is a classic romance that celebrates the intricacies of queer joy, the right to privacy for public figures, and the slow evolution of both social attitudes and sports culture.
Highly recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2026
*I received an ARC of Medaling from the author in exchange for an honest review*
I’ve had Heated Rivalry pop up on my suggested shows to watch, and seen Racheal Reid’s Game Changers series on my local book store’s shelves, they’ve peaked my interest but I haven’t as yet partaken in consuming either. I wouldn’t say I’m an avid hockey fan, but I have throughly enjoyed every game I’ve ever watched, never mind that the majority of those games have included the women’s ice hockey team my cousin plays for. The point is I do find ice hockey to be an entertaining high action sport. So when the call out for reviews on this Medaling ARC came to my inbox stating “a steamy MM rivals-to-lovers hockey romance for fans of Heated Rivalry”, even though It’s been quite a few years since I’ve read and reviewed an ARC, I have read other books by this author (under a different pen name) over the years and loved them, so how could I not give Medaling a go.
This story was everything I expected and more. It has gay rep, bisexual rep, and autistic rep. There’s Olympic gold to be won, homophobia in the NHL (and professional sports in general) to face, and love to find in a beautiful place. There’s examples of reporters outting athletes without their permission and the shit show that social media can be. And yes, there’s some time spent on the ice as well as in the sheets.
The sex is steamy. The romance is heart warming. With the POV switching back and forth between the two Team USA main characters, one gruff guarded and in the closet, the other a bilingual bisexual social butterfly.
The animosity between them melting away into something much hotter when they are forced to room together in the Italian Olympic village.
To some up I found this to be a funny, charming, heart warming and exciting M/M romance. And I can assure you that you don’t have to give a damn about hockey to enjoy reading it.
I’ve had Heated Rivalry pop up on my suggested shows to watch, and seen Racheal Reid’s Game Changers series on my local book store’s shelves, they’ve peaked my interest but I haven’t as yet partaken in consuming either. I wouldn’t say I’m an avid hockey fan, but I have throughly enjoyed every game I’ve ever watched, never mind that the majority of those games have included the women’s ice hockey team my cousin plays for. The point is I do find ice hockey to be an entertaining high action sport. So when the call out for reviews on this Medaling ARC came to my inbox stating “a steamy MM rivals-to-lovers hockey romance for fans of Heated Rivalry”, even though It’s been quite a few years since I’ve read and reviewed an ARC, I have read other books by this author (under a different pen name) over the years and loved them, so how could I not give Medaling a go.
This story was everything I expected and more. It has gay rep, bisexual rep, and autistic rep. There’s Olympic gold to be won, homophobia in the NHL (and professional sports in general) to face, and love to find in a beautiful place. There’s examples of reporters outting athletes without their permission and the shit show that social media can be. And yes, there’s some time spent on the ice as well as in the sheets.
The sex is steamy. The romance is heart warming. With the POV switching back and forth between the two Team USA main characters, one gruff guarded and in the closet, the other a bilingual bisexual social butterfly.
The animosity between them melting away into something much hotter when they are forced to room together in the Italian Olympic village.
To some up I found this to be a funny, charming, heart warming and exciting M/M romance. And I can assure you that you don’t have to give a damn about hockey to enjoy reading it.
April 8, 2026
We have:
- Liam who is the broody, not smiling, a scar on his eyebrows NHL players.
- Nic another NHL player who is friendly and approachable with anyone
They’ve been both selected to be part of the USA Olympic team and have to room together for 3 weeks
But they have history: 6 years ago, Liam slammed hard enough into Nic and got the later’s shoulder injured.
What else we learn:
- Nic is not hiding the fact he is bi but he is not really out either
- Liam is closeted and has no plan on coming out anytime soon
- Liam barely communicates but in the ice, they have insane chemistry
- Their tension becomes quickly enough a sexual tension and they end up going for it
- They start to have feelings and starts to protect each other in & out the ice
- They are both kind of scarfed by a past relationship
- Liam is actually autistic
- When a journalist decides to write something about how the NHL is not actually supporting enough queers players, Nic wants to come out but knows people will then watch his every movements & that will exposed Liam.
Anyway they decide to stay together in secret, and the ending is a kind of open ending.
Liam is at Nic’s place in Montreal. Nic asks him if one day he could imagine himself living in Montreal; Liam says in the future yes. So they are both happy together, they both said they want this forever. But as a reader, that’s where it stops. Them happy together in secret.
- Liam who is the broody, not smiling, a scar on his eyebrows NHL players.
- Nic another NHL player who is friendly and approachable with anyone
They’ve been both selected to be part of the USA Olympic team and have to room together for 3 weeks
But they have history: 6 years ago, Liam slammed hard enough into Nic and got the later’s shoulder injured.
What else we learn:
- Nic is not hiding the fact he is bi but he is not really out either
- Liam is closeted and has no plan on coming out anytime soon
- Liam barely communicates but in the ice, they have insane chemistry
- Their tension becomes quickly enough a sexual tension and they end up going for it
- They start to have feelings and starts to protect each other in & out the ice
- They are both kind of scarfed by a past relationship
- Liam is actually autistic
- When a journalist decides to write something about how the NHL is not actually supporting enough queers players, Nic wants to come out but knows people will then watch his every movements & that will exposed Liam.
Anyway they decide to stay together in secret, and the ending is a kind of open ending.
Liam is at Nic’s place in Montreal. Nic asks him if one day he could imagine himself living in Montreal; Liam says in the future yes. So they are both happy together, they both said they want this forever. But as a reader, that’s where it stops. Them happy together in secret.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this as an advance reader copy and am providing a voluntary, honest review.
I am a huge fan of this author’s other work, so of course I sprang at the chance to read an ARC!
Things I loved: the two main characters are lovable, have some backstory, and healthy communication is a strong feature (on-brand for this author). I liked the tension of the journalist and the outcome of her role, which could have reasonably gone another way.
The love story was sweet and super readable, and I really rooted for them! I also appreciated the neurodiverse representation.
Things I would change: recognizing this is a romance, I missed the deeper plot and more developed characters of the author’s other works. There are hints of prior relationships, and an opportunity for more conflict with Nic’s prior romance. There is also one scene where they lose their shirts in the living room, but then remove them again in the bedroom. Lastly, I think more time with the other players would be great context, maybe even increase the stakes of coming out in the league. I will say, I liked the side characters we met, so would hate if one or a few of them were homophobic.
All in all, incredibly fast, easy read with likable characters. There’s forced proximity and open-door romance (and lots of it), so I would recommend if you’re a fan of Heated Rivalry.
I am a huge fan of this author’s other work, so of course I sprang at the chance to read an ARC!
Things I loved: the two main characters are lovable, have some backstory, and healthy communication is a strong feature (on-brand for this author). I liked the tension of the journalist and the outcome of her role, which could have reasonably gone another way.
The love story was sweet and super readable, and I really rooted for them! I also appreciated the neurodiverse representation.
Things I would change: recognizing this is a romance, I missed the deeper plot and more developed characters of the author’s other works. There are hints of prior relationships, and an opportunity for more conflict with Nic’s prior romance. There is also one scene where they lose their shirts in the living room, but then remove them again in the bedroom. Lastly, I think more time with the other players would be great context, maybe even increase the stakes of coming out in the league. I will say, I liked the side characters we met, so would hate if one or a few of them were homophobic.
All in all, incredibly fast, easy read with likable characters. There’s forced proximity and open-door romance (and lots of it), so I would recommend if you’re a fan of Heated Rivalry.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Having received this straight from the author in a newsletter, I plunged in even though my reading game is a bit off right now. It's a totally new book type from this author so I was keen to see what it'd read like.
I'll be honest - I've not read Heated Rivalry, but watched the show. I am also a sucker for a decent hockey romance. Overall, I enjoyed this book. It ticked boxes.
That being said - I think some may feel it's too similar to Heated Rivalry in a few ways, and that's just me seeing parallels from the show (I mean, the author did plug it to those who enjoyed HR, so...goals?)
And with it being an ARC, I think a few more edits are needed to clean up sentences here and there before it's released (I got totally today at one point trying to work something out).
But for something short, light, and a bit fun... this was good. If you want depth and history and growth in your characters - you'll maybe be a bit disappointed. But I wasn't because (as mentioned) I'm not reading things easily right now, and this was easy to pick up and work through.
Thanks to the author for sending this out! Not bad at all :)
I'll be honest - I've not read Heated Rivalry, but watched the show. I am also a sucker for a decent hockey romance. Overall, I enjoyed this book. It ticked boxes.
That being said - I think some may feel it's too similar to Heated Rivalry in a few ways, and that's just me seeing parallels from the show (I mean, the author did plug it to those who enjoyed HR, so...goals?)
And with it being an ARC, I think a few more edits are needed to clean up sentences here and there before it's released (I got totally today at one point trying to work something out).
But for something short, light, and a bit fun... this was good. If you want depth and history and growth in your characters - you'll maybe be a bit disappointed. But I wasn't because (as mentioned) I'm not reading things easily right now, and this was easy to pick up and work through.
Thanks to the author for sending this out! Not bad at all :)
May 7, 2026
I needed an olympics boon for my reading challenge so I thought this might be a good fun read. I wasn’t right but I also wasn’t wrong
Nic is the stand out character from this book. He is probably the more flushed out of our two MMCs. I like he’s funny and smart and enjoyable to follow around.
Liam on the other hand is very annoying to me personally. His traits that I strongly disliked through the beginning (i.e. his abrasiveness, rudeness, and general inability to know anything about himself) is attempted to be explained at like the 80% mark with an storyline. Don’t get me wrong, I love seeing characters with , but I don’t think he reads that way.
I also had to knock stars because the beginning feels unfinished. The POV bounces back and forth a few times within a matter of pages. The first 6 chapters were not numbered in my book. There were sentences that just ended without finishing their thought. I think the author was excited to get to the part where they’re “together” so rushed the earlier parts.
I think this was an easy read, but certainly not the most entertaining.
Nic is the stand out character from this book. He is probably the more flushed out of our two MMCs. I like he’s funny and smart and enjoyable to follow around.
Liam on the other hand is very annoying to me personally. His traits that I strongly disliked through the beginning (i.e. his abrasiveness, rudeness, and general inability to know anything about himself) is attempted to be explained at like the 80% mark with an storyline. Don’t get me wrong, I love seeing characters with , but I don’t think he reads that way.
I also had to knock stars because the beginning feels unfinished. The POV bounces back and forth a few times within a matter of pages. The first 6 chapters were not numbered in my book. There were sentences that just ended without finishing their thought. I think the author was excited to get to the part where they’re “together” so rushed the earlier parts.
I think this was an easy read, but certainly not the most entertaining.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2026
Medaling by Hailey Reaves is pure rivals-to-lovers sports romance goodness with all the tension, angst, and chemistry you could want
Set at the Winter Olympics, the story follows Declan and Cole - fierce competitors with a history who are used to being on opposite sides… until they’re suddenly forced to share a team and a room. And honestly? That forced proximity mixed with their rivalry is where all the magic (and chaos) happens
The vibe is very high-stakes, emotional, and tension-filled, with both characters carrying ambition, pressure, and a whole lot of unresolved feelings. Their dynamic is messy in the best way - sharp banter, simmering attraction, and that constant push-and-pull of “I shouldn’t want you… but I do.” Their on ice chemistry is off the charts!
This one definitely leans into the angst + spice combo, so if you love MM romance, sports romance, forced proximity, and rivals-to-lovers tension, it’s seriously addictive. It’s competitive, emotional, and so easy to binge - I was hooked from the first icy stare to the final page
Set at the Winter Olympics, the story follows Declan and Cole - fierce competitors with a history who are used to being on opposite sides… until they’re suddenly forced to share a team and a room. And honestly? That forced proximity mixed with their rivalry is where all the magic (and chaos) happens
The vibe is very high-stakes, emotional, and tension-filled, with both characters carrying ambition, pressure, and a whole lot of unresolved feelings. Their dynamic is messy in the best way - sharp banter, simmering attraction, and that constant push-and-pull of “I shouldn’t want you… but I do.” Their on ice chemistry is off the charts!
This one definitely leans into the angst + spice combo, so if you love MM romance, sports romance, forced proximity, and rivals-to-lovers tension, it’s seriously addictive. It’s competitive, emotional, and so easy to binge - I was hooked from the first icy stare to the final page
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC through the author’s newsletter.
Olympic✅ Hockey✅ Two characters you instantly adore✅
After reading the synopsis, I downloaded the ARC so fast and was not disappointed. The tropes are there and the “similarities” with Heated Rivalry are there too, but it’s not pretending to be anything else.
Having the story within a timeline, the Olympics, helped the story to move along without feeling rushed. It just heightened the stakes. The sexy scenes were spicy without being the main focus of the story.
I was laughing, I was crying, I was nervous, and at the end I just wanted to hug the characters.
My only critique would be that the journalist was too nice and empathetic. She started as a shark in pursuit of a story and turned into a goldfish. It’s a nice change from the stereotypical journalist, but she could have maintained her hard edge without compromising.
Olympic✅ Hockey✅ Two characters you instantly adore✅
After reading the synopsis, I downloaded the ARC so fast and was not disappointed. The tropes are there and the “similarities” with Heated Rivalry are there too, but it’s not pretending to be anything else.
Having the story within a timeline, the Olympics, helped the story to move along without feeling rushed. It just heightened the stakes. The sexy scenes were spicy without being the main focus of the story.
I was laughing, I was crying, I was nervous, and at the end I just wanted to hug the characters.
My only critique would be that the journalist was too nice and empathetic. She started as a shark in pursuit of a story and turned into a goldfish. It’s a nice change from the stereotypical journalist, but she could have maintained her hard edge without compromising.
April 8, 2026
I’m a long time hockey girl and having just finished the Winter Olympics, this was a fun romp. This hits all the notes it promised, enemies to lovers, hockey and a bunch of spice. I definitely would have loved more character building, it felt like some of the history and stories could have been expanded and created more attachment to the characters. But even without that, I was vested in the main characters and absolutely adored some of the supporting folks.
There were definitely a handful of editing blips and continuity things. A year ago, they’d have made me flinch. But today, I take those as less editing foibles and more this is a human and move along.
So, if you want some hockey, some spice and a binge worthy read, this is solid. I look forward to visiting this series again as it expands!
There were definitely a handful of editing blips and continuity things. A year ago, they’d have made me flinch. But today, I take those as less editing foibles and more this is a human and move along.
So, if you want some hockey, some spice and a binge worthy read, this is solid. I look forward to visiting this series again as it expands!
April 14, 2026
Review of ARC received from the author.
Wow. Just wow. This was so lovely and so well written and nice and spicy as well. It's the Olympics and Nic, Team USA's most intimidating enforcer is there for gold. He's so deep in the closet, he's a resident of Narnia.
Enter Cole, out, Canadian and the opposite of Nic in a lot of ways. Who is Nic's roommate and rival.
I've never seen Heated Rivalry or read the books, so I don't know if there are similarities, but if there are as many as others say? I may need to at least read the books.
I liked that there wasn't a lot of trauma in the guys' backstory. That they had to get over themselves, and the prior injury between them rather than awful childhoods/current lives.
Lovely spicy scenes that are just spicy enough.
Excellent writing and just enough left at the end to hope for more of these two.
Lovely story.
Wow. Just wow. This was so lovely and so well written and nice and spicy as well. It's the Olympics and Nic, Team USA's most intimidating enforcer is there for gold. He's so deep in the closet, he's a resident of Narnia.
Enter Cole, out, Canadian and the opposite of Nic in a lot of ways. Who is Nic's roommate and rival.
I've never seen Heated Rivalry or read the books, so I don't know if there are similarities, but if there are as many as others say? I may need to at least read the books.
I liked that there wasn't a lot of trauma in the guys' backstory. That they had to get over themselves, and the prior injury between them rather than awful childhoods/current lives.
Lovely spicy scenes that are just spicy enough.
Excellent writing and just enough left at the end to hope for more of these two.
Lovely story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Medaling was a fun MM hockey romance that ticked all the boxes. Theres plenty of tension to start with. I was worried it would be insta love but the author managed to build enough tension that the forced proximity and resulting chaos was believable. Theres plenty of spice but it only helps drives the storyline. You really rally around the characters not only for their relationships but also on the outcomes of their Olympic games.
I would have liked to see a little more heartache (masochist at heart right here) but sometimes its just as good for things to go right. Thank you to Hailey Reeves (😉) for letting me be part of the arc team. Highly recommend if you're after something thats not too long but leaves you feeling good.
I would have liked to see a little more heartache (masochist at heart right here) but sometimes its just as good for things to go right. Thank you to Hailey Reeves (😉) for letting me be part of the arc team. Highly recommend if you're after something thats not too long but leaves you feeling good.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was one where I was opening my Kindle app whenever I had a chance to read, and finished it fairly quickly. I haven't read any other MM hockey books (but yes I've seen Heated Rivalry 😂.) I was pumped that an author I know, who is good with character building, wrote one for me to ARC.
Nic is the friendly, approachable blonde who chose to move to Canada when he was 16. He's charismatic and has been in therapy due to a toxic relationship with a guy who wouldn't be public.
Liam is the wall of muscle with little to say but brooding with intensity; he just happened to break Nic's shoulder in a game some years back.
Now, they are roommates at the Olympics where they will both play for Team USA.
I will always love a story where feelings of anger and disdain turn into passion and pining. This one had this and then some.
Hailey Reaves does a phenomenal job layering character development into conversations and back story. I absolutely loved how this story unfolded and cannot wait for more in this series "The League of Extraordinarily Gay Gentlemen."
10/10 no notes. So many delicious moments, twists and one-liners. Go read it!
Nic is the friendly, approachable blonde who chose to move to Canada when he was 16. He's charismatic and has been in therapy due to a toxic relationship with a guy who wouldn't be public.
Liam is the wall of muscle with little to say but brooding with intensity; he just happened to break Nic's shoulder in a game some years back.
Now, they are roommates at the Olympics where they will both play for Team USA.
I will always love a story where feelings of anger and disdain turn into passion and pining. This one had this and then some.
Hailey Reaves does a phenomenal job layering character development into conversations and back story. I absolutely loved how this story unfolded and cannot wait for more in this series "The League of Extraordinarily Gay Gentlemen."
10/10 no notes. So many delicious moments, twists and one-liners. Go read it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This story was exactly what I needed. I have yet to read or watch Heated Rivalry, but I’m a sucker for a good MM Romance. When I got an email from one of my favorite authors saying she was looking for arc readers, it felt like a fairy tale situation. Two of my favorite things, together at last!
I’ve never been much a sports romance reader and I don’t know a ton about hockey but the sport aspect seemed really well written. The romance was exceptionally well written. SWOON! And the representation? All of it - chef’s kiss.
I highly recommend this book for those MM lovers who enjoy two especially masculine leads. (Think alpha alpha)
I’ve never been much a sports romance reader and I don’t know a ton about hockey but the sport aspect seemed really well written. The romance was exceptionally well written. SWOON! And the representation? All of it - chef’s kiss.
I highly recommend this book for those MM lovers who enjoy two especially masculine leads. (Think alpha alpha)
April 13, 2026
This book is ok, however it seems like a knock off version of Heated Rivalry, but not done as well!
There are several aspects that mirror Heated Rivalry, the shower scene, the public kiss, the autistic character, the bilingual to name a few.
There's also some parts that should have been proof read; at one point they make it 4 feet inside the door before their shirts are off but then, on the same page, they're taking them off in the bedroom!!! Its the same when removing jeans.
The characters are a bit flat, neither likeable or dislikeable, and what I though was going to be an interesting twist with the investigative journalist went nowhere.
There are several aspects that mirror Heated Rivalry, the shower scene, the public kiss, the autistic character, the bilingual to name a few.
There's also some parts that should have been proof read; at one point they make it 4 feet inside the door before their shirts are off but then, on the same page, they're taking them off in the bedroom!!! Its the same when removing jeans.
The characters are a bit flat, neither likeable or dislikeable, and what I though was going to be an interesting twist with the investigative journalist went nowhere.
April 14, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ I enjoyed this, I love the cover & when we discover where the name of the book comes from it was such a cool “aha” moment. The characters are likeable & I was committed to the story…. But, I did struggle a little with the writing style. This was told in duel pov & third-person omniscient & sometimes I really enjoy that but in this case I felt detached from the story. I also would have liked to get to know the characters a little more, especially Liam. I enjoyed this enough that I will pick up the next book in the series when it’s released.
April 26, 2026
Unfortunately I just found this hard to believe. I didn’t buy into any aspect of it - not the rivalry, not falling for each other, not any of it. The plot with the journalist felt like it was slipped in to add some kind of conflict, except it entirely failed at doing so. It felt like there was no real build up to anything that happened, no tension, no anticipation. And it was such an ambiguous, open ending - they never even say they love each other? - that it all just fell completely flat for me.
April 12, 2026
very enjoyable
I’ve read books under this authors other pen name and enjoyed them so I was optimistic going into this one, and the book more than lived up to my expectations. It was spicy and sweet and had a good plot with rounded side characters. The enemies to lovers romance development felt authentic and the characters’ own development hit true as well. Overall I really enjoyed this one and will definitely pick up the next book in the series.
I’ve read books under this authors other pen name and enjoyed them so I was optimistic going into this one, and the book more than lived up to my expectations. It was spicy and sweet and had a good plot with rounded side characters. The enemies to lovers romance development felt authentic and the characters’ own development hit true as well. Overall I really enjoyed this one and will definitely pick up the next book in the series.
April 14, 2026
Give me a hockey romance with enemies to lovers and forced proximity and I’m all yours. 🙇🏻♀️
The story is pretty predictable, but it has all the perfect tropes, so I still loved it. BUT writing a book in third person is an absolute CRIME. I’m sorry, but you just can’t capture emotions the same way, it really lacks depth. This easily would’ve been a 5-star read for me if it weren’t for the writing style.
The story is pretty predictable, but it has all the perfect tropes, so I still loved it. BUT writing a book in third person is an absolute CRIME. I’m sorry, but you just can’t capture emotions the same way, it really lacks depth. This easily would’ve been a 5-star read for me if it weren’t for the writing style.
April 26, 2026
I hate Nic. He thinks a lot of himself but is a dick. How dare someone not have the same reaction to things as he does! I have to DNF because I don’t want to see Liam end up with this jerk.
The POVs are weird - a lot of tennis head-swivel with occasional omniscient POV insertion. A lot of contradictions in the text and in character behavior - Liam hurt Nic on purpose or not? Nic’s shoulder was broken or dislocated? Was this book edited at all?
The POVs are weird - a lot of tennis head-swivel with occasional omniscient POV insertion. A lot of contradictions in the text and in character behavior - Liam hurt Nic on purpose or not? Nic’s shoulder was broken or dislocated? Was this book edited at all?
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