Royal Lines

Boston Rebels #4

by R.J. Scott, V.L. Locey

They’re setting fire to the sheets, but a romance between an out and proud hockey star and a closeted playboy prince could end up burning them both.

Marquis Miller might be one of the NHL’s best players, single, wealthy, and open about his sexuality, but he knows his future lies in taking over the reins of the family’s multimillion-dollar company after retirement. Jumping on the family jet, he heads to Europe, tasked with schmoozing a prince into accepting his company’s bid on a significant castle renovation. Assuming he’d be faced with a dusty old monarch well into his dotage, Marquis is stunned to find out that Kaleb is a young, sophisticated, beautiful man with an impressive work ethic, to-die-for eyes, and a certain flair that captures Marquis’s attention.

Dragging the royal palace into the twenty-first century is one battle after another for the King’s youngest son. Juggling renovations, his royal duties, and attempting to reverse his former playboy prince reputation is impossible when no one seems to want to give Kaleb a chance. His chaotic life takes yet another turn when an American hockey player arrives at the castle to discuss a renovation project. Marquis is the antithesis of Kaleb’s newly minted, responsible outlook on life, a jock, a player, willing to take chances. Although the forbidden sex is hot, Kaleb is not ready to turn on his family responsibilities for a pretty smile and a smart mouth.

For both men, family is everything, and romance will always come in second until they open their hearts to love.

Genres: Hockey, M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, Sports, Sports Romance, LGBT

207 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 20, 2022

About the author

RJ Scott writes heartwarming, passionate MM/gay romance stories where every man finds his happily ever after. When not writing, she enjoys reading books, watching movies, spending time with her family, following Formula 1 (Forza Ferrari!), and cheering on the Pittsburgh Penguins. Email her here: rj@rjscott.co.uk

Find RJ here: Amazon | BookBub | Facebook - Also, Never miss a release

Reviews

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining but not really for me.

I'll never be into Royal romances, I get bored enough with the constant bombardment of Royals in the news every day to find books about royalty remotely appealing 😂

[Cadiva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ooh I did like that. What I've been enjoying the most about the Boston Rebels series is just how radically different each book is and this was no exception.

Royal romances take careful handling imho as you have to see the pressures getting involved with a country's ruling family can bring while still being believable.

RJ and Vicki nailed it with Kaleb and Marquis and a lot of that was down to the latter's status as an ice hockey star name.

The heat is also turned up high for this pair and there's some lovely conversation between the two men as they keep trying to kid themselves it's just temporary sex.

Throw in a fairytale setting with leaky old castles and siblings determined to give a prince grey hair, and what you're left with it a delightful read.

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

[Elle Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never has there been a nattier player on the Rebels than Marquis. His closet is the stuff legends are made of (and how did he even pack all those hats?). So it was going to take someone extra special to be the match for this man. Enter Prince Kaleb. Even though he’s not the reigning monarch, or even the next in line for the throne, he seems to have all the royal responsibilities, as he desperately tries to hold his imploding family together. Between elopements, MIA brothers and siblings with existential crises, this novel has plenty of familial drama.

The relationship between the two men is intense, as they fall for one another while still both convinced it’s just a physical release born of convenience. I love how they fall, inexorably, for each other over stolen snatches of time, long conversations and plenty of hot times together.

Locey and Scott have always excelled at the “found family” aspect of teammates in their hockey books, so I was wondering how they were going to manage that this time. I shouldn’t have worried as they managed to work a hockey game into the novel and bring some favourite characters along for the ride.

If you’re looking for a low-angst, romantic romp set in a dreamy country on a fjord, look no further.

[LeeAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marquis and Kaleb's first meeting set off fireworks. Although they tried to not give in, I knew it was going to happen sooner than later. What a spectacular display it was!
I adored these two from the start. With vibes that strong how could they not be amazing together?
Marquis has such flair in both his clothes and personality, and it meshed beautifully with Prince Kaleb's down to earth and serious nature due to so many obligations as a Royal. That's not to say these two didn't get extremely creative! Each brought out amazing things in each other.
Their chemistry was scorching hot.
The supporting characters were very enjoyable too. Meeting some of Marquis hockey friends ramped things up...especially in regard to the castle basement.
Who knew how much trouble Royals could get into and/ or cause? I haven't even mentioned ghosts, pipes, black swans and the food pantry.

I give this wonderful story 5/5 Hockey sticks!

I received an Advanced Readers Copy for my honest review.

[R.J.]

Available now in Kindle Unlimited and Amazon Exclusive - the hockey player and the prince :)

"... He might be the youngest son, but he’s the one who makes the decisions, and he’s too important to lure into bed, then toss aside like you do every other person you meet. ..."

Get the book here

[Kendra Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC received from the authors for an honest review.

Marquis Miller is a hockey player and moonlights at his father and uncle's plumbing company during the off season. He likes to play the field and he's not very picky about his partners. This next assignment his father has given him is to secure the contract to renovate the plumbing in an old castle in Norstoe; a small European country. He just wants to enjoy his time off but also understands family obligations, so off to Norstoe he goes.

Prince Kaleb of Norstoe used to be the playboy prince and now he's the one taking care of the family problems. His oldest brother doesn't want to be king, the middle brother is a artist taken to disappearing and being secretive and his twin sister has just run off the Vegas and married her bodyguard; causing the scandal of the year. Kaleb is at his wits ends with all the family drama and the castle renovations. He's down to the last two companies vying for the contract and he's hoping for good news.

When Marquis and Kaleb meet it's instant lust and come hither looks. They soon form an understanding to be friends with benefits while Marquis is in Norstoe. Sneaking around is fun but it causes it's own headaches. While in Norstoe Marquis agrees to help Kaleb with another thing on his list and this one is right up Marquis's alley. Will these two playboys finally fall for the one or will hearts be broken?

This is a well written story with no notable errors in punctuation, grammar or spelling. It flows pretty well from setting to setting but there were a few times is felt forced IMO. The romance between Marquis and Kaleb was hot but I didn't really feel like the love was real. I felt like they were sexually attracted to each other but not the deeper feelings of love. The ending is rather fast and neatly tied up to the point that I felt it was forced. There's not very much drama involved, besides Kaleb's family members, which is probably why it didn't feel like a deeper love. I was actually enjoying all the siblings dramas more than Marquis and Kaleb. Definitely worth spending a quick, lazy day reading though.

[Ruthie Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~

This is the fourth book in the series and is a complete departure from all the other books as we find ourselves mostly in a fictional kingdom somewhere in northern Europe. There is a nod to hockey with a charity tournament, but it is more about crumbling castles and the issues faced by royal siblings than sport.

Marquis, the out and most dapper man in the Boston Rebels is spending the summer trying to get a plumbing contract for his father's business. Little did he expect when he packed his most chic of outfits to impress the client, that he would instantly fall in lust with Prince Kaleb, or that he would get the chance to get close to him. But that is indeed what happens, even if it flies in the face of the Queen's plans for Kaleb to marry for political reasons.

It was fun to be taken away from the often brutal realities of life as a hockey player, and to consider the vagaries of royal duty in a modern world. I did laugh at the adventures which Marquis's hats often had, and the thought of him climbing a mountain in leather soled hand-made Italian loafers!

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've been reading the series, then you already know a bit about Marquis, he's the out, proud, fashionista of the Boston Rebels. He is also "heir" to his family's plumbing supply business. If you haven't been reading the series, this book can be read as a stand-alone, but I love the series, and I hope if you give this book a try it inspires you to get the previous 3 and have fun!

Kaleb is royalty, but not headed to the throne. That's for his older brother. Marquis is sent to Norstoe to bid on the plumbing retrofit of the castle. Sparks fly as soon as our MCs set eyes on each other! Kaleb and Marquis together are scorching hot. The story progresses nicely and I was always looking to turn a page to see what royal drama would pop up next.

This is not a hockey book with a side order of romance, this is a romance that happens to have a hockey player as an MC. :-)

I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series. I love the hockey-verse these two authors have created!

***RECOMMENDED***

[WycEd Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out our full post for ROYAL LINES on Wicked Reads, which includes an excerpt.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the fourth book in the series and is a complete departure from all the other books as we find ourselves mostly in a fictional kingdom somewhere in northern Europe. There is a nod to hockey with a charity tournament, but it is more about crumbling castles and the issues faced by royal siblings than sport.

Marquis, the out and most dapper man in the Boston Rebels, is spending the summer trying to get a plumbing contract for his father's business. Little did he expect when he packed his most chic of outfits to impress the client, that he would instantly fall in lust with Prince Kaleb, or that he would get the chance to get close to him. But that is indeed what happens, even if it flies in the face of the Queen's plans for Kaleb to marry for political reasons.

It was fun to be taken away from the often brutal realities of life as a hockey player, and to consider the vagaries of royal duty in a modern world. I did laugh at the adventures which Marquis's hats often had, and the thought of him climbing a mountain in leather-soled hand-made Italian loafers!

Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, this was so sweet! So far, it it the most removed book from the rink and the cups, but it still has its hockey player flair. I very much enjoyed seeing the royal issues, and the mix of political complications as an added to the mix.
It's a different one for what the Scott-Locey extended hockey universe has seen before, but it is really good and fits so well on the canon!

[Laurel Looney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading about Marquis and Kaleb. Marquis and Kaleb are perfect for each other. I hope that we will have a follow up on them. Amazing story and thank you for sharing it. Love u both.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Royal Lines, and it was a great addition to the series. Fashion-conscious Marquis and ex-Playboy Erik are adorable, and their chemistry is off the charts. I loved that they allowed themselves to explore that attraction, despite their circumstances and differences, and I especially loved how Marquis supported Erik and saved the day.
Once again these two amazing authors have given us another great book with terrific MCs and wonderful side characters. Initially, I wondered if any hockey would be played in the story but of course, there was, and it worked so well. Marquis's hockey friends added additional humour, and Erik’s family added excitement and intrigue to the sweetness, fun, humour, heat and low angst in this terrific story; once again I’m left waiting impatiently for the next book in the series.
I received an ARC of this book to review, and this is my honest and voluntary opinion.

[Cynthia Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful story about two people trying to do right by their own families navigating their feelings for one another. Kaleb is a prince and people of his family is trying to make him do a marriage of convenience. Marquis knows he’s time in hockey is closing in. Together they find maybe they are worth more than others think they are.

I did receive an Arc for a review.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic read. Two of my favourite tropes in one book, hockey and royalty. It is a fun and easy read that is full of interesting characters.

I was gifted an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I have loved this series, every book but this one just seemed flat or maybe it was the lack of hockey, I don’t know it just didn’t grab me like usual. Marquis is a professional hockey player with a very successful family plumbing business. He goes to the country of Norstoe in Europe to bid on a huge project in the castle of the royal family. This is where he meets Prince Kaleb. Prince Kaleb has a lot on his plate after his father passed. His older brother is to become King, a sister who decides her own path and a younger brother who keeps his troubles to himself, and Kaleb is trying to help them all.

Marquis and Kaleb hit it off immediately. They both know this won’t work it’s just a fling, they live in two different countries, have responsibilities, and falling in love is off the table, but who can stop what your heart wants?

I hope you give this book a read, everyone has an opinion and this maybe something you’ll love!

[deborah lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a different style for this series, at least at the beginning. I really liked Marquis’s glib and AF attitude. (Yes, I’m making AF a state of being, with a little hand flip for good measure. :-)) He reminds me of an attorney I work with, who is not athletic at all, but fits everything else to a T.

And who doesn’t love a good fairy tale? We Americans are obsessed with royalty, probably because we don’t understand it, so there is a lot of “ahhh” that goes with this story – good and bad. I think RJ and VL captured that perfectly.

This was a good, fast read that made me feel good, which is what I love about the hockeyverse books. And I’m now far enough along that I feel like I need to start over again with Book 1.

[Nicki - The Overflowing Bookcase · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew that castle renovations could lead to a romance that just sizzles every time Marquis and Kaleb. While Marquis is the quintessential bad boy hockey player and Kaleb is the bumbling prince, they may be from two separate sides of the ocean but their connection is spot on. This may not be the typical hockey romance Scott and Locey are known for but that does not make this story any less enjoyable.

[Kathy Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating 4.5 stars
This is the fourth book in the Boston Rebels Hockey series. I really enjoyed this book; the characters are unique. The pace and setting of the story were quite magical. I look forward to the next book in the series. Though this is the fourth in a series, IMO it can be read as a stand-alone book.

[Sharing The Book Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this is a hockey based read but not a hockey read - it is a love story!

We follow Marquis as he travels to overseas on family business and finds his soul mate.

Kaleb and Marquis - barriers and obstacles of distance, family and careers to overcome but LOVE has no boundaries!

A wonderful read :)

[Kwaj · Rating 1 out of 5]

HUGE disappointment from these authors on this book. What a waste of a potentially great storyline for the main character that you turned into a childish, trite, absolute garbage of a book!!! It's like you were trying to write a fairytale for your children's bedtime. Horrible!!

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Romance

Rating: 4.5 🌈

As a book I really ended up looking at it at two different ways once I completed it.

First let’s talk about Royal Lines as a contemporary romance. As a love story, it soars. The men are throughly seated in their prospective cultures and personal histories.

Marquis Miller is completely grounded in his Detroit family and city. His father and uncle, the Miller twin brothers , now in bad health, have worked their entire lives to bring their families, their business into the international company it is now and Marquis is it’s expected heir to head it after hockey. However, this is all about Marquis’ appreciation for his family and the City, black history, and his awareness of his family’s company abilities in promoting diversity. Marquis is a great character. Charismatic with depth.

Prince Kaleb, young son to a Royal family in mourning , is also well defined. He’s also grounded by a family in turmoil, a recent death of a not so loved Royal consort, necessary Royal marriages, unnecessary marriages, media intrusion, a moldering castle, and a Queen mother who’s in need of a son to handle everything as the heir seems unwilling or unable to do so at the moment. A family overwhelmed by circumstances yet always in the public eye. There’s no way not to feel for him. And when both men collide over a construction bid to replace the broken plumbing in said castle? You feel the sparks down to your toes!

This love story is stumbling hot! Marquis and Kaleb trying not to have an affair, discussing faulty pipes, and all they want is to bounce into the nearest Royal bed! Incendiary!

There’s various subplots about the other Royal siblings, also emotional messes, that get nicely tied up.

While this is a lust/love at first sight, it absolutely works. You buy into it completely because the way these characters are crafted, their personalities, you can totally see it happening.

As a love story, including the HEA ending? It’s a 5!

Now to the other part. Is this a hockey story? Um , in my opinion, no.

With the exception of a charity game that’s basically there to bring in Dunny for the next book, hockey isn’t here at all.

Boston isn’t mentioned. The team the Rebels are non existent except as a line where Marquis says he finished out his contract in the Epilogue. Nothing.

Marquis mentions that he’s a player for the team once. That’s the extent of it.

I’m sort of perplexed about a series called Boston Rebels when the last several books the team’s a ghost. And the story is more about what happens to players or ex players after they’ve left the team.

When you think about such wonderful series as Harrisburg Railers or Arizona Raptors or even the Owatonna U Hockey series, Cayuga Cougars series, those are absolutely about the team, ice on ice action, team dynamics, as well as players and their lives.

Here in this series, Boston Rebels barely exists. It serves only loosely as a something to tie these men together. Not a solid framework.

This pattern looks to continue with Dunny in the next story. Unfortunately it he’s seems he will have a life changing event. Read no hockey. Or , as I’m guessing, no Rebels.

So not sure why the team even continues to be even a element here.

These stories are excellent on their own. They can certainly be standalone novels. As a love story it’s amazing.

As a hockey romance? Not so much as that’s the element that’s almost totally missing.

I’m definitely recommending it. Loved the characters and the story.

The rest was just me wondering about the series. Take it for what it’s worth.

Boston Rebels:
🔹Top Shelf #1
🔹Back Check #2
🔹Snowed #3
🔹Royal Lines #4
🔹Blade - August 2022

[Heather York · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not even going to try and figure out how or why it took me nearly a year to read Royal Lines. With the exceptions of watching hockey during the Olympics and keeping bit of an eye on our local college women's team I'm not a fan of the frozen sport BUT I do LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! the hockey universe RJ Scott and VL Locey have created. I'm not going to scour the lower levels of my brain to figure out why it took so long.

Some might say in a universe with so many entries the stories are getting tired or lacking in originality. My response to them: PHEWY!!!(I really would say something more unlady-like but I'm going to be a good girl here😉). There are so many different tropes having been written and even more yet to be explored so I don't think there will ever come a time the Scott & Locey Hockey Universe will be tired.

Now, on to Royal Lines.

The eyes of Marquis Miller on the cover penetrate your very soul, compelling you to read his and Prince Kaleb's journey. Who doesn't love a good royalty/commoner trope? I imagine there are some, not every story is everyone's cup of tea but for this reader? Love it!

One element that really made me smile was Marquis loves hockey but it's not the end all be all of his existence, to walkaway be it for love or family business doesn't seem like it would be a huge hardship for the man. Seeing him doing the family business in the off season is a real treat. We all know the kind of money high-end quality athletes make(don't really deserve but still receive) so you don't expect athletes to be getting their hands dirty doing blue-collar work. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure some do and I'm equally sure Marquis isn't exactly being paid in peanuts but to see him being a "9 to 5-er" was refreshing.

As much as I really enjoyed the physical and romantic chemistry between the men I honestly think it was the individual aspects of each that made me love this story so deeply. Kaleb with his family was so amazingly everyday. By "everyday" I mean that one doesn't expect those interactions in a royal family, I'm sure they exist but it's not the first actions and behaviors that come to mind with royalty. Marquis stepping in to help the family business overseas knowing his father and uncle can't is also unexpected behavior for a professional athlete. Those scenes really resonated with me and made me love the characters even more.

For those who think hockey and familiar faces must be missing from this entry due to my focus on family and off season, don't worry because Scott & Locey always finds a way to get their ice fix in. What's not to love about Royal Lines? There's heat, family, romance, friendship, drama, ice-time, and love. A delightful read all the around.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

**********Contains Spoilers**********

I rated this book 4.5 Stars, so I rounded it up to 5 Stars. I really enjoyed this book, and thought that the chemistry between Marquis and Prince Kaleb was off the charts, as well as hot as hell. Marquis is all about hockey, he’s an out and proud pan-sexual, wealthy and being a fabulous dresser. Marquis knows that when he retires from hockey that he’s going to be taking over his family’s multi-million plumbing company, as his cousin’s are completely useless so its an obligation that falls on him. Marquis heads off to Europe for the Summer, to try and get the Prince of Norstoe to accept his family’s bid on the significant castle renovation. Prince Kaleb was known as the playboy prince but has come home after the death of his father, and his father’s affairs were brought to light. Since Kaleb has come home the rest of his family have relied on him for sorting out all their issues, so he’s had settle down and become what his family needs.

Kaleb’s in charge of the castle renovations, and has a lot of pressure on his shoulders. When Marquis and Kaleb meet sparks fly, which didn’t take long for them end up in bed together. I liked seeing all the family drama that Kaleb had to sort out but it was a bit unrealistic that it all happened at once. I enjoyed getting snippets of some of the Universe’s characters like Dunny, Adler and Erik when they came to Norstoe to play in a hockey game to help young children. I thought Marquis and Kaleb were fantastic together but will their hot Summer fling turn into more, even when they live on two different continents and are from two different worlds? I’m looking forward to reading Blade when it’s released in August, and seeing Dunny find his happily ever after. I’d definitely recommend this book, series, universe and both authors to everyone.

[Anne Barwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series, and enjoyed Marquis’ and Kaleb’s story. Family plays an important role in this story, and although there isn’t a lot of hockey in it, there’s still the strong sense of the team as family. I enjoyed the realistic look at fairy tale royalty, with arranged marriages, keeping up appearances, and the cost of maintaining old castles.

I liked Marquis and his attitude to life. His wardrobe is amazing! I also liked that, although he’s a hockey player, his roots are still his family’s plumbing business, and that he knows it from the ground up. Kaleb is very much family first, and has ended up being the responsible one as his siblings all find love. I liked how down to earth he is, and how he’s turned his life around. I loved Marquis’ and Kaleb’s friendship and romance as they try to convince themselves they won’t fall for each other.

I loved Kaleb’s relationship with his twin sister, Elsa, and the running joke of who his siblings fall for. Antoni is an interesting character too, and I liked that he didn’t fit the stereotype of the other person in an arranged marriage. Poor Vincent has to learn fast what it means to marry into royalty. I liked how protective he is of Elsa, and how they’re both so obviously in love.

I liked Marquis’ father and uncle. Although they’re straight up and take no nonsense, they have very strong work ethics, and are honest. I liked how that played into the plot. I loved how the hockey players come together to play for a good cause, and I’m looking forward to finding out more about Dunny.

The HEA is sweet, and I loved how everything worked out all round.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a bit different from the previous ones in as much as it was centred in a small European country and not so much about the hockey. As this is book four in the series I would recommend you start with the first book but it can be read as a stand-alone.

At the beginning of the story I struggled to relate to Marquis, a beautiful out and proud black gay hockey player in the NHL. He was so arrogant conceited and vain but as the story unfolded and his father and uncle sent him to Europe to bid for a massive plumbing contract (Marquis is the heir to the plumbing company) he fell in love with the prince who lived in a castle with dilapidated plumbing and we get to see another side to him, he has a ready wit and has quite a few funny fears such as the castle’s ancestors who are buried in the basement, definitely doesn’t do ghosts, goats and swans!

When he meets Prince Kaleb it’s lust at first sight, for both of them but Kaleb has been trying to put his playboy past behind him and as his other siblings are giving the media plenty to comment on he tries to take on the role of responsibility, he even has an arranged marriage on the cards, one his mother is trying to convince him will be very advantageous to their country. But the heart wants what the heart wants and even though Marquis has to go back to Detroit for hockey camp and plumbing and Kaleb has to get married they cannot bear to be parted. Will they overcome all the obstacles to get their HEA.

An entertaining read and I was lucky enough to get an ARC for my unbiased review.

[ButtonsMom2003 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series keeps getting better and better!

I’m not sure how these authors mange to keep the books in their hockey series so fresh but they do. This one pretty much takes place outside of the hockey world which makes it a bit different and interesting.

Marquis is the son and nephew of the two men who started Miller Plumbing from nothing and built it into a multimillion-dollar company. During the off-season, he must travel to Europe and oversee the bidding on a contract that can have huge benefits for the company.

Kaleb, thankfully, is not first in line to inherit his mother’s title but he has become the go-to family member for fixing problems, including the restoration of the family castle. When Marquis invades the castle, and Kaleb’s senses, he’s sorely tempted to give in to the lust he feels for Marquis.

Royal Lines is seriously hot with Marquis and Kaleb burning up more than just the sheets; they have fun all over the castle! There’s very little angst in this story and the words flowed smoothly. Kaleb just has to face making a decision about which company to award the contract to: his lover’s or the lowest bidder? I loved the way RJ and VL handled this conundrum and I’m so happy there is another book on the way this summer.

I nearly forgot to mention that Kaleb’s family presents some interesting situations that added a lot to this story.

A copy of this book was provided to me at my request but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.

***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the series. It's a tad different then the others, but no less enjoyable. Marquis is one well dressed man. I had this great picture in my head of what he looks like. The descriptions are really good. Now this book mostly takes place overseas. Marquis is sent over there after his hockey is over to help win a bid for his family's company to help with repairs in a castle. That's no exciting enough he gets a real good look at Prince Kaleb. Sparks are flying right off the bat between those two. I fell so bad for Kaleb. He is the fixer in his family now after the passing of his dad. I feel like that myself in my family so I know how much is put on his shoulders. It can get mentally exhausting. Kaleb deserves to have something for himself. I know about his wild past, but now he is on the complete other side of that spectrum. Kaleb and Marquis have burning hot chemistry that sets the pages on fire. There are moments that had me laughing and smiling. Then this book had moments that hit me in the heart with sadness. It's a well rounded book in my opinion. It has great characters that pulled me right in and kept me hooked. I really like Kaleb and Marquis together. It made my heart happy. A few side stories going on as well for Kaleb's siblings. That added another layer of goodness to this book for me. This was a great addition to the series!

[Relly · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

I like this series as it deals with the guys lives outside of hockey. Yes they are hockey players but that is nearly a side thing as they only got on the ice here for a charity match.

It took me a long time to get into this one, as at the start I wasn’t a big fan of Marquis. He was so over confident and some of the things that came out of his mouth in the first half I found to be unbelievable especially considering he was representing his company and dealing with Royals.

Eventually it calmed down and I got to liking him. I felt sorry for him in the end when things didn’t go his way.

I liked the way the company acted, they traded on their reputation and didn’t go in maligning the opposition. Things have a way of always coming out.

Kaleb and his family were great. They all had their issues and people they loved. It was interesting to see how it all worked itself out in the end.

I liked the mini epilogue at the end. Being as the guys both lived on different continents it was always going to be hard to see it working but this gave us a quick rundown of where everyone was at.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this really had nothing to do with hockey besides featuring some hockey players and one charity game, so that was misleading to me with it being part of a hockey series. However, I did enjoy this overall. I liked Marquis from when I saw him before, and I was excited for his book. I felt like we didn’t learn a ton about him though because him being queer (pan) and a sharp dresser. We only saw a little of his family in the beginning and towards the end, and I would have liked to see their dynamic more.

I liked Kaleb, although he was a little too focused on making up for his playboy days and overcompensating. I thought their connection was good although it was definitely insta-lust. I didn’t really feel the progression to love until they were declaring it. There weren’t any side characters that I really fell in love with and wanted to see in future books, but they provided entertainment. Maybe 4 out of 5 stars?

[EQUUS · Rating 4 out of 5]

As you can expect from this author team this is a well written, easy to read story, but according to the blurb I was expecting much more angst and drama. As I see it, there wasn't much relationship development, at least not on page. There's a fierce attraction from the day one and some family drama which I actually found more interesting than interaction between the two. Although they come from different upbringing there's a lot of similarities between Marquis and Kaleb. Both are overconfident self centered royalty (one hockey and the other real life) and both are forced to take on more responsibility they are prepared to. Maybe this aspects should be explored in more depth.
The ending was wrapped up too quickly and superficially for my taste, but it's still a good light read with some bonus humor.