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RELEASE BLITZ: Sugar and Ice by R.J. Scott & V.L. Locey (Giveaway)
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RELEASE BLITZ: He Shoots, He Scores by Tricia Owens (Excerpt)
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RELEASE BLITZ: Love According to Liam by V.L. Locey (Giveaway)
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NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Lighting the Lamp by K.R. Collins (Excerpt & Giveaway)
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COVER REVEAL: Love According to Liam by V.L. Locey (Giveaway)
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NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Out in Spring by Lane Hayes (Excerpt & Giveaway)
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REVIEW: Guarding Garrett by R.J. Scott
Hockey Allies Bachelor Bids: Guarding Garrett – R.J. Scott
A hardworking, competitive, and skilled hockey player, Garrett is the cornerstone of the Burlington Dragons hockey team and one of the league’s most popular playmakers. Blessed with a face that delivers millions in endorsements, he has a legion of fans, and a future so bright that he is the envy of many.
When his internet fame puts him in danger, and a stalker threatens his life, the team hires Jason, a quiet but deadly former marine, to protect him. Danger is always close, but forced proximity means sparks fly, attraction burns, and somehow, resentment turns to love.
When Garrett’s stalker ups their game at a charity bachelor auction, there is a real chance it could mean the end for Garrett, but Jason refuses to leave his side whatever the risk.
These two stubborn men will have to fight to walk away from this alive, but their newfound love is worth every sacrifice.
Ever since Rachel Reid‘s fantastic Game Changers series, I developed a thing for gay hockey romance despite not knowing anything about the sport. And there are a lot of MM hockey romances out there. I don’t know what it is about hockey players (maybe because they’re so damn cute?) but there something about them that’s so shippable to each other.
Guarding Garret is your tough, uber-popular athlete needing protection from a stalker. Who you can guess the identity right away because they’re the only person described with some negativity. The romance itself, you already know how it will play out.
But what I really liked about this was that R.J. Scott was still able to deliver an entertaining falling-for-the-bodyguard romance that’s a breeze to read and satisfying to finish. The story felt like of those beloved rom-coms you’ve seen a million times but can still make you smile every time. And even better, we are spared the requisite big fight commonly deployed in the genre.
Garrett is pretty much obsessed with hockey. He’s a social media darling with a meme to his name. He’s known as that naked guy with the hippo. He’s also driven, kinda sullen but when he talks about his advocacy, supporting LGBT youth in sports, you could really see how passionate he is about it. He’s like the ideal athlete every sports agent dreams of. I had a fun time going through his thoughts and it was even more fun when he and his bodyguard started bantering.
Jason was the bodyguard assigned to him. We only see him from Garrett’s POV. Jason is straight-laced, hard to read and kept his distance for as long as he could. For which I’m glad because the man was clearly keen on doing his job properly. I liked how smooth the transition from bodyguard to boyfriend was executed and even after that, Jason was still very profession. This gets a mention because I really hate it when pros fuck up when all of a sudden they’re emotionally involved.
Guarding Garrett is part of the shared-world Hockey Allies Bachelor Bid. The common thing that unites the books are hockey and a charity auctioning off the players for a date. Garrett was one of the organizers of the event.
For me, this is a great book to start off the series. It gave a nice backgrounder to the bachelor bid part and introduced the other characters who will appear on the other books. Recommended if you like a straightforward sports romance about a hockey player who broke the internet and his bodyguard who tried to resist.
The books can be read in any order.
P.S.
Thank you to Signal Boost Promotions for sending a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Rating:
3.5 Stars – that place between like and loveSoundtrack: I’m In Love Today
Artist: The Boyfriends
Album: I’m In Love Today -
REVIEW: Game Changer by Rachel Reid
New York Admirals captain Scott Hunter takes his pregame rituals very seriously. In this case, it’s not just a lucky smoothie he’s craving—it’s the man who made it.
Pro hockey star Scott Hunter knows a good thing when he sees it. So, when a smoothie made by juice bar barista Kip Grady precedes Scott breaking his on-ice slump, he’s desperate to recreate the magic…and to get to know the sexy, funny guy behind the counter.
Kip knew there was more to Scott’s frequent visits than blended fruit, but he never let himself imagine being invited back to Scott’s penthouse. Or kissed with reckless abandon, never mind touched everywhere all at once. When it happens it’s red-hot, incredible and frequent, but also only on Scott’s terms and always behind his closed apartment doors.
Scott needs Kip in his life, but with playoff season approaching, the spotlight on him is suddenly brighter than ever. He can’t afford to do anything that might derail his career…like introducing the world to his boyfriend. Kip is ready to go all-in with Scott—but how much longer will he have to remain a secret?
A very cute meet-cute with a huge dollop of steam and just enough angst to keep you from sugar coma.
Game Changer is the first book of the fantastic Game Changers series by Rachel Reid. The series features hockey players falling in love in and out of the rink. I read the second book, Heated Rivalry, beforehand which I absolutely adored so I was very motivated to read the first book too.
I wasn’t disappointed.
This is almost as charming as book 2. The story is totally different. Whereas the second book was about two rival hockey players falling in love with each other, Gamer Changer was about Scott Hunter, a closeted team captain of the New York Admirals, dropping by a smoothie cafe, bought a lucky blueberry smoothie and quickly fell in love with the barista, Kip Grady.
The two men had instant attraction and threw off sparks that were pretty obvious to any bystander. However they had to keep their relationship a secret because it might ruin Scott’s career. To Kip, it felt like going back to the closet.
As mentioned above, things were all sorts of warm fuzzy feels and sweetness. Also, too much smexy scenes that could have been edited out but that’s the honeymoon period for you. As is usually the case with contemporary romance/rom-com, once reality sets in and Kip started having niggles about being the dirty secret, you brace yourself for the Big Fight, which did happen. The two men both seemed like sensible level-headed guys so I had hopes it wouldn’t. Then again, Scott is a sweetheart and so is Kip and they patched things up after a brief falling out.
That’s not all.
The ending was everything a romantic at heart could ever hope for. A grand gesture by way of the Stanley Cup and here I am just an ‘eyewitness’ and I was giddy and exhilarated and melting softly from all the heartwarming fluff-tastic fluff! Can you imagine what Scott and Kip must feel?
Even if the book followed a typical romance story pattern, it would be the kind that easily becomes a favorite reread. I loved the two MCs and the secondary characters were well-fleshed out (and hella funny too). I gave a little hurrahs every time Rozanov appears. The author kept things fresh, fast-paced and very engaging. Even with all the bedroom play, the plot had a strong narrative to carry it through. All in all, good job, Rachel Reid!
Game Changers is a very apt name for the series because it changed the way I feel about about sports romance. I had sworn I will never read anything sports-related (hah! famous last words) and now here I am eager to delve into more sports-rom. At least if hockey players are involved.
I wished Hollywood would pick the books up and make them into a movie. We all could use a feel-good gay sports-rom and Game Changers could be that breakout hit the genre needs.
Make it happened, Hollywood! I mean, seriously, think of all the awesome memes and tumblr posts you can generate if you get two cute hockey players to kiss each other.
P.S.
Heated Rivalry review here.
Rating:
4.5 Stars – perfection is only half a step awaySoundtrack: Lucky
Artist: Hoobastank
Album: The Reason
