La vita secondo Liam

According to Liam #1

by V.L. Locey, Davide Zocchi (Translator)

C’è sempre la possibilità che ciò che il tuo cuore desidera sia a solo un click di distanza.

Qualcuno dovrebbe dare un pizzicotto a Mike Kneller, web designer, blogger umoristico e mega tifoso dei Ravens di Pittsburgh, un grande pizzicotto. Da anni Mike vive per sua sorella più giovane Kelly e per Liam, il nipotino di quattro anni. Ha aperto le porte di casa a Kelly quando è rimasta incinta a sedici anni e si è trovata ad affrontare la gravidanza da sola. Certo, le giornate di Mike sono piene di ginocchia sbucciate, nasi che colano e occasionali problemi con i pupazzi imbottiti dei supereroi, ma va benissimo così perché ama Liam tanto quanto ama sua sorella.
Rinunciare alla vita sociale e dormire da solo sono un piccolo prezzo da pagare. Non sa che qualcuno dei Ravens sta per mostrare a Bryn Mettler, l’estremo difensore della squadra, uno dei post del suo video blog. Ovviamente non riesce a credere alle sue orecchie quando il telefono suona e all’altro capo del filo c’è il portiere famoso in tutto il mondo, nonché sua cotta. La vita non funziona così per gli zii che lavorano duro, non è vero?
Bryn Mettler è un atleta superstar e una parte importante della società sportiva di Pittsburgh. Sembra che non gli manchi nulla: è elegante, bello, ricco, un noto filantropo e un portiere prestigioso, vincitore di numerose medaglie e trofei. Fino a oggi ci sono solo due cose che non è riuscito a ottenere: alzare sopra la testa quella grande coppa d’argento scintillante e trovare un uomo con cui accasarsi. Ora che ha superato i trenta la scena dei club gay lo ha stancato, e le mogli dei suoi compagni di squadra hanno deciso che è loro dovere trovargli Mr. Perfezione. Lui è abbastanza sicuro che non troverà l’uomo in grado di rubargli il cuore in un blog umoristico. È buffo, però, come la vita si diverta a ribaltare completamente le nostre certezze. Quando Bryn incontra Mike è immediatamente attratto da quell’uomo caloroso, divertente e sexy che divide le sue frenetiche giornate con migliaia di altri cittadini di Pittsburgh. Al portiere non rimane altro da fare che convincere Mike che è davvero chi dice di essere così da poterlo conoscere meglio. Per fortuna Bryn non è uno che si arrende facilmente, ma avrà le qualità giuste per entrare a far parte della vita di Mike, Kelly e Liam?

Genres: M M Romance, Sports, Romance, Contemporary, Hockey, Gay, Humor

142 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2019

About the author

V.L. Locey loves worn jeans, Dr. Who, Torchwood, belly laughs, yoga, reading and writing lusty tales, walking, Greek mythology, the New York Rangers, comic books, and coffee. (Not necessarily in that order.)

She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, and a flock of assorted domestic fowl.

When not writing lusty tales, she can be found enjoying her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, fresh cup of java in hand.

Sign up for my newsletter here: http://vllocey.com/Newsletter

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those hard to review books...
There is nothing I can really complain about but there is nothing I can really rave about either.
It was cute...and funny...and easy.
One thing is for sure, you'll have to enjoy kiddo's because Liam is definitely a third MC.
And I do love kids. And I thought he was a trip!
I actually liked all of the characters.
I guess I'm waffling because nothing extraordinary happened.
Two guys meet...date...fall in love.
No angst. No drama. No big climactic scene.
But again, it's wasn't bad. And I did have a good time reading.
Soooo, I suppose this is one of those books that will make you smile and then you move on.

*3.5 simply-yet-satisfying stars*

[Cadiva · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5*

Sometimes you just want a lovely, no angsty, story about two people meeting, liking each other, and falling in love.

Vicki Locey delivers that in spades with this book which just had me smiling from start to finish as she wove a really simple, beautiful romance between Mike and ice hockey goalie Bryn.

But, before you start to think that this would be a tad boring let's just say the bedroom action adds enough spice to make it anything but.

Mike is surprised to find out that he has a tiny little bit of a need to be bossed around and Bryn takes that unique character attribute which makes so many goalies just a little bit nuts and turns that into a match made in heaven.

It's not quite Dom/sub, it's not quite Master/slave, it's really not anywhere on the BDSM spectrum at all if I'm honest, but it's seriously hot and chock full of emotionally connected chemistry which oozes off the page.

Add in a super cute four-year-old, a supportive and loving younger sister, great teammates and a lack of any miscommunication or dramady and this book's a total winner. The only reason I've not given it the full 5* is because I'd have liked just a teeny bit more before the relationship became serious.

But, that's totally on me, the narrative absolutely works as it is and there's nothing missing from it at all, I'm just greedy!

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

[Barbara➰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet and easy read. Just two people finding each other and becoming a couple with a cute kid in the mix. I will say, at times I felt like things were "out of place" like Bryn coming off as a D in a D/s relationship with Mike. It's like it was touched on here or there but never fully developed. It didn't matter a whole lot to me because I was looking for "sweet and easy" at the time but it would have also been nice to see that explored more in depth. Maybe in later books we'll get to see more of it. But overall, it was nice to read something that didn't cause my gut to clinch or bring me tears.

[Nelly S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 cute and sweet stars

Mike lives with his adorable four-year-old nephew, Liam, and sister. A graphic designer and huge hockey fan, he keeps a hilarious blog about the mischief Liam gets up to. He and Liam love Bryn, a goalie with the Pittsburgh Ravens. Bryn, who is in his early thirties, is tired of the clubbing scene and looking for someone to have a serious relationship with. His friends bring Mike’s blog to his attention and he reaches out to him one day. Of course Mike thinks it’s a prank but things take off from there. The romance is sweet and it’s just a heartwarming story featuring lots of cute moments with Liam. If you don’t like reading about kids in your romance though this won’t be for you. The sex scenes can be cringe at times—dirty talk or attempts at light kink that miss the mark. But all in all I enjoyed it and it was a nice short (180 pages) palate cleanser.

[Kaje Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is sweet and funny and fluffy and warm - the kind of contemporary romance fantasy that you sometimes need after a hard day or an angsty read. There's no drama, just an out gay hockey player with supportive teammates falling for a gay blogger who lives with his sister and precocious, hilarious 4-year-old nephew.

A little poignancy in the backstory gives it a hint of depth, and the characters are fun to watch. There's some heat, some family friction, some hockey, a few tantrums to keep the kid real, and a happy ending. There's no discussion of being gay and out in pro sports in this one. Imagine a world where that doesn't raise an eyebrow, and where a kid throwing up on you is the trauma of the day, and you have Bryn, Michael, Liam and Kelly, living good lives.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this was just full of warm fuzzies and sweet fun...

The second to last thing that Mike Kneller ever expects to happen is that super sexy Bryn Mettler, superstar goalie for the Pittsburgh Ravens, Mike’s absolute favorite hockey team would read his blog because the absolute last thing he could imagine happening would be that said super sexy goalie would want to date him.

Bryn’s got no illusions that he’s leading a charmed life, but that doesn’t stop him from wanting just one more thing…someone to share that life with. Someone that he can really connect with because they see past the ‘star athlete’ and can connect with the man.

When Mike’s blog ‘Life According to Liam’ is initially brought to Bryn’s attention he begins to watch it as an entertaining way to fill his time when the teams away on road trips, but the more he reads and sees as he follows the blog, the more he feels drawn to Mike’s warmth and humor and the more determined he is to convince Mike that he is who he says he is and that Mike should give him a chance and go out on a date.

‘Life According to Liam’ is a sweet story about two people from very different walks of life finding each other and discovering love. Mike and Bryn are both very likable characters, who happen to also be surrounded by some pretty awesome people. Mike’s sister, Kelly and her son, Liam who is the inspiration for Mike’s blog. Brynn’s teammates and their spouses.

I very much liked that the relationship between Mike and Bryn felt like it was built as much on the friendship that they developed as it was on their mutual attraction, when these two men finally got together the sexy times were hot and at times humorous which for me was perfect. I’m a big fan of having fun and enjoying the lighter side of things both in and out of the bedroom.

Overall I really enjoyed the pacing of this story with the exception of the part where the relationship goes from ‘I really like you and I’m pretty sure that you’re the one I want to spend my life with.’ to ‘let’s live together’ this all happened just a bit too fast for me or maybe I’m just being greedy in wanting to enjoy more Mike and Bryn time.

Other than this things worked for me and if the story started to feel like it was slowing down I was able to count on Liam to keep things moving, which also worked perfectly for me and I think that anyone who’s ever spent any time with a 4 year old would agree when I say that if you have a young child in your life it’s pretty much a given that they’re going to keep things interesting. Liam definitely revived more than a few of my own memories of ‘life with a 4 year old’, which only added to the warm fuzzy feeling that this story left me with.

‘Life According to Liam’ is a feel good story with essentially zero conflict or angst and lots of warm fuzzy feels. Definitely recommended for anyone who’s ever needed to have their plumber on speed dial!

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

An ARC of ‘Life According to Liam’ was graciously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Elyxyz · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Adorabile. Dolce. Hot. Comico. Da non perdere!

Ci sono storie in cui inciampi per caso, ma al momento giusto, e te innamori perché sono esattamente quello di cui avevi bisogno in quel frangente. Ecco, è quello che è capitato alla sottoscritta con questo libro.

Nel bel mezzo di un periodo personale e lavorativo molto impegnativo e stressante, cercavo una lettura dolce, leggera e soprattutto divertente che mi coccolasse e mi regalasse qualche ora di relax rinfrancante e La vita secondo Liam è tutto questo, con l’aggiunta bonus di diverse scene hot e piacevolmente descrittive che non guastano di sicuro!

Certo, se cercate una trama adrenalinica, tortuosa o con colpi di scena, forse non farà per voi, ma se invece vi piace la quotidianità, le persone generose e simpatiche, l’ironia e la comicità e le figuracce alla portata di ciascuno di noi, siete nel posto giusto.

La vita secondo Liam, che dà il titolo al romanzo, è anche il nome del blog curato da Mike, un trentenne che lavora freelance creando siti web per conto di altri e che racconta la quotidianità, le riflessioni e le (dis)avventure del suo vivacissimo nipotino di cinque anni, Liam, che lui sta allevando con la sorella minore.

Mike colpisce fin da subito per la sua ironia, per l’umorismo contagioso e per la bontà d’animo: la sua devozione verso nipote e sorella sono commoventi; per loro non ha esitato ad accantonare la propria vita e l’amore, concentrando tempo ed energie su di loro.

Eppure è proprio grazie al suo blog divertente e scanzonato che Mike può arrivare a conoscere il suo idolo e sogno bagnato: il portiere titolare della squadra di hockey locale, Bryn Mettler.

Bryn ha da poco superato i trenta ed è ricco e famoso, ma stanco delle storielle senza senso e di gente più interessata al suo status di celebrità che come uomo. Un gruppo di colleghi e amici impiccioni gli fa conoscere il blog di Mike e i due finiscono per trovarsi a cenare assieme e a scoprire ben presto come si sentono in sintonia l’uno con l’altro.

Anche Bryn ha una bella caratterizzazione, che ho apprezzato parecchio assieme a quella di Kelly, la sorella di Mike.

Liam, che è a tutti gli effetti il terzo protagonista di questo racconto, merita un applauso tutto suo, perché è impossibile non affezionarsi a questo piccolo vulcano fin troppo sveglio e simpatico.

Come ho detto all’inizio, mi sono lasciata trascinare nelle loro avventure quotidiane, fatte di risate, disastri comuni e piccoli problemi da superare per riuscire a far collimare due stili di vita diversi, quello di Bryn e quello di Mike e dei suoi cari.

Ho divorato questo libro che è assolutamente adorabile. Dolce. Hot. Comico. Mi dispiace solo che non sia durato di più, ma è l’inizio di una serie, quindi spero presto che giunga anche il resto.

Il mio consiglio è: da non perdere!

[Trio · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sweet story! These guys totally pulled me in, and I can't wait to read the rest of this series. It's funny and heartwarming, and the romance is steamy hot. What a great book :).

[Shelba · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 37%.

I should have known better than to give this book a go. I tend to avoid MM Romance with athletes.... and I really just don't like hockey.

I'm also not a fan of books with little kids, as it's often annoying how authors write their dialogue... and there was no exception here:

"Mommy said before she dated with Aaron tonight that he was handsome. You likes handsome boys, so is you and Bryn Mettler going to be dated?"

I don't really care for Bryn, and I don't know how Mike can when Bryn decided to call him a 7am to set up a date.

Also, right before the 2nd date:

It was too soon to throw a child at Bryn.

(I would think Liam should be his concern when introducing a BF, not the BF... and Byrn isn't even that.)

And at the end of the 2nd date:

"Would you be willing to come to my place and meet my sister and Liam? Or is it too soon to foist?"

I didn't connect with this book or the characters, nor did I think they connected with each other.

[BevS · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. Mike I liked, Liam too but Bryn was far too stilted as far as his speech was concerned for me to get thoroughly invested in his character. Probably won't continue with this one. 🙁

[Gustaf · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really sweet and easy read. And it was 100% adorable. I smiled and laughed. Nothing special really happens but then again, nothing special was needed. Just two men falling in love.

[1000storie1000vite · Rating 4 out of 5]

È un libro fatto per cuori romantici, senza se e senza ma. É una carezza allo spirito, è un abbraccio caldo che rasserena. Sono sorrisi che arrivano gli occhi.
È la storia di due uomini buoni e leali, è il racconto di emozioni ora palpitanti, ora timide, ora infuocate. Sono vite che si intrecciano e si fondono, creando legami meravigliosamente intensi.
Mike e Bryn sono delineati con cura e non ho potuto che voler bene ad entrambi. Mike: così allegro, pieno di premure verso la sua famiglia, una mamma chioccia divertente e sempre in movimento. Bryn, considerato freddo e distaccato, aveva solo bisogno di trovare la persona giusta per far fiorire i suoi sentimenti.
È una narrazione fatta di eventi quotidiani che, se da un lato manca un po' di pathos, dall'altra regala sorrisi e qualche grossa e sentita risata.
I personaggi del piccolo Liam e di Kelly, sorella di Mike, sono adorabili. Scorrevole e piacevole, è una lettura spensierata che mi sono goduta al 100%.
Hugs&kisses

[Lily Mordaunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Low Angst Stars

This story was low on conflict and high on humor thanks to four-year-old Liam and his antics with Cap. Bryn and Michael were also great, always readily expressing their feelings. I loved how easily Bryn fit into the Kneller dynamic. This is a good book if you’re looking for something light and humorous.

[Lori¸¸¸.•*❀Ɍɛɑɗs̱LɪƙɛIʈs̱H̱ɛɍJɔɓ 유❤유 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fine story with no angst so it was kind of boring. I thought there was a LOT of odd phrasing and words that aren't normally used in the US (like how many times the little kid was referred to as "the lad".) It made me think the author wasn't native to America which isn't a problem, but it just made reading it strange. The writing was kind of stilted as well.

[namericanwordcat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fully enjoyable, sweet, low angst romance with wonderful courting between two kind heroes.

We get the fun of a hockey romance with two out heroes mixed in with a charming little kid.

I could read this little gem over and over. If you are looking for a low angst delight, pick this one up!

[Kochka94]

Je ne vais pas m'étendre sur le sujet de cette nouvelle (moins de 200 pages), le résumé (presque plus long que la nouvelle elle-même) dévoile déjà la totalité de la trame de l'histoire.

Et c'est bien le problème, à mon avis.

L'idée de base, à partir du moment où on accepte l'idée que le héros mette en avant le quotidien de son neveu de 4 ans, était choupinou : Mike s'est totalement oublié pour s'occuper de sa jeune sœur et de son neveu, l'auteur nous épargnant assez intelligemment cela dit la sœur ingrate qui refile son gamin. Mais là où j'aurais aimé avoir un contact un peu hésitant via le blog, des échanges pour se connaître, à se dévoiler peu à peu, avec une montée du désir, de l'envie, de ce besoin de l'autre et ben... pas du tout. Quand à Liam, il est mignon, mais à petites doses...

Un message, un rencard, un bisou, un deuxième rencard, une galipette et c'est plié : c'est parti pour l'amour fou, l'envie de vie commune, le voyage en amoureux, la maison avec la barrière blanche, les enfants et le labrador, rajoutez un petit chouia de BDSM très trèèèèèèès soft et on y est.

Pour faire court (aussi court que l'histoire), je dirais trop rapide et trop sucré, beaucoup trop dégoulinant de sucre. Je vais finir la série, ce qui devrait être rapide, pour ne pas en laisser (encore) une inachevée, mais je ne suis pas convaincue par la plume seule de cet auteur, qui semble être habituée à écrire en duo.

[Bronwyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars - right down the middle - I read this in one afternoon. I’m happy it was free at the time I got it. It’s only 180 pages and it goes from meeting each other, to “I love you,” to moving in together, to marriage proposal. So there’s not a lot of pages to feel that big of a change in someone’s life.

Liam, who is Mike’s nephew, was a hoot and I laughed quite a bit because of him. I never felt any kind of connection between the two MCs. It all just moved too quickly. I’d actually like to give the next book a try to see if there is any progression with that connection. If not, I’m hoping Liam will once again make it worth my time.

[Lorenzo Adduci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Voto 4+
“Secondo Liam” è un’adorabile e divertente serie di V.L. Locey che ruota intorno alle vicende del piccolo Liam e della sua meravigliosa famiglia allargata. Il primo volume, “La vita secondo Liam”, ci mostra il punto di partenza di questa saga, ovvero la nascita della storia d’amore tra Mike e Bryn, i due zii preferiti di Liam. Una storia dal sapore quasi fiabesco, con due protagonisti molto ben delineati, che dietro la dolcezza dei sentimenti espressi e l’ilarità di alcune scene ci trasmette messaggi significativi.
Mike Kneller, web designer freelance, oltre che blogger umoristico, da anni dedica la propria vita alla sorella Kelly e al nipote Liam di quattro anni. Mike e Kelly provengono da una famiglia omofoba e bigotta che ha chiuso i rapporti con loro quando l’uno ha dichiarato di essere gay e l’altra ha scoperto di essere incinta appena quindicenne. Mike non ha esitato ad accogliere in casa Kelly, non appena quest’ultima è stata cacciata di casa, e le ha dato un grande aiuto nel crescere il piccolo Liam, cui è profondamento affezionato. Tuttavia, Mike sembra quasi aver rinunciato alla sua vita sentimentale, non esce con qualcuno da secoli, forse ha un po’ dimenticato come si fa. Nel frattempo, coltiva la sua grande passione per l’hockey e la profonda cotta per il portiere dei Ravens di Pittsburgh, Bryn Mettler. Ovviamente, non può credere ai suoi occhi quando il bellissimo portiere si materializza con un commento nel suo blog e gli chiede un appuntamento.
L’autrice possiede indubbiamente un talento unico nel creare, con la sua scrittura brillante e accattivante, situazioni di vita quotidiana che riescono a far sorridere dando una sensazione di intima familiarità. La storia tra Mike e Bryn viene costruita pezzo dopo pezzo con una narrazione che, pur senza particolari scossoni o sconvolgimenti, appare in grado di catturare l’attenzione grazie alla forza dei sentimenti e alla sottile ironia.
Ho amato profondamente questi due protagonisti, che intessono il loro rapporto con sincerità e passione. Mike ci appare come un uomo generoso e dedito ai suoi affetti più cari, con un istinto protettivo che lo spinge a detestare e criticare chiunque si avvicini a sua sorella per corteggiarla senza esserne degno. Adora suo nipote Liam, con cui ha costruito un blog basato semplicemente sulle loro piccole e spassose vicissitudini quotidiane e che dimostra quanto il bimbo sia precoce, vivace e con un’intelligenza superiore alla sua età. Non riesce a credere che una star come Bryn Mettler possa essere interessato a lui, ma in realtà riesce a farsi amare per il suo modo di fare ironico e spontaneo, oltre che per la sua “morbida” bellezza.
Bryn è un famoso e talentuoso portiere, che non vuole affatto rinunciare allo sport che ama, nonostante abbia superato i trent’anni, e di sicuro non vuole farsi sorpassare dalle nuove leve. Non ha mai nascosto la propria omosessualità, sebbene non ami ostentare, ma è stanco di avventure di poco conto e di quegli uomini che vedono in lui soltanto il personaggio famoso, mentre vorrebbe qualcuno con cui costruire una famiglia e avere dei figli. Mi ha intrigato il suo modo di fare diretto e razionale, il suo essere un po’ maniaco del controllo e amante dell’ordine, che sa sempre cosa vuole e si adopera immediatamente per ottenerlo, ma che si rivela capace di sciogliersi di fronte a un uomo come Mike, che lo attrae fin da subito come una calamita, o di commuoversi con il piccolo Liam e la vivace Kelly che lo fanno sentire parte della famiglia.

[~BookNeeds~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book I just didn’t love it. It was missing a certain “je ne sais quoi”. I didn’t feel the connection between the 2 main mc’s, honestly the kid was the main highlight to this book. Kudos to the author for using such aggrandized vocabulary. Fantastic job I was googling left and right.

[R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mike is happy helping his sister raise his nephew Liam. It doesn’t matter that they have a plumber on speed dial. Liam’s hero is Captain America and many of Caps friends are responsible for the mayhem that circles around him. Mike thinks he will probably just help with Liam forever. Knowing no man will want to be tied to someone who has to put his family first.

Mike meets his hockey idol Bryn Mettler. The goalie is truly a nice person and when they start dating, they both fall fast. The fact that Bryn falls in love with Liam too, cements their future together.

This was such a heartwarming book. Liam’s antics made me laugh out loud. Mike and Bryn’s antics were just plain hot. I’m really starting to think this author has a thing for hockey goalies. She writes the most delicious stories about them. He’s Swedish (not Russian, but still yummy).

As you can probably tell this book was a hit with me. Nice characters, nice writing, no angst, just enjoyment from this story.

Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.

[Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always get a warm, contented feeling from a story by this author and this one’s no exception. We have two very likeable leading men here, Mike and Bryn, who live ultimately very different lives with Bryn being a pro-Hockey player with the attention and adoration that that job brings, and Mike, a web designer, happily running a blog and being an almost surrogate father to his sister’s son, Liam. Both of these men are at a point in their lives where they’re craving the same thing: a genuinely nice guy who’s content to just enjoy the quiet life, with no hoopla, no clubs and crazy nights out, just happy to *be* with each other. This was a lovely, low-angst and thoroughly heart-warming story with the familiar hockey theme running through it which I love, as VL always melds the action and drama of the game so seamlessly with the romance. A great read for cosying up on rainy Autumn afternoon with a big mug of tea.

Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMG Reads.

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

4.5 stars

V.L. Locey is rapidly becoming my one-click author. I go after this writer’s work as soon as I see it offered and this little romantic gem was not a mistake to pursue. This is a no angst, sweet story that is all about finding the perfect one and falling in love. It features what I think is the most adorable and humorous child character, Liam, that has ever graced the page. It’s obvious right away that this author knows precocious four-year olds and how their minds operate. Between reading about Liam and his penchant for making his super hero dolls responsible for everything from the fact that he accidentally pooped his pants to being the reason his favorite hockey team always wins, to seeing how Mike just perfectly handled every crazy situation that arose with said four-year old, I was laughing out loud several times during reading this wonderful story.

Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.

[Bitchie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not bad, but I was kinda bored.

[Tiash . · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes ordinary stories become extraordinary. No angst, not serious plot twist.. Life sometimes is not complicated. I really like the feel good vibe of it. Positivism is one thing always I enjoy in queer books (which is kinda rare!) It was an unexpected surprise for me.

I love to read mm romances that involves kids in some way. And from page one Liam's charm got me real good.

I've read sufficient books with sportsman rep, but personally I hate when a book becomes more like a Sports commentary than an actual romance blossoming. Thank GOD! It was not like other regular sports romance. It's subtle and sweet.

Steam? It's pretty sensual at some places but author unfortunately did not explore it much. MCs are having sex regularly, hell yeah, we also got a small hint of kinky staffs too but no! It's not explicit. Kinda a bummer! IKR 😂

Anyway, as a first read of this author, I'm impressed. Would recommend!

[Tj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somestines you want, no need, a warm angst free read. This book is just that. It oozes family, warmth, and love.

Mike’s parents disowned him when he came out, and they did the same when his teenage sister found out she was pregnant. He has spent the last five years caring for his sister and her son. Liam is a smart cute kid who loves superheroes and manages to flush various items down the toilet.

Mike works from home as a web designer and writes a blog about Liam. Bryn is a hockey player who contacts Mike after reading his blog. The rest as they say is history.

Bryn and Mike are great together. Bryn understands that Liam and his mom will always play a major role in Mike’s life. Mike is also understanding when Bryn has to travel for games.

If you are looking for a low angst book where a kid is the central character, then give this one a go. The MCs are adults and act like it, and family is the main theme throughout.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Without reducing this review into sickening ultra cuteness I have to say this is so bloody sweet it could rot your teeth. No angst here, just a beautiful budding romance between two gorgeous men, tagging along is one loving sister and a rather precocious, if not a wee bit spoilt, five year old young man. And lets not forget the sex! Blimey! The sex is off the charts. A very enjoyable read that made me laugh out loud one minute and go 'awww' the next.

[Trip · Rating 3 out of 5]

I adored the set up for this book, it was super sweet and all the fluffy feels. Mike and Bryn are lovely together, with plenty of steam and chemistry as they get to know one another.

The blog was so much fun, Liam is adorable with his childhood wonder and his innocent comments were hilarious. It was sweet to see his bond with Mike and the family feels are great.

I enjoyed so many lines in this read, it had lots of humour and heartfelt moments throughout that just made me smile.

Overall it gave all those perfect soft and fuzzy feels with some heat on top, leading to a lovely happy ending for everyone 💛


Bondage
Spanking
Dress up/Roleplay

[Valentina Campi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[ᗰ.ᑕ. ❤️ O͎L͎D͎E͎R͎ ͎&͎ ͎W͎I͎S͎E͎R͎]

Author uses books as a "personal service announcement" to educate readers on what she believes in. No teaching/preaching/politics in my romance novels! 🚫

[Hilcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet!