Holding

Tripping #3

by Ariel Bishop

MM Hockey Romance.

Best friends forever...
Rookies Kevin “Mikey” Michaelson and Anatoly “Tolly” Petrov are taking the Continental Hockey League by storm. The junior d-partners, roommates, and best friends have racked up point after point in their debut season with the Alberta Abominables. They may have only met a few months ago for training camp, but they’re already inseparable on and off the ice--until one fateful second, when Mikey is injured during a game.

Something they never expected...
Sidelined with a concussion and a broken risk, Mikey has a hard time with even basic tasks when he first comes home from the hospital. Thankfully Tolly is there to help with food, getting dressed, and whatever else he needs. Before too long, the aftermath of a late-night confession brings them even closer than before, and has Tolly feeling things he’s not quite ready to share.

A future they can’t control...
But while Mikey’s been recovering, the rumors are flying fast and furious in the CHL world. With the league trade deadline looming, this new thing between him and Tolly might just come with an expiration date--and there’s nothing he can do to stop it.

Will the Abs trade Mikey away?

Will Tolly ever find the nerve to tell Mikey about his feelings? Or will they stay friends and let the rest slip away?

Find out in this steamy sports romance novel with a stubborn defenseman who thinks he can do everything himself, his best friend who just wants to take care of him, and the team that’s rooting for them.

HOLDING is a stand-alone romance with no cliffhangers! Each book in the Tripping series can be read on its own in any order.

Genres: Hockey, M M Romance, Sports, Romance, Contemporary, Friends To Lovers, Sports Romance

193 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 15, 2018

About the author

Ariel Bishop is an American romance and erotica author who feels strongly that all love triangles are best resolved through healthy polyamory. She has been a reader of romantic and erotic fiction for the entirety of her adult life and draws on that experience as well as her own imagination to create original erotic stories

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mikey and Tolly are roommates, d-partners, and besties. From their first moment on ice they had flow and chemistry, but when Mikey is injured it throws them both for a loop. Recovery is never quick and with Tolly always around to help it opens up feelings in both men they each thought they'd properly buried. With tenderness and passion it's clear they have chemistry off the ice as well as on. But when trade rumors start floating around there might be nothing either of them can do to stay together.

I've always got a soft spot for a "mother hen" personality from a tough guy. When the marshmallow center starts oozing out I'm a goner. This is definitely true in the case of Tolly. He's got such a big heart and it shows in everything he does. His care and concern are allowed to deepen to something wonderful when he and Mikey move to a more intimate arrangement with their friendship. From there it's pretty much game over. There's nothing that will stop his feelings or hopes for more.

Mikey, on the other hand, is more of a goof as well as a sullen, stubborn child when faced with interminable couch time. It's understandable for sure, but his attitude lasts for most of the story and kind of grates on me after a while. I do love his humor though, and it helps to loosen Tolly up considerably when he's in his more serious moments.

There's pretty much no angst in the story at all. But I will say that it felt a bit juvenile. It could have been their ages, but mostly it just came across as kind of a sexy YA story the way their thoughts and concerns were written. Same for the interactions with the other players.

With "coming out" completely taken off the table with off-the-cuff remarks by both of them, the story was allowed to focus on the relationship moving from friends to lovers to more as well as the career aspect of Mikey's recovery. Except it didn't really focus heavily on either of them. Well, I guess that's not completely true. Both of those things were the focus, but it felt mushed together and a bit scattered so neither aspect felt like it had a complete evolution. Something in the beginning/middle was missing to make them stand out as something to draw and keep attention. There was more focus given to the avoidance of trade talk and not enough depth regarding choices and consequences.

The flow of the story was actually quite nice. I liked the parallel "flashbacks" that gave greater foundation, understanding, importance, and meaning to the more current events. It gave the story a feeling of resolution despite being a shorter story. Overall the characters were likable, their chemistry was great, and the sweetness of their interactions made it an enjoyable read.

[ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty fun! Definitely my favorite Bishop thus far and the first one I'd recommend, for sure. The characters are likable here and it's obvious that they like each other, which I don't always feel romances manage to sell. The flashback sections were clunky and unnecessary and there's a subplot with a teammate toward the end that never actually goes anywhere? But otherwise this was pretty charming and hot enough, if a little skimmable.

[shinykari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally, a really excellent hockey romance (instead of a romance with hockey in it)! I got the feeling right from the start that this author had a background in fanfiction, and when I got to the backmatter and saw the acknowledgments, I was proven correct. (FWIW, they don't make the link to their AO3 page explicit in either the book or on their linked author pages, so I won't mention the username here, but it was very easy to find with about 5 minutes of google searching. Apparently we used to run in the same MCU circles! *waves*) Reading this book felt like reading a really good original hockey fic, where the author actually knows about the sport and the league, and isn't afraid to use that knowledge, even if it might confuse more casual readers who aren't hockey fans.

The good stuff: this book is tropey in the best way. It's not trying to reinvent the wheel or be the next great American novel. It's a romance about two kinda dumb hockey player roommates, one who is too injured to jack off, and one who ~~selflessly~~ offers to help him out with that situation, with extremely predictable consequences (they fall in love, naturally).

Both Mikey and Tolya were likeable, even when Mikey was being a prick about his injury, and the side characters were sketched out interestingly enough that I immediately picked up book #4 for Sunshine's story. [Note to the author: I read all the blurbs before picking this one, but it still took me until the scene in the box to put together that Cisco from the blurb was Sunshine from Holding. Calling him Cisco "Sunshine" Reyes in the blurb would have been very helpful!] Their relationship progression, from "let me give you a hand here" to "oops I fell in love with you," was fun, and didn't go too far into the often-frustrating "oh my god these two are so fucking DENSE" territory. I loved Mikey's sisters, who felt believably sixteen, and enjoyed the low-stakes way their families accepted their relationship. The sex was VERY hot, and the prose was unobtrusive but solid. I *adored* that Tolya started calling him Misha; nickname progression as characters become closer is one of my favorite little details.

The bad stuff, or at least, the "bad-to-me" stuff: the conflict revolving around trade rumors didn't really do it for me. It never seemed particularly high-stakes, since it was all just rumors on the radio and internet. It would have felt more compelling if Mikey had had a conversation with his agent or maybe one of the coaches or administrative staff. Even if it was them reassuring him that the trade wouldn't happen, it would have given some weight to what felt like baseless rumors.

I also would have liked a little bit more sexuality struggle, either internally or externally. Both Mikey and Tolya are so blasé about being not-straight in a sport and league that is famously, regressively homophobic; their families have zero issues, which seems strange given point #1; all of their teammates are accepting to the point of making bets on when they'll fuck; and there's only one single mention of not holding hands outside because someone might take a photo, but no real mention of why. But they still worked to keep the relationship a secret, so it seems that this isn't a no homophobia AU (to use a fanfic term). Maybe this is something that's discussed in one of the two previous books, which I haven't read; in that case, I think it's important to include something about it in each one, since they are ostensibly stand-alones.

And finally, one deeply nit-picky "it's not you, it's me" criticism: I hate the team names so much. I understand why the author chose to create new teams over using the RL ones, and I actually really like that, but the names were so generic and they read like minor league teams rather than the top pro league. Jackalopes? Abominables? Wendigos? Thunderbirds? Did they just go down a list of legendary/mythical animals for the whole league?

Overall, this was one of the best hockey m/m romances I've read so far, and I'm excited to read the rest of the series.

[Sarita Chapdelaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet, romantic, low-angst and hilarious story that I loved. I could not put it down and I was totally engaged from beginning to end. The characters are amazing and I love the flashbacks that show how their friendship develops between Mikey and Tolya since their first meeting. The only thing missing for me is the lack of any hockey action but as Mikey is injured early on in the book and the story mostly revolves around the two of them in their home it doesn't affect my enjoyment of the story. Tolya loves to look after people and when his best friend and roommate is injured during a hockey game he is determined to help Mikey and keep him from doing something stupid while he is recovering at home. Mikey is not an easy patient and he has the added worry of how his injuries will affect his career. The connection between them is smoking hot and I love how easily their friendship changes to something more even though their future together is uncertain. While neither of them is willing to label what is happening between them they are both all in. My favorite part is how they end each day with Tolya reading to Mikey even when he is out of town and though it started because of the restrictions on Mikey after he gets a concussion they continue with it after he is recovered. I love their families and friends and how quietly supportive they are of Mikey and Tolya. The ending is great and I can't wait to read the next book in this exciting series.

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

[Claudia Lezár · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5*
PLEASE READ FIRST MY RATING SYSTEM!!!

To my ratings (thanks to amazon I had to change it again and 'upgrade' it a little bit)

5* - very very good and rare (it would be a Blow- Away-book like 'Liberty' from Seth King,
'Save the kids' series from EM Leya or 'Jesse's Smile' from Angelique Jurd), it's like an A+

4* - very good and will be often reread and is a WOW-book with interesting plot and surprises
(like most of Andrew Grey books) it's like an A

3,5* - a really good book, which will be reread a few times (most romances where you can enjoy
for relaxing and during waiting times in hospitals). I can recommend them definitively! It's
like an B+

3* - it could be more then a one-time-reader, but not really an often reread book

2* - it was ok to read, but it's more a one-time-reader (i wouldn't recommend it heartily, but it
was ok) It's like a C-, D

1* - sorry, but that isn't really a book for me (too many mistakes, not nice plot, illogical, so an
absolut NO-GO). It's like failure in the whole line, dismissed, repeat the class

Like the other book in the series: well written (ok, I have no clue about ice hockey, so I guess that is ok) and a very interesting plot!
I hope, it's not the last book of the series!

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by Ariel Bishop and while I loved the complexity and depth to her MC's Mikey and Tolly, I found the story a bit disjointed. The story is told in both real-time and a series of flashbacks that I found weren't really necessary. It's centered on the growing feelings of both men after Mikey his hurt during a hockey game with a concussion and a broken arm. On top of their growing relationship, they are worried Mikey will be traded because he's on IR. And while I loved each time Mikey and Tolly interacted, there was a lot of other things that were added to the story that drew my attention away from the book. The book brings up issues with their captain, Sunshine, but that's never resolved and while Mikey is out, the man Tolly is partnered with isn't mentioned after he brings up the possible trade of Mikey. While the relationship between Mikey and Tolley is wonderful, it's the added information that wasn't really necessary and it ultimately prevented me from truly loving the story. The end was a bit abrupt, but maybe there will be more information in the next book.

[Viki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don´t know if I am just in the mood (after a relatively hard day) or this book was that nice - that satisfying.

But truth to be told, there is a certain level of "resistance" in every book - not every single scene, twist, character, trope, whatever, will fit everyone so even great books can have moments you don´t feel, you don´t click with. This somehow did fit me really nice. The romance and the build-up and their relationship and drama level... all those little and not so little things.

P.S: this book is A) a proof I am not so shallow I would reject an interesting blurb for a cringy cover B) proof I am so shallow I really like my covers pretty and feel embarrassed for reading books that somehow are good inside but fail on the outside (publishers, I guess). Also maybe C) proof experience did teach me to give a chance even to the ugly ducklings with naked guys on the cover... *sigh* For some reasons, shirtless guy on a cover always struck me as especially bad taste, a symbol of cliche romance thingies I became fed up years ago.

[Kitt · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first third of the book was slow and boring to me. About 1/3 through the MCs start having sex and it heats up. There is a lot of sex after that point, and although they are stated to be long-time friends, there seemed to me a lack of communication and connection beyond the sex. They rarely seem to talk about things that are important, like the potential trade or their relationship. Although there is a lot of angst in the story, there is very little action and really no personal development. The story begins with an injury to one of the main characters and the rest of the story is about his recovery and fears about how his career will be affected. There is very little joy or happy times in the story and it was a real downer to me. Also, the flashbacks didn't really add a lot to the story for me. There were some editing errors, misspellings, etc., but not too bad.

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

[Kirsty Mckenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a ice hockey book, what else needa to be said. Well that's me anyway I love a mm ice hockey book omg I so fan girl over those hard, it has hot men and ice hockey done and done. This was my first time reading this author, but I definitely will be reading further books from them for sure. This was an excellent book, the characters where amazing and so heartfelt they just sucked me in from the beginning. It truly was a pleasure reading this book sad it had to end, but now that it has I get yhe pleasure of recommending it to you all. I say grab it asap it was awesome you will love it to.
If you have never tried a mm ice hockey before give it a go even if you not into sporta you will love it.

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

[Elizabeth Hanelt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mmmm sexy!

I love how the story flips back and forth between Then and Now. I love the passion Tolya and Mikey (Misha) have for each other. I love the call-backs and references to the other novels in the series, and how a few scenes in this one set up for the sequel.
I mean, I'm biased, because Ariel is a friend, but before she was a friend I was devouring and admiring her stories already in other places. I've loved watching her style and voice develop over the years, and I can't believe how much we all came to love those fictional idiot hockey boys! (Actually I do believe it. Good stuff, Maynard!)
About to go reread Cisco and Leo's story for the third (or is it fourth?) time, thanks for everything you do, sweetheart!
Te beso, te beso, te beso!

[Elizabeth H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet. Impressive that the author sustained the narrative with the thinnest of plots; I also applaud the easy transition from friends doing a favor for each other to an active sex life. However, I docked it one star because I got tired of the sex scenes. At least one too many for me.

Finally, and most important, I really wish authors who write hockey m/m romance would actually learn about the game and get the details right! Defenseman do not play on a line! Lines consist of three forwards. Defenseman play in pairs but are not always playing with the same offensive line! Bishop is not the first author to make errors like this. I feel as if it's being disrespectful to the readers... and the genre... to not care enough to get the basic details that cradle the story right.

[Linda A · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author but will not be the last.
While playing ice hockey Tolya falls and in trying to avoid him Mikey falls awkwardly and ends up with a concussion and a broken arm. Tolya fells really bad for his friend and is only too willing to do anything to help while Mikey recovers. The more he helps the more he wants to do and the more heated it becomes between the two.
Not a big fan of flicking from present day to the past constantly, hence the 3 stars.

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

[Penny Ellgass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mikey and Toya are rookies on the same team and click from the get go. They become fast friends and work well together on the ice. They decide to get a place together near the arena.
This is their journey, join them as they go through Mikey injury and falling in love.
Bishop has developed the 2 characters so well you'll feel as if you know them personally.

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

[Dixiecowgirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Friendship to lovers is one of my favorite tropes. I love exploring how relationships grow and how the sexual spark comes into play. These MC's are wonderfully complex characters and i really enjoyed watching their relationship develop.

Mikey and Tolly have great chemistry and i enjoyed watching them find their HEA.

I was gifted this book from the author and i freely give my review.

[BookSnuggle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holding is book number three in the Tripping series by Ariel Bishop. This book can be read as a standalone. This is Kevin "Mikey" or "Misha' Michaelson and Anatoly "Tolly" or "Tolya" Petrov's story.

I have mixed emotions about this book. I really liked the characters and the chemistry between them. At times I felt that some of the scenes didn't flow with the story plus the ending was too abrupt.

FYI, contains mature content. This is a M/M gay romance. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Esther Alayeto · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good friends/teammates to lovers story. Anatoly and Kevin are teammates, roommates, and best friends who clicked as soon as they met. They have good chemistry between them and slowly build a relationship. There is a lot of angst in the story, not many happy times, and I felt the end was a bit rushed. The writing was good and I would like to read more of the series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[ੈ♡˳ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started off really enjoying this but then it ended up being too slow and repetitive. Mikey and Tolly were definitely cute together and had a lot of chemistry but I was expecting more.

I did love the family scenes though especially Mikey’s diva sisters. It also looked like the whole team knew they liked each other but themselves lol.

Also read the snippet of the next book at the end and I’m intrigued.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was well written. The characters Tolya and Mikey have great chemistry and they are likable. I loved how the story played out and didn’t feel like I needed to read the books before this one.
Hope to read more from the author’s bookshelve.
“I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book and was not required to leave a review.”
Thank you for sharing your book with us.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

They became friends when they became rookies together. They play well together they even live together. Then one gets hurt and the other must help. Now things begin to change between them. Feelings get mixed up. What will they do? Will they become more? See how this is going to go

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

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Tolya and Mikey so much. I love soft boys being soft, especially with each other! Fav book in the series, hands down. The flash backs at the end of the chapters really add to the depth of the characters and just how well they meshed being friends and rookies together.

Again, the time flow was very wonky and iffy and confusing but it's a lot less jarring in this one.

[Wendy Ballard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the absolute best story. Everything I like to read about and more. Such a great story I will read again and again. A keeper!!

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

[Rebecca Zabik · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good book. Tolya and Mikey start off as friends and then end up as lovers. They got closers to each other after Mikey's accident. There was a great chemistry between the characters.

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

[Daniella Marchand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet m/m hockey romance. Mikey & Tolly realize their relationship friends has evolve to something more.
It's sweet with a great chemestry & very likeable.

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

[Hey There Delilah!! · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holding was a great friends to lovers read. I enjoyed the relationship between Tolya and Mikey especially Tolya. I’m looking forward to see what’s to come with Sunshine and finding out what’s going on with him.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story.

I loved the story. The love they have for each other is perfect. I also like that the obstical they face isn't about their relationship or another person. What I didn't like was the jumping back and forth from the past to the present.

[RE Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty good, though nothing really happened. It's about friends who slowly become lovers while one of them is injured. But even the relationship was so slow that I had a hard time getting into it. It wasn't bad, by any means, but it just kind of flowed along to a gentle ending.

[Lori Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet

A sweet young love story between two rookie hockey players. Instantly attracted to each other from the time they meet in development camp. Mikey and Tolya grow to be best friends and more. Great story, but the ending is very abrupt.

4/5 stars

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess it was exactly what it said it was and what I thought it was going to be. But also it was a bit dull. 2.5 stars? It's been a week and I cannot remember a single feeling I had towards this book.

[Bran Zesti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hit, are should say Goal!!! I love this story, it was great. I'd read it again and again. I didn't want to put it down.

[tammy rufo · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this story, love Mikey and Tolly, love hockey! its like the trifecta of mm romance. lol def recommend this book!