Boy Next Door

Hot Off the Ice #4

by A.E. Wasp

An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.

This is a story about losing the path and finding yourself. It contains kissing, yelling, spanking, and carb-loaded family interventions.

Hockey superstar Joey Luciano has always been good at being whatever people needed him to be. The fans want a good-looking fast-living party boy? Enter ‘the Looch,’ Joey’s carefully created public persona. But the cracks in his mask are starting to show, and he’s begun to lose touch with who he really is. It’s going to take someone who’s been there from the very beginning, to help him find his way home.

Coach Liam O’Reilly always had a very clear picture of what his life should look like. Falling in love with the infuriating, passionate, stubborn, and endlessly fascinating boy next door was not part of the plan. But when Liam’s carefully constructed life fell apart one Christmas Eve, Joey Luciano was there to pick up the pieces. Now Liam can't stop wanting him.

The passion blazing between them on the ice and behind closed doors could leave both of them badly burned. But through the smoke, Liam can see glimpses of a future brighter than any he’d imagined, a future worth risking his career and reputation for, if only he is brave enough to reach for it.

But Joey’s got a secret he’s keeping from everyone. If it gets out, it could be the end of everything.

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

462 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 21, 2018

About the author

After time spent raising children, earning several college degrees, and traveling the world with the U.S. State Department, she is returning to her first love - writing.

A dreamer and an idealist, Amy writes about people finding connection in a world that can seem lonely and magic in a world than can seem all too mundane. She invites readers into her characters’ lives and worlds when they are their most vulnerable, their most human, living with the same hopes and fears we all have. An avid traveler who has lived in big cities and small towns in four different continents, Amy has found that time and distance are no barriers to love. She invites her readers to reach out and share how her characters have touched their lives or how the found families they have gathered around them have shaped their worlds.

Born on Long Island, NY, Amy has lived in Los Angeles, London, and Bangkok. She currently lives in Fort Collins, Colorado for who knows how long.

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm kind of confused by this book, I'm not even sure how I feel about it-

Joey has been in love with Liam his entire life and then they hook up one holiday they are both back home - but this book had no pining? Nothing really done with the whole "Joey has secretly loved him forever" thing. And the hook up that occurred when they were both home during Christmas break isn't actually in the book. Chapter one is before, chapter two is a bit later (a month? a week? no clue) - if you want to go back and find out what happened between chapter 1 & 2 you have to go back and read the novella which is book 2.5 in this series and I found that so weird.

This book had some weird time jumps- chapters would just start with no context and it would take me a while to figure out what was happening - One week or one month could have happened between the last chapter and the new one I have no idea - they were just jarring time jumps being dropped into an entirely new scene. Nothing was really given to explain the passing of time.

I did enjoy the story for the most part- I just felt the book was edited a bit weirdly and some parts almost made me feel like my book was missing a chapter.

Also - in book #3 of this series, the main character of that book, Alex, would bathe his cats & babies at the same time in the tub and I thought that was so weird- and what do you know in this book Joey goes to visit Alex and while they are hanging out Alex is giving his babies & cats a bath together as though its something he does all the time and I still find that so odd. That doesn't really have anything to do with my rating or review- but I just find it so weird I need to mention it. 😂

[~nikki the recovering book addict · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

I almost threw in the towel for this one. The first few chapters were both chaotic and stilted I really considered giving up. It did smoothen out eventually but then the last chapter quickly closed that it felt like you were stepping on your breaks so hard and coming to a complete stop after going 100 miles an hour. Too sudden!

Certainly not the best of this series and I had high hopes! And it was like they tried to go for BDSM lite kinky-ness but not really having a proper understanding of it. I don’t know... I wasn’t particularly impressed with it. Also, the Luciano and O’Reilly family is too large. I don’t know who’s who. And I shouldn’t have to have a glossary for it! That’s not how you introduce characters!

I will admit I enjoyed the middle part purely for entertainment reasons but artistically, it could have been better *shrug*

[Cadiva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally! I get why we had to wait for this one until both Paul and Robbie, and Alex and Sergei, had their stories told because a lot of the things happening here take place at the same time.

I have been waiting for Liam and Joey to get their Happy since the short and incredibly hot story came out last Christmas.

It didn't disappoint at all. There is so much passion and drama going on in this book, you almost get whiplash! I really loved the little chapter headers, snippets into what was going on in the wider O'Neil/Luciano clans and some of the group chat messages had me howling.

I will say though, that I think the extensive ice hockey glossary should be at the back of the book and perhaps the character list too.

Any good storyteller, and A.E. Wasp is one of those, can convey the message of what is happening on page without needing to highlight all the technical terms first.

I've no idea where this series is going next. Perhaps Patrick and Vicky the Thunder's back up goalie?

This, and Alex/Sergei romance, have been my favourites in what's been a really great series.

#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.

[haletostilinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had been waiting to read Joey and Liam's story ever since the short story that came out at Christmas, because what little we got of these two together was hot, there was chemistry, and I wanted to see where their story went.

For the most part, this didn't disappoint. Joey and Liam still had sizzling hot chemistry, and I loved their interactions and seeing them fall in love. They had a ways to go before their happy ending, but overall it was a fun journey getting there.

A few things bothered me though - like how Michelle's cheating was mostly waved away. She admitted how wrong she was and how she could have left, which was good, but when she and Liam finally had one on one talk, it felt like it turned into a "everything Liam did wrong" show, and not much on her faults, which was cheating - even if she loves Nico - instead of talking to Liam about anything. But sure, Liam was a shitty boyfriend so...it's mostly his fault? Nah.

I mean I'm glad his faults weren't waved away either, and that he apologized for how he treated her. But it felt like what Michelle did didn't matter as much, and all was a-okay. What she did was not okay. (Not that she deservers her family being horrible to her either.) I just wish just as much weight had been given to what Michelle did as Liam. It felt like Liam not only outright forgave her, but put the majority of the blame on himself. Being inattentive and not as caring as you should - not good, yeah, but not deserving of being cheated on. There's a thing called breaking up with someone.

Also, something happens later in the book - After Joey and Liam have sex - and spanking happens - Liam writes something on Joey's ass, which Patrick, Liam's youngest brother, takes a picture of and then sends to the wrong people, and it gets out to a few of the team, and almost the world, if hadn't been quickly contained - and I hate how Patrick barely faced any consequences. He seemed to feel guilty for two seconds, apologized a few times (not a million, Patrick, you asshole) and then got on Liam's case for being embarrassed/not wanting his and Joey's relationship to go public, and for letting Joey seem to kind, maybe, break up with him? (even though he didn't).

And Liam once again goes "he's right, I'm wrong" when NO. Patrick not only violated their privacy, but he didn't delete the photo when Liam told him to and sent it to others (when we all know that that shit gets out SO fucking easily) and almost/kinda did out Joey to not only the team, but the world. That is gross and disgusting and Patrick should not have gotten away with it.

I don't care if it was an accident, he shouldn't have taken the picture in the first place, or sent it. He should have known better. That is on him, even if the sharing of the photo isn't, it happened because of him. It pissed me off, and while he was reprimanded, he wasn't reprimanded NEARLY as much as he should have been. I really dislike Patrick after this. Fuck him.

Also, the ending was a tad abrupt and rushed. I know the book was getting long, but there was threads of the story I would have liked to have seen played out in more detail.

So yeah, a few things bothered me, but overall this was a good story and overall I'm happy that I got to read Joey and Liam's story and read about them falling in love and getting their HEA.

[JenMcJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. The characters were engaging, I believed their angst, the side characters and sense of family was well done and it was nice to visit with some of the other couples from earlier books in a way that wasn't overpowering.

It did have some soft plot points that could have been stronger that would have made this book a lot more solid. I think the sense of D/s or the domestic discipline should have been delved into a little more. That aspect of their relationship was a bit unfulfilling and seemed to be used more as a plot device to add shame to the angst that was unnecessary but I also appreciated Joey's reaction to the photo because that was very in character for him. The internalized homophobia was also in character for Joey and I appreciated that he had to look hard at what he thought about his romantic interactions and those in general between men. Go Alex for the win here. Additionally, I think the book could have benefited from a little bit more explanation on why the surgery had to be done immediately and how the recovery could be so short. That was the area I felt was weakest in this book. He has one "spell" in months and that a teammate notices his hearing and not Liam seemed weak and unlikely.

I did like this book, looking forward to the next one.

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, during my hockey phase I started this series and really enjoyed the books ... but it seems that they get a bit wesker with every new book in this series.
Don't get me wrong ... I liked Joey and Liam together. As a couple they were cute ... but I had troubles with all the problems put in their way and how they were solved.
Most annoying Was the picture incident. Patrick is an ass and it is not really acknowledged. He doesn't even take responsibility for his mistakes but put it on Liam
As most of the problems are put on his shoz, ehich seemed weird. Because for the most part he is portrait as a good big brother and person but in the end, there are suddenly so many things he has done wrong , it is surprising.
Also, he is really dure about his feelings and the relationship but in the end he falters .... doesn't make any sense in relation to the 80 percent prior to that incident.

And don't get me started on Michelle .... if you have trouble with your partner or are unhappy with them, you talk with them. If that is not enough, end the relationship. But don't ever cheat on them and blame them for that. I hated the talk between Michelle and Liam and thought it was quite unfair

The last complaint is on jow the medical issue was handled ... it seemed to me that at first it was planned as a major storyline, but then it got forgotten and instead of just deleting it from the book it was explained away in 2 sentences. Not well done.

So why still 2 5 or 3 stars .... because I enjoyed most of the book. It could have been 4 stars, if the end was done better

[Marthea · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tak wiele rzeczy mi się nie podobało w tej książce - od samej konstrukcji historii, przez bohaterów (a zwłaszcza jednego) i zachowania różnych osób, aż po zastosowane rozwiązania, że wyliczanie ich zajęłoby mi od groma i ciut czasu. A szczerze mówiąc, to mi się nie chce. Wymienię tylko niektóre z nich...

UWAGA !!!
Będą spoilery !!!
Inaczej musiałabym ukryć większość komentarza.
Kto nie chce, niech nie czyta 😜

👎 Chaos w samej konstrukcji i historii, zwłaszcza na początku. Zajebisty. Przez ten wstępniak, który był po drugim tomie i który jako połówka był idiotyczny, brakuje pewnych informacji, które są potrzebne. Przy czym pomyliłam się, bo byłam pewna, że powinien być on prologiem do tego tomu. Nie - powinien być wrzucony pomiędzy 1 a 2 rozdział, żeby było weselej. Chaos niezmiennie by był, ale trochę mniejszy.

👎 Jeżeli trzeba przed tekstem zrobić rozpiskę rodzin - kto jest kim, ile ma lat i co robi, to nie wróży dobrze... Dwie rodziny, irlandzka i włoska, które przyjaźnią się od dekad i mieszkają obok siebie, gdzie jest w sumie 10 dorosłych dzieci i ich ewentualne drugie połówki, dwie pary rodziców, babcia z jednej strony i dziadek z drugiej...

👎 Liam to kontrolujący buc - krótko mówiąc, a dynamika między bohaterami jest po prostu zła.

👎 Jeżeli się kogoś kocha, albo jest się z kimś w związku i miłość jest już na wyciągnięcie ręki, to traktuje się go z szacunkiem i jak kogoś, kto jest równy tobie. Nie gorszy. Nie słabszy. Nawet, jeżeli jest się 10 lat starszym i ma się więcej doświadczenia życiowego. Nie traktuje się go protekcjonalnie pod płaszczykiem troski o drugą osobę. Nie traktuje się go jak ojciec syna, nauczyciel ucznia czy trener zawodnika (zwłaszcza młodego, który jeszcze duuuuuużo musi się nauczyć) - a już zwłaszcza w sytuacjach prywatnych, zwłaszcza w domu. "Joey, zadałem Ci pytanie" - wrrrr...

👎 Liam raz w monologach wewnętrznych myśli o Joeym jako o mężczyźnie, ale zdarza mu się i jako o dzieciaku (kid) - nawet, jak są już w związku. To dużo mówi, ale nie o Joeym...

👎 Lekkie BDSM (chyba) z klapsami i pochwałami typu "good boy". Ale nawet mnie się wydawało, że coś zdecydowanie jest tam nie tak, że autorka raczej napisała, jak jej się wydawało, że to powinno wyglądać, bez żadnego zagłębiania się w temat - a ja naprawdę specem nie jestem i nie zamierzam nim być. Strach się bać, co napisałaby osoba, która się na tym zna.

👎 Klapsy, tiaaa.... Rozumiem, kiedy są elementem dynamiki w przysłowiowej sypialni. Ale kiedy dorosły facet, lat 35, chcąc dowiedzieć się, co się dzieje w głowie innego dorosłego faceta, lat 25, który ewidentnie jest w jakimś kryzysie psychicznym - najpierw po kłótni, potem po lekkiej szarpaninie, powala go na podłogę, ściąga mu szorty czy też spodnie dresowe (nie pamiętam) i leje go tak po gołym tyłku, że ma spuchniętą dłoń, to coś tutaj jest zdecydowanie kuźwa nie w porządku. I zrobił to tylko dlatego, że rano dał lekkiego klapsa Joeymu, któremu to ewidentnie się podobało. Ale kontekst był inny. I cholera z tym, że autorka zdecydowała, że to będzie udana akcja, która przebije się przez mury zbudowane przez Joeya - to jest po prostu nieakceptowalne, bo to jest najzwyczajniej w świecie przemoc...

👎 Michelle, była Liama. Zdradziła go i zaszła w ciążę, w dodatku z bratem Joeya. Ale tak naprawdę NIKT jej nie wini, oprócz niej samej 👀 No ludzie, zdrada to zdrada. Jak w związku jest miło i okej, a szuka się czegoś innego, czyli generalnie mówiąc prawdziwej miłości i się na nią trafia, to najpierw się kończy związek, a potem zaczyna następny. Nie inaczej. Nie zbiera się miesiąc czy więcej, żeby powiedzieć swojemu partnerowi, że spotkało się kogoś innego. I podczas tego "zbierania się" jest się w drugim związku, w którym oczywiście uprawia się seks i przy okazji zachodzi w ciążę. Ale, jak się tutaj okazuje, dla nikogo to nie jest właściwie problem, bo wyszło to na dobre wszystkim, o co w ogóle rozdzierać szaty...

👎 Taka sytuacja: po seksie i klapsach, Liam wypisuje markerem na tyłku Joeya "Własność Liama O'Reilly". Młodszy brat Liama, który też jest hokeistą i mieszka z nimi, równolatek Joeya (!!!), oczywiście znajduje się w nieodpowiednim czasie i miejscu, widzi to i robi zdjęcia, uchachany na maksa 👀 Chce udostępnić je na rodzinnym czacie, aby wszyscy mogli się pośmiać. Po pogoni w domu obiecuje skasować zdjęcia. Ale oczywiście tego nie robi. I oczywiście udostępnia zdjęcie nie na tym czacie, co trzeba... Ludzie, na proszę. Grają profesjonalnie w hokeja, wiedzą, co się może stać, kiedy takie zdjęcia wypłyną w sieci. Konsekwencje mogą być naprawdę poważne. Ale tutaj? Patrick żałuje przez jakieś całe dwie sekundy, a potem jest mniej więcej jak z Michelle - nie licząc tego, że Patrick się nie obwinia jak ona... Ja pitolę, skąd takie idiotyczne pomysły i ich rozwiązania???

👎 Joey przez prawie całą książkę ukrywa, że coś mu się dzieje - ma zawroty głowy, migreny, wymiotuje, jakby traci słuch w jednym uchu. Stąd bywają jego zdjęcia w sieci, że znowu się zachlał i zaimprezował prawie na maksa. Ale autorka uznała, że przez całą książkę w jakiś sposób będzie to trzymała w zanadrzu, jako potencjalne zagrożenie dla życia, zdrowia i kariery Joeya, by pod koniec rozwiązać to dosłownie w dwóch czy trzech akapitach. Po problemie...

👎 Niechlujstwa ciąg dalszy - bohaterowie magicznie w różnych tomach, bądź nawet w różnych miejscach w tym samym tomie, mają różny wzrost. Różni się od 1 do 3 cali. No nie wiem - wg mnie to różnica, czy ktoś ma ok. 172 cm wzrostu, czy 180. Ale co ja się tam znam 😉

👎 Aaaa... i Robbie zyskał kolejny kolor oczu - były już zielone, potem brązowe jak czekolada, teraz zaś są piwne/orzechowe 😜

👎 Edycja po raz kolejny leży i kwiczy, w dodatku bardzo głośno...

I mogłoby tego być dużo więcej, ale już szkoda mi czasu...
Chciałam przeczytać całą serię, ale odpuszczam, bo mam dość 👀

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/27/2019)! 🎁

Blurb:
Hockey superstar Joey Luciano has always been good at being whatever people needed him to be. The fans want a good-looking fast-living party boy? Enter ‘the Looch,’ Joey’s carefully created public persona. But the cracks in his mask are starting to show, and he’s begun to lose touch with who he really is. It’s going to take someone who’s been there from the very beginning, to help him find his way home.

Coach Liam O’Reilly always had a very clear picture of what his life should look like. Falling in love with the infuriating, passionate, stubborn, and endlessly fascinating boy next door was not part of the plan. But when Liam’s carefully constructed life fell apart one Christmas Eve, Joey Luciano was there to pick up the pieces. Now Liam can't stop wanting him.

The passion blazing between them on the ice and behind closed doors could leave both of them badly burned. But through the smoke, Liam can see glimpses of a future brighter than any he’d imagined, a future worth risking his career and reputation for, if only he is brave enough to reach for it.

But Joey’s got a secret he’s keeping from everyone. If it gets out, it could be the end of everything.

[Line]

Freebie at the zon.com right now: https://smile.amazon.com/Boy-Next-Doo...

[Leyna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chaotic beginning, good middle, rushed ending.

[Elithanathile · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible writing, just horrible!! What the hell is this author thinking and WHY on earth does she even think this drivel is worth putting down on paper, or more to the point, WHY she would think it's entertaining much less romantic!!!
1. Liam was an obnoxious, obtuse dolt; he didn't deserve Joey at all!!
2. The whole spanking thing was so incredibly misplaced, it was astronomically ridiculous!!
3. Robbie and Paul, whoever they were supposed to be [why they were always hanging out at Liam's place goodness only knows] acted more like bratty 12 year old brothers than the two adult men who were supposed to be in love!!
4. The writing was rambling, immature, and completely nonsensical!! Does this author think this is even remotely interesting; does she think relationships like these are attractive, funny, or even healthy or functional?!!? If so, that's incredibly alarming, because NO!!!
5. This book was pages and pages and pages of absolute drivel and I am stunned it was even published!! Based on this book, I can tell this author's writing is most definitely NOT for me, or anyone else who appreciates good writing, because let me tell you, this author's writing is NOT good ... at least not in THIS book!! Not by a long shot!!!

ETA: I had posted another paragraph here about how I am DNFing any other books by this author, but decided to give ONE MORE book a chance!! We shall see ... ! IF I like it, then that'd be great; if not, then I'll post what I was about to here!!


***************

I own all the books, haven't cracked them open yet, and have decided to read this one FIRST [and out of order] just because!! After reading their novella - again, out of order "just because" - I've decided I need to crack this one open first!! This series BETTER BE FANTASTIC because like I said, I own all 5 books!!! The blurbs made them sound great and I decided to go for gold in a moment of M/M faith; books, don't let me down!! So yeah, they better be WONDERFUL!!!!
Not crazy about the author specifically [though I HAVE heard her books are GREAT and THAT is what matters to me and THAT is what will ALWAYS matter - where books are concerned - in the grand scheme of things], but I won't hold that against the books ... books are books and whoever ends up writing them is not "their" fault; the books didn't choose their author after all! SO I won't penalize the books, which is why I decided to go for it and buy the series quite a while ago!! Again, these books better prove to me that the risk/investment was worth it!!! Books, do your magic!!!


I will say two things by the way:

1. The editing in this book's previous novella was simply non-existent!! Horrible HORRIBLE editing, and the person who was tasked to wrestle the story into proper grammar/structure/syntax/SPELLING, should be seriously ashamed of himself/herself!! Because NAH!!

2. Another reviewer mentioned how Michelle seems to be absolved of all guilt/responsibility when it comes to how she cheated on Liam! SHE FUCKING CHEATED!!! I hate it when an author's opinions and prejudices - because CLEARLY this is how the author feels and projected it onto her story; woman cheated [?!!?], sure let's blame the guy!!! Authors, keep yourselves and your flippin' opinions OUT of your friggin' stories ... do NOT let them reflect onto your characters and do NOT impose them onto your story/MCs/side-characters/fictional world!!! I mean come on, it's as clear as day ... this female author thought it's the guy's fault THE WOMAN CHEATED!!! It had nothing to do with the story and it's not a direction "the characters" decided to take ... it was the author's decision to write it this way and to make it so, it was the author's decision on WHO to meter out blame to, and it was the author's decision to let a female character get away with CHEATING - just because she's a woman? - and blaming the guy for it!!!

As for Michelle - NO ONE is to blame for her cheating but her!!! THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE FOR CHEATING AND TRYING TO BLAME IT ON SOMEONE ELSE IS A FUCKING DOUCHEY MOVE!!
Michelle, you are a cheating, two-timing, underhanded, lying, nasty-ass CUNT, and YOU are the reason you cheated; YOU and no one else is to blame for your skeevy cheating ways!!! YOU'RE A NASTY BITCH, and to try and act indignant and self-righteous when YOU ARE A CHEATING SKANK, just makes you look SKANKIER than ever!!! YUCK!!! Listen, I just have such a strong and unwavering belief in honor, trustworthiness, self-respect, decency, morality, and LOYALTY, anything even REMOTELY cheating, I am COMPLETELY AND ABSOLUTELY AGAINST ... it doesn't matter WHO the person is!!! Also, I believe in accountability and taking responsibility for our actions!!! Don't want to be in that relationship?!!? END IT!!! BE A DECENT PERSON AND END IT!!! BUT NEVER EVER CHEAT!! CHEATING IS ABSOLUTELY DESPICABLE/REPREHENSIBLE/UNFORGIVABLE - I don't give a damn what the story is ... NONE!! IT IS VILE and so is anyone else who cheats, which is MICHELLE and ONLY MICHELLE in this story [well, Nico falls into that category as well of course]!!!!!

FUCK THAT SHIT, that annoys me!! For the record, I AM a woman, and I just think that's wrong!! Authors doing shit like that and making stupid ass decisions - based on their own ridiculous opinions - and making the book suffer for it, pisses the hell out of me :-/!!!! So it is the AUTHOR I blame ... because her mark and her personal opinions/personality are CLEARLY reflected here!!!!! Authors, remember, books are NOT SUPPOSED TO BE REFLECTIONS OF YOU!!!!! FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE KNOCK IT OFF!!!!! Realize that everything your MC does, everything they respond to, CANNOT AND SHOULD NOT BE AN EXTENSION OF YOU, WHAT YOU WOULD DO, AND HOW YOU WOULD REACT!!! I DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU WOULD DO AND I DON'T WANT TO READ ABOUT YOU, SO LEAVE YOURSELF & YOUR OPINIONS COMPLETELY OUT OF THE BOOK!!! DON'T LET YOUR CHARACTERS/MCs/BOOK GET SHADED BY WHO YOU ARE OR HOW YOU THINK, AND SUFFER BECAUSE OF IT!!! That is ALL I am going to say!!!!

Disclaimer: I say "authors" a lot because it pisses me off when ANY author does this, as unfortunately a few authors HAVE done this!!! SO it annoys me like hell when ANY author does this, no matter who it is!!!!

My vent spilled over from reading the novella LOL so I have a big idea on what happened and reading the reaction in THIS book pissed me off!!! But like I said, I am done now, and that's all I have to say on the matter :-D!!

P.S. For the sake of and for the good of this book and a POSITIVE reading experience - because I want to give this book the truest chance it deserves and I DO want to ADORE this book - I'm going to dismiss and ignore the whole Michelle thing COMPLETELY AND ABSOLUTELY!!!! I will NOT allow it to have ANY impact or power over this book WHATSOEVER!!! So if for any reason this book falls flat for me, it will NOT be because of this little side-blip/hiccup!!! But cheers to that not being an issue AT ALL; cheers to this book being a GREAT one *crossing fingers and toes*!!!

[BR11 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally! It seemed that I’d been waiting forever to read this book. It didn’t disappoint! Solid addition to the series.
Recommend!

[Crystal Lacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this amazingly hot, amazingly sweet, amazingly funny book.

Liam O'Reilly and Joey Luciano are practically family, having lived next door all their lives. Liam has always had a soft spot for Joey, who is the baby of the Luciano family. Joey has always looked up to--and been in love with--Liam. This book picks off after Boy Toy and follows them as they navigate working together after a hot Christmas holiday hook-up leaves them both reeling from the chemistry. When Liam and Joey are forced into closer proximity after Joey is traded to the team Liam coaches, the two can't stay away from each other.

This book starts off with a hilarious group text among various members of the combined Luciano/O'Reilly clan as they wish each other Happy New Years. It is SO funny, and is full of characters who live and breathe and beg for the reader's attention. I want a book about almost all of them, Nonno and Bridget included. And then you get Joey and Liam in a room together and suddenly it's hot hot HOT so I have to go stand in front of the AC to cool myself down. And then Liam does things like kiss Joey's forehead and tell him "you're worth it" and my heart just melts into a puddle on the floor.

Basically, this book has it all. It's pretty long, but don't let that deter you, because by the end you'll be wishing it were longer so you could bask in the glory of Liam and Joey's families.

Fair warning, there is a little spanking and a little bossiness, but it isn't really a BDSM book.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boy Next Door is my first AE Wasp book, I will definitely be reading the earlier books from this series. I loved the characters, especially the dynamics with their meddling family members, the storyline kept me reading, there was more than a few laughs and lots of chemistry.

Liam and Joey grew up as neighbours, both are involved with NHL teams, both at different stages of their careers, both have doubts they can ever have a public relationship. Their story is full of family interventions, amusing friends, secret love and even a little body art.

[Kk · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not happy...

Normally, Im a huge fan of AEW. I buy her stuff when it goes on sale, even if Ive already read so I can read it again.

I loved all the other books in the series so far, but not this one for some ungodly reason that only makes sense to me.

First of all it felt like the story was reaching for May/Dec relationship but couldn’t quite get there. Liam jerked Joey around so much in the beginning that I thought Joey was heading for doormat category.

Second...I like close loving families because I didn't have that. However, when your families stage TWO interventions for your relationship, something aint doing here (yes, that was rather southern)..

This book was just ho/hum to particularly in light of the lead in with the short story between these two MCs.

[Barb ~rede-2-read~ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't get into this story. The big interfering family, the group texts, the lives interwoven with the next door neighbors' lives. It makes sense and I know families like this but, IMO, the secondary characters here overwhelmed the plot and the love story.

I had to walk away for a week when I had finally reached the halfway mark, which was a struggle to reach, and I toyed with DNG, but when i finally picked it back up I was able to get through and I even enjoyed the last 20 percent. So... not one I'd recommend unless someone reads the series. To be honest, I doubt I'd have gone all the way to this one, book 4. Just not my cuppa.

[E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

“Boy Next Door” by A.E. Wasp follows Joey (the Looch) Luciano in the aftermath of an explosive and life-changing Christmas Eve interlude. Finding his feet with a new team and a new coach should be easy…except for the fact that one of his coaches is Liam O’Reilly and their complicated relationship is not the only secret Joey is dealing with!

This adult gay sports romance is part of the ‘Hot Off the Ice’ series. The author vividly immerses one into the competitive world of ice hockey interspersed with chaotic glimpses of two boisterous families. I was fascinated by the mini stories told in the group texts at the beginnings of the chapters even as I was a bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of folks who are all interconnected. There is a helpful list of characters as well as a glossary of hockey terms at the beginning of the story, but being impatient, I skimmed over most of that. If you’re new to the series like I am, it may help to look over the connections but it is possible to eventually work out who is related to who as the story progresses.

There are so many fun threads in this book, and the charisma (and sex appeal) abounds—across generations. I was a bit frustrated that one character is not really punished for his intrusive and inconsiderate actions. There are multiple tropes involved, including and older/younger and out/closeted relationship, work fraternization, family drama, mild BDSM, and sports romance. The action is fast and furious (on and off the ice) and the story stands alone but definitely engenders a curiosity about previous events. I’m not a hockey fan, but I enjoyed this story and want to read more about all of these folks.

A copy of this story was provided to me for review

[Kirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. There was so much action and so much happening in this book with a huge cast of characters, so this book demands your full and undivided attention. I like how we got some help at the beginning of the book on the Luciano and O’Reilly families – sort of a who’s who – and a hockey terms glossary which really helped me as someone who only knows a little about the game and what I do know I’ve learnt from romance novels.

What stood out most here for me was the sense of family and kinship; how close they all were and the ribbing and teasing that went on between them all. It was fun to read their group chats which was a really nice touch by the author. Liam and Joey grew up together and were really close before things got intimate and to watch this evolve was really interesting; I don’t think I’ve read about a pairing that were this close (and with everyone knowing ALL their business!) before. They were really under the microscope whilst navigating their feelings and I did sympathise with the both of them. You really get sucked in here, willing Liam and Joey on, and the supporting characters are so rich and diverse – and don’t forget hilarious – that it’s like watching a film in a way; blink and you’ll miss the action. There were some really sweet and hot moments here with the MC’s, written beautifully by the author. If you’re up for a roller-coaster ride set in the hockey world, with a ton of family interference and plenty of laughs, give this one a try.

Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMG Reads.

[Elle Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been a long while since Boy Toys (novella, informally #3 in the Hot off the Ice series) was released, leaving readers wanting more of the O’Reilly/Luciano clans. AE Wasp does not disappoint, as Boy Next Door (Hot off the ice #5) was worth the wait.

Wasp has a natural story-tellers way of emerging you in the family and making you feel a part of it. The text chats at the beginning of most chapters are pure gold. The language when the siblings talk to and text with each other is a realistic encapsulation of large family dynamics. The missteps, interventions, interferences and intrusions made by well-meaning family members serve to seamlessly advance the plot while providing much comic relief.

But it’s not all laughs and giggles. There’s drama and challenges to the relationship; physical, mental and emotional issues plaguing characters. Some favourite characters from previous novels make welcome appearances. And the complex timeline works; weaving this story throughout some of the previous novels.

Joey and Liam are both flawed characters and this helps add realism to the story. Big sister Gina stands out with her loud, brash ways — the champion everyone wishes they had in their corner.

The worst part about finishing this book was realizing there was no more Luciano/O’Reilly stuff in the works. Here’s hoping the seeds Wasp planted about Paddy come to fruition, because I, for one, am not ready to leave this family just yet.

Reviewer received ARC in exchange for unbiased review.

[Antisocial Recluse · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

I lived in Boston many years, my ex’s and friends from big, close-knit Irish and Italian families. The scenes with Liam and Joey’s families were like going back in time. Loved that! I really enjoyed this story, mostly because I wanted to smack Liam, sometimes Joey too, in the back of the head. Joey was too darn cute though. There’s a little Daddy/boy vibe to their relationship, definitely some D/s, although nothing defined that way. I would highly recommend reading Boy Toys before this. The families are rather confusing but that story made this one easier to understand and relate to Joey and Liam’s relationship. The hockey aspect is awesome. I don’t watch hockey, have no clue how the game works but I love reading about it and AE Wasp is one of the best at writing it!

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed all of the Hot Off the Ice books, especially because the characters in these books are so rich with backstory, with their own hangups and mindsets. I hadn't read Boy Toy before this book, but I still enjoyed getting to know Liam and Joey throughout this book. They are both great characters and while I wished that Liam didn't take so much responsibility for things that weren't his fault, I think his chemistry with Joey was perfect. The story has a whole slew of secondary characters (especially both Liam and Joey's families), along with some couples from the other books which I loved getting another glimpse into their relationship. It's a fast-paced read with a lot of emotions and a wonderful HEA! A great read!!

[Ottilee B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this series! I hope there's more but if not, Ms Wasp wrote the best with this one. I like that you knew Joey had a problem but it wasn't what you thought it might be. Then it was! It was difficult at times to keep the characters separate but you knew which clan they were from by their name: Liam and Paddy were from the Irish as Joey, Nico and Gina were not. The sex scenes were off the charts! And Liam needed Joey as much as J needed L. This was so good, it's going on my favorites shelf.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Liam and Joey begins on Boy Toys, but more importantly it really began when they grew up next door to each other in South Boston. Most people assume that the professional athletes have great lives with all the money, but the downsides are so much greater. The expectations a person with great talent have so much pressure put on themselves as well as outside forces. Lifting the veil of that kind of pressure and making Boy Next Door so much more than just the hot romance it is.

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love and family

Wow another great book by this writer. I enjoyed the interaction of the characters , the chemistry between Joey and Liam undeniable but also the way they were with their families and real friends. I felt a part of this family as I read this book .I hope this writer has more stories for this series

[Lori¸¸¸.•*❀Ɍɛɑɗs̱LɪƙɛIʈs̱H̱ɛɍJɔɓ 유❤유 · Rating 4 out of 5]

As much as I loved Sergei, I think Liam and Joey are my favorites. This series has been so good. There's enough angst in each book to keep them interesting but not enough to make me a nervous wreck. I have no idea if there are going to be any more in this series but I will definitely keep reading if there are.

[Bobbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boy Next Door, Hot Off The Ice book 5 by A. E. Wasp. I couldn’t wait to read this book after reading Boy Toys the Christmas book. I absolutely love all the characters in this story! Every one of them and there are a lot. This author has the best characters in her series. That’s why she is one of my favorite authors. Oh and the storylines are fantastic also! It was worth the wait. Can’t wait to read the next book!

[Earlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joe and Liam

Friends to lovers.
As usual there is plenty of hockey and we get to catch up with other characters.
The family dynamic worked . They were supportive and encouraged the union.
Not bad if you enjoyed the other books in the series.

[Kaila · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing addition to this series.. it is sexy and hott and wonderful. it was funny and made me smile. i loved it

[Kyra · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF - couldn't get into it

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Messy hockey boy
needs hot hockey man; spanking.
These are good stories.