What do you think?
Rate this book
Cross Checking the Atlantic
Dan Alston plays his first game of hockey at the age of four. He kisses his first boy at the age of fourteen. Both are intense moments, and both lead Dan to fundamental realizations about who he is. The first: this is what he wants to do with his life. The second: if he wants to play hockey, he needs to make a choice when it comes to who he wants to be.
Dan’s whole world becomes hockey. He’s a professional player living his dream, playing the sport he loves for a living, and he’s made his choice. He’s in the closet. It’s a compromise, but it’s one he’s come to terms with.
When his carefully planned life is derailed by a career-ending injury, Dan doesn’t know how to adjust to a world without the game he loves. Faced with trying to fit back into a life built entirely around hockey, he decides to uproot everything and move to England, where few people know the game and fewer still are likely to ever recognize him as a player. Dan lands in Brighton at the beginning of his quest for a new start—and for the chance to explore his sexuality, taking a cautious step out of the closet in a place where nobody knows his name.
Please Note: This book contains Adult Language & Steamy Adult Activities, it is intended for 18+ Adults Only. Short Story, approx. 10,000 words in length. HEA (happy ever after ending). Does not end with a "cliffhanger".
Dan’s whole world becomes hockey. He’s a professional player living his dream, playing the sport he loves for a living, and he’s made his choice. He’s in the closet. It’s a compromise, but it’s one he’s come to terms with.
When his carefully planned life is derailed by a career-ending injury, Dan doesn’t know how to adjust to a world without the game he loves. Faced with trying to fit back into a life built entirely around hockey, he decides to uproot everything and move to England, where few people know the game and fewer still are likely to ever recognize him as a player. Dan lands in Brighton at the beginning of his quest for a new start—and for the chance to explore his sexuality, taking a cautious step out of the closet in a place where nobody knows his name.
Please Note: This book contains Adult Language & Steamy Adult Activities, it is intended for 18+ Adults Only. Short Story, approx. 10,000 words in length. HEA (happy ever after ending). Does not end with a "cliffhanger".
39 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 16, 2016
22 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Jerry Cole
182 books293 followersJerry Cole is a gay author who lives in California & enjoys writing love stories. Jerry has been writing fiction since he was a child. As a young adult, he worked as a freelance writer in the evenings & on weekends. Jerry started writing gay romance stories several years ago, but initially just for his own entertainment & occasionally sharing stories with his friends. In the summer of 2015 he published his first gay romance short story on Amazon. Overwhelmed by the positive response he decided to quit his “day job” & took up writing gay romance full time. When he’s not writing steamy M/M romance he enjoys globetrotting, watching movies with family and friends, working out, & being dragged down the road by his two Great Danes.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 5, 2016
*** This is a short story of injured Hockey player, 6'3", 30, Dan,
who is headed across the ocean to live life out in the open, in Brighton. He's had to hide his gayness in the Hockey league.
Checking out his new area he finds a bartender/web designer, Simon,
26, who is slim, dark skinned and wonderful. We get interesting characters, a great flowing tale, that gives us what we need to know, plus these get have a bout of sexy times.
ENJOY !
===================
who is headed across the ocean to live life out in the open, in Brighton. He's had to hide his gayness in the Hockey league.
Checking out his new area he finds a bartender/web designer, Simon,
26, who is slim, dark skinned and wonderful. We get interesting characters, a great flowing tale, that gives us what we need to know, plus these get have a bout of sexy times.
ENJOY !
===================
March 21, 2021
It was a good story of an injured hockey player, Dan, moving to England for a fresh start away from the memory of his injury and the fact that he can’t play anymore. There he meets Simon and the guys hit it off. It’s a nice story of how they met, but then it skips ahead to 6 months later and still together. It was totally cute, but I do wish I knew more about their future beyond that.
August 29, 2016
Short story
This story was just not for me. It really wasn't long enough for me to form feelings for the main characters to rate this story higher.
This story was just not for me. It really wasn't long enough for me to form feelings for the main characters to rate this story higher.
September 8, 2016
3.5 stars
November 24, 2016
This was probably the weakest Jerry Cole book and my least favorite to date. I know it was just a novella but there was no connection built with the characters and it seemed more like a hook up than a romance, so I didn't really get into this one as much as other JC novels. That being said, it was still a short and sweet read.
Dan is retired from hockey after a career-ending knee injury and he's tired of answering questions about his knee and wants to just get away. So, he decides to move to the U.K. for a few months to regroup. While there, he meets Simon, a bartender one night. They run into each other again (literally) and get together. And 6 months later they're still together. That was pretty much it. I would have liked to hear more about their story since they both seemed like lovable people.
Dan is retired from hockey after a career-ending knee injury and he's tired of answering questions about his knee and wants to just get away. So, he decides to move to the U.K. for a few months to regroup. While there, he meets Simon, a bartender one night. They run into each other again (literally) and get together. And 6 months later they're still together. That was pretty much it. I would have liked to hear more about their story since they both seemed like lovable people.
June 6, 2017
A very cute short story. Sweet and to the point. Great when you don't have a lot of time to read but still want to enjoy the story. Would like a more in depth version.
October 17, 2016
This story was too short to really get much out of it, however, I did like the story and both main characters (and potential chemistry) very much. Could have been a great longer story showing how challenging it can be to be (publicly) gay in professional sports as well what happens after the sports career comes to an end.
September 26, 2016
Starting over
Great story. Putting old life behind, building a new life not running from skating and not hiding his sexual preference. Life is good
Great story. Putting old life behind, building a new life not running from skating and not hiding his sexual preference. Life is good
December 1, 2016
Dan Alston, on the ice, playing the brutal game of professional hockey when in a split second, a forceful check hits him from another player and went down hard; one hit out of thousands he had taken in his career. This one, however, cost him his love, passion and career – playing hockey.
Every since his knee surgery and knowing he would never be able to go back on the ice again had been torture. People knew him wherever he went and along with family and friends he was tired of the pity and sympathy. He had to get away from everyone and put distance between him and that life – England was far away.
Once settled in his new apartment in England, Dan goes out to a gay bar and meets the bartender, Simon. Simon was someone who really interested him more than any other guy in the bar. But it wasn’t until later at a chance meeting at a coffee shop they introduced themselves and sat to chat. From there was a sweet romance that blossomed between them, a bonus being Simon didn’t care for hockey. It’s Simon who helps him through the ordeal of the serious injury, and to just be himself. What a really cute couple, comfortable and compatible and having fun.
I gave the story four stars for the sweetness and love, and how well it was written. Jerry did a great job! It lost its fifth star because it felt rushed at the end, not enough fully developed between the characters to have the Epilogue so quickly. It just felt like something was missing to complete the story. It didn’t stop me from liking it though. I received a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Every since his knee surgery and knowing he would never be able to go back on the ice again had been torture. People knew him wherever he went and along with family and friends he was tired of the pity and sympathy. He had to get away from everyone and put distance between him and that life – England was far away.
Once settled in his new apartment in England, Dan goes out to a gay bar and meets the bartender, Simon. Simon was someone who really interested him more than any other guy in the bar. But it wasn’t until later at a chance meeting at a coffee shop they introduced themselves and sat to chat. From there was a sweet romance that blossomed between them, a bonus being Simon didn’t care for hockey. It’s Simon who helps him through the ordeal of the serious injury, and to just be himself. What a really cute couple, comfortable and compatible and having fun.
I gave the story four stars for the sweetness and love, and how well it was written. Jerry did a great job! It lost its fifth star because it felt rushed at the end, not enough fully developed between the characters to have the Epilogue so quickly. It just felt like something was missing to complete the story. It didn’t stop me from liking it though. I received a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
July 22, 2017
The main complaint I have about this story is that it's too short. I want more, which is always a good thing, right? Yes and no. The fact that I want more of this story speaks to the story being interesting and my desire to get to know the characters better AND to the fact that it almost felt incomplete.
Dan gets lucky that his first time out in his new home, he runs across someone he can feel for. Simon. There are moments of connection, but it mostly feels like an extended crush. So I say, if you're looking for HEA, I don't think this is it. It seems like HFN, with potential.
I'm happy with the writing and the editing is fine. Overall, though this is not the author's best work, it is a quick, enjoyable read.
I received a free advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest & unbiased review.
Dan gets lucky that his first time out in his new home, he runs across someone he can feel for. Simon. There are moments of connection, but it mostly feels like an extended crush. So I say, if you're looking for HEA, I don't think this is it. It seems like HFN, with potential.
I'm happy with the writing and the editing is fine. Overall, though this is not the author's best work, it is a quick, enjoyable read.
I received a free advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest & unbiased review.
September 11, 2016
A short story (six chapters) involving a hockey player who had to give up the sport due to a knee injury. He decides to move from Florida to Brighton, England to start anew. He meets a bartender at the gay bar he visits but nothing comes of it until the two have a run in at a coffee shop.
The story had good flow and it was pretty well paced up to the epilogue. When i got to the epilogue it didn't feel as if time had passed at all. It kind of threw me off a bit because the two never actually had a first date. So when I started the chapter I thought I was reading the first date and not them celebrating their six month anniversary. Other than that a very nice meet cute story.
I received a free advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest & unbiased review
The story had good flow and it was pretty well paced up to the epilogue. When i got to the epilogue it didn't feel as if time had passed at all. It kind of threw me off a bit because the two never actually had a first date. So when I started the chapter I thought I was reading the first date and not them celebrating their six month anniversary. Other than that a very nice meet cute story.
I received a free advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest & unbiased review
September 4, 2016
I liked this short story. It was a whirlwind of activity. Beginning with Dan Alston, an injured, closeted American hockey player, who is aware he's played his last professional game after his most recent knee injury. He decides to move to Brighton, UK where he is unknown and can explore his gay side. He enters Nova and meets a slender bartender. A few days later, he reacquaints himself with Simon, the bartender, in a coffeehouse. They briefly tour Brighton before ending up at Simon's flat. You'll have to read the story to get all of the delicious details...
I was given a free, advance reader copy of the story in exchange for my honest and unbiased review of it.
I was given a free, advance reader copy of the story in exchange for my honest and unbiased review of it.
September 8, 2016
Simon helps Dan out when he wanders in to his first neighborhood bar. Moving to England and changed a few things for him, but it is a lot to get used to. Dan just wants to fit in where he will be living.
Dan has moved all the way to England, in the hopes his retirement means something for him getting on with his life. First person to really turn him on? Simon, the bartender.
As they get to know one another this terribly short story is very sweet and extremely sexy. I got caught up in the characters just in time for the book to be over. If I have one complaint, it is that it was too short and I wanted more.
Dan has moved all the way to England, in the hopes his retirement means something for him getting on with his life. First person to really turn him on? Simon, the bartender.
As they get to know one another this terribly short story is very sweet and extremely sexy. I got caught up in the characters just in time for the book to be over. If I have one complaint, it is that it was too short and I wanted more.
September 13, 2016
This was a great short little story about a hockey player being hurt and having to leave the game he loves, maybe forever. So to get away, he moves from the US all the way to Brighton, England, so that he can recuperate and contemplate his life wthout constantly being recognized and even worse, pitied, due to the nature of his injury.
Dan meets a really nice guy Simon, who is the bartender of a club he ventures out into and they spend some time together, with Simon finally being talked into trying out ice skating.
It was a sweet, short that I enjoyed reading and I look forward to more Jerry Cole stories!
I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Dan meets a really nice guy Simon, who is the bartender of a club he ventures out into and they spend some time together, with Simon finally being talked into trying out ice skating.
It was a sweet, short that I enjoyed reading and I look forward to more Jerry Cole stories!
I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
August 23, 2016
„Cross Checking the Atlantic” is M/M short story by Jerry Cole.
Dan Alston was a hockey player, but he had to give it up because of knee injury. Desperate for a change he moves from Florida to England, where he’s able to finally be himself. That also means going to gay bar. During his night out he meets Simon.
It was really good story - light and delightful. It was pretty short, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Definitely recommended.
Dan Alston was a hockey player, but he had to give it up because of knee injury. Desperate for a change he moves from Florida to England, where he’s able to finally be himself. That also means going to gay bar. During his night out he meets Simon.
It was really good story - light and delightful. It was pretty short, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Definitely recommended.
November 20, 2016
A quick, enjoyable story - perfect coffee break/lunch hour read.
Whilst the back story is hockey based, the actual story is about Dan moving to a new country and finding his feet. A chat at a bar and a chance meeting over coffee and he's found his man! Ah, that life would be so perfect.
As with any good short, I am lefting wanting to know more, to have the gaps filled in, to see how they got from meet to skate.
Enjoyed.
Whilst the back story is hockey based, the actual story is about Dan moving to a new country and finding his feet. A chat at a bar and a chance meeting over coffee and he's found his man! Ah, that life would be so perfect.
As with any good short, I am lefting wanting to know more, to have the gaps filled in, to see how they got from meet to skate.
Enjoyed.
September 5, 2016
I normally love hockey romances, but this one fell flat for me. I'm not sure that I agree that it would be hard to find a place on the US, especially the southwest, where hockey isn't that big and Dan could live in anonymity. Also, Simon just didn't come across as English to me.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 21, 2016
Another good short read. Nice characters though again surprised it jumped so quickly into finding the one or has he. Has Jerry got other ideas in mind for development of those characters down the line.
September 8, 2016
Sweet short story
Dan just lost his career due to injury so he goes far away across the Atlantic to forget. He finds Simon and a whole new life. He finds freedom to be himself. The chemistry between those two is quite memorable.
Dan just lost his career due to injury so he goes far away across the Atlantic to forget. He finds Simon and a whole new life. He finds freedom to be himself. The chemistry between those two is quite memorable.
October 3, 2016
A nice cute love story with redeeming qualities. Short and sweet. I like the idea of coming back from an injury and finding your new self in a new place. Would recommend to anyone who likes m /m romance short stories and happy endings.
September 5, 2016
Starting over
The story was very short it is missing some magic but its not bad.
I received an ARC for my honest and unbiased review.
The story was very short it is missing some magic but its not bad.
I received an ARC for my honest and unbiased review.
September 9, 2016
Good story
Good quick Story. It's good to know that some good can come out of some bad. This turned out to be a nice lite and feel-good story.
Good quick Story. It's good to know that some good can come out of some bad. This turned out to be a nice lite and feel-good story.
September 11, 2016
Good Sexy Read
What can I say ,hockey and sex. Two of my favorite things.. Simon was lucky he met Dan on first night out, they seemed comfortable together. Good sexy read.
What can I say ,hockey and sex. Two of my favorite things.. Simon was lucky he met Dan on first night out, they seemed comfortable together. Good sexy read.
April 9, 2017
Cute
It was cute but badly written. Why do all books like this have very toned men? They're always toned. Simon and Dan are cute together.
It was cute but badly written. Why do all books like this have very toned men? They're always toned. Simon and Dan are cute together.
Read
October 25, 2016Really amazing book. I just started reading Jerry Cole. BEST decision ever. Great books. I will never stop reading them.
November 28, 2016
Loved this book.
I normally don't give good reviews for short story's. They always seem to lack something. This one was great. I wish it had been longer.
I normally don't give good reviews for short story's. They always seem to lack something. This one was great. I wish it had been longer.
Read
April 4, 2023Enjoyed this. Somewhat short for real character development but sweet regardless. I'd have liked this to be longer, but it was free so who am I to complain.
Read
December 31, 2016***2016 has been a very unstable year. Not only have I lost favourite role models in droves, I have been into dark places more times than I could count. Yes, I experienced highlights as well but the darkness has had a big impact this year and the only way to keep it at bay was reading, mass reading, back to back books with no stopping and no reviewing. I do apologize to all the writers that I won’t be able to review their books yet but I will get to it. Promise!***
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews