Avon Gale & Piper Vaughn - Permanent Ink

At twenty-three, Poe Montgomery is going nowhere. He still lives in his father’s basement and spends most of his time tagging with his friends. When an arrest lands him in debt, Poe accepts the front desk job at Permanent Ink, the tattoo shop owned by his father’s best friend, Jericho McAslan. Jericho is nearly twice Poe’s age, but with his ink and prematurely graying hair, he quickly takes the starring role in Poe’s hottest fantasies.
Jericho is known for his ability to transform poorly designed tattoos into works of art, but he was once as aimless and misdirected as Poe. Wanting to pay it forward the way someone once did for him, Jericho makes Poe his apprentice and is determined to keep things strictly professional. Easier said than done when Poe makes his interest—and his daddy kink—abundantly clear.
Jericho can’t resist Poe or their intense chemistry for long. But between the age gap, tension with Poe’s father, and Poe’s best friend calling him a sellout, they’ll need to ensure they’re both on the same page before they can rewrite their rocky start into something permanent.

Comment: I've decided to read this book due to a challenge I'm doing and one of the topics included a book with less than 200 pages, which is the case here.

After one more negative experience in his seemingly drifting life, Poe Montgomery does accept the idea of going to work at the tattoo shop of Jericho, his father's best friend. Poe likes art and quickly learns he is interested in how tattoos work and how to do them correctly, which is great, but it also allows him to spend time with Jericho who, despite being his father's age, is extremely attractive. It seems the attraction is mutual and they soon start dating. But will Poe's father accept this idea? What about Blue, Poe's best friend who often distracted him and led him into doing graffiti, which is why he was arrested?

This is not the first book I try by these authors and I had a certain expectation on how this would go. I had this idea that the age gap would be an interesting element to see developed and since I also have liked stories featuring tattoo artists, this should be a good read.

The story isn't long and I could quickly finish it but I wasn't completely taken by it either. I think the main characters worked out better for me as individuals than as a couple. I just could not see what they would see in each other besides the physical aspects and even that seemed a little exaggerated as well, considering Poe's general attitude.

Poe is 23 or 34 and he still acts like a teenager, emotionally speaking. I can understand why he feel rebellious and why he feels unsatisfied with life, but I never warmed up to him and struggled to care for him as a character. All the things that should make him special in this specific context just seemed to be overlooked, such as his behavior in doing things he knew she shouldn't, his relationship with his best friend, his attraction to a man that is his father's age and not even him saying that he simply doesn't care about dating people his age seems enough compensation for his irritating personality.

Jericho, a man who has it together, who has a business with a good reputation, who is at a stage of his life where he can feel he is at a good place seemed more interesting to me. However, his attraction to such a guy as Poe is, emotionally, seemed to be unrealistic. I can get it that physically that isn't a big deal, but what did Jericho see in Poe, emotionally? He did lack maturity and even their conversation about their age gap, Jericho's musings about this exact issue seemed too weak and I never really believed in their romance for that, they simply don't match in all areas.

I also dreaded the idea of the "daddy kink" mentioned in the blurb. I have no interest whatsoever in this, whether in regards to m/m or m/f, and I was already a little influenced negatively before starting, but I did read other books by the authors and hoped this would not be too bad. Apparently, after reading some reviews, this was that bad precisely for that reason: it isn't enough daddy kink. I'm actually glad this story didn't exploit it further, but what did happen just left me confused on why would this seem like a good idea, it is too weird for me.

Besides, Poe does have a father and their relationship isn't really friendly sometimes. It also happen that his father and his boyfriend become a couple, they tell Poe's father and he reacts rather numbly. I mean, if it works for them, great, but does this not affect the behavior and the way people now need to interact? If the older men had not been friends, I could see this in a better light. I've ended up thinking that this "kink" was just a convenient device to push the dynamics between Jericho and Poe as a replacement for real maturity and connection.

Thus, I've finished the novel, I did like a few elements but, overall, this did not win me over and if I ever re-read books by the authors, I don't think this will be it.

Grade: 5/10

Avon Gale & Piper Vaughn - Trade Deadline

Daniel “Bellzie” Bellamy should be on top of the world—a Stanley Cup is the perfect topper to his fourteen-year NHL career. But despite the post-win high, something’s missing. When the chance to play for his hometown team, the Miami Thunder, comes along, he’s open to it. And when he runs into an old friend from his past soon after he makes the move, he wonders if it might be kismet.
Micah Kelly never thought he’d see his childhood crush—and first kiss—again. Danny Bellamy moved on to bigger and better things when they were teenagers, and the idea that Micah’s relationship with the professional hockey player could be anything more than one-sided Instagram thirst seems too good to be true.
Maybe too good to be true is the new reality, though. As the season goes on, Micah teaches Daniel to surf, and Daniel introduces Micah to his lovable pack of rescue dogs and the world of being a hockey boyfriend. Life is good. But when things on the ice don’t go as planned, they’ll have to decide if their rediscovered romance is built to last.

Comment: This is the last installment in the Hat Trick trilogy by Avon Gale and Piper Vaughn, which I've been reading for the past months.

In this story we finish the trilogy with the focus on Daniel Bellamy. Daniel was the captain of the Atlanta Venom when the first book begun, but now Daniel no longer has the numbers he used to and he has just won the Stanley Cup with his beloved team, which means he feels restless for something else. He decides the offer by the Thunder, a team based in his home state in Florida, is the chance he needed to go back to a place he has fond memories of and where his retired parents live as well. His ex and his children relocate too, which makes him very happy and reconnects with childhood friend and neighbor Micah, who is now a marine biologist at the Miami aquarium. As his feelings for Micah grow and as his life becomes steadier, the only issue is that the Thunder isn't such a cohesive team as Daniel believed he could help them be and he feels at odds.... is there a happy future for him?

In general, I liked this book and I liked how consistent the trilogy is, not only in terms of writing but in tone and details. Clearly the authors like and understand hockey, and that shows ,without it being too much for a reader who might not be familiar with the game.

Still, I was a little surprised by how this final book felt more serious, not only because it involved a couple who was more aware of their age - but they aren't old - , but mainly because the tone of the story was one with a bit more angst and clearly more somber than the others had been for me. I did like how the previous books, and now this one, weren't only about a cute romance, the authors did touch several elements which make the stories more realistic, but there's quite a thin line between this vibe and melancholy, which sometimes was a bit too much for what i thought this would be about.

Daniel is a captivating character and I was rooting for him to succeed in his new team. I think this change of teams is a subject that authors don't use as much the way these two have done here because Daniel goes into a team where things don't immediately go well, and not just because of Daniel's performance; regarding that, we don't have many scenes about actual hockey practices. However, the authors did touch an interesting and less pleasant side of sports, which is the fact things don't always go well, no matter the talent the athletes may have. I just think that the use of this subject along with secondary elements made this story a bit too angsty and I was anxious about what might come next.

In terms of personality, Daniel is a likable man, he does seem to be a great person and when the story was over, i was simply glad I had seen him being developed. He also has this dreamlike situation in which he is friends with his ex, he has managed to be seen as reliable and friendly and of course this makes us want him to be happy even more. I also liked his decision at the end of the book, it made all sense if we think about his path in sports.

Micah is also likable. He wasn't as developed, as Daniel, I think, but perhaps I had that feeling because we did follow Daniel, even if only at a distance, in the other two books. Micah is resourceful,  competent, I liked him and his passion for his job and the dolphins in particular. He was rejected by his family when he came out and this is clearly an issue but it wasn't developed as much as I think it should, if only, again, to add more layers to him ... it gets to a point his role is almost reduced to one POV and I think more background or interactions with people from his past might have helped.

The romance, I'm sad to say, was my least favorite part. I don't seek friends to lovers that much in romance because the thrill of getting to know this new person seems more exciting and here, them being friends as kids, and now reconnecting as friends first, made the romance feel forced. Well, to me it was, and although I liked that they could find each other as romantic partners, this part of their story didn't feel organic, as if it was meant to be or something. Or, perhaps, they were both focused on other things and the romance simply felt as if it was a weaker element.

I still consider this to be a good trilogy and, overall, I had a good time reading all the books. the writing is fluid and easy and the dual POV helped to connect with each protagonist, in all books. As always, some things work out perfectly for some readers or not as much for others and not at all for someone else. I liked I read this trilogy but I'll be honest and say this is probably not the one I'd re-read (if I had time to do re-reads).

Grade: 7/10

Avon Gale & Piper Vaughn - Goalie Interference

Ryu Mori has had a stellar season as goalie for the Atlanta Venom. So when he’s called into management’s office, he’s expecting to hear he’s the new starting goalie for the team, not that some new guy—an incredibly hot, annoyingly bratty rookie—is here to compete for his spot.
Not everyone gets to play in the best league in the world. Emmitt Armstrong knows that, and he’s not about to waste the opportunity after grinding his way from the bottom to the top. If the Venom is looking for a meek, mild-mannered pushover, they’ve got the wrong guy.
Ryu doesn’t want to admit the other goalie’s smart mouth turns him on. Beating Armstrong at practice feels good, sure, but there are other, more fun ways to shut his rival up.
In this league, it’s winner takes all. But there’s more to life than winning, and if Emmitt and Ryu can get past their egos and competitive natures, they might just discover they work better as partners than they ever imagined possible.

Comment: This is the second book in the Hat Trick trilogy by authors Avon Gale and Piper Vaughn. As I've said before, I've enjoyed books by Avon Gale and I also liked the previous book in this trilogy, thus why I'm reading the remaining stories.

In this second installment we meet Emmitt Armstrong, or "Army", a new goalie for the Atlanta Venom, and he is very eager to prove his worth. He knows Ryu Mori is the likely started but Army wants to be the best he can, even if that means being at odds with his fellow goalkeeper, who seems to be a rather rigid guy. However, as train and time go by, it seems there's more to their animosity than simply professional competition, and eventually they become more than co workers, so to say.

Ryu Mori doesn't come from such a warm family as other players and his cultural background isn't also one for demonstration of affection. Still, he starts to care for Army and might even think he could be happy with him, but the truth is they are both vying for the same job here, and Ryu still has this need to be the best, so his parents can recognize his efforts. It seems complicated, but proximity and understanding from Army might go a long way...or will the game push them apart after all?

For me, this book is pretty much at the same level as the previous one. I liked it and I liked reading about the characters but there are still some elements I'd change to better suit my preferences. Despite this I had a good time reading and it was one of those books where one turns the pages effortlessly.

The story starts when the hockey season is about to start and Army has a call to let him know the Venom wants him, and he is very happy to think he will play in the main league of hockey. Army is an interesting character, confident in himself but as so many people, he still feels he needs his father's approval. This is a bit tricky because his father was a successful football player, and he wanted Army to follow his steps, but Army preferred hockey, his true passion, even though a Black player in a sport which doesn't have much inclusion might make it more difficult for him.

Playing for the Venom is everything he wanted and when the coaches decide that he, a newcomer, and Ryu Mori, a more seasoned player, will play in tandem, he is even happier, for he believes this is the chance to prove he deserves to be the starter. Things with Mori start off a little badly, because Mori is hard to read and seems to not be very receptive to competition. Of course, this is just the beginning to a relationship that starts as casual and will develop into something more serious.

Mori is certainly a more introverted character but I could sympathize with some of his thoughts. I think the cultural part of him being Japanese and how people from different countries/cultures wasn't such a big deal in the overall story but it does add to why his personality is more contained. I still think that, as with Army, his need to still show his parents he is doing well and being successful plays a bigger role in his decisions than culture. Of course this means he isn't as demonstrative and isn't bubbly; some readers have said he seems to lack personality but to me this wasn't an issue.

I liked the pace of the story, the authors have, again, managed to convey time passing and things moving on in a good enough way to make me feel things were evolving. Nevertheless, the development of the relationship between Army and Mori was a little too quick. I know they start of as only "co workers with benefits" but I kind of hoped to see more scenes where things between them were obviously changing romantically, and not just because they talked on the phone about serious matters. I understand the constrictions of their work and that they were in the public eye a lot, but... I can't explain well, but this part, the romance, could have been better.

The biggest conflict comes later on, as expected, when things are stressful and at a decisive moment for the team. I think the fact they were thinking professionally was only an excuse for what they decide to do and if they were already committed at this point, perhaps they should have talked more, but I can also accept the pressure in such situation would be a lot (if one compares with real life possibilities in the same scenario). Of course, the resolution for the issues are quickly solved, there's a HEA and everything is fine, which only adds to the lack of real importance of these supposed issues.

Although Mori isn't the most demonstrative of characters in public, his relationship with Army has interesting and cute moments in private, besides the sexual part, and I was happy for them in general.

I'll look for to finish the trilogy next month.

Grade: 7/10

Avon Gale & Piper Vaughn - Off the Ice

Tristan Holt is nothing if not pragmatic. Despite a flourishing career as a defenseman for the Atlanta Venom, Tristan knows he can’t play hockey forever. One day he’ll retire — if an injury doesn’t force him to hang up his skates first. His backup plan? Finishing his business degree. But he doesn’t count on a very inappropriate attraction to his standoffish sociology professor, Sebastian Cruz.
Sebastian is on the bottom rung of the Sociology Department at Georgia State. He has his sights set on tenure, and he can’t afford to be distracted, especially not by a sexy student with a body straight out of Sebastian’s dreams. No matter how much Tristan tempts him, that’s one line Sebastian won’t cross. At least not until summer classes end. After that, everything is fair game.
But Sebastian lives loud and proud, and Tristan is terrified of being the first out player in the NHL. Neither of them can afford to risk their hearts when they can’t imagine a happily ever after. The problem is, unlike hockey, when it comes to love, there are no rules.

Comment: Since I've read and enjoyed another series by author Avon Gale which featured hockey players, I felt like trying another, even though this one is a partnership with Piper Vaughn.

In this story, professional hockey player Tristan Holt is about to start a summer class, so that he can one day have his college degree and a way to have something else in his future when his hockey career is finished. He wasn't counting on being so quickly attracted to the teacher, though, and at some pint he also dreams professor Cruz might be as interested.

Sebastian Cruz is a sociology teacher and he wants to obtain tenure, which is why he doesn't complain when doing summer courses. At first, he thinks Tristan isn't really dedicated to the course, but when a plagiarism situation happens, he is quick to judge. When it's obvious Tristan didn't do it, their attraction seems to escalate, but they both contain themselves until the end of class. 

After that, they start seeing each other, and things seem to go well, but will their differences be too much to overcome?

As a whole, this was a good story. I was also hoping the story would be similar enough to Avon Gale's style as a solo writer, so I was ready to like the story anyway, even if Piper Vaughn's intake would make changes being obvious. In fact, I can't say what exactly was written by one author and by the author. This is recognizable enough as being by Avon Gale since I've read other things by her, but how much belongs to each I wouldn't be able to tell.

The plot starts of quite well. I'm not particularly interested in the teacher/student dynamic but if done well, it can certainly be challenging, and I obviously appreciated the fact they waited until they no longer had an established professional relationship. The scenes with them looking at one another sometimes, and the inner thoughts allowing us to understand just how much longing and sexual desire was in play, the small exchange of conversation here and there, then the misunderstanding with the paper Tristan delivered and so on, all made for the tension to be visible and readable and I was looking for to see how they would finally say something to one another.

I think this process was a bit quick, even though - I suppose - we had Gale's technique used here, for she has this ability, in books that don't have many pages, to develop things in a way that yes, it's quick on the page but relatively longer in context. Not all authors can convey the passage of time in a book that easily and, for the most part, I think this happens here. I still wish for some different things, other type of situations to let us know how much time is passing but this wasn't too badly done.

Tristan is fascinating, he's 23 and a professional hockey player but he is also a sweet young man, has a sweet family dynamic and is eager to keep studying which means he isn't keen on simply earning money and do nothing else later. I liked his attitude and his personality. An important part of the story is also dedicated to his decision to come out and how, and I think his reasons are quite valid as to why not doing it without some planning.

Sebastian is a bit more complex I'd say, he's a little older and has had other types of experiences, more so since he is Latino, but I did like his professor mode. He's more confident in himself and while out, he still feels bitter things changed and his parents accept him being gay but clearly don't interact with him the same way and probably still wish for this "phase" to end. I think his personality was more complex but easier to understand, although did I like him better? Not certain... I also wonder if each character was perhaps given a voice by a different author?

So, these two are kind of opposites but when they finally get together it's fireworks. I did like the romance and the evolution of their relationship, even though - along with a few other plot details - some things seemed to happen as bit too predictably and in a way that would ensure a specific result, which perhaps I would prefer to see differently... also, in the midst of all their personal and professional lives and dealing with new feelings, the sex between them sometimes went into a slight kinky level which I could do without. I understand why it was that way but I didn't really like it was the authors' choice.

When the story reaches the final conflict, which I also would have preferred had happened differently, the two guys are thinking they are in love but will love be enough to overcome the details of being with someone who has different experiences and a way of seeing things? I think the compromise was done well enough and the HEA was a sweet one. Still, a part of me wished for more romantic situations, more sweeter moments and less kinky sex scenes. I liked the story yes, but I think it could have been better too.

Grade: 7/10

Avon Gale - Coach's Challenge

It’s been decades since blackmail forced Troy Callahan to retire from playing professional hockey, and he’s built a successful career behind the bench. When he’s offered the opportunity to coach the Asheville Ravens—the most hated team in the ECHL—he’s convinced that his no-nonsense attitude is just what the team needs to put their focus back on hockey. But Troy is disheartened when he finds out the Ravens have signed Shane North, a player known for his aggression—especially when Shane’s rough good looks have Troy thinking inappropriate thoughts about a player, even if he’s set to retire at the end of the season.
Shane’s career in the majors never quite took off. Wanting to quit on his own terms, Shane agrees to a one-year contract with the Ravens and finds himself playing for a coach who thinks he’s an aging goon, and with a team that doesn’t trust him, Troy, or each other. Despite his determination not to get involved, Shane unwillingly becomes part of the team… and is just as unwillingly drawn to the gruff, out-and-proud coach. As the Ravens struggle to build a new identity, Shane and Troy succumb to the passion that might cost them everything.

Comment: This is the fifth and final installment in the Scoring Chances series by author Avon Gale, which I have been reading lately. It isn't my favorite (I'm debating if that is the 1st or the 3rd) but I think the series finished strong enough.

In this book we have the story of Troy Callahan, who was blackmailed when he was a player by St Savoy, the villain of the previous book. At the time St Savoy forced Troy to leave hockey or he would tell Troy was gay. Now out and proud, Troy feels like revenge is perfect when he takes over the coaching with the Ravens, after St Savoy was fired for all the things he did and Troy wants to bring the team back to be respected.

One of the most recent acquisitions is veteran Shane North, who will probably have his last season with the Ravens, but management still wanted him anyway, mostly for his experience and leadership. He and Troy butt heads, but deep down the issue is that they are attracted to one another but Shane isn't out and Troy is his coach... if or when they can't avoid their attraction anymore, could it be any hope for them to become a real couple anyway?

As always, the "voice" of these books was very appealing to me. Somehow, the way the author writes these books has been an important part of why I keep wanting to read them and here, even though the dynamics between coach/player weren't always to my taste, the author still managed to give the impression this was an emotional inevitability and convinced me of the couple's intentions and feelings.

The plot isn't too complicated, we follow these two and the rest of team as they go from game to game and how their personal lives are affected by those events and what they think of one another. Closer to the end there's a situation which felt a little predictable and I think the author only wanted to use it to create a comparison, which works. As for if it really was necessary, though... I might have preferred a different option.

The romance is obviously the intention here but I kind of liked how often they talked about their careers and how some decisions were made based on that. In this regard, I preferred Shane's character, he is at the end of his career and is wondering if he will do another year as soon as he feels he is part of the team and his feelings for Troy intensify. He believes he might have another good year, especially since we learn many had expectations for his talent and he never played in the major league. Of course, plot stuff happens and he is a little forced to make a decision sooner than later.

I did like his personality, he wasn't always considered as the most affable of people but through his friendship with a friend from California, where he was playing before he traveled to North Carolina, and his tentative way to befriend his teammates made him really alluring to me.

As for Troy, he is one of those brash, without excuses type of guys, a little blunt but I was convinced he had reason after what happened with St Savoy in the past. What a delicious notion of karma to have him do a better job and being a considerate person as a revenge for what St Savoy had done in this team. I obviously liked how he made everyone feel they mattered.

The relationship between Troy and Shane should not happen, clearly, for they are in an unfair position, and as expected, something has to be done about it, also because them being together would certainly affect the team. Often we accept stuff in romance or fiction which in real life is a legal nightmare, but I'm simply glad the author didn't keep the situation without any type of resolution on the page. I think them being a couple lasted way longer than it should, though.

Despite the details I liked less, I was motivated to keep reading the story. I wasn't as dazzled by this pair as I was by others but in general, it was a good enough end to the series.

I see the author has other hockey series, I will likely try that one as well.

Grade: 7/10

Avon Gale - Empty Net

Spartanburg Spitfires’ goalie and captain Isaac Drake ended last season with an unexpected trip to the playoffs. He’s found a home and family with his coach and mentor, Misha Samarin, and he’s looking forward to making a serious run for the Kelly Cup. But things take an interesting turn when Isaac’s archnemesis, Laurent St. Savoy, is traded to the Spitfires. After Laurent’s despicable behavior in the playoffs last year, Isaac wants nothing to do with him – no matter how gorgeous he is. But that changes when Isaac discovers the reason for Laurent’s attitude.
Laurent St. Savoy grew up the only son of a legendary NHL goalie in a household rife with abuse, constantly treated like a disappointment on and off the ice. When a desperate attempt to escape his father’s tyranny sends him to the Spitfires, the last thing Laurent wants is to make friends. But there’s something about Isaac Drake that he can’t resist, and Laurent has an opportunity to explore his sexuality for the first time, but he’s cracking under end-of-the season pressures. When facing the playoffs and a rivalry turned personal vendetta, Isaac’s not sure he’s enough to hold Laurent—or their relationship—together.

Comment: This is installment #4 in the Scoring Chances series, featuring hockey players and coaches in a few teams in the ECHL.

In this novel, which starts not long after the events in the third book, Laurent St Savoy has been traded to the Spitfires and has to play with people he has insulted and spit on, such as fellow goalie Isaac Drake. They couldn't be more different from one another and at first Laurent doesn't fit in, but one episode changes everything when Isaac realizes Laurent is hiding something. As he tries to help Laurent and show him hockey players don't have to be as mean and malicious as Laurent's father seems to be, Laurent starts to see he is so much more than his father's name and reputation. But will they be able to become friends and help the team? The reality is that, the longer they get to know each other and Isaac sees the better side of Laurent, his feelings don't stay at friendship... considering their history, could Laurent ever feel the same?

As it has happened with the previous installments, I also liked this one in general. I think it has enough elements to make it addictive to read, even though the dynamics between the main characters - usually the biggest difference in the formula - wasn't as cute as I'd imagine, considering their previous interactions.

The author clearly likes to pair up bubbly/optimist/fun/distracted characters with someone more serious/stoic/realistic and, obviously, it works. When two people are somehow opposite in temperament and personality, of course there will be compromise and situations where they can match or, at least, complement each other. This can happen even with the smallest things, but here I was looking for to see how Isaac and Laurent, for all purposes they were even enemies, would find things in common... of course that they would become a couple was already expected.

Laurent is actually quite a fascinating character, for he is a hockey player who doesn't like the game that much. We understand his childhood was not a good one, with a lot of abuse by a father who criticized, punished and demanded a lot of him, never happy if he did well, always angry when he did wrong. This led to Laurent becoming isolated, lacking friends and disliked by others but now he was finally able to leave his father's influence by being traded, which allowed him to try different things and even though he didn't want friends, he can't help when Isaac just makes himself precisely so.

Isaac is a bit easier to understand, his life has been happier until he came out to his parents. They threw him out, not because he was gay but because he said he would hide it in public, which means they would not want to see it or be told about it by others. This led to some rough times for Isaac but, in a way, it helped him to appreciate security and true friendship. When this story begins Isaac had also overcome a bad situation with the help of the coaches (protagonists of book #3) and is now at a better place mentally. This allows him to be a better friend to Laurent, when he might be contrary after how Laurent treated him in the past.

The romance was gradual and sweet enough but somehow it didn't seem to be as urgent or as "destined" as the others before felt like to me. I can't say if it was because Laurent was a bad place emotionally and even in terms of his health, but I had the feeling they probably would be good friends in a more organic way than they are lovers. When things get to the end, I was glad they could be together and that they both faced issues that were weighing on their spirit, Laurent in particular, but I just don't feel the romance was that epic or impossible to see as the only fate for them.

The plot around the hockey games, the situation with Laurent's father and even the expectations on their careers were all secondary situations, interesting without a doubt and a way to advance the story, but not truly spectacular. Reading this felt more like spending time with people I liked and knowing about them, rather than an amazing story I could not help love. Still, it was way more entertaining for the familiarity and the formula used than other stories where things aren't well structured.

Grade: 7/10

Avon Gale - Power Play

A freak accident during the Stanley Cup Playoffs put an end to Max Ashford’s hockey career. Despite everything, Max gets back into the game he loves—only this time, behind the bench as an assistant coach of the Spartanburg Spitfires, the worst team in the entire league. But nothing prepares him for the shock when he learns the new head coach is Misha Samarin, the man who caused Max’s accident.
After spending years guilt ridden for his part in Max’s accident, Russian native Misha Samarin has no idea what to do when he’s confronted with Max’s presence. Max’s optimism plays havoc with Misha’s equilibrium—as does the fierce attraction that springs up between them.
Not only must they navigate Misha’s remorse and a past he’s spent a lifetime trying to forget, but also a sleazy GM who is determined to use their history as a marketing hook. But when an unwelcome visitor targets a player, Misha revisits his darkest days, and that might cost him and Max the beginning they’ve worked so hard to build.

Comment: This is the 3rd installment in the Scoring Chances series, featuring several characters in a minor hockey league in the East coast. This time the focus is in the coach and the assistant coach of the team many consider the worst and which has been mentioned other times in the previous two novels.

Max Ashford is a optimist player whose career in a NHL team ended because of an injury. The player on the opposite team, who many blamed, is Misha Samarin who also blamed himself and when his team won the Stanley Cup, he didn't play and didn't feel he was worthy of any win anyway. Now, years later, the two meet again and Misha is surprised by how Max smiles, cherishes life and faces things with a happy mind frame, and he certainly doesn't blame Misha at all. He knows their cultural background is very different but still Misha can't help but be impressed by Max's personality and then he and Max start hooking up. As their feelings progress, so does their coaching and the team improves a bit. Then problems come their way, but between Max's optimism and Misha's stoicism, can they have it all in the end?

I've been finding these stories to be quite charming, in the sense they are easy to read and the characters, or at least one of them, is definitely on the silly adorable side! It seems the idea is to pair up a more serious or almost aloof character with one who is more laid back, optimistic. I think this pairing works because of that old idea of opposites attracting but also because it dos reinforce the notion the couple is a complement of each other's traits.

Max is bubbly, a genuine nice guy and he doesn't even feel much resentment he had to end his career. We discover he has a good support system, his family is happy and he feels he can have their help and caring in the bad times. Obviously what a contrast it ends up being too in relation to Misha, whose family back in Russia isn't a loving one, in particular his father who was an authoritative and punishing figure, even influencing Misha's mother, who felt she couldn't do a lot for him. When Misha realized hockey was his way out ticket, he took that chance, despite some issues at first in a different place.

The romantic relationship between these two starts a bit too quickly actually, right after they start working together, but somehow the way this is written makes it look as if it's something natural, easy and if at first both were a little unsure about where this would go, it was obvious they were liking one another a great deal. I don't think many authors are able to do this that well, to give away immediately this sense of kismet or whatever one wants to classify it, when two characters are clearly "destined" from the start (and if the genre isn't fantasy). It might be something related to each author's style, but in these books, this isn't a negative detail.

I was quite delighted with Max, he is so cute and a little clueless in regards to certain things, but not his interest in Misha, and his developing feelings. Misha doesn't share as much but his actions speak for themselves. They, as coaches, also involve themselves in the life of a player and they help him when he needs, which I bet will have repercussions since the next book features that character. But I liked how this allowed us to have a different perspective of them and of their roles as people who are working yes, but also guiding the players and being there for them.

There is, as expected, a lot of hockey conversations and elements but while the rules of the game escape me, I was dedicated enough to the characters for it to seem good enough content for the story the author wanted to convey. I think some characters and situations in the whole game vibe were a bit unlikely, but I decided to not think too hard on this and simply enjoy the story.

The end is, as predictable, cute and romantic and I liked it that so many secondary characters were aware of the budding relationship between the coaches but this didn't diminish their acceptance of the good - professional - work they were doing too. Of course, I especially liked the romantic declarations and scenes related to them as a couple. 

I will certainly read the remaining two books.

Grade: 8/10

Avon Gale - Save of the Game

After last season’s heartbreaking loss to his hockey team’s archrival, Jacksonville Sea Storm goalie Riley Hunter is ready to let go of the past and focus on a winning season. His new roommate, Ethan Kennedy, is a loud New Yorker with a passion for social justice that matches his role as the team’s enforcer. The quieter Riley is attracted to Ethan and has no idea what to do about it.
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.

This was a quick and easy story to read. I think it could have had some more depth but I can't say I was really disappointed, it did meet the criteria of being entertaining and being interesting regarding the character's relationship and interactions with others. Perhaps it could have had a bit more professional information, about the games and such... or maybe I'm being picky. As a romance, this was cute and sometimes, that is enough.

Grade: 7/10

Avon Gale - Breakaway

Drafted to play for the Jacksonville Sea Storm, an NHL affiliate, twenty-year-old Lane Courtnall’s future looks bright, apart from the awkwardness he feels as a gay man playing on a minor league hockey team. He's put his foot in his mouth a few times and alienated his teammates. Then, during a rivalry game, Lane throws off his gloves against Jared Shore, enforcer for the Savannah Renegades. It’s a strange way to begin a relationship.
Jared’s been playing minor league hockey for most of his career. He’s bisexual and doesn’t care if anyone knows. But he’s determined to avoid another love affair after the last one left him devastated. Out of nowhere a one-nighter with rookie Lane Courtnall gives him second thoughts. Lane reminds Jared why he loves the game and why love might be worth the risk. In turn, Jared hopes to show Lane how to be comfortable with himself on and off the ice. But they’re at different points in their careers, and both men will have to decide what they value most.

Comment: Since it appears as I'm a fan of the hockey theme in MM stories, this is the first book in yet another series, so of course I'd feel like trying it.

In this book, we meet young Lane Courtnall who, since joining a minor team, affiliated to the NHL, has had a bad time for he can't seem to control his mouth and says what he doesn't want. He has managed to alienate his team mates, who believe him to be arrogant, so now he wants to close the distance and his great idea to change things is to provoke Jared Shore, from the opposed team during a game. In fact, this helps more than he anticipated and he ends up the night talking to Jared at a seedy bar near the hotel. 

While Jared realizes Lane is way more into him than what he wants to convey, he thinks nothing good would come out of it anyway, but still he can't resist and they start seeing each other. Their teams play against each other often and that helps, but even though Lane seems to want to have a relationship with him, can Jared let go of a past heartbreak?

I think this was a cute story. As other readers have said, mild angst and the issues which could have added drama were more or less easily solved or talked about. I liked this, because it made reading easy but pleasant, in the sense it was a given these characters would get their HEA.

Most of the focus is on Lane, and it does seem Jared didn't have equal air time for us to understand his personality better...I suppose this can be a matter of perspective but the emotional growth Lane faces seems so much more obvious than the one done by Jared. It is true Jared is older, more mature, but since he still has some issues with how his hockey past played out because of someone he trusted, I think this situation should have had more explanations or an outcome, more so than just the fact Jared trusted Lane with his "story".

Nevertheless, the romance is cute. I loved all the silly/cute/funny scenes between them or how we got to see Lane in all his glory...he is definitely weird and without filters but in a self aware way, not because he says things to others in relation to them. I also liked how gradual their emotions develop, even what seems obvious to the reader isn't immediately shared by them. Still, sounding contradictory, they declare themselves rather soon in their relationship, but I think the notion we have of time and space is good enough to make this feel realistic.

In terms of writing style, this is not the first book I try by the author, but it was good to find it fluid and easy to go through, although sometimes it felt as if a topic could become complicated but this would be easily fixed, so I did feel a certain sense of quick solving of things, so that the plot would not get muddled. In a way, I guess this is good, makes for a better reading, but it can also mean some things could have had more meaning and didn't.

There is, as expected, a lot about hockey. The author even included a note on how teams work, what it means to be an affiliate and so on. In a way, I think the way this works can be seen in most team sports, even in soccer (the one I'm more familiar with) there are the A teams or the top league ones, and others, B teams or teams in younger/lower levels, which can upgrade or downgrade players, sort of. Still, it is always nice to learn something new so the next book with this theme won't be as difficult to imagine.

I actually liked how we got to have a good enough average of air time dedicated to the characters' personal lives and the professional one. After all, they can't exist without both and there did seem to exist a certain balance between what thr author included. I still think perhaps a bit more attention on Jared would have been nice, perhaps a bit more awareness from them with other issues, but in general, this was a satisfying read. I do plan on reading more books in this series.

Grade: 8/10

Avon Gale, Roan Parrish - Heart of the Steal

Responsible, disciplined William Fox channeled his love for art and his faith in the rules into being an FBI Art Crimes agent. Right and wrong, justice and injustice—the differences are clear, and Will has spent his career drawing a line between them. Maybe his convictions have cost him relationships, but he’s not willing to compromise what he knows is right. Until the night he meets Amory Vaughn.
As the head of his family’s philanthropic foundation, Vaughn knows very well that being rich and powerful can get him almost anything he wants. And when he meets endearingly grumpy and slightly awkward William Fox, he wants him more than he’s wanted anything. Vaughn is used to being desired for his name and his money, but Will doesn’t care about either.
When Vaughn falls back on old habits and attempts to impress Will by stealing a painting Will admires, their nascent bond blows up in his face. But Vaughn isn’t willing to give up on the glimpse of passion he saw the night he took Will apart. Before Will knows it, he’s falling for the man he should have arrested, and Vaughn has to realize that some things can’t be bought or stolen. Love has to be given freely. But can a man who lives by the rules, and a man who thinks the rules don’t apply to him, ever see eye to eye? 

Comment: I've heard about this book at a site somewhere and immediately added it to my TBR list. I think what made me want to try was the opposites attract trope this book seemed to offer, with two different people, from different backgrounds and different personalities, and I was eager to see how the story would play out.

In this story we meet William Fox, a very responsible man who is a bit shy and is at a party because his sister is the planner and he wants to support her. One of the guests is Amory Vaughn, a man many look up to because he is rich and because his family has always had a foundation that helps mostly the arts.

Although there doesn't seem to exist much in common between them there's attraction and the night ends up with a conversation over art and a hot encounter. William, however, thinks he won't see Amory again, especially because he is not confident enough to assume Amory would be interested in him.

The reality, however, is that he is. Amory sees in William not only a fellow admirer of art but also a person he can feel connected with, something he hadn't felt for a long time. But his tactics to conquer William are not very proper. Will these two ever find a common ground?

Overall, this story did feel a good one and my favorite part is clearly the romantic development. I've read, since I finished the book, some reviews and some readers have commented a lot on a detail that has annoyed them a lot. 

In the beginning of the story, after their first encounter, Amory - because he is used to get what he wants no matter the method - tries to prove to  William he is interested in him by doing a certain gesture that isn't certainly polite nor socially acceptable. The indignation comes from William's reaction to it due to the fact William is an FBI agent, therefore bound to serve the law. What Amory did is not lawful so one should expect according reactions from William and when he not only did not act but still pursued a relationship with Amory (some time later though), many got annoyed with this.

The indignation comes then, mostly, from William's lack of proper and professional behavior. I can accept that but to be honest, for me, I felt quite separate from this fact, as if it was just a detail and not a huge factor. I can't explain well but it just didn't feel such a big deal, as if William's profession was just a detail to impress us why they are different people. We certainly didn't see much of William's work as a key point in making the plot move forward - except perhaps in a weekend discussing being polite to all kinds of people in the force, diversity for all and so on.

Somehow, I could just focus on certain details, especially the romance, which I sort of liked, despite some scenes I felt were there just to increase the drama. I actually think the reasons why they had some conflict before the HEA were realistic but done in a way that, for a reader,c an feel rather pointless. Relationships aren't easy but if you get to a point where things seem so perfect, then a conversation should solve things before an eureka moment does it for you.

My favorite part were all the scenes where we get to see them interacting socially, where they spend time together trying to have a good time and this excludes the sex not that those scenes were that bad but for me, they were just a confirmation of their emotional bond.

The differences between them lead the plot to a place I felt a little annoyed at, this need to create a situation to better balance with the "right" decision that is to just the other as he is and thus be happy.

As for the characters, I just liked them together, I liked how they seemed to try to be considerate about the other person but I must admit there are little things between them, things that put them in opposed places in terms of mental readiness to accept a relationship, which weren't dealt as easily as I would imagine. This means I got the feel they were cute and happy together but there was always the possibility their differences would always be an excuse if things didn't go so well all the time. I don't know, just an impression.

Just to summarize, I liked the characters, i liked several scenes in how their relationship progressed but this is not one of those stories I'd feel compelled to read over and over.

Grade: 7/10