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Rivals
Mitchell Turner and Alex Goodman squared off over a face-off dot throughout high school. Their schools were cross-country rivals. Those face-offs were tough on Mitchell because he harbored a huge crush on Alex. High school, and college, are behind the guys and they meet unexpectedly on Thanksgiving Day, once again on the ice. Mitchell is home for the holidays and is thrilled to see his crush all grown up.
Alex asks Mitchell out for coffee to catch up. Could this be the start of something magical for the holidays … and beyond?
Alex asks Mitchell out for coffee to catch up. Could this be the start of something magical for the holidays … and beyond?
39 pages, ebook
First published November 1, 2009
11 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Adams
45 books224 followersJeff Adams has written stories since he was in middle school and became a published author in 2009. He writes both gay romance and LGBTQ young adult fiction…and there’s usually a hockey player at the center of the story.
Jeff lives in northern California with his husband of more than twenty-five years, Will. They are creative collaborators, writing and podcasting together. For nine years they were the co-hosts of the Big Gay Fiction Podcast.
Jeff is also a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) by the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP). He's an advocate for accessible web content and helps creative entrepreneurs understand how they can make sure their content is accessible by everyone.
Jeff lives in northern California with his husband of more than twenty-five years, Will. They are creative collaborators, writing and podcasting together. For nine years they were the co-hosts of the Big Gay Fiction Podcast.
Jeff is also a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) by the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP). He's an advocate for accessible web content and helps creative entrepreneurs understand how they can make sure their content is accessible by everyone.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
dnf
February 18, 2020This is romance of the clue-stick variety. You know, where the author whacks you non-stop over the head with the info that the MC is ♥︎♥︎♥︎attracted♥︎♥︎♥︎ to the other character.
Like, it just does not let up. He is ♥︎♥︎♥︎attracted♥︎♥︎♥︎ to that guy, and don't you ever forget it! Whack! Whack! Whack!
I had to plead for mercy at 37% and crawl away to lick my wounds. Ouch.
Like, it just does not let up. He is ♥︎♥︎♥︎attracted♥︎♥︎♥︎ to that guy, and don't you ever forget it! Whack! Whack! Whack!
I had to plead for mercy at 37% and crawl away to lick my wounds. Ouch.
January 1, 2019
3.5 Stars
Finished this one with only a couple minutes to spare to have it count toward 2018's Reading Challenge Goal. I figured an extra title or two would give me a bit of padding in case other books end up being removed or merged or something...
It's also the last "round up" rating.
That said, this was sweet and hot and I think I'll add some more of Jeff's books to my TBR. And Derrick McClain's narration, once again, made the whole story more enjoyable.
Finished this one with only a couple minutes to spare to have it count toward 2018's Reading Challenge Goal. I figured an extra title or two would give me a bit of padding in case other books end up being removed or merged or something...
It's also the last "round up" rating.
That said, this was sweet and hot and I think I'll add some more of Jeff's books to my TBR. And Derrick McClain's narration, once again, made the whole story more enjoyable.
October 30, 2017
A short sexy novella about Alex and Mitchell, two high school hockey rivals, who meet again when Mitchell visits home for Thanksgiving. Hot and sexy hockey players - 'nuff said! Jeff Adams mentions this is his first published story - very impressive!
July 1, 2016
This is a sweet short story – more of a fantasy really – there’s almost no angst or any real hurdles for our couple to overcome.
It’s merely the story of two old high school rivals meeting again later in life and falling in love.
It’s very sweet and a nice, fun read.
(FWIW the author tells us this was his first published story and it’s very good for being his first!)
4.5 of 5 stars
It’s merely the story of two old high school rivals meeting again later in life and falling in love.
It’s very sweet and a nice, fun read.
(FWIW the author tells us this was his first published story and it’s very good for being his first!)
4.5 of 5 stars
April 8, 2017
Mitchell and Alex used to face off against one another on rival teams in high school. They were supposed to not like one another, but both secretly harbored crushes. After years in the real word, they run into one another and go out for coffee. It could be the start of something exceptional for them both.
Narrated by the strong new voice of Derrick McClain this short and sweet novella takes on a fast-paced story and gives it the slowing down it needs so that the listener can enjoy the growth of the casual meet, to friendship, and then something more.
The surprise of the meeting and growing affection between the two is carried off with aplomb by McClain. While the action focuses mostly on the main characters, the supporting cast gets a nice treatment here as well. If you’re looking for a short story, or to try out the voice of a newer narrator, this is your chance to have both of those things with a great payoff in the end.
Reviewed by Mike for The Novel Approach Reviews
Narrated by the strong new voice of Derrick McClain this short and sweet novella takes on a fast-paced story and gives it the slowing down it needs so that the listener can enjoy the growth of the casual meet, to friendship, and then something more.
The surprise of the meeting and growing affection between the two is carried off with aplomb by McClain. While the action focuses mostly on the main characters, the supporting cast gets a nice treatment here as well. If you’re looking for a short story, or to try out the voice of a newer narrator, this is your chance to have both of those things with a great payoff in the end.
Reviewed by Mike for The Novel Approach Reviews
January 25, 2021
Cute story about 2 former high school hockey “rivals” who reconnected when Mitchell comes home for Thanksgiving. He’s always had a crush on Alex even though they played on opposite teams..
Turns out that Alex had a thing for Mitchell too. It was cute to see them get to know each other on a romantic level. No drama, just cuteness.
It did end kind of abruptly though. I wish there was an epilogue or something, maybe of Alex moving to be near Mitchell, a proposal, moving in together, something.
But it’s all good. I enjoyed the lightness of this and the steamy scenes were pretty hot. 3.75⭐️
Turns out that Alex had a thing for Mitchell too. It was cute to see them get to know each other on a romantic level. No drama, just cuteness.
It did end kind of abruptly though. I wish there was an epilogue or something, maybe of Alex moving to be near Mitchell, a proposal, moving in together, something.
But it’s all good. I enjoyed the lightness of this and the steamy scenes were pretty hot. 3.75⭐️
December 7, 2011
Alex and Mitch meet four years later and boy was it worth the wait. Short, sweet and heady! I liked that the guys did not rush into bed just "to take the edge off" as most stories do. There is history, STRONG history and the weekend gave them time to explore what is needed to build a relationship. HEA starts with HFN.
July 13, 2010
This is a lovely glimpse into the attraction between Alex and Mitchell. I really enjoyed this, in particular the physical descriptions of the guys - gave me a clear visual of the two of them together.
I would love to see more of these guys.
I would love to see more of these guys.
December 8, 2022
Rivals
By Jeff Adams
Seeing as this book is super short, I won't give it a recap. It was okay. Cute. The ending was abrupt though and took me by surprise.
By Jeff Adams
Seeing as this book is super short, I won't give it a recap. It was okay. Cute. The ending was abrupt though and took me by surprise.
October 31, 2018
Sweet love story about rival high school centers who meet up a few years after on the ice and flesh out their earliest sexual fantasies. No angst, but plenty of feels.
November 30, 2010
What you see in the summary is what you get. I cannot really add anything more. It's pretty straightforward; sweet in some parts. But not one I can remember after I close the book.
December 17, 2019
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
Whoa. That was a quick read. I was actually a little surprised when it ended because it was a bit abrupt.
Just a short and steamy story about 2 guys that had hidden crushes on each other in high school, who bump into each other over the holidays and decide to give it a go. Nothing fancy.
Sidenote - the cover looks like it's for a completely different book: an older guy along with a kid wearing Harry Potter glasses and an Amish beard is definitely not how I picture the MCs of this book... maybe they went a little too generic in picking a photo for the cover.
Whoa. That was a quick read. I was actually a little surprised when it ended because it was a bit abrupt.
Just a short and steamy story about 2 guys that had hidden crushes on each other in high school, who bump into each other over the holidays and decide to give it a go. Nothing fancy.
Sidenote - the cover looks like it's for a completely different book: an older guy along with a kid wearing Harry Potter glasses and an Amish beard is definitely not how I picture the MCs of this book... maybe they went a little too generic in picking a photo for the cover.
December 27, 2022
Two high school frenemies reconnect after college graduation. Alex and Mitchell run into each other at their local ice hockey rink and decide to catch up over coffee, leading to them diving head first into a relationship with one another. That's really kind of it.
The main characters lack substance and depth and have no real interactions with one another. The romance was sickly sweet but boring and the sex was meh. There was no real development and the clunky writing with the constant mentions of attraction between the two left me tired. 2 stars.
The main characters lack substance and depth and have no real interactions with one another. The romance was sickly sweet but boring and the sex was meh. There was no real development and the clunky writing with the constant mentions of attraction between the two left me tired. 2 stars.
December 10, 2017
Ok...so it's not terrible, but for something called "Rivals" there wasn't a hell of a lot of rivalry. I as hoping for some sizzling hot tension and UST, instead I got "well we were rivals in high school, but now we're going on a fairy tale date and ooooh look at how schmoopy and perfect this is and we are." *headdesk* it's just not what I signed up for.
April 18, 2020
Short novella about high school ice hockey players meeting again as adults, confessing their crush on each other.
Super sweet without any disquiet and a HFN ending.
December 4, 2022
Sweet, quick little second chance-ish holiday romance between old high school rivals. Things moved quickly between Mitchell and Alex once they reconnected during the Christmas holiday, when Mitchell was back in town.
October 22, 2017
Ok listen for a short story.
January 9, 2018
Short but incredibly sweet. Great for one of those quick, feel good reads. Narration was great as well.
May 11, 2018
Mitchell and Alex
Nice and sweet. I was expecting a little more confrontation due to the 'rivals' theme but this is an easy, cute, short read with just sweetness in it.
Nice and sweet. I was expecting a little more confrontation due to the 'rivals' theme but this is an easy, cute, short read with just sweetness in it.
December 23, 2019
2.5 stars rounded up. I believe this was the author's first story and it feels like one. Short but sweet, and we don't see the rivalry; that's all in the past.
October 10, 2021
Mitchell and Alex played in rival hockey teams in the past. After a few years, they meet again, and Mitchell has a chance with his old crush.
It is a short, sweet story. But apart from the reencounter, not much happens. The relationship goes without any problem, no angst at all. And although the title of the book is rivals, there isn't any rivalry between them.
So I got a little bored but overall is an ok book.
It is a short, sweet story. But apart from the reencounter, not much happens. The relationship goes without any problem, no angst at all. And although the title of the book is rivals, there isn't any rivalry between them.
So I got a little bored but overall is an ok book.
February 24, 2025
Likeable characters and a charming story.
November 20, 2025
short and sweet <3
December 12, 2014
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
Short, sweet, and to the point is this well written and brief story. We get caught up quickly with Mitchell and see how Alex fueled many of his high school fantasies. He is trying to figure out exactly what having coffee with Alex means. Since the guys did already know each other, there is a foundation to start with and although they are attracted to each other, a stronger friendship grows as well. Although this short story may not be one that stays with me, the guys work well together, the writing is solid, it is enjoyable to read, and there is just a touch of getting exactly what you want during the holiday season.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
Short, sweet, and to the point is this well written and brief story. We get caught up quickly with Mitchell and see how Alex fueled many of his high school fantasies. He is trying to figure out exactly what having coffee with Alex means. Since the guys did already know each other, there is a foundation to start with and although they are attracted to each other, a stronger friendship grows as well. Although this short story may not be one that stays with me, the guys work well together, the writing is solid, it is enjoyable to read, and there is just a touch of getting exactly what you want during the holiday season.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
December 7, 2019
This is a hot and sweet reunion story. Mitchell and Alex were rivals in hockey when they were in high school, but they both secretly crushed on the other. Years later, they meet up over Thanksgiving and things ignite between them. But can this last? Or is it just a fling? The story carries over into Christmas and it is really a wonderful story. This is a no-drama, hot as hell story that I really enjoyed.
November 29, 2016
Reviewed by Brandilyn for Prism Book Alliance. I haven���t had the pleasure of reading the Hat Trick series from Jeff Adams, but I have had the pleasure of meeting Jeff and his partner on a few occasions. He is also one of the authors that writes for Outside the Margins here on Prism. We also recently had him on the blog talking about Rivals, his shirt recently re-released by JMS Books.
May 5, 2017
Nice short angst free read.
I enjoyed it. Not so sure about the title. Rivals? I guess because they went to different schools and played sports. Didn't seem to be an issue at all.
But it was cute, and a nice was to wile away a break time.
I enjoyed it. Not so sure about the title. Rivals? I guess because they went to different schools and played sports. Didn't seem to be an issue at all.
But it was cute, and a nice was to wile away a break time.
January 31, 2018
2.5 stars
February 15, 2015
Sweet and sexy short. Very enjoyable! :)
February 18, 2015
I really liked this story, i would have loved a longer book so we could get to see more of Alex and Mitch who both are very likeable. Overall a great read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews