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Pucks & Rainbows #3
Shot on Goal
The Vancouver Narwhals’ star goalie. The New York Krakens’ head coach. This can’t possibly be a recipe for disaster.
Goalie Brad Spencer is flying high after his team clinches the Cup and names him their MVP. Like his teammates, he’s ready to celebrate—ideally with someone in his bed. When he slips off to a gay bar, he meets someone who’s gorgeous, willing, and… absolutely the last man he should be touching.
Head coach Anthony Caruso just wants to have a few drinks and get laid to soothe the sting of his team losing the Cup. Then that ridiculously sexy player from the opposing team strolls into the club. The chemistry is instantaneous, and a mountain of PHL regulations can’t keep them apart. After all, it’s just a hookup.
And then another hookup. And then a summer getaway that’s just enough time and privacy for them to get in way over their heads. When the hockey season starts up again, they walk away… but they can’t stay away.
Anthony and Brad value their careers way too much to be this reckless, but they’ve both been alone for way too long to ignore these feelings.
Sooner or later, though, something has to give, and one of them is going to have to choose between the man he loves and the sport he lives for.
Shot on Goal is book 3 of the Pucks & Rainbows series, and can be read as a standalone.
Goalie Brad Spencer is flying high after his team clinches the Cup and names him their MVP. Like his teammates, he’s ready to celebrate—ideally with someone in his bed. When he slips off to a gay bar, he meets someone who’s gorgeous, willing, and… absolutely the last man he should be touching.
Head coach Anthony Caruso just wants to have a few drinks and get laid to soothe the sting of his team losing the Cup. Then that ridiculously sexy player from the opposing team strolls into the club. The chemistry is instantaneous, and a mountain of PHL regulations can’t keep them apart. After all, it’s just a hookup.
And then another hookup. And then a summer getaway that’s just enough time and privacy for them to get in way over their heads. When the hockey season starts up again, they walk away… but they can’t stay away.
Anthony and Brad value their careers way too much to be this reckless, but they’ve both been alone for way too long to ignore these feelings.
Sooner or later, though, something has to give, and one of them is going to have to choose between the man he loves and the sport he lives for.
Shot on Goal is book 3 of the Pucks & Rainbows series, and can be read as a standalone.
357 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2020
154 people are currently reading
649 people want to read
About the author
L.A. Witt
218 books2,724 followersL.A. Witt and her husband have been exiled from Spain and sent to live in Maine because rhymes are fun. She now divides her time between writing, assuring people she is aware that Maine is cold, wondering where to put her next tattoo, and trying to reason with a surly Maine coon. Rumor has it her arch nemesis, Lauren Gallagher, is also somewhere in the wilds of New England, which is why L.A. is also spending a portion of her time training a team of spec ops lobsters.
Authors Ann Gallagher and Lori A. Witt have been asked to assist in lobster training, but they "have books to write" and "need to focus on our careers" and "don't you think this rivalry has gotten a little out of hand?" They're probably just helping Lauren raise her army of squirrels trained to ride moose into battle.
Visit her website at http://www.gallagherwitt.com/.
Authors Ann Gallagher and Lori A. Witt have been asked to assist in lobster training, but they "have books to write" and "need to focus on our careers" and "don't you think this rivalry has gotten a little out of hand?" They're probably just helping Lauren raise her army of squirrels trained to ride moose into battle.
Visit her website at http://www.gallagherwitt.com/.
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April 24, 2020Available May 12.
December 21, 2021
this is a hard one to pin down for me.
while I felt like these two lacked the chemistry and spark in the beginning that led to entire plot of the book (wanting to be together even though they can't), I did become very invested in their relationship as time passed - which is what you want to have happen.
but the entire way through I kept asking myself how we actually got to that point. I guess it never clicked for me why they would risk everything in the beginning when they had no real reason to - they were both Out, they both had supportive families and Teams, they weren't driven towards each other by anything other than just plain ole' lust that very first night.
I do have to admit that the entire time they were at Brad's cabin I kept thinking of Heated Rivalry and I am very aware that's not fair. but the parallels were just too hard to ignore, forbidden romance between rivals and they get away from everything at a remote cabin in Canada. come on. the difference was that in HR everything was very much high stakes and high investment at that point and while the comparison is unfair, my brain would not let it go.
that being said, while there were never fireworks for me with these two, I did think their relationship built to a point where the threat of separation did bring tears to my eyes - which, hats off, that's not an easy thing.
but I don't really see myself revisiting this one. it just was what it was.
while I felt like these two lacked the chemistry and spark in the beginning that led to entire plot of the book (wanting to be together even though they can't), I did become very invested in their relationship as time passed - which is what you want to have happen.
but the entire way through I kept asking myself how we actually got to that point. I guess it never clicked for me why they would risk everything in the beginning when they had no real reason to - they were both Out, they both had supportive families and Teams, they weren't driven towards each other by anything other than just plain ole' lust that very first night.
I do have to admit that the entire time they were at Brad's cabin I kept thinking of Heated Rivalry and I am very aware that's not fair. but the parallels were just too hard to ignore, forbidden romance between rivals and they get away from everything at a remote cabin in Canada. come on. the difference was that in HR everything was very much high stakes and high investment at that point and while the comparison is unfair, my brain would not let it go.
that being said, while there were never fireworks for me with these two, I did think their relationship built to a point where the threat of separation did bring tears to my eyes - which, hats off, that's not an easy thing.
but I don't really see myself revisiting this one. it just was what it was.
May 19, 2020
This third book in the series gives us Brad, who just won the Cup in goal for the Narwhals, and Anthony, fifteen years his senior and coach of the losing Krakens. They encounter each other in a gay bar, down the street from the Cup afterparty, and the tension and heat simmering from the hard-fought series turn into a different kind of heat.
It's a stupid move, to go back to a hotel together, but the season is over, no one will know, and it's as hot as it is stupid. But once becomes twice, and the attraction they feel turns out to be harder to handle the longer it goes on. For each of them, there's a space in their life that has never been filled, but it would be disaster to let someone from the rival team in. So the sex is hot, but nothing else can happen. Really...
To begin this book, you have to buy an attraction strong enough to wipe out professional behavior, but then men have done a lot of stupid things for hot sex. Once these guys are together their relationship has time to grow and build, and it felt plausible. I wish they'd had a little less isolation through the middle part, and a little more issues with their relative ages - it felt almost too easy - but it did give them time to become solid. Brad's luck with boyfriends in the past has been epically bad, so a decent man like Anthony has an easy entry into his heart. The pace was a bit uneven and some things repeated more than needed, as the book headed to the more interesting second half.
I did like the believably of the resolution - there were other cheaper ways it could've gone, and I was pleased to see those avoided. The ending was a bit abrupt - I wish we'd seen an epilogue or a bit more of them creating the relationship that would last. Still a good entry in the series, which does not have to be read in order.
It's a stupid move, to go back to a hotel together, but the season is over, no one will know, and it's as hot as it is stupid. But once becomes twice, and the attraction they feel turns out to be harder to handle the longer it goes on. For each of them, there's a space in their life that has never been filled, but it would be disaster to let someone from the rival team in. So the sex is hot, but nothing else can happen. Really...
To begin this book, you have to buy an attraction strong enough to wipe out professional behavior, but then men have done a lot of stupid things for hot sex. Once these guys are together their relationship has time to grow and build, and it felt plausible. I wish they'd had a little less isolation through the middle part, and a little more issues with their relative ages - it felt almost too easy - but it did give them time to become solid. Brad's luck with boyfriends in the past has been epically bad, so a decent man like Anthony has an easy entry into his heart. The pace was a bit uneven and some things repeated more than needed, as the book headed to the more interesting second half.
I did like the believably of the resolution - there were other cheaper ways it could've gone, and I was pleased to see those avoided. The ending was a bit abrupt - I wish we'd seen an epilogue or a bit more of them creating the relationship that would last. Still a good entry in the series, which does not have to be read in order.
June 21, 2020
This was so good, I loved it.
The third installment in this series follows the Vancouver Narwhals star goalie, Brad and the New York Krakens head coach Anthony, as they meet the night their teams faced off in a gay bar and Brad's team won the Cup.
They are both out, but the fact that Anthony is the head coach of an opposing team and Brad a player of an opposing team...that's what's not okay, what they have to keep hidden.
At the bar they're instantly attracted to each other, and they know they shouldn't hook up, but they both can't resist and do anyway.
A few weeks later at a charity event, they're both there and can't stay away again. Then, before their second night together is over, Brad asks Anthony to come stay with him for 10 days in a cabin he has in the middle of nowhere in Canada, and Anthony says yes.
At first they go into thinking they're just going to have some hot sex for 10 days with a fuck buddy, basically, but when the 10 days are up, Brad finds himself asking Anthony to stay longer, and Anthony finds himself saying yes...and he keeps staying the rest of the off season until he absolutely has to leave because his team is starting practices and Brad's team will be too.
They stay away for a time, but can't hold out forever, and eventually they start seeing each other when their teams play or when their teams play near each other, and start a long distance relationship through it all.
I loved these two together, I thought they were great together. They had wonderful chemistry and their romance was wonderful, it made me melt several times, their love for one another.
Most of their problems in this came from outside forces as well, not conflicts within their relationship, really.
Because they can't keep their relationship a secret forever, and they have to face the consequences when they eventually get found out.
But they find a way, and this ends with a pretty good HEA, I think.
Definitely worth a read, even if you haven't read the first two books. You don't need to to enjoy this one as well.
Definite thumbs up from me, highly recommend!
The third installment in this series follows the Vancouver Narwhals star goalie, Brad and the New York Krakens head coach Anthony, as they meet the night their teams faced off in a gay bar and Brad's team won the Cup.
They are both out, but the fact that Anthony is the head coach of an opposing team and Brad a player of an opposing team...that's what's not okay, what they have to keep hidden.
At the bar they're instantly attracted to each other, and they know they shouldn't hook up, but they both can't resist and do anyway.
A few weeks later at a charity event, they're both there and can't stay away again. Then, before their second night together is over, Brad asks Anthony to come stay with him for 10 days in a cabin he has in the middle of nowhere in Canada, and Anthony says yes.
At first they go into thinking they're just going to have some hot sex for 10 days with a fuck buddy, basically, but when the 10 days are up, Brad finds himself asking Anthony to stay longer, and Anthony finds himself saying yes...and he keeps staying the rest of the off season until he absolutely has to leave because his team is starting practices and Brad's team will be too.
They stay away for a time, but can't hold out forever, and eventually they start seeing each other when their teams play or when their teams play near each other, and start a long distance relationship through it all.
I loved these two together, I thought they were great together. They had wonderful chemistry and their romance was wonderful, it made me melt several times, their love for one another.
Most of their problems in this came from outside forces as well, not conflicts within their relationship, really.
Because they can't keep their relationship a secret forever, and they have to face the consequences when they eventually get found out.
But they find a way, and this ends with a pretty good HEA, I think.
Definitely worth a read, even if you haven't read the first two books. You don't need to to enjoy this one as well.
Definite thumbs up from me, highly recommend!
February 25, 2023
2* simply because its better than the previous which I couldn't read.
It's long, dragged out, doesn't know where to finish.
There's no character development or chemistry, they're interchangeable and pretty interchangeable with the characters from the first book too. It's sex, skippable. But late in the story they're still not sure if they're more than fuck buddies which made me wonder the point. Pages of their very similar thoughts without them ever connecting.
Random hockey side plot that made no sense just extended the book longer and reminded us there was a hockey theme.
I was surprised a hockey coach would need to read a shirt to know a main rival player's name, would think he'd be have been studying the opposition and their gameplay. But the teams are a faceless offpage bunch.
The ending is cheesy, even with all the skimming I did I regret bothering to reach it.
It's long, dragged out, doesn't know where to finish.
There's no character development or chemistry, they're interchangeable and pretty interchangeable with the characters from the first book too. It's sex, skippable. But late in the story they're still not sure if they're more than fuck buddies which made me wonder the point. Pages of their very similar thoughts without them ever connecting.
Random hockey side plot that made no sense just extended the book longer and reminded us there was a hockey theme.
I was surprised a hockey coach would need to read a shirt to know a main rival player's name, would think he'd be have been studying the opposition and their gameplay. But the teams are a faceless offpage bunch.
The ending is cheesy, even with all the skimming I did I regret bothering to reach it.
May 21, 2020
I love stories where the relationship seems to be unobtainable but they find ways to make it work. Here, Brad and Anthony hook up, despite the fact that a relationship would be very dangerous to both of their careers. That hookup turns into more with each get together and while they each question whether they should, they are drawn to each other being worth the risk.
Brad and Anthony spend the off-season together and carry on once they return to the ice. They have some great chemistry, although it takes some time for Brad to believe Anthony is for real – most of his past hookups couldn’t be bothered with much. The age gap doesn’t seem to be much of a factor and the issues surrounding their being together stem mainly from their respective positions on rival teams. The long-distance aspect is a bit difficult, but the secrecy they must keep is definitely stressful.
There is another complication these guys are dealing with when another team ramps up their dangerous play resulting in numerous player injuries, including Brad. Add an investigation Anthony is a part of and things get a bit more complicated. But these guys cannot turn off their feelings and, in fact, they grow stronger every day whether they are apart or spending time together.
This can easily be read as a stand along, but you will surely want to read the others. Keith from the previous book is in this one quite a bit as Brad’s friend (and Anthony was also Keith’s dad’s friend – long story you’ll have to read Keith’s book to learn). Asher from the first book is mentioned but doesn’t play a bigger role. It was great seeing Keith again and knowing he and his men are still going strong.
I really enjoyed this installment and while I didn’t love the long-distance aspect, these guys make it work. It is easy to see how beneficial it would be for both people to be in the same job field. Both clearly understood the challenges and knew what it would take to deal with that. I loved how things turned out but would have really enjoyed seeing these guys a little further down the road. Regardless, it was a great installment to the series, and I really hope there will be more to come.
Review written for Love Bytes Reviews.
July 25, 2022
Questo volume conclusivo della trilogia mi è piaciuto molto, ci sono dei bei personaggi e sono ben caratterizzati.
Il legame proibito fra Brad e Tony – un giovane giocatore e l’allenatore capo di una squadra avversaria – è stato ben gestito, descritto in modo realistico nella sua complessità, nel conflitto di interessi e nelle problematiche che presenta fra personaggi famosi, amori a distanza, age gap e regolamenti sportivi.
Un rapporto da una notte di divertimento e sfogo diventa presto altro, ma farlo funzionare non è affatto semplice né indolore. Ho amato lo sviluppo del loro legame, le incertezze e l’amore mescolato a molte scene davvero bollenti. Il finale non è per niente scontato. Ma sarò sincera: ci sono anche concetti ripetuti che avrei sfoltito un po’. Comunque 4 stelle le merita.
Il legame proibito fra Brad e Tony – un giovane giocatore e l’allenatore capo di una squadra avversaria – è stato ben gestito, descritto in modo realistico nella sua complessità, nel conflitto di interessi e nelle problematiche che presenta fra personaggi famosi, amori a distanza, age gap e regolamenti sportivi.
Un rapporto da una notte di divertimento e sfogo diventa presto altro, ma farlo funzionare non è affatto semplice né indolore. Ho amato lo sviluppo del loro legame, le incertezze e l’amore mescolato a molte scene davvero bollenti. Il finale non è per niente scontato. Ma sarò sincera: ci sono anche concetti ripetuti che avrei sfoltito un po’. Comunque 4 stelle le merita.
May 30, 2020
Je ne lis pas tout ce que fait L.A. Witt, je sélectionne vachement mais pas une seule fois, elle ne m’a déçue. Et ce 3ème opus de sa série Pucks and Rainbows ne fait pas exception. Je l’avais adoré de bout en bout.
Depuis que j’ai commencé la lecture MM, j’ai toujours eu un gros faible pour les MM sportifs, et le Hockey est semble-t-il le sport qui revient le plus souvent et ce n’est pas pour me déplaire.
Dans ce tome “Shot on Goal”, on rencontre Anthony et Brad. Leur amour est impossible car il met en danger leurs deux carrières. Brad est le gardien d’une équipe prestigieuse et Anthony est le coach principal d’une équipe adverse. Vous voyez le souci ? Un gros conflit d’intérêt et possible suspicion d’échange d’infos entre les deux. Donc quand ils se retrouvent un soir dans le même bar gay, ils savent qu’ils ne devraient pas céder à cette attirance immédiate entre eux. Mais finissent par se dire que ça sera le coup d’une nuit. Puis l’histoire d’un soir est devenue l’histoire de deux soirs, puis l’histoire d’un été....
De retour à la réalité, ils avaient décidé que tout ce qu’ils avaient vécu dans cette cabane isolée est mort et enterré là-bas et qu’il ne le restera que les souvenirs deux 2 mois qu’ils ont passé ensemble. Ils ont essayé de tenir mais ont moyennement réussi. Leur amour est plus fort et ils finissent par vivre leur amour en cachette avec une épée de Damoclès au dessus de la tête...
J’adore les amours contrariées et j’ai vécu chaque sentiment, chaque déchirure avec eux et j’ai adoré. Le livre est en toute simplicité, pas de grosses déclarations, pas de gestes chevaleresques, pas de sacrifices inutiles. Juste deux mecs qui s’aiment, qui veulent vivre leur amour au max avant que tout ne leur explose à la tronche et c’était magnifique. J’ai ri et pleuré avec eux et j’ai énormément apprécié cette lecture. Et c’est ce que j’aime chez cette auteur, c’est toujours simple mais tellement efficace. Quand j’ai tourné la dernière page, j’avais le sentiment que j’avais vécu l’histoire de deux amis chers à mon cœur et j’étais contente de vivre leur aventure avec eux.
Bref, une lecture très sympathique.
Je n’ai pas lu le tome 2 car c’est un MMM et ce n’est pas ma lecture de prédilection, mais après avoir rencontré les personnages dans le tome 3, je suis très curieuse de lire leur histoire.
Depuis que j’ai commencé la lecture MM, j’ai toujours eu un gros faible pour les MM sportifs, et le Hockey est semble-t-il le sport qui revient le plus souvent et ce n’est pas pour me déplaire.
Dans ce tome “Shot on Goal”, on rencontre Anthony et Brad. Leur amour est impossible car il met en danger leurs deux carrières. Brad est le gardien d’une équipe prestigieuse et Anthony est le coach principal d’une équipe adverse. Vous voyez le souci ? Un gros conflit d’intérêt et possible suspicion d’échange d’infos entre les deux. Donc quand ils se retrouvent un soir dans le même bar gay, ils savent qu’ils ne devraient pas céder à cette attirance immédiate entre eux. Mais finissent par se dire que ça sera le coup d’une nuit. Puis l’histoire d’un soir est devenue l’histoire de deux soirs, puis l’histoire d’un été....
De retour à la réalité, ils avaient décidé que tout ce qu’ils avaient vécu dans cette cabane isolée est mort et enterré là-bas et qu’il ne le restera que les souvenirs deux 2 mois qu’ils ont passé ensemble. Ils ont essayé de tenir mais ont moyennement réussi. Leur amour est plus fort et ils finissent par vivre leur amour en cachette avec une épée de Damoclès au dessus de la tête...
J’adore les amours contrariées et j’ai vécu chaque sentiment, chaque déchirure avec eux et j’ai adoré. Le livre est en toute simplicité, pas de grosses déclarations, pas de gestes chevaleresques, pas de sacrifices inutiles. Juste deux mecs qui s’aiment, qui veulent vivre leur amour au max avant que tout ne leur explose à la tronche et c’était magnifique. J’ai ri et pleuré avec eux et j’ai énormément apprécié cette lecture. Et c’est ce que j’aime chez cette auteur, c’est toujours simple mais tellement efficace. Quand j’ai tourné la dernière page, j’avais le sentiment que j’avais vécu l’histoire de deux amis chers à mon cœur et j’étais contente de vivre leur aventure avec eux.
Bref, une lecture très sympathique.
Je n’ai pas lu le tome 2 car c’est un MMM et ce n’est pas ma lecture de prédilection, mais après avoir rencontré les personnages dans le tome 3, je suis très curieuse de lire leur histoire.
March 21, 2022
A good solid story
Shot on Goal is the third in Pucks & Rainbows Ice Hockey series. It's Contemporary MM Romance. HEA. Sports, Ice Hockey, Forbidden Romance.
2 POV, 1st person, past tense. This kindle edition 357 pages, 12th may 2020.
I liked this one! I think I liked nr 2 in the series least because I honestly often find it too complicated to stay on top of who's who when the narrative revolves around three guys. I get all mixed up and that disturbs too much. This newest story is back to two main characters and it clicked for me from the start much more than nr 2. It was a good story I had no trouble keeping up with and it was as well written as usually. What a good series this is! I've no complaints, it was interesting and the chemistry worked to my taste. I'm just sorry that there's not been a new title since. I'd've loved one :)
Shot on Goal is the third in Pucks & Rainbows Ice Hockey series. It's Contemporary MM Romance. HEA. Sports, Ice Hockey, Forbidden Romance.
2 POV, 1st person, past tense. This kindle edition 357 pages, 12th may 2020.
I liked this one! I think I liked nr 2 in the series least because I honestly often find it too complicated to stay on top of who's who when the narrative revolves around three guys. I get all mixed up and that disturbs too much. This newest story is back to two main characters and it clicked for me from the start much more than nr 2. It was a good story I had no trouble keeping up with and it was as well written as usually. What a good series this is! I've no complaints, it was interesting and the chemistry worked to my taste. I'm just sorry that there's not been a new title since. I'd've loved one :)
June 3, 2020
Well ...
I have read some other books by this author, and I can honestly say I have never finished one and thought "wow, that was a great story" I don't get the hype of the 5 star reviews at all. There is so much useless information, repetition, inner monologues, that I just found myself skipping several pages, then whole chapters. The characters need a little more meat to them. The actual content needs to be bumped up quite a bit. Brad wasn't bad, he came off as kinda cute and adorable, but i would be hard pressed to tell you anything solid about his character. As far as Anthony goes - I got nothing. There isn’t anything distinctive or exciting about him. I felt like their relationship was basically just sex. It seems like this author just has them banging away, hours and hours a day. There’s no actual substance to their relationship- which come to think of it, is basically the whole book. Chinese food, a lot of stuff, but you’re hungry not soon after because there was no real substance to begin with.
I have read some other books by this author, and I can honestly say I have never finished one and thought "wow, that was a great story" I don't get the hype of the 5 star reviews at all. There is so much useless information, repetition, inner monologues, that I just found myself skipping several pages, then whole chapters. The characters need a little more meat to them. The actual content needs to be bumped up quite a bit. Brad wasn't bad, he came off as kinda cute and adorable, but i would be hard pressed to tell you anything solid about his character. As far as Anthony goes - I got nothing. There isn’t anything distinctive or exciting about him. I felt like their relationship was basically just sex. It seems like this author just has them banging away, hours and hours a day. There’s no actual substance to their relationship- which come to think of it, is basically the whole book. Chinese food, a lot of stuff, but you’re hungry not soon after because there was no real substance to begin with.
January 29, 2021
4,5 stars for the third and in my opinion best book in this series.
I loved Brad and Anthony and how they grew with each other.
The story was well done.
Only drawback was the audio version. Normally I love these two narrators together but here I could not get into Brad's voice. For me it just didn't fit
I loved Brad and Anthony and how they grew with each other.
The story was well done.
Only drawback was the audio version. Normally I love these two narrators together but here I could not get into Brad's voice. For me it just didn't fit
August 10, 2020
Sweet and sexy across-the-ice (?) romance between a goalie and a rival team's coach. Good relationship development, not too much angst although there are definitely a few lump-in-the-throat moments along the way.
December 9, 2020
This was pretty much a miss for me. There was too much time spent inside the characters heads, where they dithered and overthought things, rather than actual events happening. It was especially bad where Anthony would be like "yes i like you for more than sex" and then Brad would spend like six pages going "oh no but what if i'm only for sex". ...chill. A little questioning of that is a-ok, but it was at a level that it was obnoxious.
I felt like both characters were pretty flat as well, like they weren't 3d people, just cutouts with anxiety. It made it hard for me to connect to the story or them as people, because there wasn't too much to connect to. This was also played out in their relationship - it went from 0 to 60 very quickly (hook ups and then an entire summer together?) without much substance. I couldn't buy into their emotional connection at all, or really much of their physical/lust one either after a while.
The Anaheim subplot was...interesting? I wish there'd been more to it, they'd been mentioned in the previous two books as well, but then went completely unhinged here. There wasn't much reason for it either, which I guess I would have liked to have heard more about? Having an entire hockey organization go full criminal goon is just bizarre.
Overall, I skimmed a lot because I was curious about what would happen since there wasn't that much there to start with. Probably wasn't worth the skimming.
I felt like both characters were pretty flat as well, like they weren't 3d people, just cutouts with anxiety. It made it hard for me to connect to the story or them as people, because there wasn't too much to connect to. This was also played out in their relationship - it went from 0 to 60 very quickly (hook ups and then an entire summer together?) without much substance. I couldn't buy into their emotional connection at all, or really much of their physical/lust one either after a while.
The Anaheim subplot was...interesting? I wish there'd been more to it, they'd been mentioned in the previous two books as well, but then went completely unhinged here. There wasn't much reason for it either, which I guess I would have liked to have heard more about? Having an entire hockey organization go full criminal goon is just bizarre.
Overall, I skimmed a lot because I was curious about what would happen since there wasn't that much there to start with. Probably wasn't worth the skimming.
July 20, 2022
DNF @ 30%. Boring and the characters’ POVs were identically written. Also maybe it’s me but I just don’t buy that a professional hockey player would ever use the phrase “a generous PTO policy” in casual conversation. Is he secretly an HR rep??
June 1, 2020
4.5 stars 🌟
Slightly repetitive in places but loved it nonetheless!
Slightly repetitive in places but loved it nonetheless!
April 15, 2024
This was so fun! I love Anthony and Brad. The fact that they were a coach and a player on opposing teams made their relationship really exciting. I enjoyed getting to watch them fall for each other and they really seemed to genuinely have fun and care for one another. Brad was so sweet and I loved his friendship with Keith, which we got to see in Keith's book as well. Anthony was so kind and loving. I loved the conflict between their work and love lives and watching them *spoiler alert* get caught... so fun. I was living for the drama. I thought they did spend quite a bit of time wondering if they are more than a hookup to the other, while the other continuously proved they were more than a hookup. So that could've been cut a bit shorter. But overall, I loved it. 2/5 spice levels.
Notes: rival teams, coach/player, forbidden romance, secret romance, hook up to lovers, long distance
Notes: rival teams, coach/player, forbidden romance, secret romance, hook up to lovers, long distance
August 6, 2020
I've been putting off writing reviews right away, so now I don't remember a lot. I read this about more than a month ago.
Unfortunately I hadn't made any notes, but this means it wasn't overly bad, as I tend to make notes more often in that case.
And I actually remember the plot overall, and that I liked it enough. Nothing too special or memorable though.
I thought I hadn't read the the first two books, instead while I was reading this I vaguely remembered some things, and it turns out I actually started reading the first one, but it was a bit boring so I ended up not finishing it. And I read the blurb of the second but it didn't inspire me.
The third one was better I'd say.
Unfortunately I hadn't made any notes, but this means it wasn't overly bad, as I tend to make notes more often in that case.
And I actually remember the plot overall, and that I liked it enough. Nothing too special or memorable though.
I thought I hadn't read the the first two books, instead while I was reading this I vaguely remembered some things, and it turns out I actually started reading the first one, but it was a bit boring so I ended up not finishing it. And I read the blurb of the second but it didn't inspire me.
The third one was better I'd say.
May 13, 2020
Another solid entry in the series.
Written in dual first person POV. Can be read as a standalone but it does mention characters from the first two books in passing. Decent amount of M/M sexy times and some humor. There was some repetition that made the book drag in places and some of the hockey references weren’t right but overall it was still a good read. I do wish that there was an epilogue as it ended rather abruptly. 3.5 stars rounded up.
Written in dual first person POV. Can be read as a standalone but it does mention characters from the first two books in passing. Decent amount of M/M sexy times and some humor. There was some repetition that made the book drag in places and some of the hockey references weren’t right but overall it was still a good read. I do wish that there was an epilogue as it ended rather abruptly. 3.5 stars rounded up.
May 7, 2024
4.5 🌟
January 11, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ rounded up
L.A. was in her bag here for real
30s MC + 40s MC
rival player + coach
secret/forbidden relationship
soft bois on the inside
worth a read even if you don’t read the other two in the series
L.A. was in her bag here for real
30s MC + 40s MC
rival player + coach
secret/forbidden relationship
soft bois on the inside
worth a read even if you don’t read the other two in the series
December 30, 2020
this was WONDERFUL. also i miss hockey 😩
May 15, 2020
99c Preorder from Amazon
So much better!!! I really liked this one more than the other 2 books!!
Brad & Anthony were daring together & more I believed the story that they were falling in love all the way. Unfortunately, to me, the beginning was a little rocky since on every page Brad was complaining about he was supposed to the agressive one and blah blah blah.. But it got better...
So much better!!! I really liked this one more than the other 2 books!!
Brad & Anthony were daring together & more I believed the story that they were falling in love all the way. Unfortunately, to me, the beginning was a little rocky since on every page Brad was complaining about he was supposed to the agressive one and blah blah blah.. But it got better...
November 28, 2022
The quality of this author's work has plummeted and CRASHED, BIG TIME!!!!!! BTW - Either she desperately needs an editor to cut off some of the excess nonsense, or she needs to fire the one she has, because holy shit was this author VERBOSE!!! The irony though is that she went on and on and ON with things that needed ZERO insight and elaboration, but avoided and dismissed ALL effort in ending the book properly and providing her readers - and for fuck's sake, HER MCs - a proper, well paced, beautiful, wonderful, promising HEA!!! An Epilogue was missing entirely, which doubly pissed me off because for SUCH a long book, NOW the author decides to nip things in the bud and speed things up ... when it ACTUALLY COUNTS?!!!? When it didn't matter, the author couldn't shut the fuck up with all the filler she shoved down readers' throats, but when it matters, she ends up spitting in readers' faces, by completely shirking her duty as an author in writing a PROPER beautiful HEA, instead of the abrupt, lazy, dismissive, ambiguous, half-hearted HFN sloppily provided!!!
P.S. Her covers used to be beautiful and along with the shitty crappy downward spiral of her writing, the covers are just as hideous (which kind of fits if you consider it is an accurate representation of the quality - or lack thereof - of the writing within)!!!
This author has quite a few books I'd absolutely recommend, because they're fantastic, but THIS is most certainly NOT one of them, which is a shame because with much more effort, energy, attention, and a total overhaul and redo of the story, it *might* have been!! As it stands, this was a fail :-(!!
P.S. Her covers used to be beautiful and along with the shitty crappy downward spiral of her writing, the covers are just as hideous (which kind of fits if you consider it is an accurate representation of the quality - or lack thereof - of the writing within)!!!
This author has quite a few books I'd absolutely recommend, because they're fantastic, but THIS is most certainly NOT one of them, which is a shame because with much more effort, energy, attention, and a total overhaul and redo of the story, it *might* have been!! As it stands, this was a fail :-(!!
June 24, 2020
Hockey! I'm a big fan of the sport, and love to read romances with hockey players, coaches, fans, etc. So this book started out with a 3 star rating just for the hockey alone (yes, I'm biased LOL). But when you add in LA Witt's awesome writing, it's no surprise that I fell in love with the characters and the storyline right off the bat. These guys were so great together, but so wrong for each other because of their career situations, the suspense of it all was killing me! I couldn't see how they could make it work, but of course they found a solution that worked for them. I loved how the author basically made the game another character in the book. It was really central to the plot, and was so much a part of the two MCs, but it didn't overpower the romance at all. Definitely a 5 star read for me.
June 17, 2023
I love Witt's books! Can't go wrong with this one, though the narrator took on a caricature of the stereotypical Canadian accent - talking as if he were doing a Bob and Doug McKenzie imitation - and also sometimes slipping into an Irish accent from time to time. Not typical for this narrator who is typically fantastic with accents.
The story between a goalie and an opposing coach was pretty awesome, sort of a forbidden love. It all came out and they were supported in the end, but it sure was a rough road getting there. I loved it though and have listened to it 2-3 times already. This series is a comfort read / Comfort listen!
The story between a goalie and an opposing coach was pretty awesome, sort of a forbidden love. It all came out and they were supported in the end, but it sure was a rough road getting there. I loved it though and have listened to it 2-3 times already. This series is a comfort read / Comfort listen!
September 18, 2021
I liked Brad and Anthony and the story was okay. This one just didn’t hit for me. The characters seemed to have little to no depth, secondary relationships were superficial, and there was sooo much repetition throughout with the internal dialogue. Not my favorite by Witt but good enough to finish, with some skimming.
May 23, 2020
Brad ends up being his team’s MVP after winning the cup, & he decides to celebrate by trying to find someone to spend the night with. He ends up with Anthony, the head coach of the opposing team. They really shouldn’t get together, but it’s just for one night, so what’s the problem?
Then they add another night...
Later they add a couple of weeks in the woods during the off season. But a couple of weeks isn’t enough, so they push back a flight... Then keep adding more time...
Whatever they add, it’s just not enough...
There are some great lines in the story, when they are apart...
-“... I was delusional if I thought a guy like him had any trouble locally sourcing orgasms.”
-“The consequences could wait. I couldn’t.”
This is quite reckless, as it puts their careers on the line...
Towards the end, it’s easy to see where their story is headed, but the characters are so real & it’s easy to get invested in them...
I loved the teasing about the bear...
& the ending? “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” Perfect!
Then they add another night...
Later they add a couple of weeks in the woods during the off season. But a couple of weeks isn’t enough, so they push back a flight... Then keep adding more time...
Whatever they add, it’s just not enough...
There are some great lines in the story, when they are apart...
-“... I was delusional if I thought a guy like him had any trouble locally sourcing orgasms.”
-“The consequences could wait. I couldn’t.”
This is quite reckless, as it puts their careers on the line...
Towards the end, it’s easy to see where their story is headed, but the characters are so real & it’s easy to get invested in them...
I loved the teasing about the bear...
& the ending? “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” Perfect!
September 18, 2021
One of those perfect sports romances! After winning the grand finals, Vancouver Narwhals’ goalie Brad Spencer is looking for company to celebrate while Head Coach of the New York Krakens Anthony Caruso is looking for company to commiserate his loss. What should be one forbidden night turns into a deep, abiding affection that could jeopardise both their careers. I loved this third novel in the the Pucks & Rainbows series - there was lots of game play, a strong, fascinating secondary plot about a rogue team, and a satisfying relationship between two great MCs - perfect in every way. But, the audiobook (face palm!) … let’s just say Michael Ferraiuolo (as Brad) has an ‘interesting’ Canadian accent. He really did sound like an Irish-Norwegian grandfather (as another reviewer hilariously noted). I really don’t understand the creative choices here. Nick J Russo (who voiced the much older coach) has a much younger sounding voice than Michael, so it would have made more sense for him to voice Brad given the age gap. It was all very distracting but didn’t spoil the book.
August 24, 2022
✔ Letto! E questa volta sarà la storia di Anthony Caruso, già citato nei libri precedenti come uno dei primi nel mondo dello hockey a essere apertamente gay, e per questo aver perso amicizie care. Lui oggi è l'allenatore dei New York Krakens e dopo i playoff in cui sono arrivati al 2° posto, conoscerà per caso il portiere che ha parato tutti i tiri della sua squadra.
Brad Spencer, portiere del Vancouver Narwhal, in teoria un suo avversario in campo, un nemico sportivo da tenere alla larga, ma cosa devono fare quando l'attrazione fisica diventa amore e la relazione segreta diventa di dominio pubblico? Cosa succede quando da perdere va molto oltre un paio di 'amici', ma tutti i loro sogni? Forse era il momento di rivalutare le loro priorità. Valutare quando sia il momento di considerare quello che hai e quello che vuoi per la tua vita.
Un bellíssimo finale per questa serie che ho molto amato. Brad mi è proprio entrato nel cuore. E il coraggio di Anthony.
Per me è ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ e 💋 ( 4,5 )
.
Brad Spencer, portiere del Vancouver Narwhal, in teoria un suo avversario in campo, un nemico sportivo da tenere alla larga, ma cosa devono fare quando l'attrazione fisica diventa amore e la relazione segreta diventa di dominio pubblico? Cosa succede quando da perdere va molto oltre un paio di 'amici', ma tutti i loro sogni? Forse era il momento di rivalutare le loro priorità. Valutare quando sia il momento di considerare quello che hai e quello che vuoi per la tua vita.
Un bellíssimo finale per questa serie che ho molto amato. Brad mi è proprio entrato nel cuore. E il coraggio di Anthony.
Per me è ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ e 💋 ( 4,5 )
.
November 20, 2022
Siamo arrivati al terzo libro della serie e cosa posso dire?
Brad ed Anthony mi sono piaciuti tantissimo.
La loro relazione, da dover tenere nascosta perché proibita nel loro ambiente, è stato il quid che mi fa dire che Goal ha portato la mia attenzione al massimo.
Non saranno d’accordo in molti, ma come dico sempre la lettura è soggettiva e spesso a pelle c’è a chi piace e a chi non può piacere, questo però non deve fermare nessuno né in negativo e né in positivo, bensì da consigliare perché, tra tanti, qualcuno che la pensa allo stesso modo lo si può sempre trovare.
L’autrice ha dato a questi due protagonisti la giusta visibilità e la loro storia si è ben collocata dopo la threesome di Keith, Shawn e Justine.
Un age gap che sta più che bene in questo sport e, soprattutto, un amore unico e voluto che con la sua forza è riuscito ad abbattere le priorità a cui i protagonisti hanno sempre dato precedenza nella loro vita.
Per me valutazione piena e romanzo super consigliato!!!!!
Brad ed Anthony mi sono piaciuti tantissimo.
La loro relazione, da dover tenere nascosta perché proibita nel loro ambiente, è stato il quid che mi fa dire che Goal ha portato la mia attenzione al massimo.
Non saranno d’accordo in molti, ma come dico sempre la lettura è soggettiva e spesso a pelle c’è a chi piace e a chi non può piacere, questo però non deve fermare nessuno né in negativo e né in positivo, bensì da consigliare perché, tra tanti, qualcuno che la pensa allo stesso modo lo si può sempre trovare.
L’autrice ha dato a questi due protagonisti la giusta visibilità e la loro storia si è ben collocata dopo la threesome di Keith, Shawn e Justine.
Un age gap che sta più che bene in questo sport e, soprattutto, un amore unico e voluto che con la sua forza è riuscito ad abbattere le priorità a cui i protagonisti hanno sempre dato precedenza nella loro vita.
Per me valutazione piena e romanzo super consigliato!!!!!
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