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Do or Die #1
Prove It
Despite being unanimously projected to go first overall in the upcoming NHL Draft, Noah Anderson wants nothing more than to get the Draft over with so he can escape his dad’s unrelenting criticism and establish himself outside the rivalry he’s never tried to fuel.
Alex Valencia can handle getting picked second after a guy touted as the next Gretzky—but he can’t wrap his head around the fact that Noah is the one friend he can’t make.
When the draft lottery all but guarantees they’ll play for rival teams, Alex accidentally walks them right into a loser-buys dinner competition, ensuring their relationship remains a point of interest long after the season begins.
Opposites in so many ways, neither Alex nor Noah expect a relationship built on the begrudging acceptance of a challenge made on live television to become so deeply important to them. But as the line between chirping and flirting blurs, they both must decide how much they’re willing to sacrifice to play in the NHL.
Alex Valencia can handle getting picked second after a guy touted as the next Gretzky—but he can’t wrap his head around the fact that Noah is the one friend he can’t make.
When the draft lottery all but guarantees they’ll play for rival teams, Alex accidentally walks them right into a loser-buys dinner competition, ensuring their relationship remains a point of interest long after the season begins.
Opposites in so many ways, neither Alex nor Noah expect a relationship built on the begrudging acceptance of a challenge made on live television to become so deeply important to them. But as the line between chirping and flirting blurs, they both must decide how much they’re willing to sacrifice to play in the NHL.
356 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 27, 2024
66 people are currently reading
8637 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Hoyt
4 books224 followersStephanie lives at the intersection of Crying Time™ and Unfettered Enthusiasm™ where she tell stories that blend the melancholy of self-discovery and self-acceptance with the delights of friendship and falling in love. When writing, she’s a plotter with plot-commitment issues who lives and dies by chaotic bisexuals and happily-ever-afters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 342 reviews
January 29, 2026
This was alright overall. Honestly, I think this might be a case of 'it's me and not the book.' I'm not sure exactly what happened, but somewhere around halfway, I suddenly stopped enjoying it and started feeling irritated. Nothing really significant was happening in the story, and that caused my interest to wane and boredom to set in.
I wanted the setting to be more important, and while I did get into this knowing hockey won't be a big part, I wasn't expecting it to be so little.
As for the characters, Noah and Alex were cute together, but I didn't really find their chemistry to be strong. Their banter made me so annoyed. Also, Alex's behavior got on my nerves a lot. Noah was okay, although he blushed a lot, which I found a bit excessive and made me roll my eyes occasionally. Despite that, I liked him for the most part.
In the end, my mood shifted, and I found myself no longer enjoying the story or feeling connected to it.
I wanted the setting to be more important, and while I did get into this knowing hockey won't be a big part, I wasn't expecting it to be so little.
As for the characters, Noah and Alex were cute together, but I didn't really find their chemistry to be strong. Their banter made me so annoyed. Also, Alex's behavior got on my nerves a lot. Noah was okay, although he blushed a lot, which I found a bit excessive and made me roll my eyes occasionally. Despite that, I liked him for the most part.
In the end, my mood shifted, and I found myself no longer enjoying the story or feeling connected to it.
February 27, 2024
What a book. Think of the sweetness between Eli and Alex in Like Real People Do. Or the fabulous mental health rep in Icebreaker. Or the banter between Henry and Alex (it’s in the name, isn’t it? It’s in the name!) in RWRB. Or all these beautiful friendships in those books. Remember that smile dancing on your face? Remember that warmth tingling in your chest? Remember those butterflies in your belly? This story has it all!
What a book! Beautiful fleshed-out characters, Alex a ray of sunshine and Noah an uptight and anxious mess, and so, so sweet together. Add fantastic side characters; I just adored the To Do or Die text group, and Milly was like a friend we all should have! Add fanfic writing in third person present tense, which I usually hate but love when it's done well (and this is gooood, everyone!). And add last but definitely not least, a slow, slow, slow-burn romance with so much yearning and pining that my heart longed for them to open up to each other. And when they finally did, WOW! So, so good!
What a book. Do you all feel my enthusiasm for this incredible book? I need you to because I loved every second of this story! Thank you so much, Stephanie Hoyt, for reaching out to me and asking if I wanted to read an ARC of your new book. Of course, I did because I loved The Magic Between. But I have to be honest, Prove It is way better! It’s a gem! I can’t wait to read the other installments in this series! I actually want them now! And even though it's only the second week of January, I added it to my favorite 2024 shelf!
And I shouldn’t forget the illustrations! Because if you love graphic novels or love to see more of the guys, there are cute drawings of Noah and Alex by Victoria Newberry in the book!
Thank you, Ninestar Press and BookSirens, for the ARC! It was an honor to read this one!
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What a book! Beautiful fleshed-out characters, Alex a ray of sunshine and Noah an uptight and anxious mess, and so, so sweet together. Add fantastic side characters; I just adored the To Do or Die text group, and Milly was like a friend we all should have! Add fanfic writing in third person present tense, which I usually hate but love when it's done well (and this is gooood, everyone!). And add last but definitely not least, a slow, slow, slow-burn romance with so much yearning and pining that my heart longed for them to open up to each other. And when they finally did, WOW! So, so good!
What a book. Do you all feel my enthusiasm for this incredible book? I need you to because I loved every second of this story! Thank you so much, Stephanie Hoyt, for reaching out to me and asking if I wanted to read an ARC of your new book. Of course, I did because I loved The Magic Between. But I have to be honest, Prove It is way better! It’s a gem! I can’t wait to read the other installments in this series! I actually want them now! And even though it's only the second week of January, I added it to my favorite 2024 shelf!
And I shouldn’t forget the illustrations! Because if you love graphic novels or love to see more of the guys, there are cute drawings of Noah and Alex by Victoria Newberry in the book!
Thank you, Ninestar Press and BookSirens, for the ARC! It was an honor to read this one!
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July 5, 2025
Reread 07/2025
Still lovely.
It took me a bit to get into the story, but soon I was hooked. I still loved so many different things about it (listed below).
4,5 stars.
-----------
Reread 10/2024.
Hands down one of my favorite ya queer hockey romances (my other favorites are basically E.L.Massey's novels).
Love the friend group, their bickering and support, love the sisters and best friends (Millie!!), love how both Noah and Alex grow and change, and how their interactions and relationship change.
Absolutely beautiful and satisfying plot.
Highly recommended.
(Ps where is part 2 ?? I'd love to read more about Noah and Alex's friends.)
-------------
5 stars.
I can't quite believe it, but this book was so not what I had expected. Don't make the mistake (like I did) to expect yet another Heated Rivalry-copy because this book isn't one, like, at all.
And that's a marvelous thing. Not because I didn't like HR, I loved it. But because this story spins for once a refreshing take on mm ice hockey romance and I enjoyed every second of it. I was either smiling or holding my breath because of the many lovely and heartbreaking feelings that spilled from the pages.
It took me a bit to get into the story and to get the dynamics between Noah and Alex and their respective friend - groups. I'll definitely jump right into the plot on a reread (and there are going to be rereads of this book in the future, I'm already happy for future me, rereading this slow burn gem).
Once I got the dynamics between all the characters I was all in and hooked.
The storyline was stellar. No miscomunication or misunderstandings, no stupid third act breakup, BUT two young NHL players figuring out themselves, their sexuality and love lives. In part on their own and despite a rather lgbtq- hostile hockey environment, and in a great part with the help of their meddling and supportive group of friends and siblings. I loved to see how both MCs grew and figured out who they were, what the feelings each was experiencing meant, and which direction they wanted their lives to take.
I loved both Noah and Alex, but I have a soft spot for MCs who are lost and vulnerable in their believe that they cannot ever have what they long for, so it's obvious Noah stole my heart. I wanted to hug him, tell him all would be ok and to just breathe and not worry so much all the time.
There were many lovely side characters. Beside Alex's awesome friend group and his sisters, I have to mention Millie (Noah's best friend) because she was THE BEST. Fierce and honest and 100% in Noah's corner. I loved her so much for having his back, always, but espescially in the first half of the book, when he didn't know how to feel about himself, and was hurt by his father's homophobia and reprimands so deeply.
The storyline has so, so many fantastic dialogues and text-chats about feelings and sexuality, all written in a real-feeling way. I loved the many exchanges between Alex and Noah, between Noah and Mollie, and between Alex and his friends. The text messages were awesome in their own way (and those in Alex's groupchat with his friends, including later on Noah, were funny and special in their realness). There was never a dull moment, I never felt the story couldn't hold my interest, although it was on the longer side with 408 pages.
Note to steam: for a long time not even touches, so the kisses and the two well written sex scenes near the end were very satisfying (for me).
TW homophobia (mostly from a parent).
Ps the author mentions magical twists in their books in their bio, but there's no magic involved in the story.
Thanks to the author and NineStar Press for gifting me an ARC! All my gushing above were my honest and genuine thoughts. This was my first novel by Stephanie Hoyt, and I'll be on my way to check out their backlist now.
Still lovely.
It took me a bit to get into the story, but soon I was hooked. I still loved so many different things about it (listed below).
4,5 stars.
-----------
Reread 10/2024.
Hands down one of my favorite ya queer hockey romances (my other favorites are basically E.L.Massey's novels).
Love the friend group, their bickering and support, love the sisters and best friends (Millie!!), love how both Noah and Alex grow and change, and how their interactions and relationship change.
Absolutely beautiful and satisfying plot.
Highly recommended.
(Ps where is part 2 ?? I'd love to read more about Noah and Alex's friends.)
-------------
5 stars.
I can't quite believe it, but this book was so not what I had expected. Don't make the mistake (like I did) to expect yet another Heated Rivalry-copy because this book isn't one, like, at all.
And that's a marvelous thing. Not because I didn't like HR, I loved it. But because this story spins for once a refreshing take on mm ice hockey romance and I enjoyed every second of it. I was either smiling or holding my breath because of the many lovely and heartbreaking feelings that spilled from the pages.
It took me a bit to get into the story and to get the dynamics between Noah and Alex and their respective friend - groups. I'll definitely jump right into the plot on a reread (and there are going to be rereads of this book in the future, I'm already happy for future me, rereading this slow burn gem).
Once I got the dynamics between all the characters I was all in and hooked.
The storyline was stellar. No miscomunication or misunderstandings, no stupid third act breakup, BUT two young NHL players figuring out themselves, their sexuality and love lives. In part on their own and despite a rather lgbtq- hostile hockey environment, and in a great part with the help of their meddling and supportive group of friends and siblings. I loved to see how both MCs grew and figured out who they were, what the feelings each was experiencing meant, and which direction they wanted their lives to take.
I loved both Noah and Alex, but I have a soft spot for MCs who are lost and vulnerable in their believe that they cannot ever have what they long for, so it's obvious Noah stole my heart. I wanted to hug him, tell him all would be ok and to just breathe and not worry so much all the time.
There were many lovely side characters. Beside Alex's awesome friend group and his sisters, I have to mention Millie (Noah's best friend) because she was THE BEST. Fierce and honest and 100% in Noah's corner. I loved her so much for having his back, always, but espescially in the first half of the book, when he didn't know how to feel about himself, and was hurt by his father's homophobia and reprimands so deeply.
The storyline has so, so many fantastic dialogues and text-chats about feelings and sexuality, all written in a real-feeling way. I loved the many exchanges between Alex and Noah, between Noah and Mollie, and between Alex and his friends. The text messages were awesome in their own way (and those in Alex's groupchat with his friends, including later on Noah, were funny and special in their realness). There was never a dull moment, I never felt the story couldn't hold my interest, although it was on the longer side with 408 pages.
Note to steam: for a long time not even touches, so the kisses and the two well written sex scenes near the end were very satisfying (for me).
TW homophobia (mostly from a parent).
Ps the author mentions magical twists in their books in their bio, but there's no magic involved in the story.
Thanks to the author and NineStar Press for gifting me an ARC! All my gushing above were my honest and genuine thoughts. This was my first novel by Stephanie Hoyt, and I'll be on my way to check out their backlist now.
January 19, 2026
4,5⭐ rounded up because I only wanted to try a sample to distract myself for a while and ended up inhaling the whole thing in a day, which was exactly what I needed!
Perfectly uncomplicated, sweet slowburn MM hockey romance between two rival rookie NHL players, one closeted gay and the other about to be slapped with a bi-awakening he didn’t see coming.
I think I loved practically everything about Prove It. Both Noah and Alex were great, layered characters I rooted for - especially Noah; with his prickly personality, he’s my kind of hedgehog/black cat energy I vibe with. Their slowly progressing relationship from rivals to friends (which was a progress hard-won on Alex’s part) to oh-shit-I-might-be-catching-feelings on Noah’s part. Meanwhile, Alex, as a self-proclaimed straight guy, was entirely oblivious to the way Noah’s smile made him warm, and the way Noah smiling at someone else made him go grumpy with eyes full of murder 😏 I had so much fun!
Where the book actually shone, though, was the Massey-style of camaraderie between Alex, his group of hockey friends, and eventually Noah, who got folded in (basically getting gleefully adopted, having the guys fighting over who’s going to be his favorite, you don’t even know how much I live for this shit). No toxic masculinity in sight, only amazing banter, hilarious group chats, and good-natured roasting while knowing they would all die for each other. Immaculate found family aspect here!
Even the writing worked for me beautifully, dual third-person present tense (yes, you got it, fanfic style), without being overly simplistic. And can’t forget to mention the beautiful artwork of some of the scenes that were included even in the e-book!
It’s not just a romance, though. Mostly it’s about coming to terms with one’s sexuality in a traditionally unwelcoming setting, with some incredible honest, mature (yet still emotional and raw) conversations about the topic. I suspect that’s why it doesn’t have a much higher rating - while Noah and Alex’s romantic relationship is the goal, it takes until the very end to get there. Because unlike most other hockey romances, this one has a bit more realistic approach. It’s actually why it worked for me so well - I loved the careful, pragmatic negotiations of a possible relationship between two hockey players before actually jumping the gun. It was so perfectly in Noah’s character, given his anxiety, that anything else just wouldn’t do, in my eyes.
I definitely would’ve preferred some actual hockey included because we don’t see any - no training, no games. Otherwise, it would’ve been a perfect 5-star read, no question.
Normally, I would’ve rounded down, but this book came to me at the exact time I needed my spirits lifted. It helped me regain my emotional equilibrium, which I lost thanks to my other current read (which is the highest compliment, but also, ouch), so now it has a special place in my heart. I can see myself going for a comfort reread one day ❤️
Perfectly uncomplicated, sweet slowburn MM hockey romance between two rival rookie NHL players, one closeted gay and the other about to be slapped with a bi-awakening he didn’t see coming.
I think I loved practically everything about Prove It. Both Noah and Alex were great, layered characters I rooted for - especially Noah; with his prickly personality, he’s my kind of hedgehog/black cat energy I vibe with. Their slowly progressing relationship from rivals to friends (which was a progress hard-won on Alex’s part) to oh-shit-I-might-be-catching-feelings on Noah’s part. Meanwhile, Alex, as a self-proclaimed straight guy, was entirely oblivious to the way Noah’s smile made him warm, and the way Noah smiling at someone else made him go grumpy with eyes full of murder 😏 I had so much fun!
Where the book actually shone, though, was the Massey-style of camaraderie between Alex, his group of hockey friends, and eventually Noah, who got folded in (basically getting gleefully adopted, having the guys fighting over who’s going to be his favorite, you don’t even know how much I live for this shit). No toxic masculinity in sight, only amazing banter, hilarious group chats, and good-natured roasting while knowing they would all die for each other. Immaculate found family aspect here!
Even the writing worked for me beautifully, dual third-person present tense (yes, you got it, fanfic style), without being overly simplistic. And can’t forget to mention the beautiful artwork of some of the scenes that were included even in the e-book!
It’s not just a romance, though. Mostly it’s about coming to terms with one’s sexuality in a traditionally unwelcoming setting, with some incredible honest, mature (yet still emotional and raw) conversations about the topic. I suspect that’s why it doesn’t have a much higher rating - while Noah and Alex’s romantic relationship is the goal, it takes until the very end to get there. Because unlike most other hockey romances, this one has a bit more realistic approach. It’s actually why it worked for me so well - I loved the careful, pragmatic negotiations of a possible relationship between two hockey players before actually jumping the gun. It was so perfectly in Noah’s character, given his anxiety, that anything else just wouldn’t do, in my eyes.
I definitely would’ve preferred some actual hockey included because we don’t see any - no training, no games. Otherwise, it would’ve been a perfect 5-star read, no question.
Normally, I would’ve rounded down, but this book came to me at the exact time I needed my spirits lifted. It helped me regain my emotional equilibrium, which I lost thanks to my other current read (which is the highest compliment, but also, ouch), so now it has a special place in my heart. I can see myself going for a comfort reread one day ❤️
January 7, 2024
I would like to thank BookSirens for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
full disclosure, i've been sitting on The Magic Between from like time, but NOW after reading THIS i'm gonna have to bump that up my list because i absolutely adored this book! it gave me Icebreaker (Graziadei)/Season's Change (Nary) vibes if i'm being honest.
i think it's so gddmn IMPORTANT to/for the MM SPORTS genre when an author explores mental health and sexuality challenges, unironically, in hypermasculine arenas like the NHL. Noah is wound so tight i found my own damn self clenching my jaw to the point of a headache and i had to breathe through how anxious i felt for and because of him whenever he was on page. in contrast, alex and his boys hit ALL the jocular high notes waaaay at the other end of the spectrum! they were a riot and a half and really served to offset the heavy in the best way possible.
i loved that the commentary is there, the worry, the fears about what love in the NHL can and cannot look like. but there was also the passion rep...how the path to love starts off electric, like lightning buzz, like a beacon light, unique and bright and steering us home to where we belong.
this book wasn't a particularly easy read for me, because i'd dialed into Noah's angst which i found deeply affecting, and my heart legit aches for all the boys who have to swallow their wants so they can play hockey in the NHL.
all in all i enjoyed this book and i thought it was one of the more impactful hockey romances i've read to date! because it did the hard stuff by using expansive characterization to really evoke how intolerance affects the whole, and wasn't just a gratuitous notch in the high heat category in MM SPORTS. it was emotional and Noah and Alex's love journey felt sweet and earnest and sincere!
i think Hoyt is a fantastic talent, and i'm so happy to have TMB in my library to read still! Can't wait to see what SH has in store for this series, because the DO OR DIE boys are next level hilarity and i loved everything about them!
full disclosure, i've been sitting on The Magic Between from like time, but NOW after reading THIS i'm gonna have to bump that up my list because i absolutely adored this book! it gave me Icebreaker (Graziadei)/Season's Change (Nary) vibes if i'm being honest.
i think it's so gddmn IMPORTANT to/for the MM SPORTS genre when an author explores mental health and sexuality challenges, unironically, in hypermasculine arenas like the NHL. Noah is wound so tight i found my own damn self clenching my jaw to the point of a headache and i had to breathe through how anxious i felt for and because of him whenever he was on page. in contrast, alex and his boys hit ALL the jocular high notes waaaay at the other end of the spectrum! they were a riot and a half and really served to offset the heavy in the best way possible.
i loved that the commentary is there, the worry, the fears about what love in the NHL can and cannot look like. but there was also the passion rep...how the path to love starts off electric, like lightning buzz, like a beacon light, unique and bright and steering us home to where we belong.
this book wasn't a particularly easy read for me, because i'd dialed into Noah's angst which i found deeply affecting, and my heart legit aches for all the boys who have to swallow their wants so they can play hockey in the NHL.
all in all i enjoyed this book and i thought it was one of the more impactful hockey romances i've read to date! because it did the hard stuff by using expansive characterization to really evoke how intolerance affects the whole, and wasn't just a gratuitous notch in the high heat category in MM SPORTS. it was emotional and Noah and Alex's love journey felt sweet and earnest and sincere!
i think Hoyt is a fantastic talent, and i'm so happy to have TMB in my library to read still! Can't wait to see what SH has in store for this series, because the DO OR DIE boys are next level hilarity and i loved everything about them!
January 8, 2024
Noah Anderson and Alex Valencia
-third person POV
-genuine hockey book with all the slang 🏒
-slooow burn
-low steam
-character driven
-daddy issues
-text conversations
-black cat/golden retriever energy
-the best side characters (friend banter)
-secret desire and pining
-oblivious ding dongs
-my rival is the only person who really sees me
-bi awakening in the sports world
-cute illustrations
-all the makings of a comfort read
”All you have to do is ask—you know I’d give you anything you want.”
If you are a fan of/familiar with Catherine Cloud’s hockey books then you know the style and will enjoy this too.
Looking forward to future books in this series! I’m honestly going to miss being in this book.
TW: anxiety, homophobia, divorce
Thank you to the author for an ARC, as I loved The Magic Between and was very excited to get into Prove It. All opinions are my own. If I didn’t love it, I wouldn’t have reviewed it.
-third person POV
-genuine hockey book with all the slang 🏒
-slooow burn
-low steam
-character driven
-daddy issues
-text conversations
-black cat/golden retriever energy
-the best side characters (friend banter)
-secret desire and pining
-oblivious ding dongs
-my rival is the only person who really sees me
-bi awakening in the sports world
-cute illustrations
-all the makings of a comfort read
”All you have to do is ask—you know I’d give you anything you want.”
If you are a fan of/familiar with Catherine Cloud’s hockey books then you know the style and will enjoy this too.
Looking forward to future books in this series! I’m honestly going to miss being in this book.
TW: anxiety, homophobia, divorce
Thank you to the author for an ARC, as I loved The Magic Between and was very excited to get into Prove It. All opinions are my own. If I didn’t love it, I wouldn’t have reviewed it.
February 27, 2024
Happy Release Day!
4.5 stars ✨ This was so wholesome, so sweet and just a really enjoyable reading experience. Also the slow burn and pining was *chefs kiss*
I loved the dynamic of the Golden retriever/ black cat energy that Alex and Noah had going. The development of their relationship and chemistry felt very organic and natural.
I also really enjoyed the banter the boys all had going and found myself smiling at it regularly. Sometimes with these sports romances the “sports/frat bro” dialogue is cringey to me but I actually found the banter to be really authentic and genuine (I’m really excited at the indication that this might be a series and we get the stories of the other boys).
On alot of levels this is a pretty simple hockey story of rivals to friends to lovers. But it becomes a lot more nuanced when set to the context of the challenges and institutionalized homophobia that still exists in professional sports. The idea of needing to consider sacrificing a romantic and intimate relationship for the length of a professional career was just so heartbreaking for me. That being said I really love when characters are realistic and practical about the very serious consequences of their actions on their goals and dreams and don’t just throw caution to the wind.
Be aware that this book deals pretty heavily with themes of institutionalised homophobia however the boys and found family/ support networks are all accepting and supportive and I think the subject matter is handled respectfully.
Thank you to the author for an ARC of this delightful book ❤️ this review is freely given and my thoughts are my own.
4.5 stars ✨ This was so wholesome, so sweet and just a really enjoyable reading experience. Also the slow burn and pining was *chefs kiss*
I loved the dynamic of the Golden retriever/ black cat energy that Alex and Noah had going. The development of their relationship and chemistry felt very organic and natural.
I also really enjoyed the banter the boys all had going and found myself smiling at it regularly. Sometimes with these sports romances the “sports/frat bro” dialogue is cringey to me but I actually found the banter to be really authentic and genuine (I’m really excited at the indication that this might be a series and we get the stories of the other boys).
On alot of levels this is a pretty simple hockey story of rivals to friends to lovers. But it becomes a lot more nuanced when set to the context of the challenges and institutionalized homophobia that still exists in professional sports. The idea of needing to consider sacrificing a romantic and intimate relationship for the length of a professional career was just so heartbreaking for me. That being said I really love when characters are realistic and practical about the very serious consequences of their actions on their goals and dreams and don’t just throw caution to the wind.
Be aware that this book deals pretty heavily with themes of institutionalised homophobia however the boys and found family/ support networks are all accepting and supportive and I think the subject matter is handled respectfully.
Thank you to the author for an ARC of this delightful book ❤️ this review is freely given and my thoughts are my own.
September 17, 2024
This book was adorable, Noah and Alex go through the most Beautiful and wooing journey ever!
This is almost like Heated Rivalry but without the sex and the secret hooking up for a decade.
Also, this book has the most amazing zero -toxic group of friends ever, extremely superior to the Queer collective.
This is almost like Heated Rivalry but without the sex and the secret hooking up for a decade.
Also, this book has the most amazing zero -toxic group of friends ever, extremely superior to the Queer collective.
dnf
February 28, 2024DNF at 22%
This book is giving me a headache. The main characters are Noah, who plays hockey for Canada and Alex, who plays hockey for the USA. They are being drafted by the NHL and are supposed rivals. This gave me Heated Rivalry vibes but this book read more like a young adult book up until the part I stopped. I don’t know where it goes after the 22% mark. Granted they are teenagers.
I felt like all of the side characters were thrown in and I couldn’t keep anyone straight in my mind. It’s one thing to have a group of people talking but then there was another few all of a sudden there that I never saw mentioned before. I couldn’t tell who was Alex’s friends and who were Noah’s.
Alex and his friends have these group chats and I couldn’t tell who was speaking, the names weren’t labeled well at all. The same went for the DM’s between Alex and Noah. It was so confusing. I also found it strange that Alex and his friends call each other “babe”. In a perfect world, maybe but the book is about the NHL and homophobia and even though I appreciated how open minded these guys were it didn’t seem to fit. Maybe because I couldn’t tell who was who between all the characters.
I didn’t understand why Alex wanted to befriend Noah. Noah is not a friendly person because he has things he’s hiding, mainly his attraction to men, but he also has a very homophobic father who is an ex-player and only cares about Noah being the best. There are a lot of these bully parents in hockey books and I hated seeing it again. There was no real introduction, you’re kind of just thrown into the book but I felt like the dad was a caricature.
I felt like I’m too old for the story so I think many others will enjoy it. I usually love hockey books and slow burns but the things I mentioned just made me not enjoy what I was reading.
This book is giving me a headache. The main characters are Noah, who plays hockey for Canada and Alex, who plays hockey for the USA. They are being drafted by the NHL and are supposed rivals. This gave me Heated Rivalry vibes but this book read more like a young adult book up until the part I stopped. I don’t know where it goes after the 22% mark. Granted they are teenagers.
I felt like all of the side characters were thrown in and I couldn’t keep anyone straight in my mind. It’s one thing to have a group of people talking but then there was another few all of a sudden there that I never saw mentioned before. I couldn’t tell who was Alex’s friends and who were Noah’s.
Alex and his friends have these group chats and I couldn’t tell who was speaking, the names weren’t labeled well at all. The same went for the DM’s between Alex and Noah. It was so confusing. I also found it strange that Alex and his friends call each other “babe”. In a perfect world, maybe but the book is about the NHL and homophobia and even though I appreciated how open minded these guys were it didn’t seem to fit. Maybe because I couldn’t tell who was who between all the characters.
I didn’t understand why Alex wanted to befriend Noah. Noah is not a friendly person because he has things he’s hiding, mainly his attraction to men, but he also has a very homophobic father who is an ex-player and only cares about Noah being the best. There are a lot of these bully parents in hockey books and I hated seeing it again. There was no real introduction, you’re kind of just thrown into the book but I felt like the dad was a caricature.
I felt like I’m too old for the story so I think many others will enjoy it. I usually love hockey books and slow burns but the things I mentioned just made me not enjoy what I was reading.
April 6, 2024
4.5 stars
”Alex makes Noah’s heart skip and his stomach swoop; makes him want until he’s angry with it, but Noah likes being around him so much and as much as he tries to push it away, Noah knows it can only mean one thing.”
✔️NA hockey romance.
✔️Rivals-to-friends-to-lovers.
✔️Bi-awakening/coming out.
✔️Achingly sweet and slightly angsty.
✔️Mutual pining galore.
✔️Hilarious team group chats
✔️The slowest of slow burns.
”Alex makes Noah’s heart skip and his stomach swoop; makes him want until he’s angry with it, but Noah likes being around him so much and as much as he tries to push it away, Noah knows it can only mean one thing.”
✔️NA hockey romance.
✔️Rivals-to-friends-to-lovers.
✔️Bi-awakening/coming out.
✔️Achingly sweet and slightly angsty.
✔️Mutual pining galore.
✔️Hilarious team group chats
✔️The slowest of slow burns.
January 17, 2024
Noah wishes that were true, but he knows it only extends to people who are already fans, that to get new ones he needs to be at least a little fun, and that to keep the old ones he can’t step outside of the mold too much. Being gay will be a problem for some, and for others, they’ll need to humanize the guy who plays sweet hockey to keep coming back.
4.25⭐
Alright, alright, alright.
Here is the thing. I am not your average hockey romance reader, and I know this sounds very I am not like other girls or pick me lol, and I am not saying I am unique but bear with me here for a bit. I love hockey. And I am not saying this as someone who likes hockey or a team because they find hockey players hot (although I have eyes, duh). I mean the hockey player I love the most in my team does have a luscious beard but is bald, and yet the thing that makes me borderline horny about him is that he always finishes his check. See, that is my definition of a hot hockey player. I watch hockey every single day, even when my team doesn’t play I am watching hockey with my fellow Panthers’ buddies (which is one of the reasons why I read so slow, and sometimes I wonder if I stopped watching so much hockey maybe I could also be reading 300-400 books a year, but hockey, man!). All of this is my long way to say, to me inaccurate hockey in a hockey book is blasphemous and that is one of the reasons why I mostly refrain from reading hockey books, with very few exceptions, even if some of my besties like them, because I know I can be a snob about the actual hockey in a book and simply not vibe with the book. So when I signed up for this ARC, and even though I saw some of my besties here were enjoying it I was still very doubtful. Yet, I am beyond ecstatic to say Prove It not only passed the vibe check but went TOP SHELF(yeah, your are correct, this is another hockey reference that means a goal was scored… nvm, I know you don’t care lmao). The book is REALLY GOOD!!!
Prove It got me on chokehold from the very first page, starting with the very famous USA HOCKEY chant to the constant little tiny references to hockey culture; from casually using terms like chel tourneys, which is how most people who play EA NHL games know it, to the references to players routines, to players freaking out to the possibility of being snake bitten, this book was clearly written by someone who not only has seen more than a couple of hockey games but is actually someone who loves hockey. And because you can love something and at the same time being critical of it flaws, the writing doesn’t shy away from pointing out the homophobic culture and toxic masculinity that is prevalent in the NHL nowadays, mostly because the league has decided to cave to those very few bigots who are louder than the majority who oppose all of that nonsense and truly believe HOCKEY IS AND SHOULD BE FOR EVERYONE but just want to keep their jobs, and how damaging it is to young players who are literally teenagers when joining the league and have to find a way to navigate all this bullshit without losing their minds and losing themselves in the process.
If all of the above sounds a little intimidating to people who might not be as much into hockey as me, and just want to vibe with a good hockey book, fear not. This is the story of Noah and Alex, who wants to be Noah's bestie, even though they are draft rivals, or should be according to everyone. Yes, the writing exudes hockey with every paragraph, but it is also simple enough to enjoy it even if you have never watched a hockey game. It is also very funny, delightful, witty and not cringey at all which happened to be another extremely pleasant surprise given that we are talking about 18-19 year old kids, and also considering the inherent criticisms that the author never shies away from making to what really needs to change in the league, all of this a true testament of the great chops of this author. The Do or Die Group Chats had me cackling out loud at the wee hours of the morning. My heart was constantly clenching with Noah’s struggles, his panic attacks had me almost on the verge of tears because of how relatable it truly felt, the banter full of chirps between the two mcs had me giggling like a silly schoolgirl, and the talks about figuring out yourself and your sexual orientation felt so organic, and I believe that is something we can all identify with, no matter the age.
And even though I have some minor niggles with the pacing, not because it was a slow burn (good gods, I read danmei regularly, that doesn’t necessarily screams against slow burns lol), I can, as snobbish as I am in this matter, without any ounce of doubt recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a VERY GOOD HOCKEY ROMANCE BOOK. I honestly can’t wait for the next one in the series! *grabby hands intensify*
[I received an advance review copy from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.]
4.25⭐
Alright, alright, alright.
Here is the thing. I am not your average hockey romance reader, and I know this sounds very I am not like other girls or pick me lol, and I am not saying I am unique but bear with me here for a bit. I love hockey. And I am not saying this as someone who likes hockey or a team because they find hockey players hot (although I have eyes, duh). I mean the hockey player I love the most in my team does have a luscious beard but is bald, and yet the thing that makes me borderline horny about him is that he always finishes his check. See, that is my definition of a hot hockey player. I watch hockey every single day, even when my team doesn’t play I am watching hockey with my fellow Panthers’ buddies (which is one of the reasons why I read so slow, and sometimes I wonder if I stopped watching so much hockey maybe I could also be reading 300-400 books a year, but hockey, man!). All of this is my long way to say, to me inaccurate hockey in a hockey book is blasphemous and that is one of the reasons why I mostly refrain from reading hockey books, with very few exceptions, even if some of my besties like them, because I know I can be a snob about the actual hockey in a book and simply not vibe with the book. So when I signed up for this ARC, and even though I saw some of my besties here were enjoying it I was still very doubtful. Yet, I am beyond ecstatic to say Prove It not only passed the vibe check but went TOP SHELF(yeah, your are correct, this is another hockey reference that means a goal was scored… nvm, I know you don’t care lmao). The book is REALLY GOOD!!!
Prove It got me on chokehold from the very first page, starting with the very famous USA HOCKEY chant to the constant little tiny references to hockey culture; from casually using terms like chel tourneys, which is how most people who play EA NHL games know it, to the references to players routines, to players freaking out to the possibility of being snake bitten, this book was clearly written by someone who not only has seen more than a couple of hockey games but is actually someone who loves hockey. And because you can love something and at the same time being critical of it flaws, the writing doesn’t shy away from pointing out the homophobic culture and toxic masculinity that is prevalent in the NHL nowadays, mostly because the league has decided to cave to those very few bigots who are louder than the majority who oppose all of that nonsense and truly believe HOCKEY IS AND SHOULD BE FOR EVERYONE but just want to keep their jobs, and how damaging it is to young players who are literally teenagers when joining the league and have to find a way to navigate all this bullshit without losing their minds and losing themselves in the process.
If all of the above sounds a little intimidating to people who might not be as much into hockey as me, and just want to vibe with a good hockey book, fear not. This is the story of Noah and Alex, who wants to be Noah's bestie, even though they are draft rivals, or should be according to everyone. Yes, the writing exudes hockey with every paragraph, but it is also simple enough to enjoy it even if you have never watched a hockey game. It is also very funny, delightful, witty and not cringey at all which happened to be another extremely pleasant surprise given that we are talking about 18-19 year old kids, and also considering the inherent criticisms that the author never shies away from making to what really needs to change in the league, all of this a true testament of the great chops of this author. The Do or Die Group Chats had me cackling out loud at the wee hours of the morning. My heart was constantly clenching with Noah’s struggles, his panic attacks had me almost on the verge of tears because of how relatable it truly felt, the banter full of chirps between the two mcs had me giggling like a silly schoolgirl, and the talks about figuring out yourself and your sexual orientation felt so organic, and I believe that is something we can all identify with, no matter the age.
And even though I have some minor niggles with the pacing, not because it was a slow burn (good gods, I read danmei regularly, that doesn’t necessarily screams against slow burns lol), I can, as snobbish as I am in this matter, without any ounce of doubt recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a VERY GOOD HOCKEY ROMANCE BOOK. I honestly can’t wait for the next one in the series! *grabby hands intensify*
[I received an advance review copy from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.]
July 26, 2025
Five stars all the way 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟. I completely fell in love with it. Definitely on a par with Alex and Eli from Like Real People Do but with a slightly more grown-up vibe I think, and the Do or Die group chats? Absolutely fantastic 🩷, and such an enlightened bunch of young ice hockey players 🏒, all out with their feelings and sh*t and ZERO prejudices. Noah was wound so tightly by his complete arse of a ex-player father that I thought something was bound to shatter, but Alex...Alex was just amazing 😍. Straight onto my Best of 2024 bookshelf, and the next book 🤞 Noah and Alex [but please let's have Yatesy or Nate further down the line], is very eagerly awaited. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
February 29, 2024
This book was a mish-mash of a bunch of other M/M ice hockey romances. Character names, personalities, family dynamics, the whole ice hockey setup, even the writing style... they're all taken from other books.
The only thing this author contributed is 450+ pages of excruciating text messages and dialogue between the main characters (usually about nothing whatsoever) and with friends (all about the relationship). It was painful to read. It was boring and uneventful. (How did this author manage to turn all this great stolen material into something so tedious??)
And the ice hockey? They didn't care about that. They cared about the wrong things way too much. It was purely a plot device to make the characters meet and interact.
Seriously, this book made me genuinely angry. There are a bunch of fantastic authors who are more deserving of the royalties from this book.
If you want to read a great M/M ice hockey romance, read one of the fantastic books this one copied. Don't read this.
The only thing this author contributed is 450+ pages of excruciating text messages and dialogue between the main characters (usually about nothing whatsoever) and with friends (all about the relationship). It was painful to read. It was boring and uneventful. (How did this author manage to turn all this great stolen material into something so tedious??)
And the ice hockey? They didn't care about that. They cared about the wrong things way too much. It was purely a plot device to make the characters meet and interact.
Seriously, this book made me genuinely angry. There are a bunch of fantastic authors who are more deserving of the royalties from this book.
If you want to read a great M/M ice hockey romance, read one of the fantastic books this one copied. Don't read this.
August 24, 2025
RTC 🩷
January 6, 2026
4.5⭐!
It was really great, and I loved the very slow burn. I guess the ending felt a bit rushed, or maybe I was in a mood and it's my fault. Anyway it was a great story and I loved the two of them.
RTC
Pre-read 🎧
Another rec from @Evie I can't wait to start!!
It was really great, and I loved the very slow burn. I guess the ending felt a bit rushed, or maybe I was in a mood and it's my fault. Anyway it was a great story and I loved the two of them.
RTC
Pre-read 🎧
Another rec from @Evie I can't wait to start!!
March 1, 2024
See what I meant about dual POV being a great narrative choice for an obliviots romance? Like, yes, I ABSOLUTELY wanted to stab them both multiple times during this but what a ride!!!!
I sill hate when a book that relies so heavily on texts for the storytelling doesn't use text bubbles. Like come on, people. RWRB has been out too long for us to still be doing this weird formatting. Also, they look cute. Sue me.
Alex's friends' group chat were the unexpected unsung heroes of this book. Somehow they managed to make every calamity even funnier.
The title is also apt, because BOY did Noah make Alex prove it. Yeeish. Getting Noah to believe him felt like trying to get into an Ivy League college. At some point I was like, Alex, baby. Look at me. You've done all you can. You've fought the good fight. You can walk into the light now.
Whew. That poor boy went through more hoops than my ears.
I sill hate when a book that relies so heavily on texts for the storytelling doesn't use text bubbles. Like come on, people. RWRB has been out too long for us to still be doing this weird formatting. Also, they look cute. Sue me.
Alex's friends' group chat were the unexpected unsung heroes of this book. Somehow they managed to make every calamity even funnier.
The title is also apt, because BOY did Noah make Alex prove it. Yeeish. Getting Noah to believe him felt like trying to get into an Ivy League college. At some point I was like, Alex, baby. Look at me. You've done all you can. You've fought the good fight. You can walk into the light now.
Whew. That poor boy went through more hoops than my ears.
September 2, 2025
4 ⭐️
Ahh this was nice.
Easy and pleasant. A real slowburn.
Boys were boys. Messy and young and scared and cocky. Not teenagers with grown-up brains.
A really pleasant read.
Also. I hadn’t read a hockey book in a while and it was really nice to read one so wholesome and wonderful.
And to all the negative reviews (I read quite a few, the average rating of the book was a surprise to me), saying that it was hard to follow all the people mentioned. To remember who is who. Don’t read danmei. You won’t able to understand anything at all 😀
Ahh this was nice.
Easy and pleasant. A real slowburn.
Boys were boys. Messy and young and scared and cocky. Not teenagers with grown-up brains.
A really pleasant read.
Also. I hadn’t read a hockey book in a while and it was really nice to read one so wholesome and wonderful.
And to all the negative reviews (I read quite a few, the average rating of the book was a surprise to me), saying that it was hard to follow all the people mentioned. To remember who is who. Don’t read danmei. You won’t able to understand anything at all 😀
February 28, 2024
Round up 3.5. I love a good slow burn, I really do, but this was too slow for me. It took me a long time to get into the story. Mind you, it's 400-something pages, and their first kiss took place around the last few chapters. I don't remember what percentage, but it was past 60%. I remember when I picked this book, it was set as rivals to lovers, and I'm a sucker for this trope.
I'll start with what worked for me:
I loved how the author unfolded the story of their friendship and how they were rooting for each other, and the friendship blossomed slowly into something more; it felt organic. Opposite attracts was just too sweet to witness. Noah & Alex were adorable. The banter was cute, and the angst from Noah's story ticked the box for me. The text messaging was cute. The side characters were great.
What didn't work:
It was too slow for me. It took me a long time to get into it. The last few chapters were stretched and could be shorter. The romance and the kiss took a long while to get to. Also, I wished we had more sweet moments to read; I felt it wasn't enough.
These points are not criticism; I just want to point them out to future readers. The ending felt odd. It's more of HFN, so maybe we will hear about our boys in the next book in this series. Even though it's considered mature for adults, it has a YA feel to it. Just take the sex scenes out, and it's YA. Also, it's 3ed POV. Overall, I enjoyed the book. This was my first book from this author, and I look forward to reading more.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book through BookSirens.
I'll start with what worked for me:
I loved how the author unfolded the story of their friendship and how they were rooting for each other, and the friendship blossomed slowly into something more; it felt organic. Opposite attracts was just too sweet to witness. Noah & Alex were adorable. The banter was cute, and the angst from Noah's story ticked the box for me. The text messaging was cute. The side characters were great.
What didn't work:
It was too slow for me. It took me a long time to get into it. The last few chapters were stretched and could be shorter. The romance and the kiss took a long while to get to. Also, I wished we had more sweet moments to read; I felt it wasn't enough.
These points are not criticism; I just want to point them out to future readers. The ending felt odd. It's more of HFN, so maybe we will hear about our boys in the next book in this series. Even though it's considered mature for adults, it has a YA feel to it. Just take the sex scenes out, and it's YA. Also, it's 3ed POV. Overall, I enjoyed the book. This was my first book from this author, and I look forward to reading more.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book through BookSirens.
February 27, 2024
What a wholesome book!
Stephanie Hoyt uses her love for hockey and the desire of so many to make sports a more inclusive environment, and delivers a sweet, funny, heartfelt and addictive romance between two kids pitted as rivals who become friends, best friends and finally boyfriends!
Alex and Noah have different starting points: Noah is bullied by his former NHL star father not only to be tough and super competitive, but also to adhere to the homophobic hyper masculine standards he believes the hockey world has. Noah knows he's gay but he's terrified to admit it to himself after years of living in fear of his father.
Alex on the other side grows up in a much more accepting environment, has a healthy support system and is the sunshine boy who everyone likes. When Noah doesn't, he takes it as a challenge and doesn't give up until he finds a way to make his distant, cold rival open up.
The two boys are total opposites and yet feelings can't be depressed forever and with Alex's stubbornness and the meddling of Alex's hilarious friend group and Noah's mother, they come closer and close to each other.
Said friend group is not only a comic relief but also one of the highlights of the story, with various dorky boys acting like dorky boys but always being there for their friends.
You can see that Stephanie Hoyt loves hockey, not only she has researched how everything works from junior level, but has I corporates slang and sports lingo without making the dialogue cringe.
The book isn't enemies to lovers as you might imagine it, it's more of reluctant friends to lovers, self discovery and being yourself in a world that doesn't want to let you do that.
I cannot wait to read the next chapter for Noah and Alex from Stephanie Hoyt's amazing pen!
Edit: The book is out now!
Thank you BookSirens and NineStar Press for the ARC!
Stephanie Hoyt uses her love for hockey and the desire of so many to make sports a more inclusive environment, and delivers a sweet, funny, heartfelt and addictive romance between two kids pitted as rivals who become friends, best friends and finally boyfriends!
Alex and Noah have different starting points: Noah is bullied by his former NHL star father not only to be tough and super competitive, but also to adhere to the homophobic hyper masculine standards he believes the hockey world has. Noah knows he's gay but he's terrified to admit it to himself after years of living in fear of his father.
Alex on the other side grows up in a much more accepting environment, has a healthy support system and is the sunshine boy who everyone likes. When Noah doesn't, he takes it as a challenge and doesn't give up until he finds a way to make his distant, cold rival open up.
The two boys are total opposites and yet feelings can't be depressed forever and with Alex's stubbornness and the meddling of Alex's hilarious friend group and Noah's mother, they come closer and close to each other.
Said friend group is not only a comic relief but also one of the highlights of the story, with various dorky boys acting like dorky boys but always being there for their friends.
You can see that Stephanie Hoyt loves hockey, not only she has researched how everything works from junior level, but has I corporates slang and sports lingo without making the dialogue cringe.
The book isn't enemies to lovers as you might imagine it, it's more of reluctant friends to lovers, self discovery and being yourself in a world that doesn't want to let you do that.
I cannot wait to read the next chapter for Noah and Alex from Stephanie Hoyt's amazing pen!
Edit: The book is out now!
Thank you BookSirens and NineStar Press for the ARC!
May 10, 2024
DNF at 40%.
This book is made up of constant banter. As if talking is not enough, the banter continues in texting, from one group of friends to another, talking then texting, over and over. Some of the lines are funny, but most are trying too hard. A lot of them are just small talks, unnecessary and not helping to move the story forward. It tired me out until I had to stop.
And I haven’t mention the content of the texting. In what universe do different groups of (mostly) straight athletes keep texting about gay stuff - gay love, gay sex, etc, like they don’t have anything else to talk about? I know romance writing takes liberty with fantasy. But there must be a line drawn somewhere. You couldn’t just throw reality out of the window, could you?
This book is made up of constant banter. As if talking is not enough, the banter continues in texting, from one group of friends to another, talking then texting, over and over. Some of the lines are funny, but most are trying too hard. A lot of them are just small talks, unnecessary and not helping to move the story forward. It tired me out until I had to stop.
And I haven’t mention the content of the texting. In what universe do different groups of (mostly) straight athletes keep texting about gay stuff - gay love, gay sex, etc, like they don’t have anything else to talk about? I know romance writing takes liberty with fantasy. But there must be a line drawn somewhere. You couldn’t just throw reality out of the window, could you?
August 11, 2025
This started off feeling like the hockey romance everyone reads when they first start off in MM, but it evolved into something else. Just as familiar, but different enough to keep you entertained. I actually feel like it could have been longer. I hope that Noah and Alex get another book in this series.
March 11, 2024
3.5⭐️
December 19, 2024
This book should come with a disclaimer that it is written in 3rd person present tense. I found the POV/ tense to be pretty distracting and did not care for it.
The MCs didn’t get together until 96% into the book, a lot of back and forth and some needless drama before that.
I did like the side characters and the use of texting in the book.
I believe the author is new-ish and I think there is potential, but I would hesitate to pick up another one if it’s also written as 3rd person present tense. (I find either 1st person or 3rd person past tense are so much more enjoyable to read.)
The MCs didn’t get together until 96% into the book, a lot of back and forth and some needless drama before that.
I did like the side characters and the use of texting in the book.
I believe the author is new-ish and I think there is potential, but I would hesitate to pick up another one if it’s also written as 3rd person present tense. (I find either 1st person or 3rd person past tense are so much more enjoyable to read.)
January 6, 2024
I was fortunate to receive access to an advanced copy of this book via BookSirens.
Noah and Alex are rivals on the ice. Both are entering the NHL draft and the early chapters are about their road to the draft and their initial entry to the NHL. Because they’re 1 & 2 they are thrown together alot - Alex has already caught Noah’s eye and Alex can’t understand why Noah is so uptight and continues to decline his invitation to be friends.
These opposites are never in the rivals as enemies camp. It’s a case of figuring out where they fit, with Noah being more of a loner and Alex a bit of a party, fun time dude bro, whose ego is taking a beating because Noah isn’t responding the way he’s used to. The book tackles issues of sexual identity within sport, touches on mental health and self care, parental alienation and has a cast of young players supporting one another (in the Do or Die group) which is the source of a great deal of fun and laughter. It’s apparent these guys are the stock of future books so the series is in good hands.
Given Noah’s disposition and the issues, it’s very much a slow burn. It might cause frustration for some it’s that slow - there’s alot of inaction and musing, will they won’t they, with others around them trying to push the issue. There’s heaps of group messages between the guys, the thread of which in the ARC copy was a little confusing as to who was saying what, so hopefully in the final copy text is bubbles or bolded for example to make it a bit easier.
I would have appreciated a little more fleshing out of the off page interactions between Noah and Alex, giving even more depth to their relationship. As it was there was some tension and angst which was the foundation, that little extra would have just made it. Given one of Noah’s worries was the likelihood of the longevity of the relationship it was interesting the book has no epilogue, so I’m hopeful future instalments give a glimpse into this couple’s future.
There are some issues that aren’t really resolved sufficiently or just weren’t clear which impacted my final rating if the book.
Noah and Alex are rivals on the ice. Both are entering the NHL draft and the early chapters are about their road to the draft and their initial entry to the NHL. Because they’re 1 & 2 they are thrown together alot - Alex has already caught Noah’s eye and Alex can’t understand why Noah is so uptight and continues to decline his invitation to be friends.
These opposites are never in the rivals as enemies camp. It’s a case of figuring out where they fit, with Noah being more of a loner and Alex a bit of a party, fun time dude bro, whose ego is taking a beating because Noah isn’t responding the way he’s used to. The book tackles issues of sexual identity within sport, touches on mental health and self care, parental alienation and has a cast of young players supporting one another (in the Do or Die group) which is the source of a great deal of fun and laughter. It’s apparent these guys are the stock of future books so the series is in good hands.
Given Noah’s disposition and the issues, it’s very much a slow burn. It might cause frustration for some it’s that slow - there’s alot of inaction and musing, will they won’t they, with others around them trying to push the issue. There’s heaps of group messages between the guys, the thread of which in the ARC copy was a little confusing as to who was saying what, so hopefully in the final copy text is bubbles or bolded for example to make it a bit easier.
I would have appreciated a little more fleshing out of the off page interactions between Noah and Alex, giving even more depth to their relationship. As it was there was some tension and angst which was the foundation, that little extra would have just made it. Given one of Noah’s worries was the likelihood of the longevity of the relationship it was interesting the book has no epilogue, so I’m hopeful future instalments give a glimpse into this couple’s future.
There are some issues that aren’t really resolved sufficiently or just weren’t clear which impacted my final rating if the book.
June 20, 2024
Ja pitolę, skończyłam, ale, szczerze mówiąc, nie mam bladego pojęcia, po jaką cholerę sobie to zrobiłam 🤦♀️🤷♀️
Powinno mnie już tknąć, kiedy zaczęłam czytać w sobotę i po ok. 12-15% zaczęłam robić wszystko, żeby tylko nie kontynuować - skończyło się na tym, że cały weekend grałam, gdzie normalnie nie mogę się go doczekać, żeby na spokojnie przeczytać coś więcej, jak mam wolne...
Było nudno, nijako, niedojrzale i tak strasznie YA 🫤 Przynajmniej 1/3 tekstu (jak nie więcej), to wiadomości na komunikatorach bądź SMS-y. W dodatku o znakach przestankowych można było w nich tylko pomarzyć - jak się trafiła jakaś kropka czy znak zapytania, to można było zakrzyknąć ŁAŁ! - bo zazwyczaj był to po prostu ciągły tekst (i tak, wiem, że ludzie często tak piszą w komunikatorach czy SMS-ach, ale czytanie takiego stylu w książce jest naprawdę męczące).
Nie lubiłam specjalnie żadnego z bohaterów - ani głównych, ani drugoplanowych. W dodatku przez większość czasu miałam wrażenie, że czytam o maturzystach/chłopakach z bractwa, a nie o młodych facetach, którzy właśnie dostali się do NHL. Zresztą hokej tak naprawdę ma jakieś znaczenie na początku książki i gdzieś tam pod koniec. Poza tym, tylko przewija się w rozmowach, jak to związek MC może wpłynąć na ich karierę. Tak naprawdę spokojnie mogliby chodzić do szkoły/college'u/pracować - niewiele by to w książce zmieniło.
Większość dialogów była o niczym, albo niespecjalnie o czymś, albo kręciła się wokół tematu, jak to Alex jest zadurzony w Noah, a nie chce się do tego przyznać, albo jak to Noah jest zadurzony w Alexie, ale nie chce z tym nic zrobić...
I na dodatek styl pisania zupełnie mi nie odpowiadał.
Było tak strasznie... młodo 🫤 Strasznie się męczyłam...
Za stara jestem na taki typ książki, nie moja bajka się okazało...
Powinno mnie już tknąć, kiedy zaczęłam czytać w sobotę i po ok. 12-15% zaczęłam robić wszystko, żeby tylko nie kontynuować - skończyło się na tym, że cały weekend grałam, gdzie normalnie nie mogę się go doczekać, żeby na spokojnie przeczytać coś więcej, jak mam wolne...
Było nudno, nijako, niedojrzale i tak strasznie YA 🫤 Przynajmniej 1/3 tekstu (jak nie więcej), to wiadomości na komunikatorach bądź SMS-y. W dodatku o znakach przestankowych można było w nich tylko pomarzyć - jak się trafiła jakaś kropka czy znak zapytania, to można było zakrzyknąć ŁAŁ! - bo zazwyczaj był to po prostu ciągły tekst (i tak, wiem, że ludzie często tak piszą w komunikatorach czy SMS-ach, ale czytanie takiego stylu w książce jest naprawdę męczące).
Nie lubiłam specjalnie żadnego z bohaterów - ani głównych, ani drugoplanowych. W dodatku przez większość czasu miałam wrażenie, że czytam o maturzystach/chłopakach z bractwa, a nie o młodych facetach, którzy właśnie dostali się do NHL. Zresztą hokej tak naprawdę ma jakieś znaczenie na początku książki i gdzieś tam pod koniec. Poza tym, tylko przewija się w rozmowach, jak to związek MC może wpłynąć na ich karierę. Tak naprawdę spokojnie mogliby chodzić do szkoły/college'u/pracować - niewiele by to w książce zmieniło.
Większość dialogów była o niczym, albo niespecjalnie o czymś, albo kręciła się wokół tematu, jak to Alex jest zadurzony w Noah, a nie chce się do tego przyznać, albo jak to Noah jest zadurzony w Alexie, ale nie chce z tym nic zrobić...
I na dodatek styl pisania zupełnie mi nie odpowiadał.
Było tak strasznie... młodo 🫤 Strasznie się męczyłam...
Za stara jestem na taki typ książki, nie moja bajka się okazało...
March 14, 2025
Cute. Didn't LOVE it love it, but it was fun and easy to read. I liked it.
What I did love was Nate.
What I did love was Nate.
February 29, 2024
Honestly??? A little blown away by the baby of it all. In a good way!
Noah and Alex were so sweet on each other, it was hilarious watching these idiots stumble through flirting without flirting. This was marketed as rivals to friends to lovers, and crushed it on all three counts. The shifts happened organically and at the right moments, and while it was a much slower burn than I usually take in my romances these days, with them, it was perfection.
I well and truly feel like this series needs at least 7-8 books because IT DOES. First of all, Noah and Alex need a second book to wrap up their arc, they haven't . But even after all that is wrapped, I LOVE THE FRIEND GROUP SO MUCH AND NEED THEM ALL TO FIND THEIR HAPPY GAY EVER AFTERS. SPECIFICALLY NATE MITCH AND YATESY BUT LITERALLY GIVE ME ALL OF THEM.
Ugh I just loved this so so much. Also MASSIVE shoutout to the person who did the in-book illustrations, they were stunning????
Noah and Alex were so sweet on each other, it was hilarious watching these idiots stumble through flirting without flirting. This was marketed as rivals to friends to lovers, and crushed it on all three counts. The shifts happened organically and at the right moments, and while it was a much slower burn than I usually take in my romances these days, with them, it was perfection.
I well and truly feel like this series needs at least 7-8 books because IT DOES. First of all, Noah and Alex need a second book to wrap up their arc, they haven't . But even after all that is wrapped, I LOVE THE FRIEND GROUP SO MUCH AND NEED THEM ALL TO FIND THEIR HAPPY GAY EVER AFTERS. SPECIFICALLY NATE MITCH AND YATESY BUT LITERALLY GIVE ME ALL OF THEM.
Ugh I just loved this so so much. Also MASSIVE shoutout to the person who did the in-book illustrations, they were stunning????
March 29, 2024
I grew increasingly frustrated and uncomfortable trying to read this book. As I found myself easily recognizing multiple fragments from SEVERAL of my favorite m/m hockey stories written by authors whose names are not credited within this ‘new’ work of fiction. It was disconcerting to read so many redressed plot lines, thinly veiled copies of characters, and poorly cloned dynamics all of which were simply far too similar to previously published novels I’ve read before. I’m not entirely sure how someone has the audacity to do something like this and not fear being called out for it. If there is any original content to be found here, it’s small enough to be completely overshadowed by the glaringly obvious amount of work ‘borrowed’ from other established authors.
October 9, 2024
This was pure crack fanfic and I loved every second. Very unrealistic, a bit cheesy, but so ooey gooey sweet I couldn't get enough. And even better, it was a perfect slow slow burn.
My only minor criticism is that as much as I loved the gc and all of Alex's friends, it felt like I should have known them all already and was a lot of side characters to take in for a first book, but its pretty obvious the series will continue with many of them. I can't wait for more tbh
My only minor criticism is that as much as I loved the gc and all of Alex's friends, it felt like I should have known them all already and was a lot of side characters to take in for a first book, but its pretty obvious the series will continue with many of them. I can't wait for more tbh
October 22, 2025
I had low hopes for this book, but it was surprisingly fun and I enjoyed it
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