Date With Skates

by Penny Fox

Games are short. Temptation isn’t.

Connor
The Olympics were supposed to be simple—play hard, win gold, go home.
No distractions. No complications.
Then Étienne finds me.
He’s loud where I’m controlled. Chaos where I’m calm. And from the second he looks at me like he’s already decided I’m his next mistake… I know I’m in trouble.
It starts easy. Fun. No strings.
But somewhere between late-night texts and stolen hours, he stops feeling temporary.
And I don’t do temporary that sticks.

Étienne
I came to the Olympics for Nico—and because, hello! They’re the Olympics.
I didn’t expect to find my own entertainment.
Connor McVoy is sharp, steady, and gets under my skin way too easily. He plays along with my games, keeps up with every tease, and never lets me have the last word.
It’s perfect.
Because it doesn’t have to mean anything.
We don’t talk about what happens after the closing ceremony.
We don’t need to.
Because this was always supposed to be just a distraction.


This book is an MM hockey romance. It can be read as a standalone.

Genres: M M Romance, Sports

Unknown Binding

Reviews

[Bethany Hall]

Thank you gay romance reviews for the digital copy to review. I think insta love is just not for me. I could not get behind this one. It was set over 2 weeks, at the Olympics, where a figure skater and his PA hook up with hockey players. I couldn’t tell if people cared that they were gay or not? It felt like it was a big deal one minute and then not the next. I didn’t really get the chance to feel connected to the characters before they were in the love stage. :(

[Jessica Swan]

Thank you to the author for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.

This was cute and addictive. My main problem was that it felt too short for what the story was. I guess I just wanted more. But this was still wholesome and a fun time overall.

[sycokittykat - Stefanie]

It's just casual....until it's not.

Étenne came to the Olympics for his cousin. He also hope to figure out what he wanted in life and to find a player or ten to get horizontal.

Connor is on the US Hockey team. He's loving the experience but he is struggling with what his future will be. He needs a change.

I love how these two kept bumping into each other. Plus the little connection to Connor's mothers favorite skater. They felt inevitable.

Étienne is bold and a bit chaotic. I loved his energy. The flirting and banter is perfect. The connection was immediate and intense. Just a fling quickly developed into so much more than either of them expected.

I love the guys who are like I only do casual and then wake up one day in live and have no idea how it happened.

This is a quick and easy read. Its sweet and steamy with enough heart and story to feel complete even if it's fast.

[Bere Peltier]

A personal assistant and a hockey hunk meet at the Olympics… both are gorgeous, and the attraction is mutual. What could possibly go wrong? 😂

A fast burn that reads just as quickly, with spice that isn’t too explicit but is still really good! I absolutely loved the unusual pet 🦎

This is the perfect recommendation when you’re in the mood for a quick, fun read without too much depth. Definitely an enjoyable palate cleanser!

ARC copy provided by Gay Romance Reviews in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Jordan Fiest]

Date With Skates is part of the Icebound Series.

Etienne and Connor meet at the Olympics and the sparks fly immediately. They have an intense amount of chemistry but think this can't go beyond their short time together. I loved seeing these two together as they had a great friendship and I loved their banter with each other.

[CatOnABlueBackground]

This is a romance between hockey player, Conner, and Etienne (figure skater Nico's cousin/assistant). This ties in with Fate on Skates (Nico & Roman's romance) that happens at the same time.

Conner & Etienne meet and have a VERY good time during the Olympics. They take that good time home with them and get their HEA.

Short and cute with plenty of spice.

[Mer Blue]

First and foremost i would like to let you all know that i was able to read the ARC for this book and my review is based on my experience with it.

This is the first title i read by this author. I really apreciate the opportunity to read the ARC for this book because i feel like i just found an authot that i am adding on my "following" list.
Even though there are so many MM hockey romances around, i have to say that i really loved this one, and i think i really like it for the Olympics setting. It made the story different and more exciting, and reading it really made me feel like i was inside it. I also really loved both characters, Connor and Etiénne, they were absolutely adorable and made me not being able to stop reading the story. Also, i can say with 100% certainty that i will be reading the other book with Nico and Roman story, because i absolutely need to know what happened with them.

Overall the writting was really captivating to me, nothing too complex, just simple and engaging, and the world and characters were so well built. I 100000000% recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a Hockey romance after a Heated Rivalry high.

[Sassy]

A Fun, Spicy, and Irresistible Romance! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was my very first time reading anything by Penny Fox and it definitely won't be my last!

Date With Skates was such a cute, fun, and spicy read.

I absolutely loved the setup between Étienne and Connor They both start out just looking for a little fun with strictly no strings attached, completely agreeing that they aren't looking for a commitment. But as the story goes on and they spend more time together, you get to watch those walls break down as they both realize deeper feelings are growing.

The chemistry between them is completely undeniable! The book is packed with banter, flirty tension, and plenty of spice.

If you love a seamless transition from a casual hookup to a deep connection, you need to pick this one up. I can't wait to read more from this author!

I received an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews in exchange for an honest review.

[Ann]

This is a book about Conner, a hockey player at the winter Olympics, and Etienne, the cousin of a figure skater that is competing at the Olympics. Conner and Etienne meet on the first day of they are both there and it is lust at first sight. Both Conner and Etienne are one night stand kind of guys, so it is a surprise that they keep sleeping together during the Olympics. They both develop feelings for each other but don’t tell each other before they part at the end of the Olympics. Also, during this whole time Etienne’s cousin is falling in love with Conner’s hockey player roommate (read the book Fate on Skates for their story). It only takes a little time apart before Etienne is scheming to see Conner again and once they reunite, they admit their feelings for each other and have a HEA.
Story 3.5, Spice 4
I received a free copy of this book via GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington]

⛸️🏒 Connor and Etienne . . .

Connor McVoy is thrilled to be playing in the Olympics for Team USA! They have staff and an equipment team taking care of everything they need. It was kind of difficult to get used to at first, but he likes being spoiled. He's thoroughly enjoying his Olympic experience but he is also trying to deal with his future and where it will take him.

Étienne has also come to the Olympics with his cousin Nico. Etienne is an explosion of energy, loud and boisterous. Connor is much more controlled. Yet both are interested in finding someone to keep busy with, just for fun and testing out the future. They are only here for 2 weeks, so it's just fun time with no worries. They couldn't possibly develop feelings for each other, right?

[StephF Ilysei_reads]

This book was so much fun. I was so hoping we would get to go back to the Olympics boys again and this was amazing. Étienne is so fun and I adored his confidence, even though deep down he just very much wants to be loved. Connor is a huge sweetie and their first interaction was hilarious. These two should make no sense but they fit together so perfectly and I was very upset when I got to the end and the story was over.

[Narelle]

If you've read Fate On Skates (Roman and Nico's book) you'll know all about Connor and Etienne from the outside POV. From the inside, Connor and Etienne know that the Olympics don't last for long so make that most of their time together. With opposites, lighthearted to more, stolen moments whenever they can, and plenty of sizzle and fun banter too. This series is a joy to read!.

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

[Nicole M]

This was a cute, fun, instalove romance between a hockey player and a personal assistant (not his) at the Olympics. I enjoyed the dynamics between Etienne and Connor, but I do think the book as a whole felt very surface level. I would definitely suggest reading Fate on Skates because it provides more of the entire picture of the time spent there since you get Nico and Rpman's story with snippets of these two.

[Amber]

This book is set in the same timeline as book one, just from Étienne and Connor's POV. We see them meet and begin their friends with benefits situationship. The more time they spend together, the stronger their feelings get. Both have never wanted a relationship before and feel a little lost in life. They become closer and lean on each other more. Their chemistry and banter was fun.

[Jennifer]

Another great MM sports read in this series! Can be read as a standalone. Again, loved the Winter Olympics aspect. Gives a fresh take on all the MM hockey stories out there. Loved Etienne and Connor together. Great banter and chemistry. A story on the shorter side so it’s a quick, fun read. Highly recommend.

[Kayla]

Thank your GRR for a copy of this book

After reading Fate on Skates I really wanted to read Conner and Étienne. Once I picked up their book I couldn't put it down. I love the banter between these two. Finally getting to see how their story played out from seeing little glimpse of it in the other book. Absolutely loved the whole thing.

[Debbie Benson]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked how Connor and Etienne meet and fall in love during the Olympics. I'm glad they found a way to be together in the end.

[Kenneth Cameron]

Excellent read with very relatable characters and sports storyline. Recommended. I really enjoyed the true to life MM romance story!.

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

[Alicia Meyer]

quick read

This was cute and pretty similar to the first book of the series. It moves pretty fast and has a lot of steam.