#scoring chances

[urbelovedfr]

Made this in a whim but i need you to understand i have a type and said type is very very obvious

[sbbarnes]

Hockey Romances. Why?

So I was taken out of work a couple weeks ago due to ~pregnancy stuff~ (mostly just stress, the baby and I are fine) which has left me with a lot of spare time on my hands. And as one does, I have been filling my time reading lgbtq+ romance novels. Because I can.

In this time, I have fallen headfirst into the hockey romance novel subgenre, and I ask myself, as I have done every time I see these books advertised, why? I am not a sports fan. One time, my husband was watching football (European), and a team in red kits was playing against yellow kits, and I started laughing because "it looks like ketchup is playing against mustard". His expression was great, but he hasn't taken me seriously since.

So why is hockey of all things such a draw for the mlm romance subgenre? Especially given the NHL's apparent fear of rainbow tape? Why do I now know what the word "celly" refers to and what an "enforcer" is? Why why why?

Here are my answers:

Extremely organic way to set up some of the most classic romance tropes. Forced proximity? Being on the same team takes care of that. There was only one bed? Shared hotel rooms during away games. Enemies to lovers? Rival teams.

Lots of potential for drama given that players lead very transient lives in terms of the constant possibility of trades. In mlm love stories, even more so given that the NHL is so blatantly homophobic.

Perfect level of fame. Fame and wealth as a draw for a love interest are kind of staples of the genre, and NHL players are famous, sure, but not all of them, and they aren't as famous as football stars (either kind of football). They are still filthy rich, which makes great wish fulfillment. You can have the sexy penthouse and the anonymity.

I would go on to talk about how different roles on the team lend themselves to different tropes (goalie = tightly controlled dude who needs someone to help him cut loose; enforcer = misunderstood fighter with a heart of gold; coach for all your forbidden love/sleeping with the boss desires) but that would very quickly reveal my utter lack of hockey knowledge, so let's not. Instead, here's a quick reclist.

Rachel Reid's Game Changers series. It's a classic in the genre for a reason and it has everything. Forbidden love? Got that, maybe the definitive example. Redemption arc? Got that. Misunderstood bruiser with a heart of gold? Got that. Age difference? Got that. Also really excellent sex scenes, not gonna lie, and satisfying endings throughout - sometimes a happy end will come a little suddenly for me, but these books really delivered, and the nice thing about how romance series are structured is that you get a little peek at what comes after for the couples in the other books.

2. Him, Us and Epic by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy. This one surprised me, I don't generally go for first person POVs, but I did enjoy this! Coming-of-age story turned coming out story featuring a budding hockey star and his best friend. Lots of fun.

3. Scoring Chances series by Avon Gale. This series is fun in that it doesn't focus on the NHL, it actually focuses on the minor leagues in the southeast of the US, a place almost no one associates with ice hockey. As such, there's a chance to tell different stories about professional athletes who aren't super rich and famous, which I appreciate a lot. TBH the first pairing wasn't entirely my cup of tea, but I'm glad I kept going because I especially enjoyed the later books, which tackle tough topics (including eating disorders, abuse etc., so content warning for that). These are still romance novels though, so rest assured that there's a light at the end of the tunnel. What I especially appreciate is that these books don't have relationship drama, in that the main couples communicate and work together instead of a third act break-up-make-up!

4. Hockey Ever After series by Ashlyn Kane and Morgan James. These are just great. Lots of fun to read, lots of cameos from character in later books, just excellent mood all around. Also features my favorite ever trope (secret relationship, sorry, anyone who knows me knows I am a sucker for it I just can't help myself) heavily, which is a win in my book. I especially enjoyed book two, "Scoring Position". Is that because Nico is German and I loved him? Is that because Ryan is my new blorbo? We may never know.

Happy reading and please give me recommendations for more books like these, I'm lowkey obsessed.

[lgbtqreads]

Fave Five: M/M Hockey Romance

Icebreaker by A.L. Graziadei (YA) Gravity and The Rest of the Story by Tal Bauer On the Board by Anna Zabo and L.A. Witt Penalty Box by Ari Baran Scoring Chances by Avon Gale

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[i-dont-read]

my December 2019 book ratings

# of books read: 9

The Rebel King (All the King’s Men #2) by Kennedy Ryan ★★★☆☆

Tied to Trouble (Gamers #3) by Megan Erickson ★★★☆☆

Just a Bit Wrong (Straight Guys #4) by Alessandra Hazard ★★★★☆

Scoring Chances series by Avon Gale

Power Play (#3) ★★★☆☆

Empty Net (#4) ★★★☆☆

Heated Rivalry (Game Changers #2) by Rachel Reid ★★★★☆

Collide (Blackcreek #1) by Riley Hart ★★★☆☆

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern ★★★★★

rock by Anyta Sunday ★★☆☆☆

[urbelovedfr]

Riley Hunter and Kevin Day would be friends

[read-this-now]

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. Read in this order:

Breakaway

Save of the Game

Power Play

Overtime

Empty Net

Coach's Challenge

[aspeccharactersoftheday]

Rafael "Rafe" Moon from Slew Foot is demisexual!

[selsaki-books]

My review of the book Power Play by Avon Gale. The third book in her series Scoring Chances.

Where do I even start? I loved this book so much, I don't know if I can put it into words. I will certainly try. Misha Samarin, he's such a lovely written character. He's brooding and self-sacrificing. I totally understand him when he gets migraines, and I felt so bad for him whenever he would get them. His character is well thought out, with his back story and character development. Max Ashford, I don't know why, but I imagine him kinda like a puppy you just want to cuddle. He forgave Misha long before Misha could forgive himself. Max has amazing chemistry with Misha and their team. Isaac Drake, he's actually just a side character in this book (thankfully there is on with Isaac as the MC) but he's so lovely. He's my absolut favourite player on the team. The connection and the friendship between Isaac and Misha is amazing. What I liked, was how fast it progressed, it was not a slow burn, sometimes I like slow burn, but I mostly don't, so I liked that Misha and Max had instant connection and attraction. The relationship progressed slowly but steady. The sparks between them, so hot. The book was easy to read, there were not too many "big words". English is not my first language, so I do appreciate this. The plot was easy to follow and it was logical. This book is exactly what I love; the hockey, the hot guys, the angst, the love and the smut.