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Hockey Allies Bachelor Bid #3
Keeping Kyle
An NHL All-Star
A workaholic entrepreneur
One irresistibly tempting opportunity
KYLE
I can’t believe I let my best friend talk me into being auctioned off for charity. But when I get a look at the guy who placed the winning bid, I feel like I’m the one who snagged the top prize.
AUSTIN
I didn’t get to where I am by letting opportunities slip through my fingers. When I learn that Kyle Pressgrove will be part of the bachelor auction taking place during All-Star weekend, that’s the kind of chance that you grab ahold of, and I have no intention of letting go.
With my career on the line and the possibility of Kyle being traded to a team half-way across the country, things between us might be over before they’ve even begun. I’d give anything to keep Kyle in my life, but everything might not be enough.
A workaholic entrepreneur
One irresistibly tempting opportunity
KYLE
I can’t believe I let my best friend talk me into being auctioned off for charity. But when I get a look at the guy who placed the winning bid, I feel like I’m the one who snagged the top prize.
AUSTIN
I didn’t get to where I am by letting opportunities slip through my fingers. When I learn that Kyle Pressgrove will be part of the bachelor auction taking place during All-Star weekend, that’s the kind of chance that you grab ahold of, and I have no intention of letting go.
With my career on the line and the possibility of Kyle being traded to a team half-way across the country, things between us might be over before they’ve even begun. I’d give anything to keep Kyle in my life, but everything might not be enough.
190 pages, ebook
First published April 3, 2020
60 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Adams
44 books224 followersJeff Adams has written stories since he was in middle school and became a published author in 2009. He writes both gay romance and LGBTQ young adult fiction…and there’s usually a hockey player at the center of the story.
Jeff lives in northern California with his husband of more than twenty-five years, Will. They are creative collaborators, writing and podcasting together. For nine years they were the co-hosts of the Big Gay Fiction Podcast.
Jeff is also a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) by the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP). He's an advocate for accessible web content and helps creative entrepreneurs understand how they can make sure their content is accessible by everyone.
Jeff lives in northern California with his husband of more than twenty-five years, Will. They are creative collaborators, writing and podcasting together. For nine years they were the co-hosts of the Big Gay Fiction Podcast.
Jeff is also a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) by the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP). He's an advocate for accessible web content and helps creative entrepreneurs understand how they can make sure their content is accessible by everyone.
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April 15, 2020
Keeping Kyle, by Jeff Adams, is part of the Hockey Allies Bachelor Bid series. This is a series of five books, each by a different author, each so different from the other. Each can also be read as a stand alone. This is a M/M hockey romance and is my first book by this author.
Austin Murray was most definitely a workaholic. He started a company with his college friend, Austin Murray Digital Designs. He spends pretty much every waking moment trying to make the company a success, always worried he would let his co-workers down by not being available when needed. Austin’s one weakness he allowed himself was his long time love of hockey, particularly his home town’s team, the Detroit Arsenal. There was particularly one player he had followed over the years, a player he had a huge crush on, Kyle Pressgrove. Kyle was going to be participating in the Bachelor auction in Chicago for charity and Austin was planning to bid on him. He would finally get a date with the man he had dreamt of for so long.
Kyle Pressgrove has been with the Detroit Arsenal for seven years now. He loves playing for the Arsenal because this is his home town, the town he grew up in, where his mother lives. Kyle’s best friend Garrett talked him in to doing the bachelor auction. He can’t believe he’s actually going to do this. This is so far out of his comfort zone. But it’s for an amazing cause. What made it all worth while, though, is who won the bid, a man Kyle definitely wanted to get to know better.
Kyle and Austin definitely hit it off, they both felt the potential of something special with the other. But I felt so bad for both of them. Everything seemed aligned against them. Austin’s company suffers a set back, one that threatens everything. He already was a workaholic but now even more so. Can he even afford to try to start a relationship right now when everything he has worked for for so long is at stake?
At the same time, there has been talk of Kyle getting traded to Phoenix. He has no say in the matter. But how would that even work when he’s just starting a new relationship with a man who already has trouble finding time to be with him? Could a long distance relationship even work? Should he just walk away now before his heart really gets invested?
First, I really liked both Kyle and Austin. They were real men with real strengths and weaknesses. Both trying to stretch themselves thin and be the best men they can be. This was a VERY slow burn. Personally, I like things to happen a little faster. It was evident that they had begun to care for one another but I just wanted things to progress a little more quickly physically to help me to feel their connection better. I do have to say, though, that this one might have grabbed me the most out of the series emotionally. There was one point where my heart just sunk when something happened. I did enjoy meeting these two. I enjoyed the friendship between Kyle and Garrett, and the close bond between Kyle and his brother. I have now read the first four of this series and the only one I have left to read is the final book, Absolving Ash by Chantal Mer. I can’t wait to see how it ties in with the rest.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Austin Murray was most definitely a workaholic. He started a company with his college friend, Austin Murray Digital Designs. He spends pretty much every waking moment trying to make the company a success, always worried he would let his co-workers down by not being available when needed. Austin’s one weakness he allowed himself was his long time love of hockey, particularly his home town’s team, the Detroit Arsenal. There was particularly one player he had followed over the years, a player he had a huge crush on, Kyle Pressgrove. Kyle was going to be participating in the Bachelor auction in Chicago for charity and Austin was planning to bid on him. He would finally get a date with the man he had dreamt of for so long.
Kyle Pressgrove has been with the Detroit Arsenal for seven years now. He loves playing for the Arsenal because this is his home town, the town he grew up in, where his mother lives. Kyle’s best friend Garrett talked him in to doing the bachelor auction. He can’t believe he’s actually going to do this. This is so far out of his comfort zone. But it’s for an amazing cause. What made it all worth while, though, is who won the bid, a man Kyle definitely wanted to get to know better.
Kyle and Austin definitely hit it off, they both felt the potential of something special with the other. But I felt so bad for both of them. Everything seemed aligned against them. Austin’s company suffers a set back, one that threatens everything. He already was a workaholic but now even more so. Can he even afford to try to start a relationship right now when everything he has worked for for so long is at stake?
At the same time, there has been talk of Kyle getting traded to Phoenix. He has no say in the matter. But how would that even work when he’s just starting a new relationship with a man who already has trouble finding time to be with him? Could a long distance relationship even work? Should he just walk away now before his heart really gets invested?
First, I really liked both Kyle and Austin. They were real men with real strengths and weaknesses. Both trying to stretch themselves thin and be the best men they can be. This was a VERY slow burn. Personally, I like things to happen a little faster. It was evident that they had begun to care for one another but I just wanted things to progress a little more quickly physically to help me to feel their connection better. I do have to say, though, that this one might have grabbed me the most out of the series emotionally. There was one point where my heart just sunk when something happened. I did enjoy meeting these two. I enjoyed the friendship between Kyle and Garrett, and the close bond between Kyle and his brother. I have now read the first four of this series and the only one I have left to read is the final book, Absolving Ash by Chantal Mer. I can’t wait to see how it ties in with the rest.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
May 13, 2020
2.5 stars, I just didn't connect with this one. There were also a few editing errors that threw me out of things, ie, conceded when the author meant conceited, a misspelled name, that sort of thing.
April 7, 2020
3.5*
Another really cute ice hockey romance in this shared world series. This one features two guys who just can't seem to get a break when it comes to their schedules - and their personalities.
Kyle can't stand lateness while poor Austin is a workaholic welded to his business but they both see the potential for a lifetime's happiness with the other.
I loved that these two used to go to school together but never knew each other back then as Austin was a nerd with a desperate desire to do well so his family wouldn't have to struggle while Kyle was a jock dealing with the loss of his father and an overwhelming pressure to be the "man of the family".
The narrative at times became a bit clogged up in the minutiae of them failing to communicate - literally rather than as a plot device! because of how busy Austin was with his company dealing with a savage hacking which exposed.
But I liked how Jeff brought them back together in a way which felt organic to the plot and not a convenient device and I loved how supportive all the other characters were for their relationship to succeed.
Another wonderfully sweet Epilogue too!
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
Another really cute ice hockey romance in this shared world series. This one features two guys who just can't seem to get a break when it comes to their schedules - and their personalities.
Kyle can't stand lateness while poor Austin is a workaholic welded to his business but they both see the potential for a lifetime's happiness with the other.
I loved that these two used to go to school together but never knew each other back then as Austin was a nerd with a desperate desire to do well so his family wouldn't have to struggle while Kyle was a jock dealing with the loss of his father and an overwhelming pressure to be the "man of the family".
The narrative at times became a bit clogged up in the minutiae of them failing to communicate - literally rather than as a plot device! because of how busy Austin was with his company dealing with a savage hacking which exposed.
But I liked how Jeff brought them back together in a way which felt organic to the plot and not a convenient device and I loved how supportive all the other characters were for their relationship to succeed.
Another wonderfully sweet Epilogue too!
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
April 13, 2020
4.5 Stars
Keeping Kyle is a delightful hockey romance by Jeff Adams. Part of the Hockey Allies Bachelor Bid series, it's best read in order with the rest of the series.
Austin's a team sponsor who's long crushed on Kyle. They might have an awkward meeting, but things look up when Austin is the high bidder on Kyle at the charity auction.
The book itself starts with fun banter between Kyle and his brother, immediately making me fall in love with the tone of this book. The auction part is fun. If I didn't already like Kyle, I would from the way he's shy and unsure during the auction. It's truly endearing. Then there's Austin, who's a complete workaholic, but it's the character background that makes him come alive, giving him his layers.
Both men are stuck in their ways, and their family obligations are a large part of who they are. For me, Austin's behavior had me livid at times. This is just something that personally is a hard no for me, so I totally felt for Kyle.
The author's writing style is enjoyable for me. The story flows seamlessly and the character development is well done. Told in alternating first person pov, the reader is fully pulled into the mindset of the men. And the story line itself is intriguing.
Keeping Kyle is a sweet, fast read. This Jeff Adams tale is perfect for anyone looking for a feel-good hockey romance. Overall, it's a terrific story of learning to make time for people who mean something to you; creating a proper balance between people and work.
Keeping Kyle is a delightful hockey romance by Jeff Adams. Part of the Hockey Allies Bachelor Bid series, it's best read in order with the rest of the series.
Austin's a team sponsor who's long crushed on Kyle. They might have an awkward meeting, but things look up when Austin is the high bidder on Kyle at the charity auction.
The book itself starts with fun banter between Kyle and his brother, immediately making me fall in love with the tone of this book. The auction part is fun. If I didn't already like Kyle, I would from the way he's shy and unsure during the auction. It's truly endearing. Then there's Austin, who's a complete workaholic, but it's the character background that makes him come alive, giving him his layers.
Both men are stuck in their ways, and their family obligations are a large part of who they are. For me, Austin's behavior had me livid at times. This is just something that personally is a hard no for me, so I totally felt for Kyle.
The author's writing style is enjoyable for me. The story flows seamlessly and the character development is well done. Told in alternating first person pov, the reader is fully pulled into the mindset of the men. And the story line itself is intriguing.
Keeping Kyle is a sweet, fast read. This Jeff Adams tale is perfect for anyone looking for a feel-good hockey romance. Overall, it's a terrific story of learning to make time for people who mean something to you; creating a proper balance between people and work.
April 12, 2020
This was a really sweet, quick read.
TAGS
--sports/hockey -- really sweet -- parts hurt my heart -- made me laugh -- made me teary -- the HEA made me happy -- loved the MCs... Kyle & Austin -- can't wait for their short -- not ready to let these guys go -- more hockey in this one -- read in one sitting -- not really a stand alone
TAGS
--sports/hockey -- really sweet -- parts hurt my heart -- made me laugh -- made me teary -- the HEA made me happy -- loved the MCs... Kyle & Austin -- can't wait for their short -- not ready to let these guys go -- more hockey in this one -- read in one sitting -- not really a stand alone
April 14, 2020
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
This is a story in the Hockey Allies Bachelor Bids collection - and I am really enjoying having a slew of new books to read with a common theme, but different authors.
This was a good sports romance, with the difficult issue of being traded mid-season affecting Kyle. It was fun to see him enjoying being with his friend Garrett in particular - and the interview following their match on opposite sides of the ice.
Austin was a bit of a mystery to me as a character, as he worked for a company which had his name in it, yet he seemed to be at others' behest. It is slightly explained later, but it seems odd all the same. I liked the idea behind the issues that AMMD suffers, but felt it couldn't really be explored enough as it wasn't the core of the story, but at the same time was important. Austin vacillated between being a ver y successful rich businessman and a rather young and naive man. Certainly the behaviour that both men displayed on being super sweet one minute, but then too busy the next was more immature than I expected.
I did enjoy how the story rounded out, and the ending was fitting and hopeful of a good future for the couple.
NB: My review is of an unedited, pre-release copy of this book and assumes that any errors were corrected prior to publication.
This is a story in the Hockey Allies Bachelor Bids collection - and I am really enjoying having a slew of new books to read with a common theme, but different authors.
This was a good sports romance, with the difficult issue of being traded mid-season affecting Kyle. It was fun to see him enjoying being with his friend Garrett in particular - and the interview following their match on opposite sides of the ice.
Austin was a bit of a mystery to me as a character, as he worked for a company which had his name in it, yet he seemed to be at others' behest. It is slightly explained later, but it seems odd all the same. I liked the idea behind the issues that AMMD suffers, but felt it couldn't really be explored enough as it wasn't the core of the story, but at the same time was important. Austin vacillated between being a ver y successful rich businessman and a rather young and naive man. Certainly the behaviour that both men displayed on being super sweet one minute, but then too busy the next was more immature than I expected.
I did enjoy how the story rounded out, and the ending was fitting and hopeful of a good future for the couple.
NB: My review is of an unedited, pre-release copy of this book and assumes that any errors were corrected prior to publication.
April 8, 2020
I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
This is the sweet story of a hockey player who falls for the businessman who wins a date with him in a charity auction.
I really like Kyle as a character. I like his relationship with his family, his friends and his team. I like his maturity and sense of responsibility for the people he cares for. I’m not quite as keen on Austin. He’s addicted to his work and it feels like work will always be his first priority. As a result, he has few interests or relationships and he doesn’t treat Kyle very well from the start. No matter how often he apologises for being late or checking his work phone on a date, he keeps doing it. There were several moments I wanted Kyle to just walk away from Austin and I’m still not sure I agree with his easy forgiveness.
From a second date the day after the first to Austin meeting Kyle’s mother on the next date, the romance in this book happens at lightspeed. The two men move from strangers to boyfriends in the blink of an eye. This is unusual for gay romance - and what is even more unusual is the lack of sexual chemistry and lack of sexual contact until after the men have established themselves as a couple (announced through a cute selfie with boyfriend hashtags). The non-sexual cuddling and Netflix domesticity doesn’t really fit the ambitious CEO and the aggressive hockey star very well. When the two men finally do get physical, it feels a little bit awkward. The result is a romance that doesn’t feel terribly romantic or sexy.
This is the sweet story of a hockey player who falls for the businessman who wins a date with him in a charity auction.
I really like Kyle as a character. I like his relationship with his family, his friends and his team. I like his maturity and sense of responsibility for the people he cares for. I’m not quite as keen on Austin. He’s addicted to his work and it feels like work will always be his first priority. As a result, he has few interests or relationships and he doesn’t treat Kyle very well from the start. No matter how often he apologises for being late or checking his work phone on a date, he keeps doing it. There were several moments I wanted Kyle to just walk away from Austin and I’m still not sure I agree with his easy forgiveness.
From a second date the day after the first to Austin meeting Kyle’s mother on the next date, the romance in this book happens at lightspeed. The two men move from strangers to boyfriends in the blink of an eye. This is unusual for gay romance - and what is even more unusual is the lack of sexual chemistry and lack of sexual contact until after the men have established themselves as a couple (announced through a cute selfie with boyfriend hashtags). The non-sexual cuddling and Netflix domesticity doesn’t really fit the ambitious CEO and the aggressive hockey star very well. When the two men finally do get physical, it feels a little bit awkward. The result is a romance that doesn’t feel terribly romantic or sexy.
May 11, 2020
I love hockey books, and Jeff does a great job putting hockey details into the story. Kyle and Austin were great together when they would allow themselves to focus on each other. There were a bunch of challenges in their way, a lot of them their own doing, but the big challenges were doozies. Kyle had to struggle with the potential of being traded from his hometown hockey team, and Austin had troubles at the company that he founded. While I was a bit annoyed at how everything at Austin's job panned out , it all worked out exactly as it should have to give our guys their HEA. I loved revisiting Garrett from Guarding Garrett and the mentions of all of the other guys from the Auction series. Loved this story.
At the end of the story, Jeff mentions a bonus chapter that he has with his newsletter. It was delightful and a great companion to this story.
At the end of the story, Jeff mentions a bonus chapter that he has with his newsletter. It was delightful and a great companion to this story.
April 5, 2020
Review by: Jennifer
(4 stars)
Austin has had a huge crush on Kyle for the longest time and now he finally has an opportunity to win a date with him in a bachelor auction. Having "known" Kyle in high school and followed him through his NHL career, Austin is a super fan of him and his team. He also has his own company that takes a lot of his time, so the first meeting with Kyle didn't really go well as he was on his phone pulled into business and distracted. When the two finally are able to have a proper sit down without distractions, what they had already suspected becomes more apparent; they are attracted to each other and want to see where this could go. But in the world of hockey and the issues that Austin is having with his own business, the two can barely find the time. What happens when the worst case scenario happens and Kyle gets traded? Will the two be able to make a long distance thing work, or should they just give it up and move on with their lives?
This turned out to be a good read, with the right amount of drama, we get to watch Kyle and Austin try and navigate a relationship while dealing with their high stress jobs. Entertaining and pulling us in, I give this 4 stars.
(4 stars)
Austin has had a huge crush on Kyle for the longest time and now he finally has an opportunity to win a date with him in a bachelor auction. Having "known" Kyle in high school and followed him through his NHL career, Austin is a super fan of him and his team. He also has his own company that takes a lot of his time, so the first meeting with Kyle didn't really go well as he was on his phone pulled into business and distracted. When the two finally are able to have a proper sit down without distractions, what they had already suspected becomes more apparent; they are attracted to each other and want to see where this could go. But in the world of hockey and the issues that Austin is having with his own business, the two can barely find the time. What happens when the worst case scenario happens and Kyle gets traded? Will the two be able to make a long distance thing work, or should they just give it up and move on with their lives?
This turned out to be a good read, with the right amount of drama, we get to watch Kyle and Austin try and navigate a relationship while dealing with their high stress jobs. Entertaining and pulling us in, I give this 4 stars.
April 19, 2020
I have to admit that I wasn't inclined to read a sports romance but Jeff (and his husband Will) are so charming and funny on their podcast that I grabbed this book as soon as it came out. Boy, have I been missing out. Adams created an armchair sports fan out of me with this wonderful story that really hit all the feels. The thing I had never realized about sports romances is that the team acts as a family in many ways and that adds an entirely compelling addition to the story. I really enjoyed the team as a character. This romance hits all the right moments but the part I liked the most, was the multiple authentic relationships that are part of the narrative tapestry. Lovers, teammates, brothers, colleagues and many more complicated dynamics are expertly woven together to make a rich landscape that felt immersive and real. Chantal Mer's Absolving Ash is next on my list and I'm excited to see how these characters come to life through her eyes. Adams kicked a home run right into the goal with this one. Did I mention I don't know much about sports? ;)
April 10, 2020
I’ve been looking forward to this series, if I can’t watch hockey now I’m excited to read about it and this was an enjoyable start for me from Jeff Adams! I really liked Kyle and Austin and their sweet story!
Kyle is a pro hockey player who is participating in a bachelor auction for charity, he’s more focused on the game but he’s willing to help out this cause. Austin has been waiting for this opportunity since he was a teenager, he’s had a crush on Kyle since they were in high school together and bows his chance to be the winning bid. These two are really cute together, and even as different as they are they seemed to work. At first their relationship seems to move quickly, but then life happens and threatens to rip their new relationship apart.
Kyle and Austin face some tough issues, especially in the early stages of a budding relationship. There are some miscommunications and for me, it made their story and their struggles feel real. I really liked the way it all came together, you could feel the love growing between them and I was totally rooting for them. I also really liked the supporting characters, definitely a nicely connected series! The epilogue made my heart happy and I really did enjoy Austin and Kyle together!
Kyle is a pro hockey player who is participating in a bachelor auction for charity, he’s more focused on the game but he’s willing to help out this cause. Austin has been waiting for this opportunity since he was a teenager, he’s had a crush on Kyle since they were in high school together and bows his chance to be the winning bid. These two are really cute together, and even as different as they are they seemed to work. At first their relationship seems to move quickly, but then life happens and threatens to rip their new relationship apart.
Kyle and Austin face some tough issues, especially in the early stages of a budding relationship. There are some miscommunications and for me, it made their story and their struggles feel real. I really liked the way it all came together, you could feel the love growing between them and I was totally rooting for them. I also really liked the supporting characters, definitely a nicely connected series! The epilogue made my heart happy and I really did enjoy Austin and Kyle together!
May 12, 2020
The constant on-off relationship drama grated on my nerve and I struggled to complete the book.
April 9, 2020
This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and I loved it. I enjoyed his writing style, found myself sucked into this easy read immediately, and didn’t want to put it down as I had to make sure that Kyle and Austin got their happy ending.
I loved the glimpse of the MCs from other books in the series, and enjoyed the easy banter between Kyle and his friend Garrett. Family plays a strong role in the story, which is one of the things that drew me into this genre. I liked the difference in Kyle and Austin’s family background but how they still had things to work through connected to their upbringing. The strong women in this story rock. Tamara is a great no nonsense friend to Austin, and Greta is a wonderful character. I loved Bobby’s pep talk. He knows his brother well.
I enjoy stories about opposites attracting, and especially when one of the MCs is geeky, so this made me happy in that regard too. The steps forward and back with their relationship felt real as did Austin and Kyle. I liked that neither was perfect, and made mistakes despite their best intentions not to. I thought both their fears about not being boyfriend material added depth to the story.
I also liked that they took things slowly and the time to get to know each other and their hang-ups first, and build a friendship so they knew exactly what they were getting into. This story hit all my buttons as a slow burn romance.
I’m looking forward to reading more of this author.
I loved the glimpse of the MCs from other books in the series, and enjoyed the easy banter between Kyle and his friend Garrett. Family plays a strong role in the story, which is one of the things that drew me into this genre. I liked the difference in Kyle and Austin’s family background but how they still had things to work through connected to their upbringing. The strong women in this story rock. Tamara is a great no nonsense friend to Austin, and Greta is a wonderful character. I loved Bobby’s pep talk. He knows his brother well.
I enjoy stories about opposites attracting, and especially when one of the MCs is geeky, so this made me happy in that regard too. The steps forward and back with their relationship felt real as did Austin and Kyle. I liked that neither was perfect, and made mistakes despite their best intentions not to. I thought both their fears about not being boyfriend material added depth to the story.
I also liked that they took things slowly and the time to get to know each other and their hang-ups first, and build a friendship so they knew exactly what they were getting into. This story hit all my buttons as a slow burn romance.
I’m looking forward to reading more of this author.
April 10, 2020
This is a cute follow up to Guarding Garrett about Garrett’s best friend Kyle. This can absolutely be read as a standalone, but it was nice for me to have their history.
I love how Austin and Kyle meet at the All-Star event and that they continued their relationship after the auction. They are adorable together, organically forging a relationship and being exactly what they both need in a relationship. Their communication starts off strong, but they have a couple of bumps in the road with a lack of communication as their busy schedules take over and get in the way. That was a bit frustrating for me.
There were a couple of times the dialog was a little forced or ‘cheesy’ but not enough to turn me off the book.
Just like with book one, this one is short-ish and I feel like there’s more to their story. In the end we do get info on a follow-up novella which is being released soon which helps.
Overall, I enjoyed the read especially when there is hockey in the book now that my season has been taken away.
I love how Austin and Kyle meet at the All-Star event and that they continued their relationship after the auction. They are adorable together, organically forging a relationship and being exactly what they both need in a relationship. Their communication starts off strong, but they have a couple of bumps in the road with a lack of communication as their busy schedules take over and get in the way. That was a bit frustrating for me.
There were a couple of times the dialog was a little forced or ‘cheesy’ but not enough to turn me off the book.
Just like with book one, this one is short-ish and I feel like there’s more to their story. In the end we do get info on a follow-up novella which is being released soon which helps.
Overall, I enjoyed the read especially when there is hockey in the book now that my season has been taken away.
April 12, 2020
A high school crush turns pro NHL player. You follow his career never thinking you'll ever get a chance with him. Fate steps in, or is it just a wonderful opportunity to maybe at least, be friends?
Kyle doesn't remember Austin from high school but there is no way he can ever forget him now. Playing in the NHL was his life's dream for Kyle, but now Austin plays a huge part in his life. Obstacles like work get in the way. Can they make it work? Is it worth it? Is work the only important thing or can there be more in Austin's life?
This was a wonderful story. Full of ups and downs, back and forth, hot times and nights together, fear of the unknown but most importantly...love.
Great read! A wonderful part of the Hockey Allies Bid Series.
I highly recommend the entire series.
5/5 Hockey sticks.
Kyle doesn't remember Austin from high school but there is no way he can ever forget him now. Playing in the NHL was his life's dream for Kyle, but now Austin plays a huge part in his life. Obstacles like work get in the way. Can they make it work? Is it worth it? Is work the only important thing or can there be more in Austin's life?
This was a wonderful story. Full of ups and downs, back and forth, hot times and nights together, fear of the unknown but most importantly...love.
Great read! A wonderful part of the Hockey Allies Bid Series.
I highly recommend the entire series.
5/5 Hockey sticks.
April 14, 2020
They fuck you up, your Mum and Dad... whoa,
these guys had some seriously ingrained issues stemming from their upbringing. Fear of not having enough, an unhealthy work ethic, being responsible for others' wellbeing, and rigid stubbornness. How they managed to make things work is anybody's guess. But they do. The story is as much about recognising and addressing those issues in themselves as pursuing a relationship, so if watching big men crumble is your bag then this is for you.
While there's not so much hockey action on the ice, there plenty of action from the business side of hockey (this is where my lack of knowledge is a downfall. I have no idea if what happened to Kyle actually goes on, but I was incensed and that scene actually had me in tears.) For ice action, there is a lovely scene early on where Kyke teaches Austin how to skate. I'd have loved more of this.
these guys had some seriously ingrained issues stemming from their upbringing. Fear of not having enough, an unhealthy work ethic, being responsible for others' wellbeing, and rigid stubbornness. How they managed to make things work is anybody's guess. But they do. The story is as much about recognising and addressing those issues in themselves as pursuing a relationship, so if watching big men crumble is your bag then this is for you.
While there's not so much hockey action on the ice, there plenty of action from the business side of hockey (this is where my lack of knowledge is a downfall. I have no idea if what happened to Kyle actually goes on, but I was incensed and that scene actually had me in tears.) For ice action, there is a lovely scene early on where Kyke teaches Austin how to skate. I'd have loved more of this.
January 23, 2021
I enjoy sports romances here and there even though I’m not a sports person. This one was cute. I love the characters that this author creates. They always end up being a really good person, especially the hockey players. They aren’t assholes, they’re always considerate and do things for their community, and they aren’t conceited jackasses or manwhores. It just makes me smile every time.
So while I did like Austin and Kyle as characters and liked them as a couple, I didn’t like how they both decided to ignore the other on 2 separate occasions when things didn’t go exactly their way. I also didn’t feel this huge connection between them like I have with some of this author’s other books.
Still, all of the above being said, I did enjoy this book for the most part. I’d rate this around a 3.5⭐️
So while I did like Austin and Kyle as characters and liked them as a couple, I didn’t like how they both decided to ignore the other on 2 separate occasions when things didn’t go exactly their way. I also didn’t feel this huge connection between them like I have with some of this author’s other books.
Still, all of the above being said, I did enjoy this book for the most part. I’d rate this around a 3.5⭐️
April 12, 2020
Decent follow up to previous books in the series
Another decent story in this series. I really looked forward to Kyle's story, and was interested to see who he'd end up with after the auction.
I really liked Kyle's character, but found myself blowing hot and cold towards Austin. One thing I did find a little irritating was Austin's attitude when their relationship was in its early stages. He lets Kyle down more than once, and I couldn't get my head round the way in which Kyle kept giving him another chance. I couldn't help think that Kyle deserved better.
Still the ending was nice, and I enjoyed meeting Garrett again. Looking forward to the next book.
Another decent story in this series. I really looked forward to Kyle's story, and was interested to see who he'd end up with after the auction.
I really liked Kyle's character, but found myself blowing hot and cold towards Austin. One thing I did find a little irritating was Austin's attitude when their relationship was in its early stages. He lets Kyle down more than once, and I couldn't get my head round the way in which Kyle kept giving him another chance. I couldn't help think that Kyle deserved better.
Still the ending was nice, and I enjoyed meeting Garrett again. Looking forward to the next book.
April 6, 2020
New to me author and I'm impressed.
I really liked his slow burn and I loved both Kyle and Austin. Their story was full of awkward funny moments. It's was so sweet to read the way they both wanted their relationship to work but didn't know what or how to do it.
This was really well written because I wasn't sure they would make it to the HEA but the ending left me with the biggest smile so I can say Jeff Adams got himself a new fan.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
I really liked his slow burn and I loved both Kyle and Austin. Their story was full of awkward funny moments. It's was so sweet to read the way they both wanted their relationship to work but didn't know what or how to do it.
This was really well written because I wasn't sure they would make it to the HEA but the ending left me with the biggest smile so I can say Jeff Adams got himself a new fan.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
April 19, 2020
For me this was a slow burn, push-pull-push-pull between Kyle and Austin. There were definite sparks but Austin's inability to put down the phone and commit to giving Kyle time when Kyle wasn't playing hockey was annoying. Kyle also wasn't as patience with Austin, but it seemed more lack of communication. I found myself shaking my head as these two multiple times. Another great hea!
April 10, 2020
Hockey + Romance done well=5 star review
I chose a five star rating because I loved the character development of Kyle and Austin. They are both complex men and i enjoyed watching them learn how to navigate a realationship together.
Mr.Adams blends Hockey and romance together and it makes for a sweet but with some heat story that I highly recommended.
I chose a five star rating because I loved the character development of Kyle and Austin. They are both complex men and i enjoyed watching them learn how to navigate a realationship together.
Mr.Adams blends Hockey and romance together and it makes for a sweet but with some heat story that I highly recommended.
September 17, 2023
This was the best of the hockey allies auction whatever series that I've read so far IMO. Though all of the strife between Kyle and Austin is their inability to communicate which I HATE. They both ghost each other at various points in the book because they don't know how to talk. So stupid.
April 29, 2020
Sweet internal contemporary with fairly low angst. Technologist and athlete. Like a Hallmark movie, but with slightly more heat.
May 8, 2020
Hockey Allies 3
Kyle and Austin have relationship struggles coming out of their ears in this instalment of the multi author hockey series with misunderstandings and needing to prioritise your partner over work
Kyle and Austin have relationship struggles coming out of their ears in this instalment of the multi author hockey series with misunderstandings and needing to prioritise your partner over work
May 20, 2020
Superfan Austin travels to Chicago to bid on Kyle during a charity auction. The two go on a date and decide to continue seeing each other despite both having issues stemming from childhood.
August 2, 2020
I'm going to start off by saying that I loved how Austin is a workaholic but not for purely selfish gain. By that I mean, it was wonderful to see a character who is devoted to getting his company going, keeping it strong, but not just for himself but also for his employees. He doesn't want to let them down, such a fresh approach not explored nearly enough in fiction for my taste, so when it's done I take notice and when it's done believably then it stays with me.
Now you know why I love Austin so let's look at Kyle. Austin's dream date, his one luxury he's allowed himself to unwind down with: hockey and his favorite player. Kyle is living the dream by playing for his hometown team but doing his buddy, Garrett(from RJ Scott's Guarding Garrett, book one of this great series) a favor could change his life. I can't imagine what it would be like to be able to play for the team you grew up watching but I think the author shows us a glimpse of the joy Kyle feels doing so. Kyle can be a bit of a stickler when it comes to being on time vs. lateness and when dealing with a workaholic that can be issue, I liked how the author factors it in but doesn't let the story get bogged down with "rehashing" elements just to create drama.
Throw these two intriguing characters together and what you have is fun, sexy potential. Fate never likes to make things easy. You got business hiccups, trading rumors, and does all that make it the right time for Kyle and Austin to start something beyond the charity auction? For that answer you have to read for yourself, which I highly recommend doing. Sure there were times I wanted to bang the guys' heads together for their lack of or miscommunication but without some drama fiction can be a very boring world. Again I loved how the author "spread the drama about" and didn't just hone in one issue, a little bit of everything created the pull that kept me interested from beginning to end.
This is the first book by Jeff Adams that I read and I can safely say it won't be the last. Aside from the creative idea of the charity auction for a multi-author series, Jeff Adams' characters had their own creative and intriguing side that made them fun to read and root for. Keeping Kyle is a wonderful blend of friendship, family, romance, heat, humor, drama, all wrapped together in a great little heart-filled package.
Now you know why I love Austin so let's look at Kyle. Austin's dream date, his one luxury he's allowed himself to unwind down with: hockey and his favorite player. Kyle is living the dream by playing for his hometown team but doing his buddy, Garrett(from RJ Scott's Guarding Garrett, book one of this great series) a favor could change his life. I can't imagine what it would be like to be able to play for the team you grew up watching but I think the author shows us a glimpse of the joy Kyle feels doing so. Kyle can be a bit of a stickler when it comes to being on time vs. lateness and when dealing with a workaholic that can be issue, I liked how the author factors it in but doesn't let the story get bogged down with "rehashing" elements just to create drama.
Throw these two intriguing characters together and what you have is fun, sexy potential. Fate never likes to make things easy. You got business hiccups, trading rumors, and does all that make it the right time for Kyle and Austin to start something beyond the charity auction? For that answer you have to read for yourself, which I highly recommend doing. Sure there were times I wanted to bang the guys' heads together for their lack of or miscommunication but without some drama fiction can be a very boring world. Again I loved how the author "spread the drama about" and didn't just hone in one issue, a little bit of everything created the pull that kept me interested from beginning to end.
This is the first book by Jeff Adams that I read and I can safely say it won't be the last. Aside from the creative idea of the charity auction for a multi-author series, Jeff Adams' characters had their own creative and intriguing side that made them fun to read and root for. Keeping Kyle is a wonderful blend of friendship, family, romance, heat, humor, drama, all wrapped together in a great little heart-filled package.
December 27, 2023
Austin es un adicto al trabajo. Creó su empresa desde cero y vive por y para ella ya que tiene un miedo terrible de perderla o fracasar. Su escape es la afición y el amor que siente por el hockey. El único momento de la semana en que desconecta del trabajo es cuando va a ver partidos del equipo de su ciudad. Allí es donde juega Kyle, su jugador favorito, a quien ha seguido desde sus inicios y admira profundamente. Por eso, está en Chicago para asistir al fin de semana del All Star y participar en la subasta benéfica organizada por los Aliados del Hockey con la esperanza de conseguir una cita con Kyle. Finalmente, logra tener una cita con él y conocerle.
Austin y Kyle tienen una conexión instantánea. Sin embargo, la adicción al trabajo de Austin y un intercambio que lleva a Kyle a otra ciudad y a un nuevo equipo de hockey les pondrán las cosas difíciles.
Me han gustado los dos protagonistas con sus fortalezas y debilidades y la historia de cómo se desarrolla la relación. Por ahora, es mi libro favorito de esta serie. Hay algunos saltos de tiempo y problemas de comunicación entre ellos que sacan un poco de quicio. También me ha extrañado un poco que se han establecido rápidamente en una relación sin casi contacto físico e incluso su primer beso llega después de convertirse en novios.
#M-M-romance #Hockey-romance #Sports-romance
Austin y Kyle tienen una conexión instantánea. Sin embargo, la adicción al trabajo de Austin y un intercambio que lleva a Kyle a otra ciudad y a un nuevo equipo de hockey les pondrán las cosas difíciles.
Me han gustado los dos protagonistas con sus fortalezas y debilidades y la historia de cómo se desarrolla la relación. Por ahora, es mi libro favorito de esta serie. Hay algunos saltos de tiempo y problemas de comunicación entre ellos que sacan un poco de quicio. También me ha extrañado un poco que se han establecido rápidamente en una relación sin casi contacto físico e incluso su primer beso llega después de convertirse en novios.
#M-M-romance #Hockey-romance #Sports-romance
August 17, 2020
Grammar and Word Choice Errors Interfered With Reading Flow.
Light story with nice characters. Not hot as no real sex scenes. I do love stories set in the sports world. My big problem is the proof reading and editing. A big enough problem that it interfered with the reading flow. First chapter, "emerged" instead of "immersed". There were other times that the wrong word was used. Proof reading was inadequate with mistakes not being corrected. This is the first time I have read anything by this author. In the afterwords he stated this was an early attempt at writing a novel. Hopefully he has learned the value of Good proof readers and Beta readers.
Light story with nice characters. Not hot as no real sex scenes. I do love stories set in the sports world. My big problem is the proof reading and editing. A big enough problem that it interfered with the reading flow. First chapter, "emerged" instead of "immersed". There were other times that the wrong word was used. Proof reading was inadequate with mistakes not being corrected. This is the first time I have read anything by this author. In the afterwords he stated this was an early attempt at writing a novel. Hopefully he has learned the value of Good proof readers and Beta readers.
May 28, 2020
I think the author failed the SAT vocabulary test...
and English 101. There are so many misused words, (emerged instead of immersed, lapse when it should be lax, etc.) I finally stopped marking them, there were so many, Sentences where tenses didn't match, and many uses of me when it should be I (remember, it's I as the subject of a sentence, and me as the object of a sentence.)¹ And you don't say "me and so and so," you say "so and so and me." That's like second grade English!
and English 101. There are so many misused words, (emerged instead of immersed, lapse when it should be lax, etc.) I finally stopped marking them, there were so many, Sentences where tenses didn't match, and many uses of me when it should be I (remember, it's I as the subject of a sentence, and me as the object of a sentence.)¹ And you don't say "me and so and so," you say "so and so and me." That's like second grade English!
July 31, 2020
3.5 stars
Synopsis: An NHL All-Star. A workaholic entrepreneur. One irresistibly tempting opportunity.
Review: This was a nice read. The interactions between Kyle and Austin have good chemistry. They each have to learn to let go of something they learned when they were young. We get to see the interaction between Kyle and his family, but really nothing with Austin's which I missed. The way the relationship unfolds between them is very relatable and makes sense. The writing style is easy to read and you are easily able to connect to the characters. The pacing of the story is good.
Synopsis: An NHL All-Star. A workaholic entrepreneur. One irresistibly tempting opportunity.
Review: This was a nice read. The interactions between Kyle and Austin have good chemistry. They each have to learn to let go of something they learned when they were young. We get to see the interaction between Kyle and his family, but really nothing with Austin's which I missed. The way the relationship unfolds between them is very relatable and makes sense. The writing style is easy to read and you are easily able to connect to the characters. The pacing of the story is good.
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