Ethan has no hesitations. As fearless as his position demands, he rushes into things without much thought for the consequences.Though they eventually warm to their passionate new bond, it doesn’t come without complications. While trying to financially help Ethan, Riley must hide his family’s wealth so as not to hurt Ethan’s immense pride. For their relationship to work, Ethan will need to learn when to keep the gloves on and let someone help him—and Riley will have to learn it’s okay to let someone past his defenses.
Comment: I had read the first book in the Scoring Chances series by this author last year and while it wasn't perfect for me, it was still very entertaining. Therefore, I wanted to read the other books too and I have finally managed to pick the second installment.
In this story our focus is on Riley Hunter, the goalie of the Sea Storm team. He is still feeling the loss the team suffered last season but hopes this time everything might go better and as soon as the season begins, he finds a new roommate, Ethan Kennedy. At first he is only being friendly and helpful, because Ethan clearly doesn't come from such privileged background as his own family allowed him to have and he feels like paying it forward, but the more they interact, the more he realizes Ethan is way more than just his bubbly personality. They become friends and then they feel like seeing if they could be more than friends, but can they really make it if their careers might put them into different paths at the end of the season? And what will happen when Ethan learns Riley has been paying for things without his knowledge?
I think this was a cute novel but I feel disappointed we have Riley's POV for the most part of the novel. Although, to be fair, perhaps the lack of balance wasn't such a loss because Ethan is bubbly and friendly and so demonstrative that whatever trait he has or intention he plans comes across very easily!
Their relationship developed rather quickly, though. They knew each other before, but since Riley offered Ethan a room, they get to spend more time together in what we see as their private lives, and not just as part of the same team training and playing. Obviously, this made it possible for certain situations to happen and for their relationship to advance more quickly - not just physically - but it was still much easier and simpler than what I think it is realistic, after all neither had contemplated before they might be bi or attracted to men.
Ethan is one of those people who always find a positive in everything. We also learn he isn't the most dedicated of athletes - he smokes, for instance - and he probably doesn't feel as passionate about the sport as others do, but it is something is now competent, if nor brilliant at. He is also proud and has some difficulty in accepting the help of others, something that comes from the fact his father left his family and his mother raised him and his sisters alone. I liked his personality and the scenes we see from his POV but I think the author could have done something more with him.
As for Riley, he is more self aware of everything, including the opinion of others and we are told he doesn't have such a loving family as Ethan, and this has also affected his perspective of things but not to the point of making him one of those characters that keeps everyone aside on purpose. I liked that he remains a humble guy despite having money and having had privileges, and it was especially cute to see him in scenes with Ethan's family when they decided to tell people they are together.
On one hand, assuming their relationship was done as if it wasn't such a big deal and that is good, because it doesn't have to be an issue anyway, but at the same time, I feel it was a bit too simple. Added to the fact they didn't always talk seriously, even if it was a given, I wanted a bit more dedication to whom they were as a couple. Closer to the end, Ethan in particular has to make some choices and this would affect their romance, but thankfully I can say one big positive was the lack of melodramatics or silly misunderstandings.
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