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Watkins Glen Gladiators #1
Between the Pipes
Two men who have sworn off romance are about to crash headfirst into love.
Liam Kneller-Polkman has no time for dating. None. Zero. Zip. His mind has to remain focused on hockey if he wants to secure a goaltending spot on the Watkins Glen Gladiators. He’s committed his whole summer—heck his whole life—to play in the pros someday and he’s not going to lose focus now. Eyes on the prize is his new motto. As training camp grows closer, he accompanies the Gladiators’ team captain to a race at the famed speedway in his new hometown. There he meets Tarcy Hayward, the smolderingly hot, much older driver of the famed number 66 stock car. One look, one smile, and one memorable dinner are all it takes for Liam’s good intentions to stay on track to crash and burn.
Tarcy Hayward’s been around the romance track a few times, each lap leaving him a little older and a lot more wary of giving his heart to someone again. Ever since his wife died, his life has been devoted to his two adult children, his grandson, and racing. He’s happy now that the only thrills he gets are on the racetrack. Or so he thought. When Liam Polkman enters his garage, all the safety barriers in the world aren’t enough to save his heart from the impact. It takes just one night with the stunning young goalie with light green eyes to launch Tarcy’s heart into a high-octane sprint where love always takes the checkered flag.
Between the Pipes is a low angst, age gap gay hockey romance that features an outgoing young goalie, a cautious older race car driver, two families who are not above meddling just a bit to see their loved ones happy, lots of on-ice and high-speed action, and a straightaway sprint to a happy-ever-after.
Liam Kneller-Polkman has no time for dating. None. Zero. Zip. His mind has to remain focused on hockey if he wants to secure a goaltending spot on the Watkins Glen Gladiators. He’s committed his whole summer—heck his whole life—to play in the pros someday and he’s not going to lose focus now. Eyes on the prize is his new motto. As training camp grows closer, he accompanies the Gladiators’ team captain to a race at the famed speedway in his new hometown. There he meets Tarcy Hayward, the smolderingly hot, much older driver of the famed number 66 stock car. One look, one smile, and one memorable dinner are all it takes for Liam’s good intentions to stay on track to crash and burn.
Tarcy Hayward’s been around the romance track a few times, each lap leaving him a little older and a lot more wary of giving his heart to someone again. Ever since his wife died, his life has been devoted to his two adult children, his grandson, and racing. He’s happy now that the only thrills he gets are on the racetrack. Or so he thought. When Liam Polkman enters his garage, all the safety barriers in the world aren’t enough to save his heart from the impact. It takes just one night with the stunning young goalie with light green eyes to launch Tarcy’s heart into a high-octane sprint where love always takes the checkered flag.
Between the Pipes is a low angst, age gap gay hockey romance that features an outgoing young goalie, a cautious older race car driver, two families who are not above meddling just a bit to see their loved ones happy, lots of on-ice and high-speed action, and a straightaway sprint to a happy-ever-after.
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 11, 2023
99 people are currently reading
360 people want to read
About the author
V.L. Locey
211 books727 followersV.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
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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
September 24, 2023
3.5*
Not what I expected to be honest and at times I found myself wondering what was happening between the two men given how much development was told had gone on in the background off page through time jumps.
I loved most of the According to Liam series but this spin-off with him starting his Ice Hockey career didn't pull me in as much as the other books did.
It's also super insta-lovey, which I don't mind usually, instant attraction is very definitely a thing which can turn into solid feelings pretty quickly but I was missing seeing it take place.
But, that's my only niggles, otherwise, there were lots of elements I really enjoyed too, not least the relationship between Tarcy and his two kids, as well as the depictions of the racing.
The rest of the new team seem like a good bunch and I'm very glad to see who the next book will be about as I was drawn to the character as soon as they arrived on page.
Overall I think my expectations were at fault for this book, I was hoping for more of the warm-hearted feelings Liam's appearances in his Uncle Mike and Bryn's stories brought.
I should have knocked those back and just come into this as an age gap sports romance.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Not what I expected to be honest and at times I found myself wondering what was happening between the two men given how much development was told had gone on in the background off page through time jumps.
I loved most of the According to Liam series but this spin-off with him starting his Ice Hockey career didn't pull me in as much as the other books did.
It's also super insta-lovey, which I don't mind usually, instant attraction is very definitely a thing which can turn into solid feelings pretty quickly but I was missing seeing it take place.
But, that's my only niggles, otherwise, there were lots of elements I really enjoyed too, not least the relationship between Tarcy and his two kids, as well as the depictions of the racing.
The rest of the new team seem like a good bunch and I'm very glad to see who the next book will be about as I was drawn to the character as soon as they arrived on page.
Overall I think my expectations were at fault for this book, I was hoping for more of the warm-hearted feelings Liam's appearances in his Uncle Mike and Bryn's stories brought.
I should have knocked those back and just come into this as an age gap sports romance.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
January 14, 2023
Hockey romances are among my favorite MM books, so when I saw this book includes not only hockey, but stock car racing, my all-time favorite sport, I had to give it a try.
Between the Pipes is set in Watkins Glen, New York, which is not too far from Cayuga, home of the Panthers hockey team. Watkins Glen is home to one of the premier road courses in the US, Watkins Glen International raceway, aka "The Glen", host to a variety of types of racing throughout its history. Stock cars have run there on and off since 1957, so it's the perfect place for young hockey player Liam Kneller-Polkman, all grown up now at 22 to cross paths with veteran racer and four-time series champion Tarcy Hayward whose daughter is the same age as Liam.
Yes, this is the Liam from Locey's other books, but I haven't read those and I didn't feel like I was lost for not having that background. I did feel a bit lost at how old Tarcy kept acting and thinking, when that's not at all the nature of racers. and I didn't feel Liam's connection to hockey until well into the book, which is unusual for a hockey player MC.
In fact, I had a hard time connecting to either character. Maybe it's because I'm 60 and wanted Tarcy to stop referring to himself as being old. Maybe I expected Liam to be more driven, no pun intended. The pacing felt a bit off to me, but that could just be me expecting more tension and high octane action.
Vicky got almost everything else pretty close on the stock car side of things, though, close enough I could dial back my rabid NASCAR fan and appreciate that the right terms were used.
The romance between Tarcy and Liam is instant, sweet, and hot, with a happy ending in a beautiful setting, so I rounded my 3.5 stars up to 4.
Between the Pipes is set in Watkins Glen, New York, which is not too far from Cayuga, home of the Panthers hockey team. Watkins Glen is home to one of the premier road courses in the US, Watkins Glen International raceway, aka "The Glen", host to a variety of types of racing throughout its history. Stock cars have run there on and off since 1957, so it's the perfect place for young hockey player Liam Kneller-Polkman, all grown up now at 22 to cross paths with veteran racer and four-time series champion Tarcy Hayward whose daughter is the same age as Liam.
Yes, this is the Liam from Locey's other books, but I haven't read those and I didn't feel like I was lost for not having that background. I did feel a bit lost at how old Tarcy kept acting and thinking, when that's not at all the nature of racers. and I didn't feel Liam's connection to hockey until well into the book, which is unusual for a hockey player MC.
In fact, I had a hard time connecting to either character. Maybe it's because I'm 60 and wanted Tarcy to stop referring to himself as being old. Maybe I expected Liam to be more driven, no pun intended. The pacing felt a bit off to me, but that could just be me expecting more tension and high octane action.
Vicky got almost everything else pretty close on the stock car side of things, though, close enough I could dial back my rabid NASCAR fan and appreciate that the right terms were used.
The romance between Tarcy and Liam is instant, sweet, and hot, with a happy ending in a beautiful setting, so I rounded my 3.5 stars up to 4.
January 24, 2023
At 80% and not sure I'll finish. (Skimmed the rest.) Been finding it boring for a while. And I traditionally love hockey books. Not much hockey at all in this one.
December 31, 2022
First….I love hockey so this was a no brainer for me to want to read.
New to me author and I am trying to figure out why! My TBR just grew by adding all her previous books. This is one of those authors that makes you realize….”this is why I read and not write”. Simply beautiful words.
Now….I do love an age gap romance without the Daddy kink or age play. Liam and Tarcy are perfect. Instant attraction, “just sex”, then realizing living without is so much worse than being together when you can.
It is nice to see families so accepting…both blood and found.
If you are looking for a low angst, sweet but spicy, age gap romance, then this one is for you!
I’m off to download all her books.
I received an ARC of this book from GRR and this is my honest review.
New to me author and I am trying to figure out why! My TBR just grew by adding all her previous books. This is one of those authors that makes you realize….”this is why I read and not write”. Simply beautiful words.
Now….I do love an age gap romance without the Daddy kink or age play. Liam and Tarcy are perfect. Instant attraction, “just sex”, then realizing living without is so much worse than being together when you can.
It is nice to see families so accepting…both blood and found.
If you are looking for a low angst, sweet but spicy, age gap romance, then this one is for you!
I’m off to download all her books.
I received an ARC of this book from GRR and this is my honest review.
January 15, 2023
Age gap, low angst sweet story between Liam, hockey and Tarcy, nascar driver. What was going to be just sex, turned out to be more as feelings were involved very quickly. Both had to figure out if being together was worth making it work. Tarcy's grandson Charlie was cute and I loved how Tarcy found out his daughter was seeing someone.
March 10, 2025
Wholesome , sweet momma's boys. A great introduction to the series. A super low angst, steamy age gap, sportsmen story. It felt like a HFN situation since there are more books I suppose we'll see more of Tarcy and Liam.
Pet peeve, older men feeling the oldness. If you're young enough to fook like bunnies, dude, you're doing fine. I don't want to hear about your aching bones at 40 something. You make me feel like your cheating your younger partner and instead of giving 20 good years you'll only get to 5.
Writers, please consider what type of atmosphere you're creating, you often miss the mark. I'm 60, I can say these things.😏 Thank you.
Pet peeve, older men feeling the oldness. If you're young enough to fook like bunnies, dude, you're doing fine. I don't want to hear about your aching bones at 40 something. You make me feel like your cheating your younger partner and instead of giving 20 good years you'll only get to 5.
Writers, please consider what type of atmosphere you're creating, you often miss the mark. I'm 60, I can say these things.😏 Thank you.
January 3, 2023
Rating: 4.75🌈
If you’re a fan of contemporary romance, then this book surely needs to be on your radar. Between The Pipes, the first in author V.L. Locey’s new Watkins Glen Gladiators series, is a low on angst, high on thoughtful adult relationship dynamics, romance that’s full of great humor and hot chemistry .
In other words, it’s a must read.
One of its main characters, Liam Kneller-Polkman, is someone some readers (this one included) have followed through his adolescence in the earlier series, According to Liam. We have actually watched him grow up.
Now graduated from college , he’s been drafted to play for the Ravens, and is being “seasoned” to see if he’s going anywhere by playing for their AHL affiliate team, the Watkins Glen Gladiators.
Locey, a diehard hockey fan, has always made the hockey community and element sing. Whether it’s the team dynamics or fast paced ice action, it has always felt grounded in the sport. That includes the diet and pressure about the prep work coming into camp, all of which we get from Liam’s perspective.
What’s new is the NASCAR racing team aspect of this story and other main character. Tarcy Hayward, his car Lola, his team which includes his son Lee. All that reeks of fumes, gasoline, tar, sweat, and the track. So well done. And it needed to be to match the power of the characters and ice of hockey.
They needed their own passions, careers, and personalities to be able to be just as important and powerful as the men themselves. And that’s exactly how it comes off in the story.
Yes, Tarcy is older than Liam. But their chemistry, their discipline, their lifestyles, and the realistic expectations and discussions they have about age and their jobs/futures make that fade (even as they joke about it) as other aspects become more important.
I was just so throughly entertained and overjoyed by this story and the characters romantic journey. I outright laughed at times, found myself nodding in appreciation when Liam’s thoughts turns to the dangers of their professions in terms of the future, something I don’t see often enough in other stories. A recognition that those concussions can cause traumatic brain injury, that racing has its fatalities. Something Tarcy was thinking about too.
This was a great reality check for a contemporary romance.
It also doesn’t end with an automatic HEA because that’s unrealistic. The men honestly just met. They feel grounded in each other, but they are also wise to acknowledge their professions and it’s demands going forward. The story ends in an intelligent, thoughtful, and great way.
Please give me more of this type of story.
I know we will see more of them . The Gladiators seem full of fascinating characters. And Watkins Glen a grand place to base a series.
I can’t wait for more.
Until then, I’m highly recommending Between The Pipes (Watkins Glen Gladiators #1) by V.L. Locey. And if you want to see Liam before he was all grown up, check out all four books in the amazing According to Liam series.
I’ll meet you back here!
Watkins Glen Gladiators:
- [x] Between The Pipes #1
- [ ] Defending The House #2 - TBD
If you’re a fan of contemporary romance, then this book surely needs to be on your radar. Between The Pipes, the first in author V.L. Locey’s new Watkins Glen Gladiators series, is a low on angst, high on thoughtful adult relationship dynamics, romance that’s full of great humor and hot chemistry .
In other words, it’s a must read.
One of its main characters, Liam Kneller-Polkman, is someone some readers (this one included) have followed through his adolescence in the earlier series, According to Liam. We have actually watched him grow up.
Now graduated from college , he’s been drafted to play for the Ravens, and is being “seasoned” to see if he’s going anywhere by playing for their AHL affiliate team, the Watkins Glen Gladiators.
Locey, a diehard hockey fan, has always made the hockey community and element sing. Whether it’s the team dynamics or fast paced ice action, it has always felt grounded in the sport. That includes the diet and pressure about the prep work coming into camp, all of which we get from Liam’s perspective.
What’s new is the NASCAR racing team aspect of this story and other main character. Tarcy Hayward, his car Lola, his team which includes his son Lee. All that reeks of fumes, gasoline, tar, sweat, and the track. So well done. And it needed to be to match the power of the characters and ice of hockey.
They needed their own passions, careers, and personalities to be able to be just as important and powerful as the men themselves. And that’s exactly how it comes off in the story.
Yes, Tarcy is older than Liam. But their chemistry, their discipline, their lifestyles, and the realistic expectations and discussions they have about age and their jobs/futures make that fade (even as they joke about it) as other aspects become more important.
I was just so throughly entertained and overjoyed by this story and the characters romantic journey. I outright laughed at times, found myself nodding in appreciation when Liam’s thoughts turns to the dangers of their professions in terms of the future, something I don’t see often enough in other stories. A recognition that those concussions can cause traumatic brain injury, that racing has its fatalities. Something Tarcy was thinking about too.
This was a great reality check for a contemporary romance.
It also doesn’t end with an automatic HEA because that’s unrealistic. The men honestly just met. They feel grounded in each other, but they are also wise to acknowledge their professions and it’s demands going forward. The story ends in an intelligent, thoughtful, and great way.
Please give me more of this type of story.
I know we will see more of them . The Gladiators seem full of fascinating characters. And Watkins Glen a grand place to base a series.
I can’t wait for more.
Until then, I’m highly recommending Between The Pipes (Watkins Glen Gladiators #1) by V.L. Locey. And if you want to see Liam before he was all grown up, check out all four books in the amazing According to Liam series.
I’ll meet you back here!
Watkins Glen Gladiators:
- [x] Between The Pipes #1
- [ ] Defending The House #2 - TBD
January 11, 2023
4.5 Stars
Liam and Tarcy are two of the cutest athletes I’ve read so far. Neither man is looking for a relationship, as both of them are too busy and Tarcy feels that he’s already had his time for love and when his wife passed away, that was that.
Liam Kneller-Polkman is a goalie working hard to secure his spot on the Watkins Glen Gladiators team. He’s spent his entire life preparing for this moment and, with his Uncle Bryn’s sage advice and experience, Liam is well on his way. Then his eyes meet Tarcy’s and that’s where all of his good intentions to focus and keep hookups solely no-strings attached crashed & burned.
Tarcy Hayward is a widower, father of 2 grown kids, Lee & Kimmy, and has a grandson, Charlie. He’s been racing a long time and has accepted that his opportunity for love died with his wife and is content to have hookups when he needs them, spend time with his family and leading the racing world on the track. Then his eyes meet Liam’s and his heart needs jumper cables.
Their undeniable chemistry leads them to hooking up “once and then that’s it”, to spending a week together, to Liam getting to drive Tarcy’s car, Lola, to ending things when Liam’s Uncle Bryn calls to remind him that he’s missed a goalie skills program he’d worked hard to get him into. Both men are miserable without the other, with Tarcy snippy and sullen & Liam distracted and quick to snap. Tarcy’s daughter, Kimmy, encourages them to give their relationship a chance at the same time Liam’s friend Peter is telling him that missing someone is better than not having them at all. Liam & Tarcy agree that they’re in deep and want to give their relationship a shot – regardless of the time apart and distance they’ll have between them.
When Tarcy is injured during a race, will Liam – who watched on tv, be willing to stay with Tarcy, now that he knows how dangerous his job is, no matter how much he loves Tarcy? Will Tarcy have the chance to tell Liam how much he loves him or is there just too much working against them to be together?
I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy and, as always, my review is unpaid and honest.
Between the Pipes
V.L. Locey
Liam and Tarcy are two of the cutest athletes I’ve read so far. Neither man is looking for a relationship, as both of them are too busy and Tarcy feels that he’s already had his time for love and when his wife passed away, that was that.
Liam Kneller-Polkman is a goalie working hard to secure his spot on the Watkins Glen Gladiators team. He’s spent his entire life preparing for this moment and, with his Uncle Bryn’s sage advice and experience, Liam is well on his way. Then his eyes meet Tarcy’s and that’s where all of his good intentions to focus and keep hookups solely no-strings attached crashed & burned.
Tarcy Hayward is a widower, father of 2 grown kids, Lee & Kimmy, and has a grandson, Charlie. He’s been racing a long time and has accepted that his opportunity for love died with his wife and is content to have hookups when he needs them, spend time with his family and leading the racing world on the track. Then his eyes meet Liam’s and his heart needs jumper cables.
Their undeniable chemistry leads them to hooking up “once and then that’s it”, to spending a week together, to Liam getting to drive Tarcy’s car, Lola, to ending things when Liam’s Uncle Bryn calls to remind him that he’s missed a goalie skills program he’d worked hard to get him into. Both men are miserable without the other, with Tarcy snippy and sullen & Liam distracted and quick to snap. Tarcy’s daughter, Kimmy, encourages them to give their relationship a chance at the same time Liam’s friend Peter is telling him that missing someone is better than not having them at all. Liam & Tarcy agree that they’re in deep and want to give their relationship a shot – regardless of the time apart and distance they’ll have between them.
When Tarcy is injured during a race, will Liam – who watched on tv, be willing to stay with Tarcy, now that he knows how dangerous his job is, no matter how much he loves Tarcy? Will Tarcy have the chance to tell Liam how much he loves him or is there just too much working against them to be together?
I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy and, as always, my review is unpaid and honest.
Between the Pipes
V.L. Locey
September 19, 2023
C'est vraiment le livre qui résume le mieux de concept de « Insta Love », le coup de foudre, l'amour (ou le désir surtout) au premier regard.
Liam (le petit garçon de "La vie selon Liam" du même auteur) est devenu grand et son rêve vient de se réaliser : il entre comme gardien dans une équipe professionnelle de hockey. Et, quand il va être invité par son sponsor à une course automobile, il va tomber dingue du pilote phare de 20 ans son aîné.
Sur le papier, ce livre me plaît. Je suis une très grande fan des différences d'âges, tant que le plus jeune est majeur (plus de 23 ans si possible) et les romances de hockey font toujours un effet certain sur les lecteurs et lectrices. Avoir une continuité sur certaines sagas comme c'est le cas ici, est également plaisant, qu'ils trouvent l'amour fou, comme son oncle avant lui, ça fait fondre mon petit cœur de lectrice de romance.
Quand Liam va rencontrer Tarcy, il va y voir son fantasme et sa va détruire sa volonté de se tenir éloigné des relations pendant sa vie professionnelle, il ne va pas arriver à le sortir de sa tête. Et pour Tarcy, cela sera pareil, tellement que ses propres enfants vont s'en rendre compte et le pousser à s'impliquer dans cette relation nouvelle.
Malheureusement, tout reste survolé et sans vraiment de profondeur. Surtout que certains personnages sont des caricatures mais il n'y a pas de messages derrière qui passent. Ce qui rend un peu la romance plate malgré tout l'amour et le désir que les personnages se portent. Dans un monde où les livres de romance sont presque légion, il faut savoir se démarquer pour sortir du lot et vraiment proposer quelque chose qui donnera envie au lecteur d'aller voir plus loin, qui restera dans un coin de son esprit.
Je lirais sûrement la suite, parce que le résumé à l'air chouette mais vraiment déçu de ce tome que j'attends avec impatience !
Liam (le petit garçon de "La vie selon Liam" du même auteur) est devenu grand et son rêve vient de se réaliser : il entre comme gardien dans une équipe professionnelle de hockey. Et, quand il va être invité par son sponsor à une course automobile, il va tomber dingue du pilote phare de 20 ans son aîné.
Sur le papier, ce livre me plaît. Je suis une très grande fan des différences d'âges, tant que le plus jeune est majeur (plus de 23 ans si possible) et les romances de hockey font toujours un effet certain sur les lecteurs et lectrices. Avoir une continuité sur certaines sagas comme c'est le cas ici, est également plaisant, qu'ils trouvent l'amour fou, comme son oncle avant lui, ça fait fondre mon petit cœur de lectrice de romance.
Quand Liam va rencontrer Tarcy, il va y voir son fantasme et sa va détruire sa volonté de se tenir éloigné des relations pendant sa vie professionnelle, il ne va pas arriver à le sortir de sa tête. Et pour Tarcy, cela sera pareil, tellement que ses propres enfants vont s'en rendre compte et le pousser à s'impliquer dans cette relation nouvelle.
Malheureusement, tout reste survolé et sans vraiment de profondeur. Surtout que certains personnages sont des caricatures mais il n'y a pas de messages derrière qui passent. Ce qui rend un peu la romance plate malgré tout l'amour et le désir que les personnages se portent. Dans un monde où les livres de romance sont presque légion, il faut savoir se démarquer pour sortir du lot et vraiment proposer quelque chose qui donnera envie au lecteur d'aller voir plus loin, qui restera dans un coin de son esprit.
Je lirais sûrement la suite, parce que le résumé à l'air chouette mais vraiment déçu de ce tome que j'attends avec impatience !
January 22, 2023
Ah Liam is All Grown Up!
OMG if you read any of the “According to Liam” books well the adorable, precocious, happy little Liam has now grown into a tall, muscular, gorgeous hunk of hockey player. He still knows his own mind, still has an old head of young shoulders and has a thing for older men!
This book is slightly different from Vicki Locey’s other hockey books in as much as there is not a lot of hockey, in fact there is more about Tarcy on the race track, this book centres around the relationship developing between Liam and Tarcy. It was instant attraction but Tarcy was obviously concerned as Liam is a couple of years younger than his son Lee and daughter Kim and he is a grandad to the adorable Charlie but Liam knows what he wants and that’s Tarcy.
Liam’s uncle the famous hockey goalie Bryn Mettler has spent years coaching and honing Liam’s skills and he is now on the brink of achieving his dreams. I loved that the family all came back for this book and Tarcy’s family were all very likeable as well.
Tarcy was a big fan of Liam’s favourite uncle Mike’s podcasts and listened to the old ones Mike used to make each day with the very young Liam giving his opinion on everything and singing at the top of his voice with uncle Mike in the car each morning, the “According to Liam” books.
OMG if you read any of the “According to Liam” books well the adorable, precocious, happy little Liam has now grown into a tall, muscular, gorgeous hunk of hockey player. He still knows his own mind, still has an old head of young shoulders and has a thing for older men!
This book is slightly different from Vicki Locey’s other hockey books in as much as there is not a lot of hockey, in fact there is more about Tarcy on the race track, this book centres around the relationship developing between Liam and Tarcy. It was instant attraction but Tarcy was obviously concerned as Liam is a couple of years younger than his son Lee and daughter Kim and he is a grandad to the adorable Charlie but Liam knows what he wants and that’s Tarcy.
Liam’s uncle the famous hockey goalie Bryn Mettler has spent years coaching and honing Liam’s skills and he is now on the brink of achieving his dreams. I loved that the family all came back for this book and Tarcy’s family were all very likeable as well.
Tarcy was a big fan of Liam’s favourite uncle Mike’s podcasts and listened to the old ones Mike used to make each day with the very young Liam giving his opinion on everything and singing at the top of his voice with uncle Mike in the car each morning, the “According to Liam” books.
July 28, 2023
Voto: 4.5
RECENSIONE A CURA DI ELYXYZ
Ho bisogno di fare una premessa, prima di recensire questa storia.
Quando ho aperto il file e letto il nome del protagonista di questa nuova serie della Locey, avreste dovuto vedere la mia faccia!
Liam Kneller-Polkman doveva per forza essere lo stesso Liam di “La vita secondo Liam“, una saga che ho adorato, quindi mi sono tuffata sul primo volume per scoprire che esisteva un prequel, già tradotto, e gratuitamente scaricabile seguendo un link dentro il primo volume.
Beh, ho dato la precedenza a quel racconto dal titolo “La promessa” (“Top Prospect”, in lingua originale), l’ho divorato e ho fatto benissimo! È stato emozionante ritrovare Bryn, Mike e tutta la tribù di Liam, ora cresciuto e neolaureato, pronto a lanciarsi in una fulgida carriera nell’hockey, e pronto a ricalcare le orme dello zio Bryn.
Questo prologo lancia le basi per gustare meglio il primo volume di questa nuova serie e andrebbe letto per primo. Non contiene parti erotiche ma è una chicca deliziosa che ci riporta nel turbolento mondo di Mike e dei suoi famigliari e amici, col bonus del tempo che passa e un occhio nel futuro.
Continua sul nostro blog!
RECENSIONE A CURA DI ELYXYZ
Ho bisogno di fare una premessa, prima di recensire questa storia.
Quando ho aperto il file e letto il nome del protagonista di questa nuova serie della Locey, avreste dovuto vedere la mia faccia!
Liam Kneller-Polkman doveva per forza essere lo stesso Liam di “La vita secondo Liam“, una saga che ho adorato, quindi mi sono tuffata sul primo volume per scoprire che esisteva un prequel, già tradotto, e gratuitamente scaricabile seguendo un link dentro il primo volume.
Beh, ho dato la precedenza a quel racconto dal titolo “La promessa” (“Top Prospect”, in lingua originale), l’ho divorato e ho fatto benissimo! È stato emozionante ritrovare Bryn, Mike e tutta la tribù di Liam, ora cresciuto e neolaureato, pronto a lanciarsi in una fulgida carriera nell’hockey, e pronto a ricalcare le orme dello zio Bryn.
Questo prologo lancia le basi per gustare meglio il primo volume di questa nuova serie e andrebbe letto per primo. Non contiene parti erotiche ma è una chicca deliziosa che ci riporta nel turbolento mondo di Mike e dei suoi famigliari e amici, col bonus del tempo che passa e un occhio nel futuro.
Continua sul nostro blog!
January 14, 2023
Liam and Tarcy ❤️
3.5 Stars ⭐️
Ok first if all, who said sweet little Liam could grow up??? And Grow up he did into a fantastic young man ❤️ This book was insta- love but I don't even care becuase it's Liam! With that being said, this was a really good beginning to what promises to be a really good series coming. It had fast cars, hockey, age gap and two of the sweetest men and families helping to build up to the perfect HEA. What more can you ask for? I'd recommend especially for LIAM fans ❤️
* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *
3.5 Stars ⭐️
Ok first if all, who said sweet little Liam could grow up??? And Grow up he did into a fantastic young man ❤️ This book was insta- love but I don't even care becuase it's Liam! With that being said, this was a really good beginning to what promises to be a really good series coming. It had fast cars, hockey, age gap and two of the sweetest men and families helping to build up to the perfect HEA. What more can you ask for? I'd recommend especially for LIAM fans ❤️
* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *
November 8, 2024
An okay book
I was a little disappointed with Liam's story. I have no problem with an age gap story, but this is a little too much. To saddle a young vibrant man with a grandfather is not my cup of tea. Age gaps are more enjoyable when they're age gaps and not generation gaps. Everyone was so happy and acceptable of the relationship, unbelievable. To me this story was unbelievable all around .
I was a little disappointed with Liam's story. I have no problem with an age gap story, but this is a little too much. To saddle a young vibrant man with a grandfather is not my cup of tea. Age gaps are more enjoyable when they're age gaps and not generation gaps. Everyone was so happy and acceptable of the relationship, unbelievable. To me this story was unbelievable all around .
dnf
January 5, 2023DNF @ 31% - didn't care for the writing style and just couldn't get into caring about the lead characters.
January 26, 2024
Appena ho riconosciuto il nome di Liam Kneller-Polkman ho riletto tutta la Serie "Secondo Liam" i 5 volume ed è stato così bello ritrovarli tutti i personaggi.
Da quando Liam aveva 4 anni, con suo zio Mike e sua madre Kelly.
Il famoso portiere dei "Ravens di Pittsburgh" Bryn Mettler, che diventerà suo zio e suo mentore.
Ho letto la novella 6 volume di Jamie Palmer trans, il socio di zio Mike, che si innamora del difensore dei Ravens Heikko Keto.
Ho letto la novella prequel della nuova Serie "Watkins Glen Gladiators", " La promessa" dove troviamo Liam fresco di laurea, bisex e sta per
debuttare "nell’American Hockey League."
In questo 1 Volume, Liam ha 22 anni e sta per essere il nuovo portiere dei "Watkins Glen Gladiators". La sua vita è sempre stata concentrata sullo studio e sul hockey.
Non cerca relazioni, fino a quando va ad assistere una corsa di auto e incontra il pilota Tarcy Hayward, piu vecchio di lui di vent'anni.
Tarcy è bisex è stato sposato, ha 2 figli ( un maschio Lee e una femmina Kim ed è nonno del delizioso Charlie.)
Due uomini impegnati in due sport difficili e violenti, con percorsi differenti, città, gare...
Possono due mondi così differenti incontrarsi e portare avanti una relazione??
Si perché una notte di passione non può bastare!!
Consigliato 💖💖💖💖💖
Da quando Liam aveva 4 anni, con suo zio Mike e sua madre Kelly.
Il famoso portiere dei "Ravens di Pittsburgh" Bryn Mettler, che diventerà suo zio e suo mentore.
Ho letto la novella 6 volume di Jamie Palmer trans, il socio di zio Mike, che si innamora del difensore dei Ravens Heikko Keto.
Ho letto la novella prequel della nuova Serie "Watkins Glen Gladiators", " La promessa" dove troviamo Liam fresco di laurea, bisex e sta per
debuttare "nell’American Hockey League."
In questo 1 Volume, Liam ha 22 anni e sta per essere il nuovo portiere dei "Watkins Glen Gladiators". La sua vita è sempre stata concentrata sullo studio e sul hockey.
Non cerca relazioni, fino a quando va ad assistere una corsa di auto e incontra il pilota Tarcy Hayward, piu vecchio di lui di vent'anni.
Tarcy è bisex è stato sposato, ha 2 figli ( un maschio Lee e una femmina Kim ed è nonno del delizioso Charlie.)
Due uomini impegnati in due sport difficili e violenti, con percorsi differenti, città, gare...
Possono due mondi così differenti incontrarsi e portare avanti una relazione??
Si perché una notte di passione non può bastare!!
Consigliato 💖💖💖💖💖
January 12, 2023
Liam, who we originally met as a cute as a button kid in The world According to Liam series is now all grown up and ready to start his professional hockey career with the Watkins Glen Gladiators, a feeder minor league team for the Raptors (the hometown faves!). While attending a pro racing event, Liam meets the significantly older driver, Tarcy, and wow! do those engines start revving. These two are flying fast, but when the brakes come on, there's no stopping the inevitable crash.
Not sure you could call this a standalone because you really need to have prior context of the World According to Liam books (I'd read the first two and the holiday story. There are at least 4 books in the series.) The author also recommends you read the free prologue 'Top Prospect' which I was glad I did. The link for the free short story is given in the book. It was nice to revisit the prior characters and to meet a whole set of new ones. Enjoyed the hockey playing practices, the games, and the races, and of course all the times in between.
Not sure you could call this a standalone because you really need to have prior context of the World According to Liam books (I'd read the first two and the holiday story. There are at least 4 books in the series.) The author also recommends you read the free prologue 'Top Prospect' which I was glad I did. The link for the free short story is given in the book. It was nice to revisit the prior characters and to meet a whole set of new ones. Enjoyed the hockey playing practices, the games, and the races, and of course all the times in between.
January 11, 2023
Between the Pipes is the start a fantastic new series, Watkins Glen Gladiators. I’m a sucker for hockey romances and this one felt just right. We’ve met Liam before from the author previous stories. Liam is picked up by the Gladiators. He meets Tarcy at the Watkins Glen Speedway, where he’s a racecar driver. I feel the sparks coming off these two when they first met. Neither Liam nor Tarcy is looking for a relationship, just a good time. They’re just fooling themselves. Overall, a fantastic story. Well written with addicting pacing.
January 16, 2023
This is a sweet age gap story between two athletes. It is a love-at-first-sight development, but it is well done.
I really liked how this story developed but have to confess it felt a bit like the last third is missing...
There are a lot of questions still open and it felt abrupt. As it is I would it not declare as HEA but more as a HFN, which is a pity as I would have loved to see how they solve their challenges.
Nevertheless a sweet story with two interesting characters and potential for more sweet books in this series
I really liked how this story developed but have to confess it felt a bit like the last third is missing...
There are a lot of questions still open and it felt abrupt. As it is I would it not declare as HEA but more as a HFN, which is a pity as I would have loved to see how they solve their challenges.
Nevertheless a sweet story with two interesting characters and potential for more sweet books in this series
May 12, 2024
Nicely done!
What an interesting combination - hockey and pro car racing. The age gap works nicely as well. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
What an interesting combination - hockey and pro car racing. The age gap works nicely as well. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
January 28, 2023
This is the first book in the Watkins Glen Gladiators series. This is a continuation of the series Life According to Liam which I have not yet read. This is the story of Liam Kneller-Polkman and Tarcy Hayward. Liam has been working towards his goal of being a professional hockey player for his entire life. He is going to be playing goaltender for the AHL affiliate team, the Watkins Glen Gladiators. Before the season starts, his new team captain takes him out to the speedway to enjoy some sponsor related racing. It is there that Liam meets Tarcy; a NASCAR champion. There is instant chemistry between Laim and Tarcy. However, Tarcy is hesitant due to the age gap between them. This is their story. It is not a typical hockey romance book. Actually I found there to be very little hockey or team interaction. It focused more on the race car driver aspect. It was not exactly what I was expecting. It is an instalove story with very little angst. While the book is well written, it didn't draw me in like other books by this author have. It is not one that I would re-read. If you like race car driving and instalove, you should enjoy this book.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 23, 2023
I felt deprived at the conclusion of this book. Is it me, or was that a cliffhanger?
What happened? This feels so incomplete, unfinished, especially when Tarcy isn't even healed, Liam just began his hockey season, and we don't know if he'll be called up to the Ravens. Technically, Basky is senior to Liam, so may be called first, unless Liam absolutely kills it when he tends goal, and Basky can't completely she out the other teams. Liam sounds like he's nearly invincible at the mental far. I'm so disappointed in this ending after a pretty wonderful introduction to our main characters, their flaring attraction, then its development into a pretty committed relationship. It just ends with a question mark. Three stars. I sure hope we get a sequel or something.
What happened? This feels so incomplete, unfinished, especially when Tarcy isn't even healed, Liam just began his hockey season, and we don't know if he'll be called up to the Ravens. Technically, Basky is senior to Liam, so may be called first, unless Liam absolutely kills it when he tends goal, and Basky can't completely she out the other teams. Liam sounds like he's nearly invincible at the mental far. I'm so disappointed in this ending after a pretty wonderful introduction to our main characters, their flaring attraction, then its development into a pretty committed relationship. It just ends with a question mark. Three stars. I sure hope we get a sequel or something.
June 26, 2023
Age gap is a little wide for my personal tastes. I liked the racing car element - that was new. I would have liked more hockey but oh well.
I liked that we have moved past the need-to-keep-quiet in the hockey world and queer players are just part of the landscape. I liked all the secondary guys and look forward to their stories.
I liked that we have moved past the need-to-keep-quiet in the hockey world and queer players are just part of the landscape. I liked all the secondary guys and look forward to their stories.
November 15, 2023
Nice one. 😊
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
July 28, 2023
(Rece su copia ARC)
Voto: 4.5 stelle
Ho bisogno di fare una premessa, prima di recensire questa storia.
Quando ho aperto il file e letto il nome del protagonista di questa nuova serie della Locey, avreste dovuto vedere la mia faccia!
Liam Kneller-Polkman doveva per forza essere lo stesso Liam di "La vita secondo Liam", una saga che ho adorato, quindi mi sono tuffata sul primo volume per scoprire che esisteva un prequel, già tradotto, e gratuitamente scaricabile seguendo un link dentro il primo volume.
Beh, ho dato la precedenza a quel racconto dal titolo “La promessa” (“Top Prospect”, in lingua originale), l'ho divorato e ho fatto benissimo! È stato emozionante ritrovare Bryn, Mike e tutta la tribù di Liam, ora cresciuto e neolaureato, pronto a lanciarsi in una fulgida carriera nell'hockey, e pronto a ricalcare le orme dello zio Bryn.
Questo prologo lancia le basi per gustare meglio il primo volume di questa nuova serie e andrebbe letto per primo. Non contiene parti erotiche ma è una chicca deliziosa che ci riporta nel turbolento mondo di Mike e dei suoi famigliari e amici, col bonus del tempo che passa e un occhio nel futuro.
L'unico appunto è che avrei preferito trovare, nella traduzione del racconto, il termine bisessuale abbreviato in "bi" e non bisex, come suggerito dai diretti interessati nella comunità LGBTQ+ e ho apprezzato come nel volume uno il termine fosse poi stato corretto.
“Tra i pali” è il vero volume iniziale di una serie composta per ora da due tomi e un racconto breve.
Ci racconta la vita di Liam proprio dopo la fine della novella, nel momento in cui sta per realizzare il suo sogno di sempre, ossia entrare in una squadra professionistica come giocatore di hockey.
Per farlo, deve trasferirsi e andare a vivere con un compagno di squadra. Il suo nuovo capitano cerca di aiutarlo ad ambientarsi e, per conoscerlo meglio, lo accompagna a una prestigiosa gara automobilistica – anche se Liam ha praticamente zero conoscenze sull’argomento – e i due finiscono nella zona degli sponsor, dove Liam rimane letteralmente folgorato dal pilota dell’auto numero 66.
Tarcy Hayward ha più del doppio dei suoi anni, ma si mantiene in forma, è decisamente sexy, e con il tipico fare da gentiluomo del sud conquista tutti.
Anche il bel pilota resta abbagliato da Liam. È proprio un colpo di fulmine quello che colpisce entrambi, che non vanno certo per il sottile nel dimostrarsi reciproco apprezzamento.
Ed è così che una cena galante porta a una notte bollente, ma i due decidono che deve essere solo una questione di soddisfazione fisica senza complicazioni sentimentali, perché le loro carriere sono incompatibili e sono, nel presente e nel prossimo futuro, la cosa più importante per loro.
Ovviamente i loro buoni propositi vanno a farsi benedire, e Liam e Tarcy ci regalano una storia, bellissima, ricca dell’umorismo che ho tanto amato nell’altra serie, quando Liam era piccolo e mi faceva sbellicare dalle risate con le sue uscite spassose.
Ci sono anche attimi di alta tensione e adrenalinici, per l’uno e per l’altro sportivo – sì, correre in auto è considerato uno sport – e momenti molto dolci e hot.
Una parte importante della storia è la presenza delle rispettive famiglie, composte da personaggi che conosciamo già e altri nuovi, ma tutti accumunati da una spiccata tendenza ad impicciarsi nella vita dei protagonisti, a voler aiutare i cuori disperati e a condividere abbracci e sostegno ogni volta che serve.
Ho apprezzato il clima generale della storia e l’impostazione dei suoi personaggi, persino fra i colleghi giocatori: è positivo, accogliente, supportivo.
L’unico appunto che vorrei fare è consigliare un editing più approfondito per eliminare delle sbavature presenti nel testo.
Concludo consigliandovi caldamente sia il racconto gratuito sia il primo volume: è un age gap delizioso, coinvolgente, divertente e molto sexy.
Voto: 4.5 stelle
Ho bisogno di fare una premessa, prima di recensire questa storia.
Quando ho aperto il file e letto il nome del protagonista di questa nuova serie della Locey, avreste dovuto vedere la mia faccia!
Liam Kneller-Polkman doveva per forza essere lo stesso Liam di "La vita secondo Liam", una saga che ho adorato, quindi mi sono tuffata sul primo volume per scoprire che esisteva un prequel, già tradotto, e gratuitamente scaricabile seguendo un link dentro il primo volume.
Beh, ho dato la precedenza a quel racconto dal titolo “La promessa” (“Top Prospect”, in lingua originale), l'ho divorato e ho fatto benissimo! È stato emozionante ritrovare Bryn, Mike e tutta la tribù di Liam, ora cresciuto e neolaureato, pronto a lanciarsi in una fulgida carriera nell'hockey, e pronto a ricalcare le orme dello zio Bryn.
Questo prologo lancia le basi per gustare meglio il primo volume di questa nuova serie e andrebbe letto per primo. Non contiene parti erotiche ma è una chicca deliziosa che ci riporta nel turbolento mondo di Mike e dei suoi famigliari e amici, col bonus del tempo che passa e un occhio nel futuro.
L'unico appunto è che avrei preferito trovare, nella traduzione del racconto, il termine bisessuale abbreviato in "bi" e non bisex, come suggerito dai diretti interessati nella comunità LGBTQ+ e ho apprezzato come nel volume uno il termine fosse poi stato corretto.
“Tra i pali” è il vero volume iniziale di una serie composta per ora da due tomi e un racconto breve.
Ci racconta la vita di Liam proprio dopo la fine della novella, nel momento in cui sta per realizzare il suo sogno di sempre, ossia entrare in una squadra professionistica come giocatore di hockey.
Per farlo, deve trasferirsi e andare a vivere con un compagno di squadra. Il suo nuovo capitano cerca di aiutarlo ad ambientarsi e, per conoscerlo meglio, lo accompagna a una prestigiosa gara automobilistica – anche se Liam ha praticamente zero conoscenze sull’argomento – e i due finiscono nella zona degli sponsor, dove Liam rimane letteralmente folgorato dal pilota dell’auto numero 66.
Tarcy Hayward ha più del doppio dei suoi anni, ma si mantiene in forma, è decisamente sexy, e con il tipico fare da gentiluomo del sud conquista tutti.
Anche il bel pilota resta abbagliato da Liam. È proprio un colpo di fulmine quello che colpisce entrambi, che non vanno certo per il sottile nel dimostrarsi reciproco apprezzamento.
Ed è così che una cena galante porta a una notte bollente, ma i due decidono che deve essere solo una questione di soddisfazione fisica senza complicazioni sentimentali, perché le loro carriere sono incompatibili e sono, nel presente e nel prossimo futuro, la cosa più importante per loro.
Ovviamente i loro buoni propositi vanno a farsi benedire, e Liam e Tarcy ci regalano una storia, bellissima, ricca dell’umorismo che ho tanto amato nell’altra serie, quando Liam era piccolo e mi faceva sbellicare dalle risate con le sue uscite spassose.
Ci sono anche attimi di alta tensione e adrenalinici, per l’uno e per l’altro sportivo – sì, correre in auto è considerato uno sport – e momenti molto dolci e hot.
Una parte importante della storia è la presenza delle rispettive famiglie, composte da personaggi che conosciamo già e altri nuovi, ma tutti accumunati da una spiccata tendenza ad impicciarsi nella vita dei protagonisti, a voler aiutare i cuori disperati e a condividere abbracci e sostegno ogni volta che serve.
Ho apprezzato il clima generale della storia e l’impostazione dei suoi personaggi, persino fra i colleghi giocatori: è positivo, accogliente, supportivo.
L’unico appunto che vorrei fare è consigliare un editing più approfondito per eliminare delle sbavature presenti nel testo.
Concludo consigliandovi caldamente sia il racconto gratuito sia il primo volume: è un age gap delizioso, coinvolgente, divertente e molto sexy.
February 28, 2024
Between the Pipes is the first book in the ‘Watkins Glen Gladiators’ series. It stars Liam Kneller-Polkman, a young goaltender, and Tarcy Hayward, an older, stock car racer. This is told in first person from Liam and Tarcy’s povs.
The blurb does a good job of describing the plot so I won’t go over it again. This is a romance that focuses more around car racing than hockey. There’s very little hockey in this. I don’t know anything about car racing, so when the story started at the race track, I was a bit lost. I don’t know how much of the racing information was accurate, but it was detailed enough so that it sounded good. This is an instant lust, age-gap story. Liam is starting on his new hockey career hoping to be excepted as a goalie for the AHL Watkins Glen Gladiators, while Tarcy is hitting his twilight years of racing. Tarcy’s grown children are a bit meddling in helping the two men stay together, but it was cute.
The book cover model must be Liam. I think Liam is in his early twenties, I think. The cover design makes him look older like he’s in his late twenties, so I don’t think it’s very accurate, and the story is centered more around car racing so the hockey image isn’t accurate. I suppose that’s because the authors wanted the series based on the AHL players.
I didn’t realize until I finished reading this book and looked at some of the reviews, that Liam was featured in a previous series as a young boy, with his name in the book titles. I’m glad I didn’t read that series because I wouldn’t want to read about a little boy who grows up to end up hooking up with a much older man. That would be too large of a time jump for me. The only benefit to reading those books I can think of, would be because there are returning characters in this story that appeared in those other books.
Both Liam and Tarcy are confident characters. They are also dedicated to their careers. The conflict is that they believe that they can’t have a romantic relationship because it’ll interfere with their concentration on the job. In fact, it’s the opposite. Denying themselves of each other’s company makes them think excessively about each other. With a little help and advice from Tarcy’s children and Liam’s best friend, Liam and Tarcy get back together. There isn’t much stress in this sports romance. I liked both Liam and Tarcy, and despite there being a huge age difference between the two, they fit together well and I could believe in them as a couple.
Between the Pipes was a pleasant read with almost no conflict, just a nice developing relationship between two men. If you like car racing and hockey, this might interest you. Just don’t expect much hockey. I give this book, 4 Stars.
The blurb does a good job of describing the plot so I won’t go over it again. This is a romance that focuses more around car racing than hockey. There’s very little hockey in this. I don’t know anything about car racing, so when the story started at the race track, I was a bit lost. I don’t know how much of the racing information was accurate, but it was detailed enough so that it sounded good. This is an instant lust, age-gap story. Liam is starting on his new hockey career hoping to be excepted as a goalie for the AHL Watkins Glen Gladiators, while Tarcy is hitting his twilight years of racing. Tarcy’s grown children are a bit meddling in helping the two men stay together, but it was cute.
The book cover model must be Liam. I think Liam is in his early twenties, I think. The cover design makes him look older like he’s in his late twenties, so I don’t think it’s very accurate, and the story is centered more around car racing so the hockey image isn’t accurate. I suppose that’s because the authors wanted the series based on the AHL players.
I didn’t realize until I finished reading this book and looked at some of the reviews, that Liam was featured in a previous series as a young boy, with his name in the book titles. I’m glad I didn’t read that series because I wouldn’t want to read about a little boy who grows up to end up hooking up with a much older man. That would be too large of a time jump for me. The only benefit to reading those books I can think of, would be because there are returning characters in this story that appeared in those other books.
Both Liam and Tarcy are confident characters. They are also dedicated to their careers. The conflict is that they believe that they can’t have a romantic relationship because it’ll interfere with their concentration on the job. In fact, it’s the opposite. Denying themselves of each other’s company makes them think excessively about each other. With a little help and advice from Tarcy’s children and Liam’s best friend, Liam and Tarcy get back together. There isn’t much stress in this sports romance. I liked both Liam and Tarcy, and despite there being a huge age difference between the two, they fit together well and I could believe in them as a couple.
Between the Pipes was a pleasant read with almost no conflict, just a nice developing relationship between two men. If you like car racing and hockey, this might interest you. Just don’t expect much hockey. I give this book, 4 Stars.
January 9, 2023
I really enjoyed this first book in a new hockey series by VL Locey. Locey’s hockey romances are among my favorites. She really gets how to write realistic athletes and sports action to enhance a plot. There is a short story prequel you should definitely read first called “Top Prospect.” It was available free via a link in the foreword to the book in the copy I read. Without the prequel I’d likely have given this four stars because I wouldn’t have understood Liam as well and been as readily able to accept his actions.
Liam is a recent college grad who is getting ready to report to the AHL team of the NHL team that drafted him. The AHL team is in Watkins Glen, NY and when he is there checking out places to live the team captain takes him to a race at the Watkins Glen racetrack where he meets Tarcy a race car driver who is twenty years older than him. There is immediate connection and attraction between the two men. But Liam is supposed to concentrating on getting his hockey career started and making the team and Tarcy travels all over to race. And neither wants a relationship…or so they say.
This is a low angst read with MCs that are immediately loveable. You definitely root for their HEA. What I really enjoyed was the world created here where professional athletes in macho sports were allowed to be open without having the drama of negative encounters. There were references to homophobia or the potential for homophobic reactions but it was not a drama filled plot point. Won’t it be nice when the real word reflects that? I also liked the trans visibility in this book with two secondary characters.
This is a sports romance that includes actual sports action, two sports in this case. It’s nice to read as so many “sports romances” use the character being an athlete but we never get any real sports scenes. As this is the first in the series I am sure we will see more of these characters. And Liam is a character who, as a child, was the basis of another series from this author. The adults in that series are important secondary characters here. I will definitely go back and read those books. Also in a game scene towards the end of the book the Watkins Glens Gladiators play the Cayuga Cougars, another series from this author.
I look forward to reading more in this universe. There is a preview of the next couple at the end of this book.
**I voluntarily read an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion.**
Liam is a recent college grad who is getting ready to report to the AHL team of the NHL team that drafted him. The AHL team is in Watkins Glen, NY and when he is there checking out places to live the team captain takes him to a race at the Watkins Glen racetrack where he meets Tarcy a race car driver who is twenty years older than him. There is immediate connection and attraction between the two men. But Liam is supposed to concentrating on getting his hockey career started and making the team and Tarcy travels all over to race. And neither wants a relationship…or so they say.
This is a low angst read with MCs that are immediately loveable. You definitely root for their HEA. What I really enjoyed was the world created here where professional athletes in macho sports were allowed to be open without having the drama of negative encounters. There were references to homophobia or the potential for homophobic reactions but it was not a drama filled plot point. Won’t it be nice when the real word reflects that? I also liked the trans visibility in this book with two secondary characters.
This is a sports romance that includes actual sports action, two sports in this case. It’s nice to read as so many “sports romances” use the character being an athlete but we never get any real sports scenes. As this is the first in the series I am sure we will see more of these characters. And Liam is a character who, as a child, was the basis of another series from this author. The adults in that series are important secondary characters here. I will definitely go back and read those books. Also in a game scene towards the end of the book the Watkins Glens Gladiators play the Cayuga Cougars, another series from this author.
I look forward to reading more in this universe. There is a preview of the next couple at the end of this book.
**I voluntarily read an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion.**
February 4, 2023
Between the Pipes is the first book in V.L. Locey's newest MM ice-hockey romance series, Watkins Glen Gladiators. I absolutely adore nothing more than sitting down with one of Locey's ice-hockey romance, they are always sweet, sexy, a good sprinkling of sports action (that even this non-sporty person enjoys) and in general are just a lot of fun.
This book was particularly exciting for me because we get to meet up with the grown up character, Liam Kneller-Polkman. Other Locey devotees will remember as the sweet nephew to the blogger and hockey fan, Mike Kneller and his romance with NHL player Bryn in the series According to Liam. Needless to say, Mike, Bryn, Liam's mum and stepdad all make a reappearance in this book.
Liam has been a made ice-hockey fan from the days when his uncle would watch the Ravens and that continued through adding Uncle Bryn Mettler to their little family. Now he is grown up, with the tough encouragement of his Uncle Bryn, Liam is working his way towards becoming drafted in the NHL. Now that he has been drafted to the feeder team for the Ravens, the Watkins Glen Gladiators, he knows he needs to buckle down and train. But when the team captain takes Liam to the local NASCAR track, Liam meets the much older but very sexy Tarcy Haywood. Sparks fly between the two men. However, there is a significant age gap between the men (Liam is the similar in age to Tarcy's kids), but a bigger stumbling block for both characters is their careers. They don't want to lose focus and put all their hard work into danger.
As mentioned above, this is over all, a sweet book. Of course, there is drama to give both heroes the kick they need to realise that they should and need to embrace love and that really helps round out the story and the characters. Despite the age difference (we're probably looking at about 20-ish years), I enjoyed the relationship and encouragement the widowed Tarcy got from both his grown son and daughter when it comes to persuing a more meaningful relationship with Liam.
Needless to say, I am looking forward to hearing more from the LBGTQI+ players of the Watkins Glen Gladiators. I also find my interest peaked in hearing more from Liam's friends (pretty please, Vicky! *bats eyes & smiles shyly*)
This book was particularly exciting for me because we get to meet up with the grown up character, Liam Kneller-Polkman. Other Locey devotees will remember as the sweet nephew to the blogger and hockey fan, Mike Kneller and his romance with NHL player Bryn in the series According to Liam. Needless to say, Mike, Bryn, Liam's mum and stepdad all make a reappearance in this book.
Liam has been a made ice-hockey fan from the days when his uncle would watch the Ravens and that continued through adding Uncle Bryn Mettler to their little family. Now he is grown up, with the tough encouragement of his Uncle Bryn, Liam is working his way towards becoming drafted in the NHL. Now that he has been drafted to the feeder team for the Ravens, the Watkins Glen Gladiators, he knows he needs to buckle down and train. But when the team captain takes Liam to the local NASCAR track, Liam meets the much older but very sexy Tarcy Haywood. Sparks fly between the two men. However, there is a significant age gap between the men (Liam is the similar in age to Tarcy's kids), but a bigger stumbling block for both characters is their careers. They don't want to lose focus and put all their hard work into danger.
As mentioned above, this is over all, a sweet book. Of course, there is drama to give both heroes the kick they need to realise that they should and need to embrace love and that really helps round out the story and the characters. Despite the age difference (we're probably looking at about 20-ish years), I enjoyed the relationship and encouragement the widowed Tarcy got from both his grown son and daughter when it comes to persuing a more meaningful relationship with Liam.
Needless to say, I am looking forward to hearing more from the LBGTQI+ players of the Watkins Glen Gladiators. I also find my interest peaked in hearing more from Liam's friends (pretty please, Vicky! *bats eyes & smiles shyly*)
January 14, 2023
I couldn’t wait to start this new hockey series. First up in the series is Liam who is from the According to Liam series. He’s the nephew of famous hockey star Bryn Mettler and working his way up the hockey ranks as a rookie goalie.
This age gap romance features two athletes who are totally committed to their careers and the challenges they face in navigating their careers and matters of the heart. Liam is just starting his rookie goalie season with the Ravens when he meets veteran racing superstar Tarcy. It seems like they are both looking for nothing more than a physical relationship to not get distracted when things start to change for both of them. I loved Tarcy’s charm and romanticism - it sweet but not in a cringey kind of way. Their romance is a little whirlwind but I really enjoyed how it ended. I’m sure we will definitely see progression of these two in following books and get progress reports and I can’t wait to see it. It was a good light hearted read with characters that I enjoyed.
I definitely want to read the rest of the series and the snippets I’ve seen of Criswell and Carson, I’m sure it will be a good read. The other characters seem interesting and hope to meet them in future books. And I absolutely have to go read the According to Liam series. Uncle Mike seems like a fantastic character, like the kind of uncle you absolutely want to have because he’s fun and I am so curious to see how he pairs with Bryn who seems so buttoned up. I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest and fair review.
This age gap romance features two athletes who are totally committed to their careers and the challenges they face in navigating their careers and matters of the heart. Liam is just starting his rookie goalie season with the Ravens when he meets veteran racing superstar Tarcy. It seems like they are both looking for nothing more than a physical relationship to not get distracted when things start to change for both of them. I loved Tarcy’s charm and romanticism - it sweet but not in a cringey kind of way. Their romance is a little whirlwind but I really enjoyed how it ended. I’m sure we will definitely see progression of these two in following books and get progress reports and I can’t wait to see it. It was a good light hearted read with characters that I enjoyed.
I definitely want to read the rest of the series and the snippets I’ve seen of Criswell and Carson, I’m sure it will be a good read. The other characters seem interesting and hope to meet them in future books. And I absolutely have to go read the According to Liam series. Uncle Mike seems like a fantastic character, like the kind of uncle you absolutely want to have because he’s fun and I am so curious to see how he pairs with Bryn who seems so buttoned up. I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest and fair review.
February 12, 2024
A terrific hockey romance ! Watkins Glen Gladiators.
Liam, 22, Hockey player, light green eyes, tall, blonde, lean muscles, AHL Goalie. New to the team.
Tarcy, 43, Races cars in NASCAR, drives an ebony Ford, #66. He's tall, sleek muscles, with short blonde/silver hair and scruff, blue/gray eyes, His wife died awhile ago, he has two adult kids and a grandson.
We get low angst, age gap romance, with great descriptions, happy meddling families, and two exciting men to learn about.
Liam meets Tarcy at the racetrack. Their handshake is a lightening strike and they end up talking all night, have lots in common, tease each other and plan a dinner. Both are excited to see the other again because their kiss was soul melting. Wow !
They agreed it would just be sex, friends with benefits because they had to go on their traveling jobs. Each could not stop thinking of the other, about the super, incredible sexy time and about the other fantastic man.
It began as sex, but developed into an awesome relationship, a bond and destiny. Their jobs take over for awhile, as they text and keep in touch, as they travel.
The families and friends are a delight as they encourage the guys.
They weather the serious injury and use the "L" word, despite the overwhelming difference.
The writing is even and lovely, with deep passions, humor, and high heat.
All of the characters shine.
ENJOY !
======
Liam, 22, Hockey player, light green eyes, tall, blonde, lean muscles, AHL Goalie. New to the team.
Tarcy, 43, Races cars in NASCAR, drives an ebony Ford, #66. He's tall, sleek muscles, with short blonde/silver hair and scruff, blue/gray eyes, His wife died awhile ago, he has two adult kids and a grandson.
We get low angst, age gap romance, with great descriptions, happy meddling families, and two exciting men to learn about.
Liam meets Tarcy at the racetrack. Their handshake is a lightening strike and they end up talking all night, have lots in common, tease each other and plan a dinner. Both are excited to see the other again because their kiss was soul melting. Wow !
They agreed it would just be sex, friends with benefits because they had to go on their traveling jobs. Each could not stop thinking of the other, about the super, incredible sexy time and about the other fantastic man.
It began as sex, but developed into an awesome relationship, a bond and destiny. Their jobs take over for awhile, as they text and keep in touch, as they travel.
The families and friends are a delight as they encourage the guys.
They weather the serious injury and use the "L" word, despite the overwhelming difference.
The writing is even and lovely, with deep passions, humor, and high heat.
All of the characters shine.
ENJOY !
======
January 12, 2023
I love when a book is full of humor. There are a few authors that keep me thoroughly entertained and laughing when I read their books. I now have to add V.L. Locey to that list. This author, who is new to me, really impressed me and I can’t wait to enjoy more of their books.
While the humor kept me entertained, the beautiful love story full of feels, romance, and spice kept me captivated. This age-gap romance was nicely written, where the age difference was a factor and instead of having the characters completely hung up on it, the author played off of it with witty comments and age appropriate references. Liam and Tarcy have a sweet, mature, and spicy hot relationship.
There was one thing that was introduced as potential angst, but then nothing came of it as the character never appeared. Since he was mentioned a couple times, I was somewhat looking forward to seeing what came of that, but it was merely mentioned. It could be setting the stage for something that happens in the next book, which I already cannot wait to read. Although his appearance in this book was singular and brief, as soon as Criswell came to serve Tarcy and Liam, I adored his character immediately. Coupling up with Carson, sounds like the next book will be another treat.
While the humor kept me entertained, the beautiful love story full of feels, romance, and spice kept me captivated. This age-gap romance was nicely written, where the age difference was a factor and instead of having the characters completely hung up on it, the author played off of it with witty comments and age appropriate references. Liam and Tarcy have a sweet, mature, and spicy hot relationship.
There was one thing that was introduced as potential angst, but then nothing came of it as the character never appeared. Since he was mentioned a couple times, I was somewhat looking forward to seeing what came of that, but it was merely mentioned. It could be setting the stage for something that happens in the next book, which I already cannot wait to read. Although his appearance in this book was singular and brief, as soon as Criswell came to serve Tarcy and Liam, I adored his character immediately. Coupling up with Carson, sounds like the next book will be another treat.
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