Neutral Zone Trap (For Puck’s Sake 10) by Crea Reitan-review tour

Posted on December 14, 2024 by Sandy

🏒💜Neutral Zone Trap (For Puck’s Sake 10) by Crea Reitan-review tour🏒💜

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 12, 2024

I want something true.

Torin

Hiding behind my mascot mask has always worked in my favor. As someone with social anxiety and paralyzing shyness, the ability to be out in the world without being seen is the only way I’m able to function. It also means I can long for my crush from afar without him knowing.

I’m invisible inside my costume and try to go unseen otherwise. Except that Hugo always sees me because he’s such a sweet, kind, thoughtful man. Is it any surprise that I’m completely in love with him?

What starts out as an accidental anonymous text turns into a date but there’s just one problem. Hugo thinks he’s texting a girl. What happens when he finds out that’s not the case?

Hugo

When my closest friends all pair up, I’m left as the unpartnered ninth wheel, which becomes awkward and makes me feel out of place. That’s where my new friend, Torin, comes in.

The face behind the Surry the Seal is Torin Jonah. He’s so quiet and nice, I try to always make sure to say hi to him when I see him. It’s not hard to make sure someone knows that you see them.

We start hanging out all the time – having sleepovers, platonic cuddling, maybe a little throwback to teenage mutual jerking sessions in the shower amongst bros. When I tell him that I’ve been talking to this girl and I think I like her, suddenly I feel like I’m being unfaithful to him.

Now I’m not sure what to do. Date this girl or maybe see if Torin could possibly be interested in me and see what happens.

•••••

REVIEW:I absolutely loved this book. It’s my second favourite in this series.

Yes it’s a slow burn (but I’m so glad it was) is there plenty of hockey? (yes there is) do we catch up with regulars from the series? Absolutely.

Torin although part of this series, hasn’t really been seen in previous books. He’s the clubs mascot. Hidden behind a mask is just how Torin likes it. Suffering from crippling anxiety meant Torin can’t really get a job that he’s seen! So hiding gives him a wage and a sense of purpose.

Torin also has a HUGE crush on Hugo. It started also as soon as Torin spots Hugo, and when he says hi, or waves to him, it just makes his crush grow.

But Hugo is straight, and Torin wouldn’t ever put himself in a position to say hi.

Hugo is a defender, it’s his job to keep the puck away before it gets to the goal. He’s a big guy, and has been told often he’s just a “jock”, he’s been told to think before he speaks as he often offends! He loves his team mates, and he loves what he does…..

But….. Hugo is lonely! He’s watching his friends pair off and find their happy ever afters. And the puck bunnies don’t really hold any interest for him anymore. (In fact, there is a part in here that makes me 😱 and then 😢)

Torin starts the ball rolling by accidentally texting Hugo! (I’m not going to give that part away, as I did chuckle at that incident.) Hugo responds, and they start a conversation…..

Meanwhile Hugo has started coming over and saying hi to Torin, and a friendship begins…..

Hugo is socially awkward, he just says whatever he thinks or feels. (Not really the done thing, but I found it endearing) he likes the friendship that is growing between Torin and him, but he’s also looking forward to the texts he receives from his new friend. And as his feelings for both of the people, start to grow, he has to make a choice….

So what happens when Hugo goes on a date with his text “girl” and meets the man who has slowly taken over Hugo’s every waking moment?

OMG!! There is apart in here, that absolutely broke me 😢 I kept fingers, toes and everything in between crossed 🤐

The storyline is absorbing, the characters had my attention from the first word, until the last one. I just wanted this story to go on and on and on.

I like the words we get from the author in the beginning of her book, and at the end. Usually very thought provoking.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Shiver
Starting Line
Lucky Shot
The Crease
Wingman Score
Coach Stare Down
Stick Lessons
The Defending Goal
Just Winging It

Copy supplied for review

🦋 Reviewed by Julie B

Crea lives in upstate New York with her dog and husband. She has been writing since grade school, when her second grade teacher had her class keep writing journals. She has a habit of creating secondary, and often time tertiary, characters that take over her stories. All of her RH relationships end up being heavily polyamorous – meaning it’s not just all the men for one woman. There’s also some M/M action going on. When she can’t fall asleep at night, she thinks up new scenes for her characters to act out. This, of course, is how most of her meant-to-be-thrown-away characters tend to end up front and center – and utterly swoon-worthy! Don’t ask her how many book boyfriends she has…

When not writing, Crea is an avid reader. Her TBR pile is several hundred books high (don’t even look at her kindle wish list or the unread books on her tablet). Sometimes, she enjoys crafting; sometimes, exploring nature; sometimes, traveling. Mostly, she enjoys putting her characters on paper and breathing life into them. Oh, and sleeping. Crea loves to sleep!

Author Links:

Facebook Group / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Website /

Just Winging It (For Puck’s Sake 9) by Crea Reitan -review tour

Posted on October 12, 2024 by Sandy

💚🏒Just Winging It (For Puck’s Sake Book 9) by Crea Reitan -review tour💚🏒

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 10, 2024

One weekend can change everything.

Caulder

I’ve lived a very quiet life, keeping my deepest secrets close to my chest. I let no one in; not even my closest friends. When I’m invited to participate in the All-Star Games, I’m suddenly forced to share a hotel room, and a single bed, with a stranger. My carefully guarded world starts to come undone when he kisses me, and I can’t get enough.

Now one person shares my secret. It’s a relief, really. But just as I’m starting to fall for Lo Duvall, my world implodes. A woman in Philly claims that we hooked up in a club and she’s carrying my baby. Are we over before we can even begin?

Anonymous hookups when I’m on the road are how I manage to keep my personal life private. All I want is to play hockey and keep everything else out of the media. That gets more complicated when I meet the gorgeous Caulder Haines.

Three nights of unfiltered fuckery—that’s what we promise each other. Then we’ll go our separate ways. But by the end of the weekend, I haven’t had enough of this amazing defenseman, and don’t want to say goodbye.

I’ve fallen in love with him.

When an aspiring content creator decides to throw a wrench in my very carefully crafted plans, I know I have to do something to save what I’ve only just realized I want.

I can’t lose Caulder. I just found him. But what can I do to keep him?!

This is a LGBTQIA+ story with content not intended for those under 18 years of age due to graphic scenes and situations.

•••••••

REVIEW: Another amazing story in this great series. Crea has created a world I want to live in. Her stories come alive and stay with you long after you read the last page.

Caulder Haines has been in previous books in this series, so I was excited to see where we would go in this story.

One bed, two strangers. Has the recipe for disaster or a delicious night or two of fun.

What with Caulder being a secret gay man (he’s not ashamed, but hockey is first and foremost, life will come after he retires) and Laurent “Lo” also being gay (his hook ups are very controlled) they don’t want anyone to find out and then it becomes a media circus.

A weekend of fun, that was all it was suppose to be. To be able to be themselves. But as the weekend ends, both know it was way more than that! But how can they be together, when they live so far apart? And neither have said they are gay, so that’s something that would need to be said (and both are adamant that their gender preferences would remain quiet until they retired!)

I loved the hockey banter/the contest and catching up with some many previous characters (most have their own books) I also really liked how Lo never made Caulder feel uncomfortable, nor did he ever pressurise him into doing something he wasn’t comfortable with. I cheered as a hockey game was played (been a while since we had a game in the books) and could feel the cold on my cheeks (I do love a descriptive scene) 😊

The spanner in the works happens around (65% into the book)

And it throws both Caulder and Lo into a tailspin! And there is a reason why I don’t believe it was Caulder (but it’s not my secret to tell 🤐)

But how will Caulder explain himself? How will Lo respond to his boyfriend being the father of a baby? I can tell you this, I’d love to have Lo in my corner. He’s so supportive, caring and downright hot (his possessive tone gave me shivers 😜)

This one ranks as possibly my 2nd/3rd favourite in the series. And I absolutely loved it.

Can’t wait for the next book 👍🏻

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Shiver
Starting Line
Lucky Shot
The Crease
Wingman Score
Coach Stare Down
Stick Lessons
The Defending Goal

Copy supplied for review

🦋 Reviewed by Julie B

Author Links:

Facebook Group / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Website /

The Defending Goal (For Puck’s Sake 8)by Crea Reitan -review tour

Posted on August 18, 2024 by Sandy

🧡The Defending Goal (For Puck’s Sake 8)by Crea Reitan -review tour🧡

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 15, 2024

Not only the net should be protected.

Felton

I’m a disappointment, a failure, a shit show. Every decision is wrong. None of my accomplishments are good enough. I don’t do anything right.

This is what I’ve been told my entire life.

For more than thirty years, no one knew. What the world sees is a lie. I do a good job of hiding it.

Until I don’t.

Ren

Sometimes, all it takes is a single moment to realize you’re needed somewhere and in that moment, your entire life changes. Felton has so many broken pieces that he can barely breathe.

But that’s okay. I’m going to show this man what love is. If he doesn’t have the capacity to protect himself, I’ll do it for him. The abuse ends now.

••••

REVIEW: If I could reach into a book and hug/protect a character, then Felton would be it.

He may be a huge goalie, a mountain of a man , but he’s been belittled and terrorised all his life, and not by kids at school, no, far worse! By his own father!! His family, especially his mother didn’t really try to stop it! So Felton has no confidence at all, in fact when hearing his fathers voice, Felton goes into panic/shut down mode (his way of trying to protect himself!)

Then Felton’s world falls apart! His career is on the line. And Felton begins to spiral…..

Ren plays on the same team as Felton, they know each other, but not really friends. Ren has his own set of friends and a loving family. So when Ren begins to notice Felton, it’s firstly as a concerned team member. And the more Ren gets to know about Felton (the one behind the fake smile) the more Ren

It’s a sloooowburn, but watching as Ren slowly comes to realise that Felton is it for him, has me not minding the spice scenes being missing. In fact, if they’d gone at it from the get go, I think we would have lost a beautiful story.

Ren becomes Felton’s friend/confidant/mentor and cheerleader. He becomes the wall that Felton needs against his father. And Ren shows him that family can love each other unconditionally. Felton hands over the reigns to Ren, and lets him make ALL of his decisions. Suddenly a huge weight is lifted, and Felton can finally breathe.

I squealed as a crossover character is mentioned. Puzzled to myself as to who will be in the next book. And sighed, as I close yet another emotional book. I love this series.

I like how the author builds the story and the characters. This one has less crossovers, but it does have a few hockey moments. (Which the last few have been lacking. This one is possibly another “gay for you” as Ren has slept with women, and has never really looked at men “that way”, until Felton.

Felton and Ren are probably my second favourite couple in this series.

No need to read in order. You can dip in and out.

Another recommended read from me 👍🏻

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Shiver
Starting Line
Lucky Shot
The Crease
Wingman Score
Coach Stare Down
Stick Lessons

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B🦋

Author Links:

Facebook Group / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Website /

Stick Lessons (For Puck’s Sake 7) by Crea Reitan -review tour

Posted on June 21, 2024 by Sandy

🏒Stick Lessons (For Puck’s Sake 7) by Crea Reitan -review tour🏒

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 13, 2024

Everyone should learn how to handle a stick.

Atty

High school sweethearts, dream wedding, exotic honeymoon, white picket fence, two and a half kids… that’s the dream. My prescribed future. Except, I don’t want any of that. When me and my on/off girlfriend of fifteen years finally call it quits for good, I decide that I’m ready for a new beginning.

I didn’t expect that new beginning to be a dude.

Toby

This man is perfect… he obeys like a marionette, lets me bend him and choke him until my heart’s content. He lets me dress him up, breed him, and refuse his pleasure as if he were built specifically for my needs.

But Atty isn’t who I thought he was and he’s struggling to find his new identity while I’m freefalling for him off the face of a cliff. I’m not used to needing a safety net in life so there’s a very real chance I’m going to hit the ground like a pancake.

Is love always this tragic?

•••••

REVIEW:Toby is a play acting knight. He puts on a show a couple of times a week, he enjoys it, but his real love is his platform on social media?! He predicts hockey scores, he also does reviews on the players (they aren’t always popular, but they are honest in his opinion) he also likes his s£x a certain way! He makes no apologies and he certainly isn’t looking for long term commitments yet.

Hector Atlas (or Atty to friends and family) is an ice hockey player, not great, but certainly not in any danger of being transferred. He’s stuck in a rut, he’s changed his appearance, stopped dating his on/off girlfriend, but nothing excites him anymore, that is until his friend takes him to a jousting event! And yup, you guessed it…. Eyes meet across an arena… and Toby and Atty end up going home together!!

Is Atty gay? He doesn’t think he is, and when he’s not around Toby he’s sure, and he’s not interested in other men. But when Toby calls, all bets are off! Atty just can’t get enough of this choke holding, throw me around and call me good girl time that he has with Toby!

This one did my head in! 😆 but in a good way. I got a little confused with the “good girl” and “baby girl” I thought I was reading an M/F and then realised this was just Toby and his way.

It’s funny how we give labels to male and female, and then rebel when the labels are turned. But I loved how the author made me think about these labels and how we need to change our way of thinking.

And then it hit me…. It’s Toby… the guy who worked with Vulcan (who I still absolutely adore) he has a story that you need to read (For Your Forever) we see a completely different side to Toby in this book.

Anyway I digress….. Back to Toby and Atty (who I think has come to terms with his sexuality, he’s definitely only gay for Toby) It’s becoming apparent to Toby’s roommates that he’s spending more and more time with just one man, and the same man! Toby is certain it will wear off eventually, he’s not worried.

But when Toby finds out that Atty isn’t gay, and has only ever slept with one man, (that would be him!) it freaks him out a little. He’s also freaked out that he’s sleeping with a hockey player and didn’t recognise him (he’s only ever seen Atty with long fair and a beard!) He’s also aware that Atty is engaged to a woman!!

Atty is beginning to fall for Toby, and that has his slightly concerned. They haven’t talked about being a couple. They haven’t even gone out on a date! His friends and family are still assuming he will go back to his girlfriend at some point!

So where do they go from here? To find that out, you’ll need to read this book.

We also get to see other couples from this series. And possibly new couples that could happen 😉

Still not what i would call a “hockey” story. It’s jam packed with smut 🥵 😜 but I thoroughly enjoyed it. 🤌🏻

Can’t wait to read the next one in this series.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Shiver
Starting Line
Lucky Shot
The Crease
Wingman Score
Coach Stare Down

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B🦋

Author Links:

Facebook Group / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Website /

Coach Stare Down (For Puck’s Sake 6) by Crea Reitan-review tour

Posted on May 19, 2024 by Sandy

Coach Stare Down (For Puck’s Sake 6) by Crea Reitan-review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date MAY 16, 2024

All it takes is just one look.

Adak

After a series of relationships where I’ve been made to feel inadequate because of my asexuality, I’ve made the sole focus of my life my coaching career. I love hockey – the chill of the ice, the fast paced, high stress game. I love the fans and the atmosphere. The energy. Now that I’m coaching in the NHL, I feel a sense of serenity and comfort with life. All that’s left is to get my team to The Stanley Cup.

A series of unfortunate injuries has riddled the Bobcats into a serious funk. The frustration that my boys feel echoes through me and after one of the most horrible plays I’ve ever witnessed, I turn my back on the ice – only to catch his eyes. Suddenly, I know what I’ve been missing. In a sea of over 15,000 faces, I found the one I’ve been waiting my entire life for.

There’s sadness in his eyes that’s only overcome with the fear behind it. Nothing will stop me from making Oren mine and giving him the life and love he deserves. Nothing.

Oren

My life is shit. I’m the pariah of my family for hell knows why. All I want is to get away. But I tried once – at nineteen, I ran and my father with his buddies on the police force dragged me home. I’ve since been dragged down into submission.

But then I meet his eyes and everything inside me just… shifts. Adak takes a chance on me and I think that perhaps my father has finally met a wall he can’t barrel through to keep control. That is, until he starts blasting his hate everywhere.

I wouldn’t blame Adak if he chooses to leave. This is his career on the line. His image and reputation. Am I worth it?

•••••••

REVIEW:I was hoping for a better story this time as I wasn’t too keen on the last one!

This one I loved, we got the hockey side (which I missed in the last one) we got a few little steamy moments. But it was the connection between Oren and Adak that I adored.

Adak is an ice hockey coach. We’ve met him a couple of times in previous books. It’s not necessary to read the previous ones as they all stand on their own. It was just great that he finally got a story.

He loves the game, his team and the fans that come out to support the team week in and week out.

But he’s lonely, he has a loving family, but he wants what his nephew has with his new husband. He wants a connection to another soul…. Past partners have put pressure on Adak to bend to their needs and make him feel guilty when he doesn’t conform to what society thinks is normal.

I love meeting new characters, I like that it’s not always about the s€x. The author has shown us that love comes in many shapes and forms like humans do. Just because you love someone differently, doesn’t make it wrong.

Oren had me in the first page. His home life is horrid. A father that controls every aspect of his life…. From the clothes he wears to the food he eats. From the job he should be doing (luckily Oren stuck to his principles on that one!) to the friends he should have. He was verbally beaten down, until Oren had nowhere or no one to turn to!! Even his brothers joined with the verbal beat down!! 😔

Fate, or whatever you want to call it put Oren in Adak’s sights. And from then on it gave Oren the strength to fight for what he wanted. It wasn’t easy, it wasn’t pretty, in fact reading parts of the struggle to gain his freedom had me in tears and shouting at my kindle!! His confidence was nonexistent, his self worth was at an all time low. He constantly questioned himself, and had nothing but anxiety when around his family.

It also gave Adak the partner he deserved. One who loved him just the way he was, didn’t expect anything but love/cuddles and understanding.

This book does have triggers. This book is hard going (but sooooo worth the effort) and this book is now my second favourite in the series (Rakesh and Egon will always have my number one position) I just loved how they grew stronger after each incident. I chuckled at the most inappropriate times, and smiled at all the cuddling within this book.

Slow burn ? 🤔 almost borders on the sweet side. But it’s a great read, and one I’m highly recommending. 🫶🏻👌🫶🏻

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Shiver
Starting Line
Lucky Shot
The Crease
Wingman Score

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B🦋

Author Links:

Facebook Group / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Website /

Wingman Score (For Puck’s Sake 5) by Crea Reitan-review tour

Posted on April 20, 2024 by Sandy

🩵🏒Wingman Score (For Puck’s Sake 5) by Crea Reitan-review tour🩵🏒

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 18, 2024

It’s time to score.

Zak

When you fight for so long, sometimes it’s just easier to give in. I want to give in to the god before me. Sent to me from the heavens, Owen is the very definition of divine perfection. But he doesn’t know my truth. If he did, he’d know that I don’t belong in his world.

The shame of seeing the disgust on his face when he figures it out keeps me running from him. Even though fate or destiny or something cruel keeps throwing us together. Maybe he’s the motivation I need to get my shit in order.

But can I do it before he figures out I’m nothing but a street rat?

Owen

The person who was made for me turns up at the New Year’s Eve party I didn’t want to go to. We’ve been serendipitously thrown together a handful of times since and though I know Zak wants me, he keeps walking out my door and refusing to call.

I can’t figure out why and it’s driving me insane. When I can’t take it anymore, I chance him thinking that I’m a stalker and show up at the address I dropped him off at last. Zak doesn’t live there but I finally learn his secret.

Now all I have to do is figure out how to convince Zak that I’ll give him the world if he’ll let me. Should be as easy as winning that elusive Stanley Cup.

••••••

REVIEW:Reading the blurb had me wondering if this would be as good as the rest of the series. Let me tell you it was, it took me a little longer than usual to warm up to the characters, but as usual the author puts so much into these stories, it’s hard not to fall in love with them and their story.

Zak hasn’t got two cents to rub together, sleeping on his friends couch and ducking into parties that he can’t afford! He’s not lazy, he wants a better life for himself, but as a struggling fashion designer, he knows he’s never going to make it big! He just needs motivation or a chance….

Owen is a god amongst his peers (well that’s what all the media says!) he’s loved and lived his best life to the fullest so far. But not having anyone to share it is becoming boring. But people are only usually nice to him because of his status.

Fate puts them in the right place. And are struck by how right they are together, but Zak can’t get past the fact they are from two different worlds …. Owen has money behind him, and Zak feels he just isn’t good enough to be with Owen! I loved Owen such a caregiver. He never let Zak think any less of himself. If he could he would have given him the world.

The angst comes mainly from Zak, his inability to let go of his inadequacies, not thinking more of himself. Owen never gives up, but it does get a little close at times!

And seeing Orson again 😊 that brings back happy memories, and a few of the other characters have books (look them up and give them a read, you won’t be sorry 😉)

So can Owen convince Zak to give them a chance? Or will Owen not be able to give his trust and love to the only man who will love him back unconditionally?

Again another original story that will have you thinking of Owen and Zak long after you put them down.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Shiver
Starting Line
Lucky Shot
The Crease

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B🦋

Author Links:

Facebook Group / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Website /

The Crease (For Puck’s Sake 4) by Crea Reitan-review tour

Posted on March 9, 2024 by Sandy

?? The Crease (For Puck’s Sake 4) by Crea Reitan-review tour ??

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 7, 2024

Always protect the heart of the ice.

Max

This wasn’t supposed to happen to me. I’m supposed to be at the top of my career. Untouchable. Worshiped. Finally proving to all the jerks in my life that I made it. I’m at the top.

Then a video that shouldn’t exist leaks and everything comes crashing down. I’m about to lose it all and I can’t seem to get out of my own way. My agent banishes me to a place that technology can’t touch while he tries to salvage my career.

I’m caught between rage and deep depression, lashing out at everyone and everything around me. I have myself to blame but right now, all I want is to drown in my misery. Even when something unexpected and good comes along, all I can do is push and push until I’m once more drowning all alone.

Deryke

I don’t know what’s come over me. Why does this disaster of a hockey player suddenly call to my heart and everything inside my body and mind? I mean, the world knows what’s in his pants and I’ve never been even slightly turned on by that! Why now? Why him?

Even when he’s bratting so hard I want to break him, I can see that he acts the way he does because he’s hurting somewhere deep inside. He won’t let me in, but for some unknown reason, I can’t let Maximus Latham go.

He needs me. He needs someone to believe in him and not disappear the minute he messes up. He needs someone to love him for him, not for being the hockey god he is. Except I’m not sure I can reach him in time before he self-destructs.

But damned if I’m not going to try.

••••

REVIEW: I’m hoping this series goes on forever. Another story smashed off the ice and into the back of the net ? this authors ice hockey/mm romance series has to be one of my all time favourites.

The characters are so 3 dimensional that I tend to forget they aren’t real. That the text messages that send to one another aren’t on my phone!! The books in this series hold not only a place in my heart, but also a place in my head.

This book focuses on the bad boy, the player, the trouble maker and his name is Maximus Latham (Max to friends)

He’s popped up in a few books (but you don’t have to read them to understand his character,) and in all of them he’s acted up, played the fool and will do anything for attention! But this time it backfires spectacularly and Max is facing the horrifying threat of losing the only thing he’s good at ice hockey!

Taking himself off to a remote island sounds like a good idea, but Max suffers a boat load of self doubt and insecurities, and begins to withdraw from his surroundings and in fact life itself!

It’s so sad reading how he slowly stops caring, how the voices in his head batter him about, until he’s just a husk, a shell of the man he once was….

Deryke is on the same island as Max, but for different reasons. He comes to the island to visit friends and recharge before the start of the season (yes, Deryke is a hockey player too) ? Seeing Max in the bar on the island has Deryke approach him to say hi. They aren’t on the same team but they do recognise each other enough to say hello. But Deryke gets no response!

I love the whole idea of someone out there just for you. And although Deryke isn’t gay, and Max is bi (although probably prefers men to be honest) they just click. Deryke doesn’t really question why he’s attracted to Max, he just knows he is suppose to be there to care and support Max ?

And so starts the whole story of Deryke bringing Max back to life. Showing him that he is worth the time and effort. Max’s backstory is a sad one, it certainly contributes to his mental health and the way he sees himself….

This book is about redemption, recognition and caring for someone enough to put your own life on hold…..But with the start of the hockey season, and Max still hasn’t heard from his manager or coach and Deryke is heading back to the mainland to start training how will Max cope on his own? Deryke is his lifeline!!

I liked how we get to see previous characters from previous books in this series. I liked how Deryke dealt with Max ? and I just wanted to wrap Max up and deal with all of his heartache.

Another highly recommended read from me.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Shiver
Starting Line
Lucky Shot

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B ?

Author Links:

Facebook Group / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Website /

Lucky Shot (For Puck’s Sake 3) by Crea Reitan -review tour

Posted on December 16, 2023 by Sandy

?? Lucky Shot (For Puck’s Sake 3) by Crea Reitan -review tour ??

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 14, 2023

The entire game can be determined by a lucky shot.

PrettyInLace

Even a gay athlete has an appearance to uphold. There are a handful out in every sport and while every trashy magazine wants to get the scoop on what the gays are up to, looking for a scandal and a way to ruin us, every one of us is constantly on our best behavior. Acting a certain way; dressing a certain way; speaking a certain way.

If the world knew the real me, it’d shudder. Lace. Pearls. Dresses. Collars. All I want is to be someone’s pretty little doll that they dress up and tell me how pretty I am. I want to be loved for the real me; not the image I’m forced to show to the world just so I can keep my spot on the ice.

The only place I find that escape is in an online role playing game where I can be the sexy femme mage and get my flirt on. Find the man of my dreams.

And I do. He’s a big, hot druid ready to sweep me off my feet. Now if only I could find the courage to tell him who I am and trust that he won’t share it with the rest of the world. I’m not ready to end my career yet.

DemiDefenseKip

I’m known for my defensive plays. Aggressive. Precise. Quick. Strong. On the ice, I’m an icon that the world loves to put on a pedestal and worship. I’ve carefully cultivated everything about my public appearance to capitalize on my short career. Considering I’m a noted ‘queer athlete’ – a title that never strays too far from any article – I’m truly living a charmed life.

What the world doesn’t know is that it’s not just my sexuality that makes having a relationship in the spotlight difficult. It’s also because I’m demisexual. Finding someone interested in me and not my jersey or bank balance has proven especially challenging.

So how does someone with a recognizable face the world over find love? If you figure it out, let me know.

***

This is a LGBT+ story with content not intended for those under 18 years of age due to graphic scenes and situations.

••••••••

REVIEW:You think you’ve read your favourite book by this author. Then she throws another contender into the ring.

I absolutely loved this one, and didn’t put it down until I finished it….

Noah and Elixon (Lix) have known each other for a few years. A nod or a “how are you?” have really been their only form of communication.Noah is a great hockey player, but sometimes feels like they only see his face! He’s tired of being called “pretty” he is well aware of what he looks like, he just wants someone to notice him, and to dress him up….. Noah really wants to be someone’s treasured possession, for someone to see past his face and to get to know the real him…. And so far no luck!

Elixon (Lix to friends and family) might be a gay hockey player, but he hates the fact that people assume he’s always up for a one night stand! He’s selective in who he spends time with, but unless he makes an emotional connection with someone, Elixon just isn’t interested. So if Elixon and Noah know of each other through their sport, why haven’t they hooked up before? And this is where this book is different from the rest of the hockey romances I’ve been reading recently.

They meet online…. Nope, not a dating app, but a Role Playing Game. You create a character, do challenges and basically have fun and do stuff you wouldn’t do in the real world. They meet, they hang out, they accept and do challenges together, and along the way find out about one another, whilst remaining anonymous.

Both Noah and Elixon spend every waking hour in this pretend world, they are both drawn to one another and tell each other their hopes/dreams and darkest desires. Whilst in the real world not having a clue they’ve just spent time with one another (there are moments in the book that will have you laughing) The role playing game leads them to exchanging phone numbers, that lead to texting one another, that lead them into phoning each other. Until a date with a FaceTime meeting changes their whole relationship…..

Over the few months they’ve grown to love one another, and both Noah and Lix can’t wait to finally see each over….. So can you imagine their shock and surprise that they’ve literally known one another and not known who they were interacting with! So meeting up is just a matter of a plane flight away. But Noah can’t get his head around it, and is worried it will all fall apart once the hockey season begins again!

Can Lix convince Noah that what he feels for Noah is real, and it won’t go away?

I loved both Noah and Lix for different reasons. Their characters were so different from both one another and from characters I’ve read about. This author brings to life their struggles that happen in the real world. I got so excited when they finally saw each other for the first albeit over a FaceTime. And couldn’t wait for them to meet in person. The airport scene was so touching.

So another fantastic read from one of my favourite MM authors.

A highly recommended read from me.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Shiver
Starting Line

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B ?

Author Links:

Facebook Group / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Website /

The Reading Cafe

One stop pertaining to books and more

Tag Archives: For Puck’s Sake

Neutral Zone Trap (For Puck’s Sake 10) by Crea Reitan-review tour

🏒💜Neutral Zone Trap (For Puck’s Sake 10) by Crea Reitan-review tour🏒💜

Just Winging It (For Puck’s Sake 9) by Crea Reitan -review tour

💚🏒Just Winging It (For Puck’s Sake Book 9) by Crea Reitan -review tour💚🏒

The Defending Goal (For Puck’s Sake 8)by Crea Reitan -review tour

🧡The Defending Goal (For Puck’s Sake 8)by Crea Reitan -review tour🧡

Stick Lessons (For Puck’s Sake 7) by Crea Reitan -review tour

🏒Stick Lessons (For Puck’s Sake 7) by Crea Reitan -review tour🏒

Coach Stare Down (For Puck’s Sake 6) by Crea Reitan-review tour

Coach Stare Down (For Puck’s Sake 6) by Crea Reitan-review tour

Wingman Score (For Puck’s Sake 5) by Crea Reitan-review tour

🩵🏒Wingman Score (For Puck’s Sake 5) by Crea Reitan-review tour🩵🏒

The Crease (For Puck’s Sake 4) by Crea Reitan-review tour

?? The Crease (For Puck’s Sake 4) by Crea Reitan-review tour ??

Lucky Shot (For Puck’s Sake 3) by Crea Reitan -review tour

?? Lucky Shot (For Puck’s Sake 3) by Crea Reitan -review tour ??