Jerry Cooke
4⭐️ - A lighthearted queer romance, with the heat of intimacy balanced by the coldness of the closet!
Scott Hunter has had a glittering career as a pro NHL player, but he's in a bit of a career slump. A big believer in rituals, so when a pre-game smoothie is followed by a win, he's keen to keen to keep getting them. Of course, the fact that the barista in question is very attractive also helps. Kip hates the early starts of coffee shop work and his inability to find any work that suits his background as a history student. He doesn't mind the hot new customer though, even if he doesn't expect anything to come of their flirting.
As Scott and Kip's flirting tips over to something more emotionally and physically intimate, neither of them can really believe what they've found. The homophobic culture in the NHL makes it feel impossible for Scott to come out though and while Kip initially accepts the need for secrecy, it becomes harder and harder to deal with over time. With all this in the balance, Scott must decide what he's willing to lose, his career, or the love of his life.
This was a sweet and steamy romance inside the restrictive world of pro-sports. Scott and Kip's relationship with each other and the way they manage to work through everything was really lovely to read. I also loved Kip's sweet friends, the affirming way Scott is able to find acceptance, and all the hockey rivalry. Having read this after watching Heated Rivalry, I already knew how it would end, but it was still really enjoyable to read!
4⭐️ - A lighthearted queer romance, with the heat of intimacy balanced by the coldness of the closet!
Scott Hunter has had a glittering career as a pro NHL player, but he's in a bit of a career slump. A big believer in rituals, so when a pre-game smoothie is followed by a win, he's keen to keen to keep getting them. Of course, the fact that the barista in question is very attractive also helps. Kip hates the early starts of coffee shop work and his inability to find any work that suits his background as a history student. He doesn't mind the hot new customer though, even if he doesn't expect anything to come of their flirting.
As Scott and Kip's flirting tips over to something more emotionally and physically intimate, neither of them can really believe what they've found. The homophobic culture in the NHL makes it feel impossible for Scott to come out though and while Kip initially accepts the need for secrecy, it becomes harder and harder to deal with over time. With all this in the balance, Scott must decide what he's willing to lose, his career, or the love of his life.
This was a sweet and steamy romance inside the restrictive world of pro-sports. Scott and Kip's relationship with each other and the way they manage to work through everything was really lovely to read. I also loved Kip's sweet friends, the affirming way Scott is able to find acceptance, and all the hockey rivalry. Having read this after watching Heated Rivalry, I already knew how it would end, but it was still really enjoyable to read!